Successful cyclophosphamide treatment of cryoglobulinemic membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis associated with hepatitis C virus infection

A 54-year-old man with cryoglobulinemia and chronic hepatitis C infection presented with progressive renal insufficiency caused by membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis. Because of a steady decline in renal function, cyclophosphamide therapy was instituted. Within 1 month of starting therapy, his cryoglobulins disappeared, and in 3 months, his creatinine clearance had improved from 56 mL/min to 89 mL/min. At no point in his course was there clinical evidence of liver disease. After 1 year, cyclophosphamide was successfully stopped. Fourteen months later, his creatinine clearance is 105 mL/min. These results suggest that cyclophosphamide may be useful therapy for patients with cryoglobulinemic membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis and hepatitis C virus infection who have progressive renal insufficiency.