Author Archives: Alice Melão, MSc

Better quality of life and greater functionality are the most important treatment goals for people with sarcoidosis, according to a large-scale survey of patient perspectives. Survey results are expected to be included in European Respiratory Society (ERS) guidelines to be released this year. They were reported in “…

A potent signaling molecule called interleukin-33, or IL-33, can restore the balance and function of regulatory immune T-cells in mice with pulmonary sarcoidosis, a study showed. The finding suggests that IL-33 may become an important target in preventing the immune-mediated inflammatory processes of pulmonary sarcoidosis. The study, “…

The first patient was recently enrolled in a Phase 4 trial to further evaluate the effectiveness of H.P. Acthar Gel as a therapy for pulmonary sarcoidosis, according to Mallinckrodt. Acthar Gel (repository corticotropin injection) is a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved therapy for 19 different indications, including respiratory symptomatic…

Imaging data collected by advanced cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) can significantly improve the diagnosis of cardiac sarcoidosis and accurately predict the risk of future life-threatening cardiac events, a study found. The study, “Complementary Role of CMR to Conventional Screening in the Diagnosis and Prognosis of Cardiac Sarcoidosis,”…

Therapies used to treat pulmonary hypertension (PH), such as Revatio (sildenafil), provide only temporary benefit for patients with sarcoidosis-associated PH, according to a case report published in the journal Advances in Respiratory Medicine. The report demonstrates that such therapies fail to prevent disease progression and improve patients’ outcomes, highlighting the…

A recent report in the journal Internal Medicine, published by the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine, described the unusual case of a 78-year-old woman who had a rare combination of pancreatic mass and nodules in the airways and lungs — all consistent with a diagnosis of sarcoidosis. Sarcoidosis is characterized…

A research team at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, evaluated the clinical records of cases of hepatic sarcoidosis over a 37-year period to describe the characteristics of the condition. The work results from the fact that the clinical characteristics and outcome of hepatic sarcoidosis are still not well-defined, and most of…

The incidence of sarcoidosis may be associated with breast cancer, according to a short report published in the European Journal of Internal Medicine. This finding highlights the importance of a suitable breast cancer patient’s follow-up to ensure early diagnosis and treatment of sarcoidosis. Sarcoidosis is believed to be caused…

Anti-TNF agents such as AbbVie’s Humira (adalimumab) or Janssen’s Remicade (infliximab), were found to be effective in treating cutaneous sarcoidosis, according to a French study of 46 cases. The study, “Efficacy and Tolerance of Anti–Tumor Necrosis Factor α Agents in Cutaneous Sarcoidosis, A French Study…

A case was recently reported of a 27-year-old woman who presented ocular pain and moderate vision impairment as the first symptoms of sarcoidosis. Clinicians from the University of Ottawa in Canada reported the case study in the Canadian Medical Association Journal. Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory chronic disease that can…