Efficacy and safety of anti-TNF-alpha therapy combined with cyclosporine A in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and concomitant hepatitis C virus infection

Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol. 2009 Apr-Jun;22(2):543-6. doi: 10.1177/039463200902200233.

Abstract

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.

Publication types

  • Letter
  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Adalimumab
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / adverse effects
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Antiviral Agents / adverse effects
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / complications
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / drug therapy*
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / immunology
  • Cyclosporine / adverse effects
  • Cyclosporine / therapeutic use*
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Etanercept
  • Female
  • Hepacivirus / genetics
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / complications
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / diagnosis
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / drug therapy*
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / adverse effects
  • Immunoglobulin G / therapeutic use
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / adverse effects
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Italy
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pilot Projects
  • Prospective Studies
  • RNA, Viral / blood
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / therapeutic use
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Viral Load

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Antiviral Agents
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • RNA, Viral
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Cyclosporine
  • Adalimumab
  • Etanercept