Long term clinical effects of IFN--1b and colchicine in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

¹ Dept of Pneumonology, Medical School University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
² Dept of Histopathology, Royal Brompton Hospital, London, England
³ Dept of Pneumonology of "Sotiria Chest Hospital" Athens, Greece
⁴ Dept of Radiology Medical School University of Athens, Athens, Greece
⁵ Dept of Pneumonology, Medical School University of Athens, Athens, Greece
⁶ Dept of Histopathology, "Sotiria Chest Hospital" Athens, Greece
⁷ Dept of Pneumonology "Sismanoglion Hospital", Athens Greece
⁸ Dept of Pneumonology, Democritus Medical School University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: bouros{at}med.duth.gr.

	Abstract

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF/UIP) is a deadly disease with no effective treatment. The purpose of this randomized, prospective, multicenter study was to characterize the clinical effects of IFN--1b administered subcutaneously thrice weekly versus colchicine for two years. This study had not prespecified endpoints.

Fifty consecutive IPF patients were randomized. Patients with mild-moderate IPF were eligible for the study if they had histologically proven IPF or, in the absence of surgical biopsy, fulfilment of the ERS/ATS criteria.

In the intent-to-treat population, 5 of 32 (15.6%) IFN--1b patients and 7 of 18 (38,8%) colchicine patients died (p=0.028) after a median period of follow-up of 25 months Patients treated with IFN--1b had a better outcome after two years of therapy (p=0.01), and less symptoms as assessed by the St George Questionnaire after 12 months of therapy (p=0.01). Also, IFN--1b group had a higher FVC% predicted (p=0.04) after 24 months of treatment. No significant differences were detected at rest PO₂, TLC % predicted, TL_CO % predicted, and HRCT scoring between the two treatment groups.

Our data suggest that long term treatment with IFN--1b may improve survival and outcome in patients with mild to moderate IPF. Further studies are needed to verify these results.

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