SUCCESSFUL CYCLOPHOSPHAMIDE TREATMENT OF CRYOGLOBULINEMIC MEMBRANOPROLIFERATIVE GLOMERULONEPHRITIS ASSOCIATED WITH HEPATITIS-C VIRUS-INFECTION

A 54-year-old man with cryoglobulinemia and chronic hepatitis C infect ion presented with progressive renal insufficiency caused by membranop roliferative glomerulonephritis. Because of a steady decline in renal function, cyclophosphamide therapy was instituted. Within 1 month of s tarting therapy, his cryoglobulins disappeared, and in 3 months, his c reatinine clearance had improved from 56 mL/min to 89 mL/min. At no po int in his course was there clinical evidence of liver disease. After 1 year, cyclophosphamide was successfully stopped. Fourteen months lat er, his creatinine clearance is 105 mL/min. These results suggest that cyclophosphamide may be useful therapy for patients with cryoglobulin emic membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis and hepatitis C virus in fection who have progressive renal insufficiency. (C) 1995 by the Nati onal Kidney Foundation, Inc.