More on Interferon-Induced Cutaneous Necrosis

Abstract

Sheremata et al. (June 8 issue)¹ reported severe necrotizing cutaneous lesions complicating treatment with interferon beta-1b in a patient with multiple sclerosis. They indicated that it was a new complication of treatment with interferon beta-1b, which had not been observed with natural or recombinant interferon alfa. However, we described a case of cutaneous necrosis caused by the injection of interferon alfa in a patient with chronic myelogenous leukemia.² Cutaneous necrosis due to interferon alfa was also reported by Cnudde et al.³ and subsequently by Orlow and Friedman-Kien⁴ in patients with Kaposi's sarcoma related to the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. The pathogenesis of cutaneous necrosis due to interferon alfa is unknown. A local immune-mediated inflammatory process in the skin may be involved.⁵