Skip to main content
Top
Published in: International Ophthalmology 2-3/2007

01-06-2007 | Original Paper

Interferon-α2a and Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada disease: a double-edged sword?

Authors: Valerie Touitou, Damien Sene, Christine Fardeau, Thi-Huong-Du Boutin, Pierre Duhaut, Jean-Charles Piette, Phuc LeHoang, Patrice Cacoub, Bahram Bodaghi

Published in: International Ophthalmology | Issue 2-3/2007

Login to get access

Abstract

Successful therapy based on the use of interferon-α has been reported in different types of severe chronic uveitis. The immunomodulatory effects of this drug, combined with its antiviral properties seem to contribute to its efficacy in the treatment of different forms of severe and refractory uveitis such as Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease, Behçet-associated uveitis, or even human herpes virus 8 (HHV-8) associated uveitis. At the same time, severe ocular complications have been reported in patients treated with interferon-α for chronic viral hepatitis C. Among these complications, six cases of Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada-like disease have been described.
We report a small case series of two patients with refractory Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada disease, treated with interferon-α and discuss the potential benefits or detrimental role of interferon therapy in these patients.
Literature
1.
go back to reference Wechsler B, Bodaghi B, Huong DL et al (2000) Efficacy of interferon alfa-2a in severe and refractory uveitis associated with Behcet’s disease. Ocul Immunol Inflamm 8:293–301PubMedCrossRef Wechsler B, Bodaghi B, Huong DL et al (2000) Efficacy of interferon alfa-2a in severe and refractory uveitis associated with Behcet’s disease. Ocul Immunol Inflamm 8:293–301PubMedCrossRef
2.
go back to reference Pivetti-Pezzi P, Accorinti M, Pirraglia MP et al (1997) Interferon alpha for ocular Behcet’s disease. Acta Ophthalmol Scand 75:720–722PubMedCrossRef Pivetti-Pezzi P, Accorinti M, Pirraglia MP et al (1997) Interferon alpha for ocular Behcet’s disease. Acta Ophthalmol Scand 75:720–722PubMedCrossRef
3.
4.
go back to reference Bodaghi B, Gendron G, Wechsler B et al (2006) Efficacy of interferon alpha in the treatment of refractory and sight-threatening uveitis : a retrospective monocentric study of 45 patients. Br J Ophthalmol (in press) Bodaghi B, Gendron G, Wechsler B et al (2006) Efficacy of interferon alpha in the treatment of refractory and sight-threatening uveitis : a retrospective monocentric study of 45 patients. Br J Ophthalmol (in press)
5.
go back to reference Deuter CM, Koetter I, Guenaydin I et al (2006) Interferon alfa-2a: a new treatment option for long lasting refractory cystoid macular edema in uveitis? A pilot study. Retina 26:786–791PubMedCrossRef Deuter CM, Koetter I, Guenaydin I et al (2006) Interferon alfa-2a: a new treatment option for long lasting refractory cystoid macular edema in uveitis? A pilot study. Retina 26:786–791PubMedCrossRef
6.
go back to reference Brasnu E, Wechsler B, Bron A et al (2005) Efficacy of interferon-alpha for the treatment of Kaposi’s sarcoma herpesvirus-associated uveitis. Am J Ophthalmol 140:746–748PubMedCrossRef Brasnu E, Wechsler B, Bron A et al (2005) Efficacy of interferon-alpha for the treatment of Kaposi’s sarcoma herpesvirus-associated uveitis. Am J Ophthalmol 140:746–748PubMedCrossRef
7.
go back to reference Matsuo T, Takabatake R (2002) Multiple sclerosis-like disease secondary to alpha interferon. Ocul Immunol Inflamm 10:299–304PubMedCrossRef Matsuo T, Takabatake R (2002) Multiple sclerosis-like disease secondary to alpha interferon. Ocul Immunol Inflamm 10:299–304PubMedCrossRef
8.
go back to reference Perlemuter G, Bodaghi B, Le Hoang P et al (2002) Visual loss during interferon-alpha therapy in hepatitis C virus infection. J Hepatol 37:701–702PubMedCrossRef Perlemuter G, Bodaghi B, Le Hoang P et al (2002) Visual loss during interferon-alpha therapy in hepatitis C virus infection. J Hepatol 37:701–702PubMedCrossRef
9.
go back to reference Yamada H, Mizobuchi K, Isogai Y (1994) Acute onset of ocular complications with interferon. Lancet 343:914PubMedCrossRef Yamada H, Mizobuchi K, Isogai Y (1994) Acute onset of ocular complications with interferon. Lancet 343:914PubMedCrossRef
10.
go back to reference Sylvestre DL, Disston AR, Bui DP (2003) Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada disease associated with interferon alpha-2b/ribavirin combination therapy. J Viral Hepat 10:467–470PubMedCrossRef Sylvestre DL, Disston AR, Bui DP (2003) Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada disease associated with interferon alpha-2b/ribavirin combination therapy. J Viral Hepat 10:467–470PubMedCrossRef
11.
go back to reference Touitou V, Bodaghi B, Cassoux N et al (2005) Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada disease in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Am J Ophthalmol 140:949–952PubMedCrossRef Touitou V, Bodaghi B, Cassoux N et al (2005) Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada disease in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Am J Ophthalmol 140:949–952PubMedCrossRef
12.
go back to reference Kasahara A, Hiraide A, Tomita N et al (2004) Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada disease occurring during interferon alpha therapy for chronic hepatitis C. J Gastroenterol 39:1106–1109PubMedCrossRef Kasahara A, Hiraide A, Tomita N et al (2004) Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada disease occurring during interferon alpha therapy for chronic hepatitis C. J Gastroenterol 39:1106–1109PubMedCrossRef
13.
go back to reference Arnaud P (2002) [The interferons: pharmacology, mechanism of action, tolerance and side effects]. Rev Med Interne 23(Suppl 4):449s–458sPubMedCrossRef Arnaud P (2002) [The interferons: pharmacology, mechanism of action, tolerance and side effects]. Rev Med Interne 23(Suppl 4):449s–458sPubMedCrossRef
14.
go back to reference Sanda C, Weitzel P, Tsukahara T et al (2006) Differential gene induction by type I and type II interferons and their combination. J Interferon Cytokine Res 26:462–472PubMedCrossRef Sanda C, Weitzel P, Tsukahara T et al (2006) Differential gene induction by type I and type II interferons and their combination. J Interferon Cytokine Res 26:462–472PubMedCrossRef
15.
go back to reference Okada AA, Keino H, Suzuki J et al (1998) Kinetics of intraocular cytokines in the suppression of experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis by type I IFN. Int Immunol 10:1917–1922PubMedCrossRef Okada AA, Keino H, Suzuki J et al (1998) Kinetics of intraocular cytokines in the suppression of experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis by type I IFN. Int Immunol 10:1917–1922PubMedCrossRef
16.
go back to reference Okada AA, Keino H, Fukai T et al (1998) Effect of type I interferon on experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis in rats. Ocul Immunol Inflamm 6:215–226PubMedCrossRef Okada AA, Keino H, Fukai T et al (1998) Effect of type I interferon on experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis in rats. Ocul Immunol Inflamm 6:215–226PubMedCrossRef
17.
go back to reference Stubiger N, Crane IJ, Kotter I et al (2003) Interferon alpha 2a in IRPB-derived peptide-induced EAU–part I. Adv Exp Med Biol 528:537–540PubMed Stubiger N, Crane IJ, Kotter I et al (2003) Interferon alpha 2a in IRPB-derived peptide-induced EAU–part I. Adv Exp Med Biol 528:537–540PubMed
18.
go back to reference Treusch M, Stubiger N, Vonthein R et al (2003) Influence of interferon-alpha on lymphocyte subpopulations in Behcet’s disease. Adv Exp Med Biol 528:533–535PubMedCrossRef Treusch M, Stubiger N, Vonthein R et al (2003) Influence of interferon-alpha on lymphocyte subpopulations in Behcet’s disease. Adv Exp Med Biol 528:533–535PubMedCrossRef
19.
go back to reference Treusch M, Vonthein R, Baur M et al (2004) Influence of human recombinant interferon-alpha2a (rhIFN-alpha2a) on altered lymphocyte subpopulations and monocytes in Behcet’s disease. Rheumatology (Oxford) 43:1275–1282CrossRef Treusch M, Vonthein R, Baur M et al (2004) Influence of human recombinant interferon-alpha2a (rhIFN-alpha2a) on altered lymphocyte subpopulations and monocytes in Behcet’s disease. Rheumatology (Oxford) 43:1275–1282CrossRef
20.
go back to reference Kotter I, Gunaydin I, Treusch M et al (2003) The use of interferon-alpha in Behcet’s disease–review of the literature and possible mechanisms of action. Adv Exp Med Biol 528:503–509PubMed Kotter I, Gunaydin I, Treusch M et al (2003) The use of interferon-alpha in Behcet’s disease–review of the literature and possible mechanisms of action. Adv Exp Med Biol 528:503–509PubMed
21.
go back to reference Pellicano R, Smedile A, Peyre S et al (2005) Autoimmune manifestations during interferon therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C: the hepatologist’s view. Minerva Gastroenterol Dietol 51:55–61PubMed Pellicano R, Smedile A, Peyre S et al (2005) Autoimmune manifestations during interferon therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C: the hepatologist’s view. Minerva Gastroenterol Dietol 51:55–61PubMed
22.
go back to reference Selmi C, Lleo A, Zuin M et al (2006) Interferon alpha and its contribution to autoimmunity. Curr Opin Investig Drugs 7:451–456PubMed Selmi C, Lleo A, Zuin M et al (2006) Interferon alpha and its contribution to autoimmunity. Curr Opin Investig Drugs 7:451–456PubMed
23.
go back to reference Oshima Y, Harino S, Hara Y et al (1996) Indocyanine green angiographic findings in Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada disease. Am J Ophthalmol 122:58–66PubMed Oshima Y, Harino S, Hara Y et al (1996) Indocyanine green angiographic findings in Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada disease. Am J Ophthalmol 122:58–66PubMed
24.
go back to reference Harada T, Kanbara Y, Takeuchi T et al (1997) Exploration of Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada syndrome by infrared choroidal angiography with indocyanine green. Eur J Ophthalmol 7:163–170PubMed Harada T, Kanbara Y, Takeuchi T et al (1997) Exploration of Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada syndrome by infrared choroidal angiography with indocyanine green. Eur J Ophthalmol 7:163–170PubMed
25.
go back to reference Bouchenaki N, Herbort CP (2001) The contribution of indocyanine green angiography to the appraisal and management of Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada disease. Ophthalmology 108:54–64PubMedCrossRef Bouchenaki N, Herbort CP (2001) The contribution of indocyanine green angiography to the appraisal and management of Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada disease. Ophthalmology 108:54–64PubMedCrossRef
26.
go back to reference Gupta R, Singh S, Tang R et al (2002) Anterior ischemic optic neuropathy caused by interferon alpha therapy. Am J Med 112:683–684PubMedCrossRef Gupta R, Singh S, Tang R et al (2002) Anterior ischemic optic neuropathy caused by interferon alpha therapy. Am J Med 112:683–684PubMedCrossRef
27.
go back to reference Vardizer Y, Linhart Y, Loewenstein A et al (2003) Interferon-alpha-associated bilateral simultaneous ischemic optic neuropathy. J Neuroophthalmol 23:256–259PubMed Vardizer Y, Linhart Y, Loewenstein A et al (2003) Interferon-alpha-associated bilateral simultaneous ischemic optic neuropathy. J Neuroophthalmol 23:256–259PubMed
28.
go back to reference Norcia F, Di Maria A, Prandini F et al (1999) Natural interferon therapy: optic nerve ischemic damage? Ophthalmologica 213:339–340PubMedCrossRef Norcia F, Di Maria A, Prandini F et al (1999) Natural interferon therapy: optic nerve ischemic damage? Ophthalmologica 213:339–340PubMedCrossRef
29.
go back to reference Purvin VA (1995) Anterior ischemic optic neuropathy secondary to interferon alfa. Arch Ophthalmol 113:1041–1044PubMed Purvin VA (1995) Anterior ischemic optic neuropathy secondary to interferon alfa. Arch Ophthalmol 113:1041–1044PubMed
30.
go back to reference van der Eijk AA, Vrolijk JM, Haagmans BL (2006) Antibodies neutralizing peginterferon alfa during retreatment of hepatitis C. N Engl J Med 354:1323–1324PubMedCrossRef van der Eijk AA, Vrolijk JM, Haagmans BL (2006) Antibodies neutralizing peginterferon alfa during retreatment of hepatitis C. N Engl J Med 354:1323–1324PubMedCrossRef
31.
go back to reference Haria M, Benfield P (1995) Interferon-alpha-2a. A review of its pharmacological properties and therapeutic use in the management of viral hepatitis. Drugs 50:873–896PubMed Haria M, Benfield P (1995) Interferon-alpha-2a. A review of its pharmacological properties and therapeutic use in the management of viral hepatitis. Drugs 50:873–896PubMed
32.
go back to reference Leroy V, Baud M, de Traversay C et al (1998) Role of anti-interferon antibodies in breakthrough occurrence during alpha 2a and 2b therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C. J Hepatol 28:375–381PubMedCrossRef Leroy V, Baud M, de Traversay C et al (1998) Role of anti-interferon antibodies in breakthrough occurrence during alpha 2a and 2b therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C. J Hepatol 28:375–381PubMedCrossRef
33.
go back to reference Antonelli G, Simeoni E, Bagnato F et al (1999) Further study on the specificity and incidence of neutralizing antibodies to interferon (IFN) in relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis patients treated with IFN beta-1a or IFN beta-1b. J Neurol Sci 168:131–136PubMedCrossRef Antonelli G, Simeoni E, Bagnato F et al (1999) Further study on the specificity and incidence of neutralizing antibodies to interferon (IFN) in relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis patients treated with IFN beta-1a or IFN beta-1b. J Neurol Sci 168:131–136PubMedCrossRef
34.
go back to reference Antonelli G, Bagnato F, Pozzilli C et al (1998) Development of neutralizing antibodies in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis treated with IFN-beta1a. J Interferon Cytokine Res 18:345–350PubMedCrossRef Antonelli G, Bagnato F, Pozzilli C et al (1998) Development of neutralizing antibodies in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis treated with IFN-beta1a. J Interferon Cytokine Res 18:345–350PubMedCrossRef
35.
go back to reference Ross C, Engler CB, Sander B et al (2002) IFN-alpha antibodies in patients with age-related macular degeneration treated with recombinant human IFN-alpha2a. J Interferon Cytokine Res 22:421–426PubMedCrossRef Ross C, Engler CB, Sander B et al (2002) IFN-alpha antibodies in patients with age-related macular degeneration treated with recombinant human IFN-alpha2a. J Interferon Cytokine Res 22:421–426PubMedCrossRef
Metadata
Title
Interferon-α2a and Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada disease: a double-edged sword?
Authors
Valerie Touitou
Damien Sene
Christine Fardeau
Thi-Huong-Du Boutin
Pierre Duhaut
Jean-Charles Piette
Phuc LeHoang
Patrice Cacoub
Bahram Bodaghi
Publication date
01-06-2007
Publisher
Kluwer Academic Publishers
Published in
International Ophthalmology / Issue 2-3/2007
Print ISSN: 0165-5701
Electronic ISSN: 1573-2630
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10792-007-9040-2

Other articles of this Issue 2-3/2007

International Ophthalmology 2-3/2007 Go to the issue