[Chronic hepatitis C presenting with hepatic involvement by chronic lymphocytic leukemia responding to polyethylene glycol interferon-α-2b].

Hepatic involvement by chronic lymphocytic leukemia(CLL)is common, but rarely presents with liver injury. We report a case of chronic hepatitis C(CH-C)in a patient who had suffered from liver injury as a result of hepatic involvement by CLL. A 74-year-old man was hospitalized because of an examination confirming him positive for leukocytosis. Computer tomography scan showed mild hepatosplenomegaly, lymph node swelling of the neck and axilla, and abdominal lymphadenopathy. He was diagnosed as CLL by bone marrow examination. His laboratory data revealed hepatis C virus(HCV)antibody-positive, and elevated levels of both aminotransferase and HCV-RNA. Liver biopsy demonstrated significant CLL involvement of portal areas and a mild T lymphocyte invasion of centrilobular and portal areas. After treatment with polyethylene glycol interferon (PEG-IFN)-α-2b for CH-C, the CLL count was decreased in both peripheral blood and the liver. The hematological response was significantly correlated with the disappearance of HCV-RNA. The patient has maintained a sustained virological response(SVR)status for the past 9 months after PEG-IFN-α-2b administration. Thus, PEG-IFN-α-2b therapy could be effective not only for CH-C but also for hepatic involvement of CLL as seen in our patient.