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Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases logoLink to Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases
. 2003 Feb;62(2):175–177. doi: 10.1136/ard.62.2.175

Fibrosis regression induced by intravenous gammaglobulin treatment

H Amital 1, E Rewald 1, Y Levy 1, Y Bar-Dayan 1, R Manthorpe 1, P Engervall 1, Y Sherer 1, P Langevitz 1, Y Shoenfeld 1
PMCID: PMC1754436  PMID: 12525390

Abstract

Methods: Eight patients with excess fibrotic reaction in the course of diverse diseases were analysed; a tendency that reverted with different IVIg treatment options. Myelofibrosis was predominant in three patients (a patient with a myeloproliferative syndrome, one with systemic lupus erythematosus, and one with Sjögren's syndrome). Three patients had scleroderma as their main feature, one patient had hepatitis C cirrhosis, and one had idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.

Results: Fibrotic excess was reduced in all the patients by IVIg treatment. In five patients the disease as a whole benefited from the infusion of immunoglobulins.

Conclusion: IVIg may enhance resorption of fibrosis and promote healing in patients with fibrotic associated disorders.

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