Efficacy and Safety of Anti-TNF-α Therapy Combined with Cyclosporine a in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Concomitant Hepatitis C Virus Infection
Free accessLetterFirst published online April, 2009
Efficacy and Safety of Anti-TNF-α Therapy Combined with Cyclosporine a in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Concomitant Hepatitis C Virus Infection
This study further expands our previous observation demonstrating the usefulness of combination therapy of anti-TNF-alpha and Cyclosporine A in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and concurrent hepatitis C virus infection, as well its efficacy and safety in controlling HCV viremia and liver toxicity. Seven patients were included in the study; transaminase levels remained unchanged, HCV RNA serum levels decreased significantly and DAS 28 significantly improved after twelve month follow-up. No side effects were registered.
AslanidisSVassiliadisTPyrpasopoulouADouloumpakasIZamboulisC. Inhibition of TNF alpha does not induce viral reactivation in patients with chronic hepatitis C infection: Two cases. Clin Rheumatol2007; 26:261–4.
2.
GiannittiCBellisaiFFerriCGaleazziM. Treatment strategies for a patient with rheumatoid arthritis and hepatitis C. Expert Opin Pharmacother2009; 10:579–87.
3.
GaleazziMBellisaiFGiannittiCManganelliSMorozziGSebastianiGD. Safety of cyclosporin A in HCV-infected patients: Experience with cyclosporin A in patients affected by rheumatological disorders and concomitant HCV infection. Ann NY Acad Sci2007; 1110:544–9.
4.
PetersonJRHsuFCSimkinPAWenerMH. Effect of tumour necrosis factor alpha antagonists on serum transaminases and viraemia in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and chronic hepatitis C infection. Ann Rheum Dis2003; 62:1078–82.
5.
MarotteHFontangesEBaillyFZoulimFTrepoCMiossecP. Etanercept treatment for three months is safe in patients with rheumatological manifestations associated with hepatitis C virus. Rheumatology2007; 46:97–9.
6.
ParkeFAReveilleJD. Anti-tumor necrosis factor agents for rheumatoid arthritis in the setting of chronic hepatitis C infection. Arthritis Rheum2004; 51:800–4.
7.
RouxCHBrocqOBreuilVAlbertCEuller-ZieglerL. Safety of anti-TNF alpha therapy in rheumatoid arthritis and spondylarthropathies with concurrent B or C chronic hepatitis. Rheumatology2006; 45:1294–7.
8.
OniankitanODuvouxCChallineDMallatAChevalierXPawlotskyJMClaudepierreP. Infliximab therapy for rheumatic diseases in patients with chronic hepatitis B or C. J Rheumatol2004; 31:107–9.
9.
VassilopoulosDCalabreseLH. Risks of immunosuppressive therapies including biologic agents in patients with rheumatic diseases and co-existing chronic viral infections. Curr Opin Rheumatol2007; 19:619–25.
10.
BellisaiFGiannittiCDonvitoAGaleazziM. Combination therapy with cyclosporine A and anti-TNF alpha agents in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and concomitant hepatitis C virus infection. Clin Rheumatol2007; 26:1127–9.
11.
FerriCFerraccioliGFerrariDGaleazziMLapadulaGMontecuccoCTrioloGValentiniGValesiniG; GISEA group. Safety of anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha therapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and chronic hepatitis C virus infection. J Rheumatol2008; 35:1944–9.