PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - D.H. Sahoo
AU  - D. Bandyopadhyay
AU  - M. Xu
AU  - K. Pearson
AU  - J.G. Parambil
AU  - C.A. Lazar
AU  - J.T. Chapman
AU  - D.A. Culver
TI  - Effectiveness and safety of leflunomide for pulmonary and extrapulmonary sarcoidosis
AID  - 10.1183/09031936.00195010
DP  - 2011 Nov 01
TA  - European Respiratory Journal
PG  - 1145--1150
VI  - 38
IP  - 5
4099  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/38/5/1145.short
4100  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/38/5/1145.full
SO  - Eur Respir J2011 Nov 01; 38
AB  - Leflunomide has been reported as an alternative therapy in sarcoidosis. However, the published data are limited. We performed a retrospective chart review of the tolerance and effects of leflunomide therapy in patients with sarcoidosis. 76 patients were included. The most common reasons for initiation were progression of disease or failure of other immunomodulator therapy. Side-effects attributable to leflunomide were noted in 34% of subjects, prompting discontinuation in 17%. The lungs were a target of therapy in 33 (44%) and extrapulmonary organs were a target in 45 (59%). The mean±sd change in forced vital capacity in the 6 months prior to leflunomide was −0.1±0.3 L, and it was +0.09±0.3 L in the following 6 months (p=0.01). For extrapulmonary target organ response, 51% had a good response and 32% a partial response. The median corticosteroid dose at initiation was 10 mg (interquartile range 5–20) mg at baseline, and 0 (0–10) mg at the 6-month follow-up (p<0.001). Leflunomide is a viable alternative agent for pulmonary and extrapulmonary sarcoidosis. Leflunomide appears to facilitate reduction of steroid dose and can be considered as monotherapy or as add-on therapy in cases of progressive disease.