Steroid-sparing effects of pentoxifylline in pulmonary sarcoidosis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Agents that target pro-inflammatory cytokines may be useful in pulmonary sarcoidosis.

Objective

To determine effectiveness of a non-selective cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitor, pentoxifylline (POF).

Design

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial,

Setting

Clinical Research Center, National Institutes of Health.

Patients

27 patients with biopsy-confirmed pulmonary sarcoidosis receiving prednisone.

Intervention

Placebo or POF (1200-2000 mg/day) for 10 months, as prednisone was tapered.

Measurements

Primary endpoints: sustained improvement in two or more pulmonary function parameters, or a combination of one pulmonary function parameter and dyspnea.

Results

Except for one patient, primary endpoints

SUBMITTER: Park MK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2946799 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature