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

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.