Treatment with peg-interferon alfa-2b and ribavirin of hepatitis C virus-associated mixed cryoglobulinemia: a pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study is to verify the efficacy and safety of peg-interferon alfa-2b in combination with ribavirin for initial treatment of HCV-associated mixed cryoglobulinemia.


METHODS
Eighteen patients (7 women and 11 men) affected by mixed cryoglobulinemia were included in the study and treated with peg-interferon alfa-2b 1.0 microg/kg once a week plus ribavirin (1000 mg daily) for 48 weeks, regardless of the HCV genotype.


RESULTS
At the end of the treatment HCV-RNA became undetectable in 15 patients (83%) and most patients improved clinically. One subject suspended treatment at 13th week due to depression. A large fraction of the patients (8 cases: 44%) relapsed both virologically and clinically a few weeks after the end of therapy. At the end of follow-up, only eight patients (44%) obtained a sustained virological response.


CONCLUSIONS
Peg-interferon alfa-2b in combination with ribavirin seems safe and useful for patients affected by mixed cryoglobulinemia, but not as effective as in patients with HCV-positive chronic hepatitis without cryoglobulinemia.
Mazzaro
Cesare
C
Department of Internal Medicine, Pordenone General Hospital, Via Montereale 24, 33170 Pordenone (PN), Italy. mazzaro@iol.it
Zorat
Francesca
F
Caizzi
Manuela
M
Donada
Carlo
C
Di Gennaro
Giampiero
G
Maso
Luigino Dal
LD
Carniello
Giorgio
G
Virgolini
Luigi
L
Tirelli
Umberto
U
Pozzato
Gabriele
G
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D003449:Cryoglobulinemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D012367:RNA, Viral; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D012254:Ribavirin; C417083:peginterferon alfa-2b