Anti-tumor necrosis factor agents for rheumatoid arthritis in the setting of chronic hepatitis C infection.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the safety of using anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in the setting of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.


METHODS
The charts of 5 patients known to have RA requiring anti-TNF therapy as well as established HCV infection were reviewed retrospectively for laboratory data of hepatic parenchymal inflammation and viral proliferation while taking these agents.


RESULTS
In a mean +/- SD followup period of 41 months (+/- 28.2 months), no patient displayed evidence of sustained elevation of serum aminotransferases during therapy with anti-TNF. Additionally, 1 patient was observed to have a decreased HCV viral load after extended treatment with only anti-TNF (no therapy for HCV).


CONCLUSIONS
Anti-TNF therapy for RA in the setting of HCV appears to be safe and well tolerated without apparent influence on the underlying HCV infection. Therefore, this approach should be further evaluated prospectively for longterm safety.
The University of Texas-Houston Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Frank A
FA
Parke
John D
JD
Reveille
D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology*; D000068800:Etanercept; D005260:Female; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000069285:Infliximab; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D000637:Transaminases / Q000097:blood; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D019562:Viral Load
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D000069285:Infliximab; D000637:Transaminases; D000068800:Etanercept