Alpha-interferon therapy increases serum beta(2)-microglobulin levels in hemodialysis patients

Background/aims: beta (2)-microglobulin is the main component of dialysis-a ssociated amyloid. Interferons (IFNs) have the ability to induce an increas e in the formation and release of this protein. The aim of this study was t o evaluate serum beta (2)-microglobulin levels in 11 hemodialysis patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with IFN alpha. Methods: Eleven hemodialys is patients with chronic hepatitis C that received IFN alpha 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. beta (2)-microglobulin was analyzed at baseline, during IFN alp ha treatment and after IFN alpha was stopped. Results: Serum beta (2)-micro globulin concentration rose in all patients during the IFN alpha therapy. C ompared with baseline values (43 mg/l, range 22-59) the median beta (2)-mic roglobulin levels increased significantly at one month (65 mg/l, range 37-1 42, p=0.008) and at 12 months (59 mg/l, range 42-137, p=0.003) after the be ginning of IFN therapy. One month after IFN alpha was discontinued, beta2-m icroglobulin 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 ob served during IFN therapy was lower in patients treated with high-flux memb ranes than in those with low-flux membranes, although it was not statistica lly different. Conclusion: Our results show that IFN alpha therapy increase s serum beta (2)-microglobulin levels in hemodialysis patients. Further stu dies are needed to clarify whether the use of high-flux membranes should be recommended in hemodialysis patients requiring IFN treatment.