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Immunosuppressive management of Graves’ ophthalmopathy

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Recent Developments in Graves’ Ophthalmopathy

Abstract

Several lines of evidence indicate that Graves’ ophthalmopathy (GO) is an autoimmune disorder.1 Humoral and cell-mediated immune reactions have been implicated in the pathogenesis of GO, but the precise mechanisms responsible for the orbital damage remains to be elucidated. The autoimmune and inflammatory nature of GO has led to consider therapeutic approaches aimed at suppressing the immune response or at abating the inflammatory process. In this regard, immunosuppressive therapy is widely employed in patients with moderate to severe GO. Glucocorticoids, orbital radiotherapy, or a combination of both, are the most frequently used immunosuppressive therapies, but other treatments like cyclosporine, azathioprine, intravenous immunoglobulins, and plasma exchange, have also been used (Table 1).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dept of Endocrinology, University of Pisa, Via Paradisa 2, 56124, Pisa, Italy

    Claudio Marcocci

Authors
  1. Claudio Marcocci
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  2. Aldo Pinchera
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  3. Mark F. Prummel
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  4. Wilmar M. Wiersinga
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Endocrinology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Mark F. Prummel M.D. Ph.D.  & Wilmar M. Wiersinga M.D. Ph.D. (Professor of Endocrinology) &  (Professor of Endocrinology)

  2. Department of Ophthalmology, Orbital Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, The Netherlands

    Maarten Ph. Mourits M.D. Ph.D.

  3. Zentrum für Innere Medizin mit Schwerpunkt Gastroenterologie, Endokrinologie, Diabetologie, Klinikum der Philipps-Universität Marburg, Baklingerstrasse, 35033, Marburg, Germany

    Armin E. Heufelder M.D. Ph.D. (Professor of Endocrinology) (Professor of Endocrinology)

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Marcocci, C., Pinchera, A., Prummel, M.F., Wiersinga, W.M. (2000). Immunosuppressive management of Graves’ ophthalmopathy. In: Prummel, M.F., Wiersinga, W.M., Mourits, M.P., Heufelder, A.E. (eds) Recent Developments in Graves’ Ophthalmopathy. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-4647-4_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-4647-4_7

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