Case Reports
Protective role of interleukin-6 in systemic sclerosis gastrointestinal tract involvement: case report and review of the literature
T.M. Frech1, M. Hudson2
- Division of Rheumatology, University of Utah, Salt Lake Veterans Affair Medical Center, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. tracy.frech@hsc.utah.edu
- Division of Rheumatology, and Lady Davis Research Institute, Jewish General Hospital, Quebec, Canada.
CER8499
2015 Vol.33, N°4 ,Suppl.91
PI 0179, PF 0181
Case Reports
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PMID: 26339896 [PubMed]
Received: 02/04/2015
Accepted : 15/06/2015
In Press: 01/09/2015
Published: 01/09/2015
Abstract
OBJECTIVES:
Systemic sclerosis (SSc, scleroderma) is characterised by complex multi-organ pathogenesis, including gastrointestinal tract (GIT) disease that remains poorly characterised. Immunosuppression is commonly used to treat inflammatory manifestations of SSc, including the skin, lungs and joints. There is a paucity of data on the effects of immunosuppression on GIT disease in SSc.
METHODS:
This case report and review of the literature presents two clinical cases in which interleukin-6 (IL-6) antagonism was used for early, diffuse skin disease.
RESULTS:
In these two cases, IL-6 anta-gonism was associated with an exacerbation of GIT symptoms.
CONCLUSIONS:
We postulate that IL-6 is important in the repair of GIT mucosa and further studies are warranted to better understand the effects of immunosuppression on SSc-GIT disease.
