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2750467 
Journal Article 
Interferon alfa-2a therapy in cryoglobulinemia associated with hepatitis C virus 
Misiani, R; Bellavita, P; Fenili, D; Vicari, O; Zanetti, A; Et al 
1994 
1 
New England Journal of Medicine
ISSN: 0028-4793
EISSN: 1533-4406 
IPA/94/1050175 
Engl 
REF 26 
751-756 
English 
IPA COPYRIGHT: ASHP To determine whether the therapeutic efficacy of interferon in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-associated cryoglobulinemia is due to its antiviral activity, 27 patients received alpha2a-interferon (Roferon-A), 1.5 million units 3 times/wk for 1 wk and then 3 million units 3 times/wk for the next 23 wk, usually by self-administered subcutaneous injection, and 26 control patients did not receive anything apart from previously prescribed treatments. All patients were followed for an additional 24-48 wk. Treatment was discontinued in 2 patients because of atrial fibrillation and depression. After the treatment period, serum HCV RNA was undetectable in 15 of the remaining 25 patients who received the drug, but in none of the controls. After treatment with alpha2a-interferon was discontinued, viremia and cryoglobulinemia recurred in all 15 HCV RNA-negative patients. It was concluded that the therapeutic efficacy of alpha2a-interferon in HCV-associated cryoglobulinemia is closely related to its antiviral activity, thus supporting the idea that HCV infection may be a cause of this disease.