Recent progress in the pharmacotherapy of Churg-Strauss syndrome. 2004

Bernhard Hellmich, and Wolfgang L Gross
Poliklinik für Rheumatologie, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23538 Lübeck, Germany. bernhard.hellmich@rheuma.uni-luebeck.de

Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS) is a primary systemic vasculitis occurring primarily in patients with asthma. Unlike other small vessel vasculitides, CSS is characterised by blood and tissue eosinophilia. Corticosteroids are the therapy of first choice for all stages of the disease when active vasculitis needs to be treated rapidly. In patients with severe disease and organ- or life-threatening manifestation, the addition of cyclophosphamide appears to improve the outcome and reduces the incidence of relapses. In cases with an apparently better prognosis and less severe disease, methotrexate can be given as a corticosteroid-sparing agent in order to reduce the cumulative dose of corticosteroids, which is generally high in most cases as long-term administration of corticosteroids is often inevitable in order to control asthma, even if the vasculitis is inactive. In very severe cases of CSS, cyclophosphamide and corticosteroids may be insufficient to induce remission. In these cases, anti-TNF blocking agents such as infliximab or etanercept, may be added for a limited period of time. As this intense immunosuppression increases the risk for infections, a prophylaxis with sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim is advised. Alternatively, the administration of recombinant IFN-alpha can be a effective when given on a short-term basis in otherwise refractory cases. Whether a continuous administration of immunosuppressive agents in addition to corticosteroids can reduce the frequency of relapses in CSS who are in remission is still unknown. As relapses occur in > 25% of all patients, studies addressing the prevention of relapses in CSS are highly desirable in the future.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007166 Immunosuppressive Agents Agents that suppress immune function by one of several mechanisms of action. Classical cytotoxic immunosuppressants act by inhibiting DNA synthesis. Others may act through activation of T-CELLS or by inhibiting the activation of HELPER CELLS. While immunosuppression has been brought about in the past primarily to prevent rejection of transplanted organs, new applications involving mediation of the effects of INTERLEUKINS and other CYTOKINES are emerging. Immunosuppressant,Immunosuppressive Agent,Immunosuppressants,Agent, Immunosuppressive,Agents, Immunosuppressive
D008727 Methotrexate An antineoplastic antimetabolite with immunosuppressant properties. It is an inhibitor of TETRAHYDROFOLATE DEHYDROGENASE and prevents the formation of tetrahydrofolate, necessary for synthesis of thymidylate, an essential component of DNA. Amethopterin,Methotrexate Hydrate,Methotrexate Sodium,Methotrexate, (D)-Isomer,Methotrexate, (DL)-Isomer,Methotrexate, Dicesium Salt,Methotrexate, Disodium Salt,Methotrexate, Sodium Salt,Mexate,Dicesium Salt Methotrexate,Hydrate, Methotrexate,Sodium, Methotrexate
D010956 Plasmapheresis Procedure whereby plasma is separated and extracted from anticoagulated whole blood and the red cells retransfused to the donor. Plasmapheresis is also employed for therapeutic use. Double Filtration Plasmapheresis,Therapeutic Immunoadsorption,Therapeutic Plasma Adsorption,Therapeutic Plasmapheresis,Adsorption, Therapeutic Plasma,Adsorptions, Therapeutic Plasma,Double Filtration Plasmaphereses,Filtration Plasmapheresis, Double,Immunoadsorption, Therapeutic,Plasma Adsorption, Therapeutic,Plasmaphereses,Plasmapheresis, Double Filtration,Plasmapheresis, Therapeutic,Therapeutic Immunoadsorptions,Therapeutic Plasma Adsorptions,Therapeutic Plasmaphereses
D003520 Cyclophosphamide Precursor of an alkylating nitrogen mustard antineoplastic and immunosuppressive agent that must be activated in the LIVER to form the active aldophosphamide. It has been used in the treatment of LYMPHOMA and LEUKEMIA. Its side effect, ALOPECIA, has been used for defleecing sheep. Cyclophosphamide may also cause sterility, birth defects, mutations, and cancer. (+,-)-2-(bis(2-Chloroethyl)amino)tetrahydro-2H-1,3,2-oxazaphosphorine 2-Oxide Monohydrate,B-518,Cyclophosphamide Anhydrous,Cyclophosphamide Monohydrate,Cyclophosphamide, (R)-Isomer,Cyclophosphamide, (S)-Isomer,Cyclophosphane,Cytophosphan,Cytophosphane,Cytoxan,Endoxan,NSC-26271,Neosar,Procytox,Sendoxan,B 518,B518,NSC 26271,NSC26271
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000305 Adrenal Cortex Hormones HORMONES produced by the ADRENAL CORTEX, including both steroid and peptide hormones. The major hormones produced are HYDROCORTISONE and ALDOSTERONE. Adrenal Cortex Hormone,Corticoid,Corticoids,Corticosteroid,Corticosteroids,Cortex Hormone, Adrenal,Hormone, Adrenal Cortex,Hormones, Adrenal Cortex
D001249 Asthma A form of bronchial disorder with three distinct components: airway hyper-responsiveness (RESPIRATORY HYPERSENSITIVITY), airway INFLAMMATION, and intermittent AIRWAY OBSTRUCTION. It is characterized by spasmodic contraction of airway smooth muscle, WHEEZING, and dyspnea (DYSPNEA, PAROXYSMAL). Asthma, Bronchial,Bronchial Asthma,Asthmas
D015267 Churg-Strauss Syndrome Widespread necrotizing angiitis with granulomas. Pulmonary involvement is frequent. Asthma or other respiratory infection may precede evidence of vasculitis. Eosinophilia and lung involvement differentiate this disease from POLYARTERITIS NODOSA. Allergic Angiitis,Allergic Granulomatous Angiitis,Angiitis, Allergic Granulomatous,EGPA Disorder,Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis,Vasculitis, Churg-Strauss,Allergic Angiitis and Granulomatosis,Allergic Granulomatosis,Allergic Granulomatous and Angiitis,Eosinophilic Granulomatous Vasculitis,Granulomatous Allergic Angiitis,Allergic Angiitides,Allergic Angiitides, Granulomatous,Allergic Angiitis, Granulomatous,Allergic Granulomatoses,Allergic Granulomatous Angiitides,Angiitides, Allergic,Angiitides, Allergic Granulomatous,Angiitides, Granulomatous Allergic,Angiitis, Allergic,Angiitis, Granulomatous Allergic,Churg Strauss Syndrome,Churg-Strauss Vasculitis,Disorder, EGPA,Disorders, EGPA,EGPA Disorders,Granulomatoses, Allergic,Granulomatosis, Allergic,Granulomatous Allergic Angiitides,Granulomatous Angiitides, Allergic,Granulomatous Angiitis, Allergic,Granulomatous Vasculitides, Eosinophilic,Granulomatous Vasculitis, Eosinophilic,Syndrome, Churg-Strauss,Vasculitides, Eosinophilic Granulomatous,Vasculitis, Churg Strauss,Vasculitis, Eosinophilic Granulomatous
D016898 Interferon-alpha One of the type I interferons produced by peripheral blood leukocytes or lymphoblastoid cells. In addition to antiviral activity, it activates NATURAL KILLER CELLS and B-LYMPHOCYTES, and down-regulates VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR expression through PI-3 KINASE and MAPK KINASES signaling pathways. Interferon Alfa,Interferon, Leukocyte,Interferon, Lymphoblast,alpha-Interferon,IFN-alpha D,IFN-alpha5,Interferon alpha-1,Interferon alpha-17,Interferon alpha-4,Interferon alpha-5,Interferon alpha-7,Interferon alpha-88,Interferon alpha-J,Interferon alpha-T,Interferon alpha4,Interferon alpha5,Interferon, Lymphoblastoid,Interferon, alpha,LeIF I,LeIF J,Leif D,IFN alpha D,IFN alpha5,Interferon alpha,Interferon alpha 1,Interferon alpha 17,Interferon alpha 4,Interferon alpha 5,Interferon alpha 7,Interferon alpha 88,Interferon alpha J,Interferon alpha T,Leukocyte Interferon,Lymphoblast Interferon,Lymphoblastoid Interferon,alpha Interferon
D018927 Anti-Asthmatic Agents Drugs that are used to treat asthma. Anti-Asthmatic,Anti-Asthmatic Agent,Anti-Asthmatic Drug,Antiasthmatic,Antiasthmatic Agent,Antiasthmatic Drug,Anti-Asthmatic Drugs,Anti-Asthmatics,Antiasthmatic Agents,Antiasthmatic Drugs,Antiasthmatics,Agent, Anti-Asthmatic,Agent, Antiasthmatic,Agents, Anti-Asthmatic,Agents, Antiasthmatic,Anti Asthmatic,Anti Asthmatic Agent,Anti Asthmatic Agents,Anti Asthmatic Drug,Anti Asthmatic Drugs,Anti Asthmatics,Drug, Anti-Asthmatic,Drug, Antiasthmatic,Drugs, Anti-Asthmatic,Drugs, Antiasthmatic

Related Publications

Bernhard Hellmich, and Wolfgang L Gross
January 2010, Current opinion in rheumatology,
Bernhard Hellmich, and Wolfgang L Gross
October 2009, Zhonghua jie he he hu xi za zhi = Zhonghua jiehe he huxi zazhi = Chinese journal of tuberculosis and respiratory diseases,
Bernhard Hellmich, and Wolfgang L Gross
May 2009, Autoimmunity,
Bernhard Hellmich, and Wolfgang L Gross
December 2001, Modern pathology : an official journal of the United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology, Inc,
Bernhard Hellmich, and Wolfgang L Gross
August 2010, Arerugi = [Allergy],
Bernhard Hellmich, and Wolfgang L Gross
January 2002, Current opinion in rheumatology,
Bernhard Hellmich, and Wolfgang L Gross
April 2015, Autoimmunity reviews,
Bernhard Hellmich, and Wolfgang L Gross
January 1994, Ryoikibetsu shokogun shirizu,
Bernhard Hellmich, and Wolfgang L Gross
April 1994, The Journal of the Association of Physicians of India,
Bernhard Hellmich, and Wolfgang L Gross
April 1994, The Journal of the Association of Physicians of India,
Copied contents to your clipboard!