Interferon-induced sarcoidosis

Interferons have been used as therapy of both malignant and nonmalignant diseases and commonly in the treatment of hepatitis C virus infection. Although the most commonly encountered side effects of interferon therapy include nonspecific constitutional symptoms, pulmonary involvement is rare. Here, we provide two documented cases of sarcoidosis appearing in patients receiving interferon therapy for hepatitis C infection, because there have only been a few reports of this association. Physicians should be aware of this uncommon yet clinically important complication, because imaging these patients may obviate more invasive procedures.