Treatment of hepatitis C-associated mixed cryoglobulinemia vasculitis

Hepatitis C virus infection is the main cause of mixed cryoglobulinemia vasculitis. The disease expression of mixed cryoglobulinemia vasculitis is variable, ranging from mild clinical symptoms (purpura, arthralgia) to fulminant life-threatening complications (glomerulonephritis, widespread vasculitis). Treatment of hepatitis C virus-mixed cryoglobulinemia vasculitis may target either the viral trigger (hepatitis C virus) or the downstream B-cell arm of autoimmunity. This review focuses on recent advances in our understanding of the treatment of hepatitis C virus-mixed cryoglobulinemia vasculitis.

Aggressive antiviral therapy with Peg-IFNalpha and ribavirin should be considered as induction therapy for hepatitis C virus-mixed cryoglobulinemia vasculitis with mild to moderate disease severity and activity. In patients presenting with severe disease, an induction phase of immunosuppression is often necessary while awaiting the generally slow response to antiviral treatments. Combination therapy with rituximab and Peg-IFNalpha plus ribavirin appears logical as it may target both the viral trigger (hepatitis C virus) and cryoglobulin-producing B-cells.

Antiviral therapy and rituximab are the main therapeutic options in hepatitis C virus-mixed cryoglobulinemia vasculitis. Further studies are needed to better define the therapeutic strategy.