Illustration of myofibroblasts receding under the influence of a radiant wave.

Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumors: A Ray of Hope with Infliximab

Theo Raines monogram
Theo Raines in Health & Wellness October 2026 • 4 min read.

"Rare Peritoneal Tumor Shows Promising Response to Infliximab Treatment: A Case Study"


Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors (IMTs) are uncommon growths that can appear in various parts of the body. These tumors are characterized by a mix of myofibroblasts (a type of cell involved in wound healing) and inflammatory cells. While IMTs are often benign, they can sometimes behave aggressively, making them difficult to treat.

When an IMT develops in the peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal cavity), it poses unique challenges. These tumors can be hard to distinguish from cancerous growths and tend to recur after treatment. Traditional approaches involve surgery, anti-inflammatory drugs, and steroids, but these aren't always effective.

This article explores a promising alternative: infliximab, a medication that targets tumor necrosis factor (TNF). We'll delve into a case study where infliximab successfully treated a patient with a peritoneal IMT that resisted other therapies. This offers new hope for individuals facing this rare and challenging condition.

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A Rare Tumor with Varied Sites

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) is a rare neoplasm made up of myofibroblastic and fibroblastic spindle cells with an inflammatory infiltrate. It can arise in different parts of the body; the National Cancer Institute says it usually starts in the lung, though it can begin elsewhere, and is mostly found in children and young adults. A 2025 review identifies the abdominal cavity, retroperitoneum, and lung as the most common locations. These sources describe its sites and age distribution but do not provide a population incidence figure.

Recognizing IMT

Pathology Outlines describes IMT of soft tissue as a histologically distinctive myofibroblastic spindle-cell neoplasm of borderline malignancy, classically featuring plasma cells and lymphocytes. Another overview characterizes IMT as a rare soft-tissue growth with low-to-intermediate malignant potential that often appears in the lungs, abdomen, or pelvis of children and young adults. These descriptions establish diagnostic and clinical features, but the supplied sources do not specify a standard treatment approach or detail its limitations.

When Standard Treatments Fail: The Infliximab Option

Illustration of myofibroblasts receding under the influence of a radiant wave.

The case study featured a 30-year-old woman with no significant medical history who presented with persistent abdominal pain and swelling. Imaging revealed multiple nodular lesions in her peritoneum, and a biopsy confirmed an IMT diagnosis. Due to the extensive involvement of the peritoneum, surgical removal was not feasible, and initial treatment with NSAIDs and glucocorticoids proved ineffective.

Given the lack of response and the tumor's aggressive behavior, the medical team turned to infliximab. Here's why this approach was considered:

  • Targeting TNF: Infliximab is a TNF inhibitor, meaning it blocks the action of TNF, a protein that promotes inflammation. IMTs often have an inflammatory component, so targeting TNF can help reduce tumor growth.
  • Previous Success: A similar case reported successful infliximab treatment for an IMT, providing a rationale for its use in this situation.
  • Well-Established Safety: Infliximab is widely used for rheumatological conditions and Crohn's disease, with a well-understood safety profile.
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Recent Reports and Reviews

A case report published in 2024 presents a 54-year-old man with cough and chest distress and examines radiotherapy for IMT. A 2026 Frontiers item describes an ALK-positive IMT that rapidly acquired resistance to first-line ALK-inhibitor treatment, alongside a case and literature review. Also in 2026, a systematic review with meta-analysis focused on IMT of the head and neck, aiming to examine clinical presentation, pathology and imaging, treatment approaches, and prognosis. These items illustrate the range of recent case-based and review research, but the supplied material does not report their detailed outcomes.

Diagnostic and Terminology Challenges

A clinical management report describes IMT as relatively rare and difficult to diagnose, noting that reports remain scattered, particularly for tumors in special locations. A separate review discusses the use of “inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor” and “inflammatory pseudotumor” as interchangeable terms by many scientists. Its analysis of terminology argues that “inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor” should refer to a neoplastic lesion. Together, these sources point to diagnostic difficulty and inconsistent terminology as challenges in interpreting the literature.

Infliximab Response and Dose Comparisons

In an inflammatory bowel disease study, mean infliximab trough levels at inclusion did not significantly differ between patients who responded to therapy intensification (3.3 ± 4.1 μg/mL) and those who did not (2.3 ± 2.2 μg/mL; P = 0.85). A separate rheumatoid arthritis source compared patients who maintained clinical response with infliximab at 3 mg/kg every 8 weeks with patients who required higher doses. The supplied rheumatoid arthritis snippet does not give comparative outcomes, and neither source concerns IMT. These findings therefore provide context on infliximab dosing in other diseases, not evidence of its effectiveness for IMT.

Following infliximab treatment, the patient experienced significant improvement. Her abdominal pain and distension decreased, allowing her to return to work. Follow-up imaging showed stabilization or partial regression of the tumors, along with a reduction in ascites (fluid buildup in the abdomen). This case suggests infliximab can be a valuable option for managing peritoneal IMTs when other treatments fail.

Hope for the Irresecable: The Future of IMT Treatment

This case study offers a beacon of hope for patients with peritoneal IMTs that cannot be surgically removed. While more research is needed, infliximab appears to be a promising therapeutic option in these challenging cases.

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Expert Consensus Development

A Chinese expert consensus committee developed guidance on the diagnosis and treatment of IMT. The source says the consensus drew on expert opinions, an extensive literature review, and a series of offline and online discussions. This describes how the guidance was assembled; the supplied material does not provide its specific recommendations or address infliximab.

The successful outcome highlights the importance of considering targeted therapies like TNF inhibitors when conventional treatments fall short. By understanding the underlying mechanisms driving IMT growth, we can develop more effective and personalized treatment strategies.

If you or a loved one is facing an IMT diagnosis, discuss the potential benefits of infliximab with your medical team. While it's not a guaranteed cure, it may offer a chance to improve quality of life and manage this rare and complex condition.

What the peritoneal case adds, in plain terms

The report describes a change in course: earlier treatment had not produced a response, while the later follow-up described improved ascites and partial regression or stability on imaging. This is an encouraging observation in this patient, but a single case cannot establish that infliximab caused the change or that other patients would respond similarly.[1]

The biopsy description records both myofibroblasts and inflammatory cells, while the paper's background describes nodular lesions and identification through immunohistochemical patterns. These details explain the tissue basis for the reported diagnosis, rather than measuring treatment response.[1]

The case report at a glance

Duration10 months of follow-up[1]
Times cited4[1]

How this case relates to other IMT reports

Other IMT evidence in the supplied material concerns different settings: adult patients treated with crizotinib, recurrence after pediatric IMT treatment, and outcomes after complete resection. Those reports cannot serve as direct comparisons for this patient's infliximab response.[2] [3] [4]

A separate review described lung and liver as common sites among its reviewed cases, while another review reported that recurrence varied by anatomical location. These findings put the peritoneal case in a broader, site-dependent literature, rather than establishing a peritoneal benchmark.[5] [6]

  • Would the clinical and imaging improvement reported here recur in additional peritoneal IMT cases, or was it specific to this patient's course?[1]

Sources

  1. Tumor inflamatorio miofibroblástico peritoneal. Respuesta favorable asociada a infliximab: Caso clínico (SciELO Agencia Nacional de Investigacion y Desarrollo (ANID), 2015)
  2. Clinicopathological Analysis and Treatment of Adult Patients with Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumor: A 15-Year Single-Center Study (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  3. Treatment and outcomes in pediatric inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors - A systematic review of published studies. (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  4. Clinical diagnosis and treatment of abdominal inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  5. www.aimspress.com (www.aimspress.com)
  6. Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor from molecular diagnostics to current treatment (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)

About this Article -

Written with AI assistance from published research, and reviewed by the Mystum team. See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.4067/s0034-98872015000700017, Alternate LINK

Title: Tumor Inflamatorio Miofibroblástico Peritoneal. Respuesta Favorable Asociada A Infliximab: Caso Clínico

Subject: General Medicine

Journal: Revista médica de Chile

Publisher: SciELO Agencia Nacional de Investigacion y Desarrollo (ANID)

Authors: Daniela Grünholz, Franco Appiani, Constanza Abarca, María Manríquez, Jorge Pinilla, Eduardo Wainstein

Published: 2015-07-01

Everything You Need To Know

1

What exactly are Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumors (IMTs)?

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors (IMTs) are unusual growths composed of myofibroblasts and inflammatory cells, which can appear in different areas of the body. They are often benign but may sometimes exhibit aggressive behavior. The specific focus here is on IMTs that develop in the peritoneum, the abdominal cavity's lining. This location adds complexity, as these tumors can be mistaken for cancerous growths and tend to return after initial treatments. Understanding the nature of IMTs is the first step in considering effective treatments.

2

How does Infliximab work in treating Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumors (IMTs)?

Infliximab is a medication that works by targeting tumor necrosis factor (TNF), a protein that encourages inflammation. In the context of inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors (IMTs), which often have a strong inflammatory component, inhibiting TNF can help reduce tumor growth. The rationale for using Infliximab is based on its ability to block the action of TNF, providing a potential means of controlling the aggressive nature of IMTs. This approach contrasts with traditional methods that may not always be effective, offering a new therapeutic avenue.

3

What are the typical treatments for IMTs, and what challenges do they present?

Standard treatments for inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors (IMTs) in the peritoneum typically involve surgery, anti-inflammatory drugs, and steroids. However, these methods are not always successful. The challenges are more pronounced when tumors are difficult to remove surgically or when they recur following treatment. This case study showcases a situation where these standard approaches proved ineffective, highlighting the critical need for alternative therapies.

4

What is the significance of this case study regarding Infliximab and IMTs?

The significance of the case study lies in the successful use of Infliximab in a patient whose peritoneal inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) resisted standard treatments. The positive outcomes included a reduction in pain and swelling, along with the stabilization or partial regression of the tumors and a decrease in ascites. This positive response demonstrates Infliximab's potential to manage aggressive IMTs when other options fail, indicating a shift toward innovative therapies for a challenging condition.

5

What is the future outlook for Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumor (IMT) treatment based on this information?

This case study provides hope for individuals with peritoneal inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors (IMTs) that are inoperable. While more research is needed to validate these findings, the successful application of Infliximab offers a promising treatment approach for difficult cases. This opens new possibilities in the treatment of these uncommon and challenging conditions, suggesting that targeted therapies can offer better outcomes when standard methods are not sufficient.

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