Postmortem autopsy showed no evidence of cellular or humoral rejection, which confirmed that the case was a fatal cardiotoxicity adverse effect due to Peg-IFN-alpha-2b. Myopathy and acute myositis have also been reported as adverse effects of PEG-IFN-alpha-2b therapy in HCV-infected patients. This may contribute, in part, to the cardiovascular disorders that are seen in these

patients. Venezia et al.60 have reported a case of acute myositis after PEG-IFN-alpha-2b therapy for an HCV infection and suggested that a rapid discontinuation of IFN could resolve the problem in such cases. Golstein et al.61 reported a reversible case of myopathy that Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical developed as a side effect of the same agent, which improved after drug cessation. Disorders of the immune system have also been reported as a consequence of IFN therapy in HCV-infected patients. The importance of these diseases is attributed to their direct or indirect effects on the cardiovascular system. Sarcoidosis is one of the most Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical prevalently reported immune system disorders.62 SLE has also been reported as an adverse effect of IFN therapy in HCV-infected patients.63 Cryoglobulinemia is another immune disorder that has been reportedly

associated with IFN therapy.64 Type I diabetes mellitus, another autoimmune disorder, has Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical been repeatedly suggested to develop as an adverse effect of IFN therapy.65 Grave’s disease and thyroiditis are other disorders attributed to IFN therapy in HCV-infected patients.66,67 Conclusion IFN-based regimens are a cornerstone for the treatment of HCV infection and generally considered effective as treatment

for this infection. Although most adverse effects of IFN therapy respond very well to Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical cessation of the drug, this review article shows that there are serious Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical adverse effects associated with IFN therapy in HCV-infected patients, which might affect sensitive organs such as the eyes, heart, and lungs. The prevalence of ocular disorders in the early period (first 8 weeks) after IFN administration can amount to 57% and result in irreversible, significant damage to visual acuity. Pulmonary hypertension Mannose-binding protein-associated serine protease secondary to IFN therapy is a serious side effect due to its irreversible nature in most patients and as such necessitates prompt evaluation. After NU7441 solubility dmso mentioning these adverse effects of IFN therapy in HCV patients, it should be mentioned that HCV infection itself may produce cardiovascular injuries. Only a few of the articles we have reviewed were case-controls, thus we cannot separate the potential effects of HCV from IFN therapy adverse effects. More prospective studies should be conducted for this purpose. To the best of our knowledge, there is no study in the current literature that concerns prevention strategies for the vascular effects of IFN therapy on different organs. We suggest that prospective studies be undertaken to address this critical issue.