Alpha-interferon therapy increases serum beta2-microglobulin levels in hemodialysis patients

Beta2-microglobulin is the main component of dialysis-associated amyloid. Interferons (IFNs) have the ability to induce an increase in the formation and release of this protein. The aim of this study was to evaluate serum beta2-microglobulin levels in 11 hemodialysis patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with IFNalpha.

Eleven hemodialysis patients with chronic hepatitis C that received IFNalpha treatment were included in this study. No patient had residual renal function. High-flux membranes were used in 5 patients, and low-flux membranes in the remaining 6 patients. Beta2-microglobulin was analyzed at baseline, during IFNalpha treatment and after IFNalpha was stopped.

Serum beta2-microglobulin concentration rose in all patients during the IFNalpha therapy. Compared with baseline values (43 mg/l, range 22-59) the median beta2-microglobulin levels increased significantly at one month (65 mg/l, range 37-142, p = 0.008) and at 12 months (59 mg/l, range 42-137, p = 0.003) after the beginning of IFN therapy. One month after IFNalpha was discontinued, beta2-microglobulin decreased significantly (median 48, range 34-75 mg/l, p = 0.05) in comparison with that obtained at the end of the therapy. The increase observed during IFN therapy was lower in patients treated with high-flux membranes than in those with low-flux membranes, although it was not statistically different.

Our results show that IFNalpha therapy increases serum beta2-microglobulin levels in hemodialysis patients. Further studies are needed to clarify whether the use of high-flux membranes should be recommended in hemodialysis patients requiring IFN treatment.