title: Mycophenolate mofetil in the treatment of autoimmune HCV-associated haematological disorders showing steroid resistance or dependence.
abstract: We report two cases of hepatitis C virus (HCV) associated autoimmune haematological disorders successfully treated with an unusual protocol (mycophenolate mofetil: MMF). The first case was a male patient with chronic HCV infection who developed, during interferon (IFN)/ribavirin therapy, severe autoimmune thrombocytopenia unresponsive to steroids. MMF was then administered and, simultaneously, the steroid dose was gradually reduced until withdrawal. Following this strategy, a progressive increase in platelet count and complete negativity of anti-PLT antibodies were achieved without changes in HCV-RNA quantitative determination. The second case was a woman with HCV liver cirrhosis with severe anaemia and Coombs test positivity partially responsive to continuous administration of steroid high doses. However, this treatment unmasked a severely painful vertebral osteoporosis. For this reason we introduced MMF and simultaneously steroid therapy was progressively reduced until withdrawal. Haemoglobin reached a normal value and the Coombs test became negative within 60 days. These case reports suggest that MMF may represent an interesting therapeutic approach for autoimmune HCV associated haematological disorders.
authors.affiliation: Chair of Gastrenterology, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy. e.ierardi@virgillo.it
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ierardi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rendina
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Francavilla
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Barone
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Castellaneta
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Panella
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Francavilla
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cuomo
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000743:Anemia, Hemolytic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D004351:Drug Resistance; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007372:Interferons / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D028761:Withholding Treatment
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D007372:Interferons; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid; D008775:Methylprednisolone