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.

CONCLUSION

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.