Lecithinized superoxide dismutase treatment improves steroid-refractory interstitial pneumonia

Pulmonary fibrosis associated with amyopathic dermatomyositis is known to have a generally aggressive course and is ultimately fatal. We report the case of a 50-year-old patient with amyopathic dermatomyositis, who developed progressive interstitial pneumonia that was unresponsive to corticosteroids and multiple immunosuppressive agents, including cyclosporine and tacrolimus hydrate. Five courses of lecithinized superoxide dismutase were administered without adverse effects. Improvements in physiological parameters, such as pulmonary function and exercise tolerance, as well as the serum Krebs von den Lungen 6 level, were observed. This is the first report of a case of steroid-refractory interstitial pneumonia treated with lecithinized superoxide dismutase.