Reversal of Systemic Manifestations of Cryoglobulinemia

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Abstract
Successful control of cutaneous manifestations of cryoparaproteinemia with melphalan (L-phenylalanine mustard) and prednisone has been reported recently.1The present patient summary confirms the efficacy of this mode of therapy. In addition to the reversal of cutaneous lesions, systemic symptoms were eliminated, and the regression of neurologic manifestations, which were believed previously to be irreversible, was noted. Studies of the patient's sera disclosed the presence of a mixed IgG-IgM cryoglobulin with a monoclonal IgM that was notably reduced in amount after treatment but that was without change in structure or in immunochemical characteristics. METHODS The "cryocrit" was determined by the method described by Grossman et al.2Venous blood was collected in warmed tubes (Vacutainer), allowed to clot at 37 C, and separated by centrifugation in a 37-C room. The serum was incubated then at 4 C for 96 hours in a 10-ml calibrated tube. The cryocrit (milliliters of packed