Concomitant Interferon-alfa and chemotherapy in hepatitis C and colorectal cancer: a case report

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is one of the main causes of liver disease worldwide. Patients undergoing surgery are at risk of acquiring acute HCV infection and those undergoing surgical eradication of a neoplasia may be indicated for adjuvant treatment. Therefore, unlike chronic infection, such patients may simultaneously need antiviral therapy with interferon for acute hepatitis C and cytotoxic chemotherapy. To date, no data are available regarding the efficacy and tolerability of concomitant interferon treatment and antineoplastic chemotherapy in the setting of acute hepatitis C treatment. Here, we report the case of a 60-yearold man who developed acute hepatitis C after left hemicolectomy for an adenocarcinoma. He received concomitant antiviral treatment with interferon-α and adjuvant chemotherapy with capecitabine and oxaliplatin. Both treatments were well tolerated and the patient completed the scheduled therapies. HCV infection was eradicated and the patient is free of neoplastic disease two years and 6 months after surgery.