Treatment with peg-interferon alfa-2b and ribavirin of hepatitis C virus-associated mixed cryoglobulinemia: a pilot study *

Background/Aims 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 1.0μg/kg once a week plus ribavirin (1000mg 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.