It is well-known that inflammation plays a key-role in the occurrence and progression of ILD, although the long-lasting hypothesis that inflammation alone leads to fibrosis is being questioned at the moment. Conventional treatment of ILD comprises nonspecific anti-inflammatory agents such as glucocorticoids (prednisone) and other immune-suppressing medication such as cyclophosphamide, methotrexate and gamma-interferon. However, all these therapies fail to be completely efficacious, suggesting that inflammation alone is indeed not solely responsible for the occurrence and progression of ILD. Paradoxically, anti-TNF-α agents such as infliximab and thalidomide have recently shown some beneficial effects in sarcoidosis.