Work

Interferon Alpha Treatment and Endocrine Disease

Year: 2003

Type: review

Abstract: The interferons are a group of proteins with antiviral activity, growth regulatory properties, and a wide variety of immunomodulatory activities. There is evidence that, when interferon a is used therapeutically in chronic hepatitis B and C and in certain malignancies,1–5 it can precipitate or exacerbate autoimmune endocrine diseases, especially of the thyroid gland.6 In this review we examine the published information on such unwanted effects. THYROID GLAND The thyroid gland is the most extensively studied in relation to the effect of interferon a: more than forty reports document changes in thyroid function and autoimmune markers during treatment of hepatitis C. In the largest series, 11 241 consecutive patients with hepatitis C were treated with interferon a, of whom 71 (0.6%) developed

Source: Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine

DOI: 10.1177/014107680309601003

Authors: Wing Bun Chan, Chun Chung Chow, Clive Stewart Cockram

Institutions: Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital

Language: English

Topic: Thyroid Disorders and Treatments

Subfield: Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

OpenAlex ID: W2147691396

FWCI: 0.106

Cites: 50

Cited by: 24

Related to: 10