The autoimmune disease complex interstitial pneumonia/dermatomyositis in the light of endocrinology and cancer epidemiology.

The autoimmune disease interstitial pneumonia/dermatomyositis complex (ID) is classified as a paramalignancy since it is associated with a variety of malignancies at a high incidence in aged patients. We found a striking resemblance of pathophysiological features between ID and immunoendocrinopathy syndromes (IES) with depressed adrenocortical function. Drip infusion of megadose vitamin C, dehydroepiandrosterone and cortisol (an adrenocortical secretion substitute) was found to be effective for the control of ID. It has also been indicated that ID is a disease of adrenocortical insufficiency. Evidence is presented to indicate that ID in its clinical course is linked to environmental stress. The nature of paramalignant ID is discussed in the light of cancer epidemiology.