Influence of antiviral therapy in hepatitis C virus-associated cryoglobulinemic MPGN

• Published in: American journal of kidney diseases Vol. 43; no. 4; p. 617
• Main Authors: Alric, Laurent, Plaisier, Emmanuelle, Thébault, Sophie, Péron, Jean-Marie, Rostaing, Lionel, Pourrat, Jacques, Ronco, Pierre, Piette, Jean-Charles, Cacoub, Patrice
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.04.2004
• Subjects: Aged; Antiviral Agents - therapeutic use; Cryoglobulinemia - drug therapy; Cryoglobulinemia - etiology; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Glomerulonephritis, Membranoproliferative - drug therapy; Glomerulonephritis, Membranoproliferative - etiology; Hepatitis C - complications; Hepatitis C - drug therapy; Humans; Interferon alpha-2; Interferon-alpha - therapeutic use; Interferons - therapeutic use; Male; Middle Aged; Polyethylene Glycols; Recombinant Proteins; Ribavirin - therapeutic use; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 1523-6838
• DOI: 10.1053/j.ajkd.2003.11.020

The influence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment on the course of HCV cryoglobulinemic membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) is controversial. Twenty-five patients with nephrotic-range proteinuria, mixed cryoglobulinemia, MPGN proved by renal biopsy, and HCV infection were studied for their response to antiviral treatment. After first-line treatment with prednisone, furosemide, or plasmapheresis, antiviral therapy with standard or pegylated interferon alfa and ribavirin was introduced in 18 patients. These patients were compared with 7 patients who did not receive antiviral treatment. Mean duration of antiviral treatment was 18 +/- 10 months, with a follow-up of at least 6 months after treatment withdrawal. HCV RNA clearance (sustained virological response) was achieved in 12 of 18 patients. Compared with values before antiviral therapy, a decrease in proteinuria was observed in sustained virological responders at the end of combination therapy, as well as at the end of follow-up (mean, 2.85 +/- 2.2 [SD] versus 1 +/- 1.4 and 0.4 +/- 0.8 g/d, respectively; P < 0.05). In sustained virological responders, cryoglobulin levels at the end of treatment (0.29 +/- 0.4 g/L) and end of follow-up (0.25 +/- 0.4 g/L) were decreased (P < 0.05) compared with pretreatment values (1.38 +/- 2.2 g/L). Conversely, no changes in serum cryoglobulinemia levels were observed in nonresponders or controls. Serum creatinine levels remained stable in the 18 patients with antiviral therapy, regardless of response to treatment. Anti-HCV treatment improved HCV-associated cryoglobulinemic glomerulonephritis.