干扰素治疗慢性丙型肝炎的持续应答与复发相关因素的研究

目的 探讨丙型肝炎病毒（HCV）基因型、RNA含量与肝组织炎症活动的相关性，慢性丙型肝炎患者经干扰素治疗后复发的相关因素。方法 对慢性丙型肝炎患者的血清进行丙氨酸氨基转移酶（ALT）检测，采用Cobas Amplicor Monnitour Test．version 2．0试剂进行HCVRNA定量和Simmonds酶切分型方法进行HCV基因分型检测。对聚乙二醇化干扰素α-2a（PEG—IFN α-2a）与干扰素α-2a治疗24周结束时，取得病毒学应答的慢性丙型肝炎患者进行24周随访观察，对临床特征、病毒学特征、治疗药物等因素与复发的相关性进行分析。结果 208例丙型肝炎患者基础HCVRNA含量与ALT水平无相关性（r=0．093，P〉0．05），HCV基因1型与非基因1型之间ALT的水平差异无统计学意义，HCV基因型与RNA含量无相关性；在治疗结束取得病毒学应答的119例患者中，随访24周持续应答者61例（51．3％），复发58例（48．7％）。患者的性别、年龄、HCV感染途径、既往干扰素治疗史、天冬氨酸氨基转移酶／ALT比值、血小板计数和血清基础HCV载量等因素均与复发率无显著相关性。基因1型患者复发率（54．5％）显著高于非1型（32．1％）（x^2=4．265，P=0．039）。PEG-IFNα-2a组复发率（47．0％）低于IFNα-2a组（52．8％），但差异无统计学意义。结论 病毒基因型与慢性丙型肝炎干扰素治疗后的病毒复发显著相关。     

聚乙二醇干扰素联合利巴韦林治疗获极快速病毒学应答的初治基因1型慢性丙型肝炎患者疗效观察

目的观察获得极快速病毒学应答的初治基因1型慢性丙型肝炎患者,在继续接受36 w聚乙二醇干扰素α-2a联合利巴韦林治疗后的疗效。方法将基线HCV RNA水平〉400000 IU/ml、接受聚乙二醇干扰素α-2a（180μg/w）联合利巴韦林（1000～1200 mg/d）治疗2 w后HCV RNA阴转的基因1型慢性丙型肝炎初治患者,随机分为两组,分别接受36 w和48 w治疗,在停药后随访24 w,观察疗效。结果本研究共纳入40例患者,两组各20例。治疗36 w患者在治疗结束时病毒学应答（ETVR）、持续病毒学应答（SVR）和复发率分别为100%（20例）、90%（18例）和10%（2例）,治疗48 w患者ETVR、SVR和复发分别为95%（19例）、90%（18例）和5.3%（1例）,两组比较无统计学差异（P〉0.05）;在40例患者,基线HCV RNA水平与SVR呈负相关（OR=0.422,95%CI为0.05～0.29,P=0.007）;在治疗36 w患者,基线HCV RNA〈6×10^7IU/ml患者SVR显著高于HCV RNA≥6×10^7IU/ml患者（P=0.005）,但在治疗48 w患者,未发现这种差异（P=0.063）。结论对于基线HCV RNA水平〉400000 IU/ml的基因1型慢性丙型肝炎初治患者,接受聚乙二醇干扰素α-2a联合利巴韦林治疗,如在2 w时获得病毒学应答,治疗36 w疗程与48 w疗程的SVR相当。     

急性丙型肝炎血清HCV RNA含量相关性及与α干扰素疗效的关系

目的了解急性丙型肝炎血清中丙型肝炎病毒(HCV)RNA含量与ALT的相关性与α干扰素疗效的关系。方法采用荧光定量聚合酶链反应(PCR)检测153例急性丙型肝炎患者HCVRNA含量,用α干扰素肌注联合利巴韦林口服抗病毒。治疗前作基因分型,并在治疗前、治疗后4周、12周用PCR法检测HCVRNA含量、每月检测肝功能。判断α干扰素肌注联合利巴韦林治疗的应答情况。结果动态结果显示,血清HCVRNA含量与ALT水平呈正相关。HCVRNA含量显示≤1×105拷贝/mL的4周病毒学应答率高于1×105拷贝/mL,二组P0.05。预测干扰素疗效的关键是治疗前HCVRNA在血清中的水平及ALT水平。结论急性丙型肝炎患者的治疗过程中,HCVRNA含量是预测干扰素疗效的重要指标之一;急性丙肝ALT增高幅度高,HCVRNA病毒复制快速,予α干扰素联合利巴韦林治疗后RVR、EVR均较高。     

聚乙二醇干扰素联合利巴韦林治疗慢性丙型肝炎患者疗效及其影响因素分析

目的：观察聚乙二醇干扰素（PEG IFNα-2a）联合利巴韦林（RBV）治疗慢性丙型肝炎（CHC）患者的疗效及其影响因素。方法对331例慢性丙型肝炎患者予 PEG IFNα-2a（180μg/w 或135μg/w）联合利巴韦林（RBV）900~1200 mg/d 抗病毒治疗,疗程48～72 w,随访24 w;治疗前检测丙型肝炎病毒基因型,采用 PCR 法检测丙型肝炎病毒（HCV）RNA 水平及肝功能,以病毒学应答和生化学应答作为疗效的主要评价指标。结果在331例CHC 患者中,获得快速病毒学应答率（RVR）、早期病毒学应答率（EVR）和持续病毒学应答率（SVR）分别为65%（215/331）、94.9%（314/331）和84.9%（281/331）;对176例行基因分型,结果108例基因1型与68例非1型感染者SVR 分别为88.0%和79.4%,两组比较无明显差异;75例血清 HCV RNA 水平小于4×105 IU/ml 的患者 SVR 为93.3%,高于256例 HCV RNA 水平大于4×105 IU/ml 患者的82.4%（P〈0.05）;215例获得 RVR 的 CHC 患者的SVR 明显高于116例未获得 RVR 患者（92.6%对70.7%,x2=28.099,P=0.000）,314例获得 EVR 患者的 SVR 也明显高于17例未获得 EVR 组（88.5%对17.6%,x2=63.194,P=0.000）;50例未获得 SVR 的 CHC 患者年龄和感染丙型肝炎病毒的时间分别为（46±15）岁和（14.8±8.0）年,显著大或长于281例获得 SVR 患者[（38±13）岁和（11.5±7.7）年,P 均〈0.05]。结论聚乙二醇干扰素联合利巴韦林治疗慢性丙型肝炎疗效较好,预测临床疗效的关键因素是患者年龄、感染丙型肝炎的病程、治疗前 HCV RNA 水平及在治疗过程中能否及时获得 RVR 和 EVR。     

聚乙二醇干扰素α-2a和利巴韦林联合治疗慢性丙型肝炎临床观察

目的探讨慢性丙型病毒性肝炎应用聚乙二醇干扰素α-2a注射液（派罗欣）抗病毒治疗所出现的副反应及处理对策。方法慢性丙型病毒性肝炎30例病人采用聚乙二醇干扰素α-2a注射液（派罗欣）联合利巴韦林治疗12月,随访12月。结果在治疗12周时有13/15例出现血清ALT正常,血清HCV RNA阴性;早期应答率为86.6%;在治疗结束时有13/15例患者血清ALT正常,血清HCV RNA阴性（〈80copies/ml）;在随访12月时,持续应答率为76.9%,复发率为23.1%;副反应主要为不同程度的WBC下降及低热、肌肉酸痛。结论聚乙二醇干扰素α-2a可引起多种副反应,应针对所出现的副作用采用相应的护理措施及对症处理,使病人减轻不适症状,以提高治疗的依从性。     

大剂量普通α-干扰素与聚乙二醇化α-干扰素联合利巴韦林治疗慢性丙型肝炎患者临床疗效及安全性比较研究

目的通过与聚乙二醇化α-干扰素联合利巴韦林治疗疗效的比较,评价应用大剂量普通干扰素α2b联合利巴韦林治疗慢性丙型肝炎(CHC)患者的疗效及其安全性。方法本文采用回顾性研究方法,对2012年1月~2016年1月收治的178例CHC患者接受普通α-干扰素联合利巴韦林(n=148)或聚乙二醇化干扰素联合利巴韦林(n=30)治疗48 w的效果进行分析,使用贝克曼公司生产的全自动生化分析仪检测血生化指标,采用定量RT-PCR法检测血清HCV RNA,采用ELISA法检测血清抗-HCV。病毒学应答定义为血清HCV RNA水平低于检测下限。结果治疗前,普通干扰素治疗组血清ALT水平为(80.9±22.6)U/L,AST水平为(74.3±18.2)U/L,HCV RNA水平为(2.9±0.5)×10~5 copies/ml,与长效干扰素治疗组【(82.32±20.5)U/L、(72.9±16.7)U/L和(2.8±0.5)×105 copies/ml】比,差异无统计学意义(P0.05);在治疗4 w、12 w、24 w和48 w及随访至72 w时,普通干扰素治疗患者血清ALT复常率分别为79.7%、87.2%、90.5%、92.6%和86.5%,与长效干扰素治疗患者的76.7%、83.3%、90.0%、93.3%和90.0%比,无显著性统计学差异(P0.05);血清HCV RNA阴转率分别为66.2%、71.0%、84.5%、90.5%和69.5%,与长效干扰素治疗患者的66.7%、73.3%、80.0%、90.0%和70.0%比,也无显著性统计学差异(P0.05);长效干扰素治疗患者外周血WBC和PLT减少、脱发和食欲下降等不良反应发生率显著高于普通干扰素治疗组(P0.05)。结论应用大剂量普通干扰素α2b联合利巴韦林治疗CHC患者能获得与应用聚乙二醇化干扰素治疗方案类似的疗效,且副作用显著少于后者,但停药后长期疗效方面还需要进一步观察。     

聚乙二醇干扰素α-2a治疗慢性丙型肝炎病毒／乙型肝炎病毒共感染临床疗效

目的研究慢性丙型肝炎（CHC）与丙型肝炎病毒/乙型肝炎病毒（HCV/HBV）共感染者用聚乙二醇干扰素α-2a（PEG-IFNα-2a）抗病毒治疗疗效的观察。方法治疗前后定期采集31例CHC、30例HCV/HBV共感染者的外周血,检测HCV RNA、HBV DNA和肝脏纤维化指标。结果治疗后CHC患者血清中HCV RNA含量51.6%〈102拷贝/ml,HCV/HBV共感染者HCV、HBV下降均不理想。结论 PEG-IFNα-2a抗病毒治疗HCV/HBV共感染者疗效较单纯丙型肝炎患者差,但对HBV、HCV有抑制作用,并部分改善机体免疫功能及肝功能。     

聚乙二醇化干扰素α-2a致腹型过敏性紫癜1例

患者,女性,61岁,因腹痛、腹泻2周于2010年9月13日入我科。患者于2010年5月常规体检发现AST66U/L,ALT59U/L,抗-HCV（＋）,HCV RNA6.12×105拷贝/m,l诊断为丙型病毒性肝炎。6月8日开始应用聚乙二醇干扰素α-2a注射液（瑞士巴塞尔豪夫迈.罗氏公司生产）135μg每周一次上臂外侧皮下注射,利巴韦林300mg一     

聚乙二醇干扰素α-2a与普通干扰素α-2b联合利巴韦林治疗慢性丙型肝炎患者疗效比较和影响疗效的预测因素分析

目的比较聚乙二醇干扰素α-2a与普通干扰素α-2b联合利巴韦林治疗慢性丙型肝炎患者的疗效,并对影响抗病毒疗效的因素进行分析。方法 2010年5月~2014年8月我院收治的慢性丙型肝炎患者116例,随机将患者分为研究组和对照组,每组58例。给予对照组患者普通干扰素α-2b联合利巴韦林治疗,给予研究组患者聚乙二醇α-2a干扰素联合利巴韦林治疗。采用实时荧光定量PCR法检测血清HCV RNA定量,对两组病毒学应答率以及性别、年龄、体质指数和病毒载量对治疗效果的影响进行比较分析。结果在治疗12周、24周、48周以及停药后12周和24周,研究组患者血清HCV RNA转阴率分别为51.72%、60.34%、72.41%、68.97%和65.52%,显著高于对照组患者的31.03%、48.27%、55.17%、48.27%和41.38%(P0.05);研究组患者快速病毒学应答率、早期病毒学应答率、治疗结束病毒学应答率和持续病毒学应答率分别为75.86%、84.48%、86.20%和74.14%,显著高于对照组的51.72%、60.34%、63.79%和55.17%(P0.05);在治疗4周、12周、24周和48周,研究组患者血清HCV RNA水平分别为(4.72±1.30)IU/ml、(4.09±1.21)IU/ml、(3.79±1.18)IU/ml和(3.26±1.08)IU/ml,显著低于对照组患者的(5.27±1.52)IU/ml、(4.68±1.41)IU/ml、(4.15±1.37)IU/ml和(3.99±1.16)IU/ml(P0.05);两组患者在治疗过程中,均出现发热、失眠、肌肉酸痛、乏力和白细胞下降等不良反应,但差异均不具有统计学意义(P0.05);研究组获得SVR患者治疗前血清HCV RNA水平为(3.57±0.45)IU/ml,显著低于未获得SVR患者的(4.92±0.09)IU/ml(P0.05)。讨论聚乙二醇干扰素α-2a联合利巴韦林治疗慢性丙型肝炎患者有效且安全,治疗前患者病毒载量低将预示疗效好。     

干扰素联合利巴韦林治疗慢性丙型肝炎患者的疗效

目的 研究昆明地区HCV感染者的病毒基因型分布,观察干扰素和利巴韦林联合治疗慢性丙型肝炎的疗效。 方法 采集60例慢性丙型肝炎患者的血液样品,采用特异性探针杂交法进行HCV基因分型,根据基因分型结果将患者分为HCV 1b型感染的长效干扰素治疗组（皮下注射聚乙二醇干扰素α-2a 180μg,1次/周）和非1b型感染的普通干扰素治疗组（皮下注射普通干扰素α-1b50μg,隔日1次）,两组患者均口服利巴韦林,剂量为900 ～ 1200 mg/d。治疗前后和随访中检测患者血浆HCV RNA和ALT水平作为疗效评价的指标。用x2检验比较治疗结束后HCV 1b基因型与HCV非1b基因型感染患者肝功能异常率的差异。结果 60例患者的血液样本中,HCV 1b基因型感染患者13例(21.7％),HCV 2a基因型3例(5.0％),HCV 3a基因型10例(16.7％),HCV 3b基因型29例(48.3％),HCV 6a基因型5例(8.3％);60例患者均完成治疗48周,长效干扰素治疗组和普通干扰素治疗组获得持续病毒学应答率分别为46.1％、74.5％;获得早期病毒学应答的患者全部获得持续病毒学应答。长效干扰素治疗组和普通干扰素治疗组在治疗后肝功能仍异常的患者分别占15.4％、14.9％,两组比较,x2=0.01,P＞0.05,差异无统计学意义。结论 (1)昆明地区HCV感染基因型以3b和1b为主;(2)聚乙二醇干扰素α-2a联合利巴韦林治疗HCV 1b型感染患者的疗效不理想;(3)早期病毒学应答是获得持续病毒学应答的重要预测因素。     

HCV基因型对慢性丙型肝炎干扰素疗效的影响

目的 探讨HCV基因型对慢性丙型肝炎的干扰素（IFN）治疗效果的影响。方法 采用随机、开放和对照的多中心临床试验设计。208例受试者按1：1随机分到聚乙二醇干扰素α—2a(Peg-IFN）组和IFN-α-2a组。在治疗之前，用Simmonds基因分型法酶切分型，在治疗24周结束和完成24周的随访后检测患者的ALT和HCV RNA，以HCV RNA的阴转率作为主要评价指标，经ITT人群的统计学分析。结果 202例患者确定了HCV基因型，基因1型158例（78.2%），非基因1型44例（21.8%），治疗结束病毒应答率（ETVR）和持续病毒应答率（SVR）基因1型患者分别为53.8%和25.3%，非基因1型患者分别为61.4%和43.2%，SVR两组患者差异有显著性，x^2=5.313,P=0.021。Peg IFN组基因1型和非1型患者的ETVR分别为76.8%和81.0%，SVR分别为35.4%和66.7%，SVR两组患者差异有显著性，x^2=6.735,P=0.01。病毒复发率基因1型和非基因1型患者分别为55.6%和23.5%，差异有显著性，x^2=5.496,P=0.02.IFN-α-2a组，ETVR和SVR基因1型患者分别为29.0%和14.5%，非基因1型患者分别43.5%和21.7%，差异无显著性。病毒复发率基因1型患者为72.7%，非基因1型患者为50.0%，差异无显著性。结论 IFN对基因1型丙型肝炎患者的疗效低于非基因1型，HCV基因型主要影响IFN对慢性丙型肝炎的持续应答，也与药物和IFN的疗程相关。     

Pegylated interferon alfa-2b plus ribavirin in the retreatment of interferon-ribavirin nonresponder patients

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Inadequate data are available about retreatment of nonresponders to interferon (IFN) and ribavirin. Thus, this study evaluated the efficacy and tolerability of a 48-week therapy with pegylated IFN-alpha-2b plus high-dose ribavirin in patients who have failed to respond to the combination. Treatment up to 48 weeks also in patients who have failed to clear hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA by week 24 was also evaluated. METHODS: One hundred forty-one patients who previously did not respond to IFN and ribavirin, 86% with genotype 1 or 4 infection, 52% with high viral load (>800.000 IU/mL), 22% with cirrhosis, were retreated with pegylated IFN-alpha-2b 1.5 microg/kg per week and ribavirin 1000-1200 mg/day for 48 weeks and followed up for 24 weeks. RESULTS: By intent-to-treat analysis, 20% of patients achieved a sustained virologic response (SVR). SVR of genotype 1 patients was 19%. Independent predictors of SVR were low gamma-glutamyltransferase levels (OR, 22.9; 95% CI: 6.6-79.6) and low viral load (OR, 3.8; 95% CI: 1.1-12.6). Twelve (23%) out of 51 patients who were HCV RNA positive after 24 weeks of therapy achieved a late virologic response (after week 24) and 5 (10%) of them, all with genotype 1, achieved an SVR. Genotype was not associated with response (P = .2) or with early response (P = .3). CONCLUSIONS: Retreatment with pegylated IFN-alpha-2b and ribavirin of multi-experienced and "difficult to treat" nonresponder patients produced a very promising SVR. Accurate selection of patients, such as those with low viral load and low gamma-glutamyltransferase levels, and prolongation of therapy beyond 24 weeks also in HCV RNA-positive patients may further increase the rate of SVR.     

Early identification of HCV genotype 1 patients responding to 24 weeks peginterferon alpha-2a (40 kd)/ribavirin therapy

Approximately one third of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1 patients achieved a sustained virological response (SVR) after 24 weeks of treatment with peginterferon alpha-2a (40 kd) plus ribavirin in a randomized, multinational trial. We aimed to identify factors associated with a rapid virological response (RVR) at week 4 (HCV RNA <50 IU/mL) and a SVR (HCV RNA <50 IU/mL at the end of follow-up) in these patients. Stepwise multiple logistic regression analysis was used to explore the prognostic factors for a RVR and SVR in genotype 1 patients treated for 24 weeks. Fifty-one of 216 (24%) genotype 1 patients in the 24-week treatment groups had a RVR. SVR rates were considerably higher in patients with than without [corrected] a RVR (89% vs. 19%, respectively). Patients with a baseline HCV RNA of less than 200,000 IU/mL (OR 9.7, 95% CI 4.2-22.5; P < .0001) or 200,000-600,000 IU/mL (OR 5.6, 95% CI 1.5-9.1; P = .0057) were more likely to achieve a RVR than those with HCV RNA greater than 600,000 IU/mL. HCV subtype (1b vs. 1a) was also independently associated with RVR (OR 1.8, 95% CI 0.9-3.7; P = .0954). RVR (OR 23.7 vs. no RVR, 95% CI 9.1-61.7) and baseline HCV RNA less than 200,000 IU/mL (OR 2.7 vs. > 600,000 IU/mL, 95% CI 1.1-6.3; P < .026) were significant and independent predictors of SVR in patients treated for 24 weeks. In conclusion, patients infected with HCV genotype 1 and treated with peginterferon alpha-2a/ribavirin sustained a RVR 24% of the time. This portends an 89% probability of a SVR after 24 weeks of treatment.     

Co-infection of SENV-D among chronic hepatitis C patients treated with combination therapy with high-dose interferon-alfa and ribavirin

AIM: The clinical significance of co-infection of SENV-D among patients with chronic hepatitis C (CMC) and response of both viruses to combination therapy with high-dose interferon-alfa (IFN) plus ribavirin remain uncertain and are being investigated. METHODS: Total 164 (97 males and 67 females, the mean age 48.1±11.4 years, range: 20-73 years, 128 histologically proved) naive CMC patients were enrolled in this study. SENV-D DNA was tested by PCR method. Detection of serum HCV RNA was performed using a standardized automated qualitative RT-PCR assay (COBAS AMPLICOR HCV Test, version 2.0). HCV genotypes la, 1b, 2a, 2b, and 3a were determined by using genotype-specific primers. Pretreatment HCV RNA levels were determined by using the branched DNA assay (Quantiplex HCV RNA 3.0). There are 156 patients receiving combination therapy with IFN 6 MU plus ribavirin for 24 wk and the response to therapy is determined. RESULTS: Sixty-one (37.2%) patients were positive for SENV-D DNA and had higher mean age than those who were negative (50.7±10.6 years vs46.6±11.6 years, P= 0.026). The rate of sustained viral response (SVR) for HCV and SENV-D were 67.3% (105/156) and 56.3% (27/48), respectively. By univariate analysis, the higher rate of SVR was significantly related to HCV genotype non-1b (P<0.001), younger ages (P = 0.014), lower pretreatment levels of HCV RNA (P = 0.019) and higher histological activity index (HAI) score for intralobular regeneration and focal necrosis (P= 0.037). By multivariate analyses, HCV genotype non-lb, younger age and lower pretreatment HCV RNA levels were significantly associated with HCV SVR (odds ratio (OR)/95% confidence interval (CI): 12.098/0.02-0.19, 0.936/0.890-0.998, and 3.131/1.080-9.077, respectively). The SVR of SENV-D was higher among patients clearing SENV-D than those who had viremia at the end of therapy (P= 0.04). CONCLUSION: Coexistent SENV-D infection, apparently associated with higher ages, is found in more than one-third Taiwanese CHC patients. Both HCV and SENV-D are highly susceptible to combination therapy with high-dose IFN and ribavirin and SENV-D co-infection does not affect the HCV response. HCV genotype, pretreatment HCV RNA levels and age are predictive factors for HCV SVR.     

Role of interleukin-28B polymorphisms in the treatment of hepatitis C virus genotype 2 infection in Asian patients

Genome-wide association studies have linked single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) near the interleukin-28B gene to the hepatitis C virus genotype 1 (HCV-1) response to peginterferon/ribavirin treatment. We aimed to explore the impact on the treatment outcomes of Asian HCV-2 patients. We determined rs8105790, rs8099917, rs4803219, and rs10853728 to be candidate SNPs in 482 Asian HCV-2 patients treated with the standard of care. Because the first three SNPs were in very strong linkage disequilibrium with one another (r2 = 0.94-0.96), rs8099917 and rs10853728 were selected for an analysis of their influence on the achievement of rapid virological response [RVR; seronegativity for hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA in treatment week 4] and sustained virological response (SVR; seronegativity for HCV RNA throughout 24 weeks of posttreatment follow-up). The rs10853728 genotype did not predict RVR or SVR in HCV-2 patients. However, patients with the rs8099917 TT genotype, in comparison with patients with GT/GG genotypes, had a significantly higher rate of achieving RVR (85.2% versus 72.0%, P = 0.017) but did have not a significantly higher rate of achieving SVR (89.4% versus 86.0%). Multivariate analysis revealed that a baseline HCV viral load <400,000 IU/mL was the strongest predictor of RVR [odds ratio (OR) = 4.27, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.31-7.87, P < 0.001], and this was followed by advanced liver fibrosis (OR = 0.28, 95% CI = 0.15-0.53, P < 0.001), the carriage of the rs8099917 TT genotype (OR = 3.10, 95% CI = 1.34-7.21, P = 0.008), and the pretreatment level of aspartate aminotransferase (OR = 0.996, 95% CI = 0.99-1.00, P = 0.04). Nevertheless, the achievement of RVR was the single predictor of SVR with an OR of 19.37 (95% CI = 8.89-42.23, P < 0.001), whereas the rs8099917 genotypes played no role in achieving SVR with or without RVR. CONCLUSION: The rs8099917 TT genotype is significantly independently predictive of RVR, which is the single best predictor of SVR, in Asian HCV-2 patients.     

Interferon alfa-2b [correction of alpha-2b]and ribavirin for patients with chronic hepatitis C and normal ALT

OBJECTIVES: Most studies establishing the role of antiviral therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) excluded the patients with normal ALT levels. Small trials with interferon monotherapy suggested a limited efficacy and/or de novo ALT elevations. We sought to evaluate the efficacy of two doses of interferon alfa-2b (IFN) with ribavirin (RBV) in patients with normal ALT [correction]. METHODS: Patients with biopsy-proven CHC with detectable HCV RNA and at least two normal ALT levels three or more months apart were randomized to receive either 3 or 5 million units of IFN thrice a week plus RBV 1,000-1,200 mg. Therapy was stopped at 24 wk if HCV RNA remained detectable and continued for an additional 24 wk if HCV RNA was undetectable. A final HCV RNA level was obtained 24 wk after discontinuation of therapy. RESULTS: Fifty-six patients were randomized and received at least one dose of treatment. The overall rate of sustained virologic response (SVR) was 32%. SVR rates were higher in genotype 2 and 3 patients (80%) than in genotype 1 patients (24%, p = 0.002). There was a tendency toward higher SVR in genotype 1 patients treated with the higher IFN dose (36%vs 10%, p = 0.07). Five patients had mild, transient ALT elevations. No sustained ALT elevations were noted. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with normal ALT had a rate of SVR comparable to that reported in patients with elevated ALT. Higher dose of interferon tended to be more effective in genotype 1 infected patients. De novo ALT elevations were transient and not clinically significant. Patients with CHC should not be excluded from treatment on the basis of ALT alone. Combination therapy with pegylated interferon and ribavirin should be evaluated in these patients.     

HCV clearance and treatment outcome in genotype 1 HCV-monoinfected, HIV-coinfected and liver transplanted patients on peg-IFN-alpha-2b/ribavirin

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Differences in HCV-RNA clearance during therapy might explain the lower efficacy of peg-IFN/RBV in HIV/HCV-coinfection. There are limited data on HCV-RNA clearance and treatment outcomes in liver transplanted (LT) patients. METHODS: To assess the rates of SVR and baseline predictors of failure after 48 weeks of weight-adjusted peg-IFN-alpha-2b/RBV in 120 patients with HCV genotype 1: 61 HCV-monoinfected, 40 HIV-coinfected and 19 LT-patients. Viral clearance was evaluated in patients completing 24 weeks of therapy (n=112, 93%). RESULTS: SVR was significantly lower in HIV-coinfection than in HCV-monoinfection or LT (18 vs. 39 vs. 42%, P<0.02). By multivariate analysis, HIV-coinfection (OR 3.048, 95% CI 1.133-8.196; P=0.027), baseline HCV-RNA over 800,000 IU/ml (OR 2.800; 95% CI 1.121-6.993, P=0.027) and higher AST values (OR 1.009; 95% CI 1.001-1.018; P=0.028) were significantly associated to failure. Despite similar baseline HCV load (5.67 vs. 5.75 vs. 5.90 log10 IU/ml), HIV-coinfection showed significantly lower HCV-RNA decreases than HCV-monoinfection at weeks 4 (P=0.015), 12 (P=0.015) and 24 (P=0.0003), and than LT at weeks 12 (P=0.003) and 24 (P=0.023). 36/60 subjects (60%) reaching EVR by week 12 obtained SVR vs. 3/60 (5%) who did not. CONCLUSIONS: HIV-coinfection was independently associated to treatment failure, and led to a significantly slower HCV-RNA clearance.     

Treatment of recurrent hepatitis C in liver transplants: efficacy of a six versus a twelve month course of interferon alfa 2b with ribavirin

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Interferon (IFN) with ribavirin combination therapy (CT) was proposed for the treatment of hepatitis C recurring in liver transplants. We assessed the efficacy of two protocols of CT in transplanted patients with recurrent severe hepatitis C virus (HCV) hepatitis.METHODS: Fifty-seven patients (68% genotype 1b) were treated with IFN alfa-2b 3 million units three times weekly and oral ribavirin 800mg/die for 6 or 12 months. Study end-points were the end of treatment (ETVR) and the 12-month post-therapy sustained virologic response (SVR; negative HCV-RNA).RESULTS: ETVR was induced in 9/27 (33%) and in 7/30 patients (23%) treated, respectively, for 6 and 12 months (P=0.4); a SVR was induced in six (22%) of the former and five (17%) of the latter (P=0.4). HCV genotype non-1 patients responded better than genotype 1 (SVR: 43% in genotype non-1 versus 12% in genotype 1, P: 0.02). In ETV responders the hepatitis activity index improved by >2 points in biopsies taken after therapy compared to pre-therapy biopsies. Anemia and leukopenia required reduction of therapy in 51% of the patients.CONCLUSIONS: CT is efficacious in controlling HCV disease in about 20% of transplants with recurrent hepatitis C. Six months of therapy are as efficacious as 12 months.