Interferon in the treatment of mixed cryoglobulinemia.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the efficacy of alfa-IFN in HCV-associated type II cryoglobulinemia.


METHODS
An open trial was carried out on 24 patients with HCV-associated type II mixed cryoglobulinemia using recombinant alfa-IFN (3 MU three times weekly for 12 months). The patients were followed for at least 18 months and visceral involvement was evaluated before and after IFN using a scoring system.


RESULTS
Alfa-IFN treatment had a marked effect on skin and liver involvement, while a moderate response was obtained in relation to the nephropathy and peripheral neuropathy. A significant lowering of the cryocrit and an increase in serum C4 were observed. Eleven out of the 16 patients who responded favourably relapsed within six months. In 3 patients, all complete responders, HCV-RNA became undetectable at the end of treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Alfa-IFN may be regarded as the treatment of choice in HCV-associated type II MC, but further studies are required to clarify the factors associated with the lack of response or the relapses seen in some patients.
Migliaresi
S
S
Cattedra di Reumatologia, Seconda Università degli Studi di Napoli, Italy.
Tirri
G
G
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003449:Cryoglobulinemia / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017933:Peripheral Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011693:Purpura / Q000150:complications; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D012008:Recurrence
D016898:Interferon-alpha; D012367:RNA, Viral