Interferon-alphacon-1 treatment of three patients with severe glucocorticoid-dependent asthma. Effect on disease control and systemic glucocorticosteroid dose.

We report herein the therapeutic effect of interferon (IFN)-alphacon in three patients with severe persistent asthma and long-term oral glucocorticoid treatment. IFN-alphacon (9 microg) administered subcutaneously thrice a week over a period of more than 24 months led to a substantial clinical improvement with regard to the number of daily asthma attacks, nighttime disturbance, emergency visits and hospitalizations. In addition, lung function and exercise capacity improved.