Effects of Pentoxifylline and Methylprednisolone Combined Therapy on Sarcoidosis

Sarcoidosis is a multisystem granulomatous disorder. Alveolar cells, in the course of sarcoidosis, produce TNF-a which is thought to play a pivotal role in granuloma formation. For patients with steroid complications, contraindications or resistance other alternative drugs have been evaluated. One of them is pentoxifylline (POF), which is shown to inhibit TNF-a production.This report is about the results of combined therapy of methylprednisolone and POF in 4 sarcoidosis patients. Threefrom (U/L) 52, 128, 55 to 45, 52, and 23 respectively. Diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) increased from (% predicted) 49, 81, 52 to 58, 85, 80 respectively. 67 Gallium uptake suppressed in all three responder patients.