Protective role of interleukin-6 in systemic sclerosis gastrointestinal tract involvement: case report and review of the literature.

OBJECTIVES

Systemic sclerosis (SSc, scleroderma) is characterised by complex multi-organ pathogenesis, including gastrointestinal tract (GIT) disease that remains poorly characterised. Immunosuppression is commonly used to treat inflammatory manifestations of SSc, including the skin, lungs and joints. There is a paucity of data on the effects of immunosuppression on GIT disease in SSc.

METHODS

This case report and review of the literature presents two clinical cases in which interleukin-6 (IL-6) antagonism was used for early, diffuse skin disease.

RESULTS

In these two cases, IL-6 anta-gonism was associated with an exacerbation of GIT symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

We postulate that IL-6 is important in the repair of GIT mucosa and further studies are warranted to better understand the effects of immunosuppression on SSc-GIT disease.