Predictive factors for interferon and ribavirin combination therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C

AIM： To confirm the predictive factors for interferon （IFN）-α and ribavirin combination therapy for chronic hepatitis patients with hepatitis C virus （HCV） genotype lb. METHODS： HCV RNA from 50 patients infected with HCV genotype lb was studied by cloning and sequencing of interferon sensitivity determining region （ISDR）, PKR- eIF2α phosphorylation homology domain （PePHD）. Patients were treated with IFN-α and ribavirin for 6 mo and grouped by effectiveness of the therapy. A variety of factors were analyzed. RESULTS： Our data showed that age, HCV RNA titer, and ISDR type could be used as the predictive factors for combined IFN-α and ribavirin efficacy. Characteristically, mutations in PePHD appeared only when the combination therapy was effective. Other factors, such as sex and alanine aminotransferase （ALT） level, were not related to its efficacy. Adjusting for age and HCV RNA titer indicated that the ISDR type was the most potent predictive factor. CONCLUSION： HCV RNA ISDR type is an important factor for predicting efficacy of IFN-α and ribavirin combination therapy in Korean patients.     

Systematic review of the treatment of established recurrent hepatitis C with pegylated interferon in combination with ribavirin

The aim of our study was to conduct a systematic review of studies evaluating antiviral therapy with pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) alfa in combination with ribavirin for the management of recurrent hepatitis C after liver transplantation. Data sources included electronic databases and a manual search. Studies evaluating the efficacy and tolerability of PEG-IFN alfa with ribavirin in patients with recurrent hepatitis C were selected for inclusion. The information extracted from each of the selected publications included study design details, patient characteristics, treatment regimens and efficacy and tolerability end points. Nineteen studies including 611 patients were identified. PEG-IFN alfa-2b was used in 16 studies. The mean rate of SVR was 30.2% (range, 8-50%). Dose reduction and discontinuation of treatment were common in these studies (73% and 27.6%, respectively). The lack of an early virologic response (EVR) at 3months of therapy was the most frequently described predictive factor of nonresponse. Treatment discontinuation and dose reductions due to adverse events were frequent and possibly represent important obstacles to attainment of SVR. EVR at 3months of treatment should be considered an important predictor of treatment outcome.     

干扰素联合利巴韦林治疗由一名献血员所致慢性丙型肝炎62例分析

目的 应用干扰素α-2b联合利巴韦林治疗由一名献血员所致62例慢性丙型肝炎(CHC)患者,评估其疗效.方法 62例输血后CHC患者给予干扰素α-2b联合利巴韦林治疗(标准干扰素3～5MU,隔日一次注射,口服利巴韦林0.6～ 1.0g/d),疗程48周,随访96周.以持续病毒应答(SVR)率、早期病毒学应答(EVR)率、治疗结束时病毒学应答(ETVR)率、停药后生物化学应笞率为考核指标,同时观察药物不良反应.计量资料用均数±标准差(x-±s)表示,计数资料用x2检验.结果 SVR率为83.9％ (52/62),EVR率为95.2％ (59/62),ETVR率为87.1％ (54/62),停药后生物化学应答率为100.0％.不同病毒载量(x 2=10.13,P＜0.05)和不同年龄(x 2=14.58,P＜0.01)患者SVR率差异明显.干扰素所致8例甲状腺功能轻度异常者经内分泌专科协助能坚持完成抗病毒治疗.结论 干扰素α-2b联合利巴韦林治疗CHC患者疗效显著,获得SVR的52例停药后随访96周均无复发,疗效与感染HCV时较年轻、感染时间较短、多数患者病毒载量较低、治疗依从性较好等因素有关,与性别无关.只要患者血清HCV RNA阳性,均应抗病毒治疗,以清除病毒、阻断和延缓病情进展.     

聚乙二醇干扰素联合利巴韦林治疗慢性丙型肝炎患者效果的影响因素

目的 分析聚乙二醇干扰素(PEG-IFN)联合利巴韦林(RBV)治疗慢性丙型肝炎患者的病毒学应答情况及其影响因素.方法 入组对象为接受PEG-IFNα-2a或PEG-IFNα-2b联合RBV治疗的慢性丙型肝炎患者130例,收集患者基线、治疗4、12、48周和停药24周的资料,包括年龄、性别、体质指数(BMI)、脾指数(SPI)、门静脉内径(PV)、HCV基因型、HCV RNA载量等.比较获得持续性病毒学应答( SVR)与未获得持续性病毒学应答(NSVR)的情况,对SVR的影响因素进行相关分析.数据处理采用t检验、x2检验和Logistic回归分析.结果 总SVR率为84％ (109/130),其中快速病毒学应答(RVR)率为21％(27/130),早期病毒学应答(EVR)率为72％ (94/130),治疗结束时病毒学应答(ETVR)率为93％(121/130).HCV基因1型患者SVR率为82％(45/55),非基因1型SVR率为87％(13/15);患者年龄、基线HCV RNA载量、BMI、SPI与SVR负相关(回归系数＜0,均OR＜1,均P＜0.05),EVR与RBV总量和SVR呈正相关(回归系数＞0,均OR＞1,均P＜0.05),而RVR、PV及PEG-IFN总量与SVR不相关(均P＞0.05).结论 PEG-IFN联合RBV治疗慢性丙型肝炎患者的SVR率较高,超过80％患者可治愈;年龄大于35岁、既往治疗失败、基线病毒载量高于6×105 IU/mL、BMI＞26 kg/m2、SPI＞40 cm2、RBV累计量不超过标准量80％的患者SVR率较低.     

Pharmacokinetics and enhanced PKR response in patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with pegylated interferon alpha-2b and ribavirin

This study investigated the molecular and pharmacokinetic mechanisms of the enhanced antiviral efficacy associated with pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) alpha-2b and ribavirin. The study involved comparing the expression of serial double-stranded RNA-activated protein kinase (PKR) before and during treatment in 26 PEG-IFN alpha-2b and 26 conventional IFN alpha-2b recipients matched for age, body weight and dose of ribavirin. The pharmacokinetics of PEG-IFN alpha-2b and ribavirin was analysed in 15 of the 26 PEG-IFN recipients. There was a rapid increase in PKR expression in both treatment groups, although expression from day 2 onwards was maintained at a significantly higher level in the PEG-IFN recipients (P < 0.05). C(max) of PEG-IFN occurred 12-48 h after the initial administration, with t(1/2) and C(min) being 49 h and 190 pg/mL, respectively. In contrast to ribavirin, accumulation of PEG-IFN was minimal. There was no association between serum PEG-IFN and ribavirin levels and virological response. Although baseline expression of PKR before treatment was marginally higher in nonresponders (NRs), from day 2 onwards, sequential PKR expression in response to PEG-IFN was higher in sustained viral responders compared with the NRs (P < 0.05). Significant correlations were found between kinetics of PKR expression and viral decline rates in each phase of hepatitis C virus dynamics (first phase, r = 0.67, P = 0.0006; second phase, r = 0.67, P = 0.001). In conclusion, improvement in pharmacokinetics following pegylation led to higher intracellular PKR expression, which was associated with enhanced virological efficacy of PEG-IFN-based combination therapy. The concentrations of both ribavirin and PEG-IFN alpha-2b were not associated with viral response and PKR expression.     

Pilot dose-finding trial on interferon alpha in combination with ribavirin for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C in patients not responding to interferon alone

BACKGROUND: Effectiveness of combination therapy with standard interferon alpha doses and ribavirin is far from being demonstrated in patients with hepatitis C non responders to interferon alpha monotherapy. Recent kinetic studies revealed that these doses may be suboptimal. AIMS: To find the criteria for optimisation of the interferon dose, to be used in combination with ribavirin in patients with hepatitis C non responders to interferon alpha monotherapy. PATIENTS: Sixty-three patients enrolled in a pilot controlled trial were treated for 6 months with ribavirin ([1000-1200 mg daily) and were randomised to concurrently receive interferon alpha 2b for 6 months at: 3 Million Units thrice weekly [group A (21 patients)], 5 MU thrice weekly [group B (21 patients)] and 5 million units daily [group C (21 patients)]. RESULTS: A sustained virological response was observed in: 1 patient from group A (5%), 2 patients from group B (9%) and 8 patients from group C (38%; p=0.02 vs group A; p=0.03 vs group B). Side-effects were not significantly different between the 3 groups. Multivariate analysis showed that infection by hepatitis C virus genotypes 2 or 3 and interferon alpha dosage of 5 million units daily were independent predictors of sustained response. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that higher interferon doses administered daily in combination with ribavirin could be more effective in those patients with hepatitis C who had not responded to interferon alone.     

Accumulation of refractory factors for pegylated interferon plus ribavirin therapy in older female patients with chronic hepatitis C

Aim: Several host and viral factors have been reported to influence the effectiveness of pegylated interferon plus ribavirin combination therapy for chronic hepatitis C. In Japan, where the age of treated patients is comparatively high, recent studies have reported poor response to treatment in older female patients, but little is known about the relationship between advanced age in women and previously reported factors. Methods: Using a database of 1167 patients chronically infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1b, we analyzed the amino acid sequences of the HCV core protein and interferon sensitivity determining region (ISDR) and examined the relationships among predictive factors. Results: The proportion of patients with substitutions at core 70, which is associated with poor response to pegylated interferon plus ribavirin therapy, increased with age only in female patients. A similar trend was observed for ISDR wild type (wt). We also found that core 70 wt is associated with core 91 wt (P = 5.4 × 10^?9) as well as ISDR wt (P = 0.025). HCV RNA levels were higher in patients with core and ISDR wt (P < 0.001). Furthermore, core amino acid mutations were associated with advanced fibrosis and higher inflammatory activity (P = 0.028 and 0.048, respectively) as well as higher gamma‐glutamyltranspeptidase, alanine aminotransferase and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (P < 0.001, 0.006 and 0.001, respectively). Conclusion: A combination of factors account for poor response rate in older female patients in Japan. Elucidating the relationship between amino acid substitutions and metabolic alteration is an important step in understanding the mechanism of HCV interferon resistance.     

An extended treatment protocol with pegylated interferon and ribavirin for hepatitis C recurrence after liver transplantation

AIM: To evaluate the efflicacy and tolerability of an extended treatment protocol and to determine the predictors of sustained virological response (SVR) after liver transplantation (LT).METHODS: Between August 2005 and November 2008, patients with recurrent hepatitis C virus (HCV) after LT were selected for treatment if liver biopsy showed at least grade 2 inflammation and/or stage 2 flibrosis. All patients were to receive pegylated interferon (PEG)/regimens combining ribavirin (RBV) for an additional 48 wk after HCV undetectability.RESULTS: Extended protocol treatment was initiated in thirty patients. Overall, 73% had end of treatmentresponse and 60% had SVR. Nineteen patients completed treatment per protocol, of them, sixteen (84%) had end of treatment response, and fourteen (74%) achieved SVR. Both early virological response and 24-week virological response were individually associated with SVR but this association was not signif icant on multivariate analysis. Eleven patients (37%) discontinued therapy due to adverse effects. Cytopenias were the most common and most severe adverse effect, and required frquent growth factor use, dose adjustments and treatment cessations. The risk of rejection was not increased.CONCLUSION: Recurrent HCV after LT can be safely treated with extended virological responseguided therpy using PEG/RBV, but requires close monitoring for treatment-related adverse effects, particularly cytopenias.     

慢性丙型肝炎干扰素治疗后复发患者干扰素联合利巴韦林再治疗

目的 探讨干扰素（IFN）治疗后复发的慢性丙型肝炎（CHC）患者对IFN联合利巴韦林再治疗的应答情况及影响因素。方法 100例IFN治疗后复发的CHC患者中，50例使用聚乙二醇干扰素α-2a（PEG—IFNα-2a），50例使用重组人干扰素α-1b（CIFNα—1b），均联合利巴韦林再治疗，联合治疗48周，停药随访24周，分析HCVRNA载量、病毒基因型、药物种类对联合治疗疗效的影响。结果 100例复发患者联合再治疗后，36．00％取得持续病毒学应答（SVR），其中PEG-IFNα-2a组48．00％取得SVR，显著高于CIFNα—1b组（24．00％，P〈0．05）。56例低病毒载量（HCV-RNA〈1×10^5拷贝／mL）患者中，PEG—IFNα-2a组28例，其中57．14％取得SVR，显著高于CIFNα—1b组（25．00％，P〈0．05）。HCV非基因1（2a或2b）型组29例，其中55．17％取得SVR，显著高于基因1型组（28．20％，P〈0．05）；在CIFNα—1b治疗组，病毒非基因1型17例患者，其中47．06％取得SVR，明显高于基因1型患者（12，12％，P〈0．01）；在基因1型组，PEG—IFNα-2a组38例，其中42．11％取得SVR，显著高于CIFNα—1b组（12．12％，P〈0.01）。结论 IFN治疗后复发的CHC患者IFN联合利巴韦林再治疗存在部分患者无应答；对于HCV病毒载量低、基因1型的复发患者，聚乙二醇干扰素联合利巴韦林再治疗疗效明显优于普通干扰素的联合治疗。     

A multicenter survey of re‐treatment with pegylated interferon plus ribavirin combination therapy for patients with chronic hepatitis C in Japan

Aim: This study aimed to clarify the factors associated the efficacy of re‐treatment with pegylated interferon (PEG IFN) plus ribavirin combination therapy for patients with chronic hepatitis C who had failed to respond to previous treatment. Methods: One hundred and forty‐three patients who had previously shown relapse (n = 79), non‐response (n = 34) or intolerance (n = 30) to PEG IFN plus ribavirin were re‐treated with PEG IFN plus ribavirin. Results: Twenty‐five patients with intolerance to previous treatment completed re‐treatment and the sustained virological response (SVR) rates were 55% and 80% for hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1 and 2, respectively. On re‐treatment of the 113 patients who completed the previous treatment, the SVR rates were 48% and 63% for genotype 1 and 2, respectively. Relapse after previous treatment and a low baseline HCV RNA level on re‐treatment were associated with SVR in genotype 1 (P < 0.001). Patients with the interleukin‐28B major genotype responded significantly better and earlier to re‐treatment, but the difference in the SVR rate did not reach a significant level between the major and minor genotypes (P = 0.09). Extended treatment of 72 weeks raised the SVR rate among the patients who attained complete early virological response but not rapid virological response with re‐treatment (72 weeks, 73%, 16/22, vs 48 weeks, 38%, 5/13, P < 0.05). Conclusion: Relapse after previous treatment and a low baseline HCV RNA level have predictive values for a favorable response of PEG IFN plus ribavirin re‐treatment for HCV genotype 1 patients. Re‐treatment for 72 weeks may lead to clinical improvement for genotype 1 patients with complete early virological response and without rapid virological response on re‐treatment.     

干扰素治疗慢性丙型肝炎获得快速和早期病毒学应答的影响因素

目的:探讨慢性丙型肝炎患者应用聚乙二醇干扰素(pegylated interferon,PEG-IFN)联合利巴韦林治疗不同病毒学应答模式与疗效的关系及获得快速和早期病毒学应答的预测因素,为临床抗病毒治疗疗效判定和治疗方案的选择提供依据.方法:81例慢性丙型肝炎患者均给予pegylated interferon alpha-2a(PEG-IFNα-2a)135-180μg或PEG-IFNα-2b50-80μg,1次/wk皮下注射;利巴韦林800-1200mg/d,对所有患者进行治疗前、治疗4、12、24、48wk和停药后至少24wk的随访,详细记录患者的性别、年龄、丙型肝炎病毒(hepatitis C virus,HCV)RNA水平、肝硬化程度、脂肪肝、体质量指数(body mass index,BMI)、糖尿病史、饮酒史、输血史、既往抗病毒治疗史等等.根据治疗情况将患者分为快速病毒学应答(rapid virological response,RVR)组、早期病毒学应答(early virological response,EVR)组、无应答(no response,NR)组、复发(relapse,RL)组和持续病毒学应答(sustained virologic response,SVR)组.分别应用单因素分析和多因素Logistic逐步回归分析方法分析获得RVR和EVR的影响和预测因素.结果:81例患者中51例(62.9%)获得RVR,65例(80.2%)获得EVR,65例(80.2%)获得SVR,10例(12.3%)NR,6例(7.4%)FL.RVR组88.2%获得SVR,EVR组90.8%获得SVR.未获RVR和EVR的患者16人(19.8%),其中6人(37.5%)获得SVR,6人(100%)均未复发.3组SVR率的差异有统计学意义(?2=20.622,P<0.05),复发率差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).SVR、NR和RL组的RVR率分别为69.2%、0%、100.0%;EVR率分别为90.8%、0%、100.0%.3组RVR率及EVR率的差异有统计学意义.单因素分析结果显示:年龄≤40岁,HCVRNA载量<4×105,无肝硬化与快速病毒学应答有关;年龄≤40岁,HCVRNA载量<4×105,无肝硬化,BMI<24kg/m2与早期病毒学应答有关.将上述指标进行多因素Logistic逐步回归分析,结果表明:基线HCVRNA载量和肝硬化是预测RVR和EVR的独立影响因素.结论:RVR和EVR的获得是获得SVR的重要预测因素;未获得RVR和EVR的患者通过1年疗程的治疗,少部分患者仍可获得SVR;RVR和EVR不能预测复发.年龄、基线病毒载量、有无肝硬化和体质量指数与RVR和EVR的获得密切相关.基线病毒载量、有无肝硬化是预测RVR和EVR的独立因素.     

Weight loss during pegylated interferon and ribavirin treatment of chronic hepatitis C*

SUMMARY: Treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection with interferon (IFN)-alpha, as monotherapy or in combination with ribavirin, is associated with significant side-effects including weight loss. The aim of our study was to describe the evolution of body weight during combination antiviral treatment and to examine the possible determinants of weight loss. This was a retrospective analysis of 126 patients who received combination therapy of pegylated IFN-alpha-2b and ribavirin at our unit. Body weight was recorded at each outpatient attendance during treatment and follow-up, and was expressed as a percentage of baseline value. We observed a decline of body weight during treatment. Median (range) weight values at 4, 12, 24, and 48 weeks (expressed as percentage of baseline weight) were 97.7 (91.5-110.2), 95.4 (84.4-109.4), 93.7 (80.8-106.5), and 91.1 (80.1-103.6) respectively. There was no significant association of increased weight loss with age, gender, pretreatment weight, ethnicity, pretreatment histological stage, cumulative IFN dose (adjusted for body weight), HCV genotype or treatment outcome. Median body weight returned to baseline within 6 months of stopping treatment. Patients experience significant weight loss during combination therapy. Those experiencing greater weight losses during therapy did not benefit from improved antiviral response.     

Superior response to pegylated interferon and ribavirin in Asians with chronic hepatitis C

Purpose  

Reported sustained virological response (SVR) rates in Asians with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) exceed those of other ethnic groups, but differences in body weight across races potentially confound this observed superior response. Our aim was to determine whether Asian race independently predicts SVR within a multicultural clinic setting.     

Splenectomy prior to antiviral therapy in patients with hepatitis C virus related decompensated cirrhosis

Patients with hepatitis C virus-related decompensated cirrhosis can benefit from interferon-based antiviral therapy, but the common complication of cytopenia is a contraindication for this treatment. Splenectomy prior to interferon therapy may alleviate this problem. To investigate whether splenectomy improves the efficacy of antiviral therapy, 13 interferon-naïve hepatitis C virus decompensated cirrhotic patients underwent splenectomy between January 2008 and January 2011, followed 1–3 months later by an interferon-based therapeutic regimen (pegylated/standard interferon-α combined with ribavirin for 48 weeks). Ten (76.9%) of the patients developed postoperative complications, which included minor portal vein thrombosis (2/13, 15.4%) and transient ascites (8/13, 61.5%). At one-month post-splenectomy, the patients showed significantly increased platelet (pre-surgery: 48.2 ± 15.9 vs. 186.0 ± 70.6 × 10³ μL^?1, p < 0.001) and leukocyte (2.1 ± 0.5 vs. 5.7 ± 1.4 × 10³ μL^?1, p < 0.001) counts. Eight (61.5%) of the patients achieved sustained virological response, including all HCV genotype 2a-infected patients (4/4, 100%) and some of the genotype 1b-infected patients (4/9, 44.4%). Temporary interferon-α suspension was required for one patient to address severe intestinal infection. These results indicate that splenectomy prior to interferon-based therapy was safe and may facilitate adherence to subsequent antiviral therapy in selected HCV cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension and hypersplenism.     

Permanent response to alpha-interferon therapy in chronic hepatitis C is preceded by rapid clearance of HCV-RNA from serum

Background/Aims: Prediction of response to interferon therapy is important in the management of chronic hepatitis C. Pre-therapy data are valuable but they may be inaccurate in some cases. Our aim was to investigate whether the biochemical and virological events that occur early during interferon therapy in chronic hepatitis C may predict the final result of the treatment.Methods: ALT and serum HCV-RNA were serially measured in 53 HCV-RNA-positive patients who received a standard 6-month course of interferon therapy. Eleven patients with a sustained response, 23 who responded but subsequently relapsed and 19 who did not respond were studied. HCV-RNA was measured with a commercial kit (Amplicor HCV).Results: After 4 weeks of treatment, HCV-RNA became negative in 73% of sustained responders, in 26% of transient responders (p=0.02) and in none of the non-responders. Corresponding figures after 8 weeks of therapy were 82% in sustained responders, 61% in transient responders and 9% in non-responders. The difference between sustained and transient responders at this times was not significant. After 4 weeks of therapy, 82% of sustained responders, 52% of transient responders and none of the non-responders presented normalization of alanine transferase. The difference between sustained and transient responders was not significant. Corresponding figures for normalization of alanine transferase at 8 weeks were 82%, 96% and 0% respectively. At the end of treatment, all sustained responders, 70% of transient responders and none of the non-responders had cleared HCV-RNA from serum.Conclusions: A rapid normalization of alanine transferase induced by interferon therapy is associated with response, but does not differentiate between transient and permanent response. In contrast, clearance of HCV-RNA after 4 weeks of treatment, but not after 8 weeks, is significatively associated with sustained response. Testing for HCV-RNA early during interferon administration may be valuable for further decisions concerning therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C.     

Thrombocytopenia in pegylated interferon and ribavirin combination therapy for chronic hepatitis C

Background

This study aimed to examine the therapeutic effect and prognostic indicators of pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) and ribavirin (RBV) combination therapy in thrombocytopenic patients with chronic hepatitis C, hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related cirrhosis, and those who underwent splenectomy or partial splenic embolization (PSE).

Methods

Of 326 patients with HCV-related chronic liver disease (252 with genotype 1b and 74 with genotype 2a/2b) treated with PEG-IFN/RBV, 90 were diagnosed with cirrhosis.

Results

Regardless of the degree of thrombocytopenia, the administration rate was significantly higher in the splenectomy/PSE group compared to the cirrhosis group. However, in patients with genotype 1b, the sustained virological response (SVR) rate was significantly lower in the cirrhosis and the splenectomy/PSE groups compared to the chronic hepatitis group. No cirrhotic patients with platelets less than 80,000 achieved an SVR. Patients with genotype 2a/2b were more likely to achieve an SVR than genotype 1b. Prognostic factors for SVR in patients with genotype 1b included the absence of esophageal and gastric varices, high serum ALT, low AST/ALT ratio, and the major homo type of the IL28B gene. Splenectomy- or PSE-facilitated induction of IFN in patients with genotype 2a/2b was more likely to achieve an SVR by an IFN dose maintenance regimen. Patients with genotype 1b have a low SVR regardless of splenectomy/PSE. In particular, patients with a hetero/minor type of IL28B did not have an SVR.

Conclusions

Splenectomy/PSE for IFN therapy should be performed in patients expected to achieve a treatment response, considering their genotype and IL28B.     

干扰素联合利巴韦林治疗慢性丙型肝炎致甲状腺功能异常临床分析

目的探讨IFN联合利巴韦林(RBV)治疗CHC致甲状腺功能异常的临床特点。方法回顾性分析78例CHC患者应用干扰素联合RBV治疗过程中出现甲状腺功能异常的临床资料。78例患者随机分为重组人干扰素α2b(IFN-α2b)组58例,聚乙二醇化干扰素α-2a(Peg-IFN-α2a)组20例。结果 78例患者中,发生甲状腺功能异常(TD)者17例(21.79%),其中甲状腺功能亢进症5例,甲状腺功能减退症12例。78例患者的性别、基线HCV RNA载量、丙型肝炎病程、病毒应答时间、总疗程与TD发生无显著相关性,年龄、既往TD病史有显著相关性。78例患者中,有15例为一过性TD,仅2例终止干扰素治疗。两组患者导致TD的发生率分别为10%(2/20)和25.80%(15/58)。两组患者的年龄(χ2=4.974,P=0.026,OR=1.073)、既往TD病史(χ2=5.123,P=0.024,OR=16.569)与甲状腺疾病发生呈现正相关。出现TD时间主要集中在干扰素治疗后31~60天。结论 TD是干扰素治疗CHC中较常见的不良反应,特别是既往有TD病史者,多数TD为短暂性异常,应在密切监视下完成抗病毒疗程。     

Factors contributing to ribavirin dose reduction due to anemia during interferon alfa2b and ribavirin combination therapy for chronic hepatitis C

Background Recent studies indicate that combination therapy with ribavirin and interferon alfa2b (IFN2b) is effective for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. However, reversible hemolytic anemia is a common side effect of this therapy.Methods We determined those factors that contribute to ribavirin dose reduction due to anemia during this treatment by using multiple logistic regression analysis in Japanese patients. The study included 123 patients with chronic hepatitis C (85 male, 38 female; mean age, 50 years; range, 20–70 years), who received 24-week combination therapy. All patients were treated with IFN2b daily for 2 weeks, followed by three times weekly dosing for 22 weeks, with oral ribavirin twice daily, at a total daily dose of 600 or 800mg.Results Of the 123 patients, 34 patients required dose reduction of ribavirin, and 78 patients required no dose reduction. Overall, 20 patients discontinued. On univariate analysis, reduction of the ribavirin dose correlated significantly with pretreatment hemoglobin (Hb) levels of less than 14g/dl, female sex, and patient age 55 years or older. On multivariate analysis, pretreatment Hb of less than 14g/dl level and age 55 years or older were significantly associated with ribavirin dose reduction. The hazard ratios were 3.56 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.48–8.53) for pretreatment Hb levels of less than 14g/dl, and 2.50 (95% CI, 1.05–5.94) for age 55 years or more.Conclusions Because patient age of 55 years or more, and Hb levels of less than 14g/dl are significant factors that influence ribavirin-induced hemolytic anemia, more careful monitoring is necessary during combination therapy for patients with these risk factors.     

Should aged patients with chronic hepatitis C be treated with interferon and ribavirin combination therapy?

The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of combination therapy of interferon and ribavirin for aged patients with chronic hepatitis C. METHODS: This study was conducted at Osaka University Hospital and institutions participating in the Osaka Liver Disease Study Group on 329 patients with chronic hepatitis C receiving interferon and ribavirin combination therapy (group A, under 60 year old, n=199; group B, 60-64 year old, n=64; group C, over 65 year old (mean age, 67.8+/-2.2 year old, n=66)). Of the 293 patients who were tested for HCV serotype and HCV viral loads, 215 had HCV-RNA with serotype 1 and high viral loads (1H) and the other 78 had HCV-RNA with serotype 2 or low viral loads (non-1H). RESULTS: In per-protocol analysis, the overall SVR rate of 1H patients was 28% (51/184). Among the 1H patients, the SVR rate was significantly lower in group C (16%) and group B (17%) than in group A (34%) (p<0.05). The overall SVR rate of non-1H patients was 85% (57/67). No significant difference was found in the SVR rate among group C (79%), group B (100%), and group A (84%). On the other hand, the discontinuance of both drugs due to side effects was 29% (19/66) in group C, 20% (13/64) in group B, and 11% (21/199) in group A, with the discontinuance rates being higher in the older group (p=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: In aged chronic hepatitis C patients, interferon and ribavirin combination therapy can be recommended for the non-1H patients who showed a high SVR rate of approximately 65%, but not for the 1H patients.