Combination therapy with cyclosporine A and anti-TNF-alpha agents in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and concomitant hepatitis C virus infection

Clin Rheumatol. 2007 Jul;26(7):1127-9. doi: 10.1007/s10067-006-0412-1. Epub 2006 Dec 2.

Abstract

We describe two cases of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and concomitant hepatitis C virus infection (HCV), treated with cyclosporine A (CsA) and anti-TNF-alpha agents. SGOT/SGPT and HCV-RNA serum levels remained unchanged longer than 1 year of treatment. No side effects were registered. We suggest that combination therapy with CsA and TNF-alpha blockers should be considered safe and well-tolerated in the treatment of HCV-positive RA patients.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adalimumab
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Antirheumatic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / complications
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / drug therapy*
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / pathology
  • Cyclosporine / therapeutic use*
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Etanercept
  • Female
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / complications
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / drug therapy*
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / pathology
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / therapeutic use
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Liver Function Tests
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / therapeutic use
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / antagonists & inhibitors*

Substances

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