Vol.21 No.6

Case Report

Induction of clinical remission with adalimumab-methotrexate combination therapy in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis and concomitant hepatitis C virus infection

Authors

Osamu Noguchi1 , Yukio Gibo2

  • Department of Rheumatology, Gennoki Clinic, 2680-1 Nishiharuchika, Ina, Nagano, 399-4431, Japan
  • Gibo Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine Clinic, Chikuma Building 2F, 237 Yoshikawamurai-cho, Matsumoto, Nagano, 399-0032, Japan
Received:

11 January 2011

Accepted:

28 April 2011

Published online:

24 May 2011

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Abstract

The patient described here is a 49-year-old woman who had hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Her RA had been successfully managed with methotrexate for about 10 years. After a sustained virological response was achieved with interferon therapy, treatment with adalimumab was instituted. This resulted in a rapid and sustained remission that lasted for more than a year, without HCV reactivation. The results in this case suggest that a sequential strategy, with initial HCV clearance followed by the targeting of remission with biologics, may be a favorable option in patients with RA and concomitant HCV infection.

Key words

Rheumatoid arthritis - Hepatitis C virus infection - Clinical remission - Adalimumab