Interferon-α induced Raynaud's syndrome

• Published in: Annals of oncology Vol. 11; no. 11; pp. 1501 - 1502
• Main Authors: Kruit, W. H. J., Eggermont, A. M. M., Stoter, G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Oxford University Press 01.11.2000
• Subjects: Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; Combined Modality Therapy; cytokine; Drug toxicity and drugs side effects treatment; Female; Humans; Immunologic Factors - adverse effects; Immunologic Factors - therapeutic use; immunotherapy; Interferon alpha-2; Interferon-alpha - adverse effects; Interferon-alpha - therapeutic use; Lymphatic Metastasis; Medical sciences; melanoma; Melanoma - drug therapy; Melanoma - pathology; Melanoma - surgery; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Raynaud Disease - chemically induced; Recombinant Proteins; Skin Neoplasms - drug therapy; Skin Neoplasms - pathology; Skin Neoplasms - surgery; Toxicity: cardiovascular system; vasospasm; Antineoplastic agent; Human; Acrosyndrome; High risk; Skin disease; Alpha interferon; Toxicity; Cytokine; Cardiovascular disease; Malignant tumor; Vascular disease; Case study; Treatment; Immunotherapy; Blood vessel; Diseases of the autonomic nervous system; Malignant melanoma; Raynaud phenomenon; Capillary vessel disease; Circulatory system
• ISSN: 0923-7534; 1569-8041
• DOI: 10.1023/A:1026586629166

The cytokine interferon-alpha (IFN-α) is increasingly prescribed for a number of indications, especially viral hepatitis and several malignancies. Two patients are described who developed Raynaud's syndrome during treatment with IFN-α as adjuvant therapy for high-risk melanoma. With a review of the available literature the symptomatology, possible pathophysiologic mechanisms and treatment options are discussed.