A pilot study on the effectiveness of cyclosporine in type II mixed cryoglobulinemia.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of cyclosporine in the treatment of type II mixed cryoglobulinemia, after the failure of more conventional therapies.


METHODS
Two patients with type II mixed cryoglobulinemia associated with chronic HCV infection, purpura, liver disease, and sensitive/motor neuropathy were treated with cyclosporine (2.5 mg/Kg/b.w.), after their failure to respond to treatment with corticosteroid, immunosuppressive drugs, interferon, and plasmapheresis.


RESULTS
In both patients an improvement in the clinical manifestations (purpura and peripheral neuropathy), laboratory results (serum transaminases and cryocrit), and liver histology was seen, as well as the disappearance of bone marrow B-cell lymphoproliferation.


CONCLUSIONS
Cyclosporine may be useful in the treatment of type II mixed cryoglobulinemia with prominent autoimmune clinical manifestations, although further studies are needed to better define the selection of patients.
Ballarè
M
M
Azienda Ospedaliera Maggiore della Carità, Novara, Italy.
Bobbio
F
F
Poggi
S
S
Bordin
G
G
Bertoncelli
M C
MC
Catania
E
E
Monteverde
A
A
D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003449:Cryoglobulinemia / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011693:Purpura / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis
D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D012367:RNA, Viral; D016572:Cyclosporine