Systematic review: regression of lymphoproliferative disorders after treatment for hepatitis C infection

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Abstract
Summary: Aim:  To systematically review the experience of therapeutic studies where α‐interferon with or without ribavirin was administered to patients with lymphoproliferative disorders, in order to evaluate whether eradication of hepatitis C virus may induce regression of lymphoproliferative disorders.Methods:  We used bibliographical searches in electronic databases and in the Cochrane Library to determine our results.Results:  Sixteen studies where an anti‐viral regimen was administered to 65 hepatitis C virus‐infected patients with lymphoproliferative disorders were identified. Complete remission of the lymphoproliferative disorder was achieved in 75% of the cases. In contrast, hepatitis C virus‐negative subjects did not respond to interferon, indicating that the response in the hepatitis C virus‐infected patients is not merely due to the antiproliferative effect of interferon. Remission after HCV eradication was maintained, provided that infection did not reappear. In hepatitis C virus‐infected patients with non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma treated with corticosteroids/chemotherapy liver function tests deterioration did not occur. The addition of interferon to standard chemotherapy may decrease hepatic side‐effects of chemotherapy.Conclusions:  Although it is evident that larger therapeutical trials of anti‐viral therapy are needed to determine the role of this strategy in hepatitis C virus‐infected patients with lymphoproliferative disorders, encouraging data emerge from recent studies showing that interferon (plus ribavirin) is an attractive therapeutic option for some hepatitis C virus‐related low‐grade lymphomas.