The effect of combination therapy (steroids, immunosuppressives, and plasmapheresis) on 5 mixed cryoglobulinemia patients with renal, neurologic, and vascular involvement.
A prospective clinical study evaluated the effects of combined chemotherapy, steroids and plasmapheresis on 5 patients with mixed cryoglobulinemia with renal or neurologic and vasculitic manifestations. Treatment included prednisone (1mg/kg/day), chlorambucil (white blood cell count at greater than 3,000/mm3), and plasmapheresis (1 to 3 liters/week). There was healing of cutaneous ulcers (3/3), improvement in renal function (4/4), and diminution of purpura (2/2), but little improvement in peripheral neuropathy. Complications included leukopenia, perineal ulcers, and osteomyelitis.
D000368:Aged; D002699:Chlorambucil / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003449:Cryoglobulinemia / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010265:Paraproteinemias / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D010956:Plasmapheresis; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012883:Skin Ulcer / Q000209:etiology; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology*
D002699:Chlorambucil; D011241:Prednisone