Interferon treatment of porphyria cutanea tarda associated with chronic hepatitis type C.

We evaluated the efficacy of interferon in the treatment of a 61 year-old male patient with porphyria cutanea tarda associated with hepatitis C virus infection. After initiation of intravenous administration of interferon-beta, urinary excretion of uroporphyrin and coproporphyrin, serum transaminase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase levels and ferritin were gradually increased. However, after completion of interferon-beta administration for 6 weeks, urinary excretion of uroporphyrin and coproporphyrin, serum enzymes and ferritin were significantly decreased correspondent with diminished hepatitis C virus RNA titer. These results suggest that interferon may be beneficial for the treatment of porphyria cutanea tarda due to hepatitis C virus infection.