Polymositis occurring during alpha-interferon treatment for malignant melanoma: a case report and review of the literature

Polymyositis is a systemic autoimmune disorder characterised by proximal mu scle weakness which most frequently involves the limbs, neck and trunk. Alp ha interferon is an antiviral molecule with well-known immunomodulatory and antiproliferative effects, but its use is often associated with a variety of side effects, in particular autoimmune phenomena. We report the occurren ce of polymyositis during treatment with alpha-interferon in a patient affe cted by malignant melanoma. Indirect evidence suggests that in this case th e patient's myositis was not linked to her neoplasia, since the melanoma wa s confirmed to be in remission both at the time of the diagnosis of the mus cle disease and again after more than one year of follow-up.