PYODERMA-GANGRENOSUM TRIGGERED BY INTERFERON-ALPHA-2B IN A PATIENT WITH CHRONIC GRANULOCYTIC-LEUKEMIA

Pyoderma gangrenosum is a neutrophilic dermatosis that is frequently a ssociated with malignancies such as myeloproliferative disorders. The development of this dermatologic disorder is thought to be mediated by immunological mechanisms. A case of pyoderma gangrenosum associated w ith the administration of alpha 2b-interferon (alpha 2b-IFN) in a pati ent with chronic granulocytic leukemia is described. Discontinuation o f a2b-IFN and the administration of cyclosporin A and prednisone resul ted in cure of the pyoderma gangrenosum. Serum levels of tumor necrosi s factor, interleukin-6 and soluble interleukin-2 receptor increased w hen the cutaneous lesions appeared and returned to normal levels when the lesion healed. We believe that this is the first reported case of pyoderma gangrenosum associated with alpha 2b-IFN therapy.