Improvement of idiopathic pyoderma gangrenosum during treatment with anti-tumor necrosis factor alfa monoclonal antibody

Int J Low Extrem Wounds. 2007 Jun;6(2):108-13. doi: 10.1177/1534734607300912.

Abstract

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is an inflammatory ulcerative condition of unknown etiology. An autoimmune mechanism including immune complex-mediated neutrophilic vascular reactions has been suggested. The role of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in PG remains unclear. Evidence supports the idea that TNF plays a role in chronic inflammation and migration of neutrophils to these lesions. PG is frequently associated with various diseases, but up to 50% of cases are idiopathic. There are several reports describing the successful use of infliximab (Remicade, Centocor, Inc, Horsham, Pa), a chimeric antitumor necrosis factor alpha monoclonal antibody, in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease- associated PG, but there have been few reported cases of infliximab in the treatment of idiopathic PG. The authors present a dramatic improvement in 4 cases of idiopathic PG of the lower leg treated with infliximab.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use*
  • Antiphospholipid Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Antiphospholipid Syndrome / drug therapy*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infliximab
  • Leg Ulcer / drug therapy*
  • Middle Aged
  • Pyoderma Gangrenosum / diagnosis
  • Pyoderma Gangrenosum / drug therapy*
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Wound Healing / drug effects

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Infliximab