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Interferon-alpha in mixed cryoglobulinemia patients: a randomized, crossover-controlled trial.

Abstract
The effects of interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) on clinical and serologic manifestations of mixed cryoglobulinemia (MC) were investigated by randomized, crossover-controlled trial in 26 patients. The trial alternated 6 months with and 6 months without IFN-alpha therapy (2 x 10(6) IU daily for a month, then every other day for 5 months). In 22 patients, pretreatment steroid dosage remained unchanged during the study. Six patients dropped out (three because of side effects), whereas another 20 patients experienced a significant improvement of purpura (P < .02) and serum transaminases (P < .005) during IFN-alpha treatment. The presence of clinical improvement was supported by the outcome measurements of several immunologic parameters. In particular, serum cryoglobulins were significantly reduced (P < .04) during IFN-alpha therapy. A rebound phenomenon of clinical and serologic parameters was observed after IFN-alpha discontinuation. In addition, no variations were recorded during 6 months without therapy. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA was detected in 91% (20/22) of our MC patients; in 2/13 cases HCV RNA was no longer detectable in serum samples after IFN-alpha therapy. Thus, IFN-alpha could be considered as treatment for MC in patients with HCV seropositivity.
AuthorsC Ferri, E Marzo, G Longombardo, F Lombardini, L La Civita, R Vanacore, A M Liberati, R Gerli, F Greco, A Moretti, M Monti, P Gentilini, S Bombardieri, A L Zignego
JournalBlood (Blood) Vol. 81 Issue 5 Pg. 1132-6 (Mar 01 1993) ISSN: 0006-4971 [Print] United States
PMID8382969 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
Chemical References
  • Interferon-alpha
  • RNA, Viral
  • Alanine Transaminase
Topics
  • Alanine Transaminase (blood)
  • CD4-CD8 Ratio
  • Cryoglobulinemia (immunology, microbiology, therapy)
  • Female
  • Hepacivirus (genetics)
  • Humans
  • Interferon-alpha (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • RNA, Viral (analysis)

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