Effect and side-effects of alpha interferon treatment in haemophilia patients with chronic hepatitis C

To evaluate the effect and side-effects of alpha interferon 2B (IFN) treatment in haemophilia patients with chronic hepatitis C (positive HCV antibody test, positive HCV-RNA test and ALT levels >2.5 × upper limit of normal) eight HIV and HBs-ag negative haemophilia patients were treated with IFN for 26 weeks in a dosage of 5 mega units (MU) daily for 2 weeks, 2.5 MU daily for 4 weeks and 1.5 MU 3 times a week for 20 weeks. Patients who were transient or non-responders after 26 weeks of IFN therapy were treated for 2.5 years with 5 MU IFN three times a week. At the end of 3 years follow-up, four patients were considered complete responders (HCV-RNA negative) with complete and sustained ALT normalization and disappearance from HCV-RNA from blood, two patients only showed a transient response and two patients were non-responders.
All patients experienced the common side-effects of IFN treatment. Two patients complained about feelings of depression and impotence. For both this was the reason to stop IFN treatment. In one patient, IFN treatment was stopped 90 weeks after start of therapy because of persistent fatigue. In another patient the dosage was adjusted because of a decrease in platelet count.
No effect of IFN on bleeding frequency and chronic arthopathy was seen.
We conclude that the clinical effects and side-effects of IFN therapy in patients with haemophilia and chronic hepatitis C are comparable with those of non-haemophilia patients with chronic hepatitis C. Haemophilia patients can be treated for chronic hepatitis C infection in the same way as patients without haemophilia.     

干扰素对HGV和HCV重叠感染中HGV的疗效研究

本研究通过探讨干扰素(IFN)对庚型肝炎病毒(HGV)和丙型肝炎病毒(HCV)重叠感染的慢性肝炎患者中HGV的疗效，以明确HGV感染的临床意义。利用逆转录多聚酶链反应(RT-PCR)，并对其产物直接进行测序。在IFN治疗期间，91．1％患者血中的HGV转阴。只有26．8％患者持续阴性。血中ALT水平在停用干扰素后与HCV-RNA水平密切相关，而与HCV-RNA的水平无明显关联。(1)HGV对IFN治疗敏感；(2)在HGV与HCV重叠感染的丙型肝炎患者中，HCV对肝细胞的损伤起重要作用，而HGV直接导致肝损伤且使肝损伤讲展的可能性很小。     

重组复合干扰素治疗慢性丙型肝炎的临床研究

目的 比较两种剂量的重组复合干扰素（Ｃｏｎｓｅｎｓｕｓ Ｉｎｔｅｒｆｅｒｏｎ,ＣＩＦＮ）和重组干扰素α－２α（ＩＦＮα－２α）治疗慢性丙型肝炎患者的疗效和安全性。方法 １８７例初治的慢性丙型肝炎（丙肝）患者,随机分成三组,分别接受：ＣＩＦＮ１５μｇ（Ａ组）６１例、９μｇ（Ｂ组）６５例和ＩＦＮα－２α３ＭＵ（Ｃ组）６１例,１周３次,共２４周,在完成治疗后继续随访２４周。本试验以治疗结束时和随访时丙氨     

Pretreatment symptoms and dosing regimen predict side-effects of interferon therapy for hepatitis C

We analysed data from a multicentre interferon (IFN) treatment trial to evaluate symptoms in patients with chronic hepatitis C and to identify factors that might predict development of debilitating IFN side-effects. Two hundred and twenty-two patients (120 US, 102 French) received 3 or 5 million units (MU) of IFN-α three times weekly (t.i.w.) for 3 months. Those who had detectable hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA, as detected by the branched DNA signal amplification (bDNA) assay, at 3 months were intensified to daily therapy, while patients who were bDNA negative continued t.i.w. dosing for the subsequent 3 months of treatment. Symptoms were assessed at baseline, and adverse effects were evaluated at 6 months of therapy. Prior to treatment, the most common symptom that interfered with daily functioning was fatigue, occurring in 25% of patients. The frequency of debilitating fatigue, myalgia, arthralgia, headache, the presence of dry eyes and dry mouth, and use of antidepressant medication increased significantly from baseline to 6 months of IFN therapy (all P  < 0.01). In multivariate analysis, the development of a debilitating side-effect at 6 months of treatment was associated with the presence of that symptom prior to therapy in all cases. Symptoms and adverse effects varied by gender and country. Compared with patients maintained on t.i.w. dosing, those who were dose intensified to daily IFN reported more debilitating fatigue, malaise, myalgia, arthralgia, fever, nausea, and headache, and the presence of dry mouth (all P  < 0.05). In conclusion, patient characteristics, including pretreatment symptoms, gender and nationality, as well as daily IFN dosing are associated with the development of debilitating adverse effects on IFN therapy.     

慢性丙型肝炎干扰素治疗后复发患者的干扰素再治疗

目的探讨干扰素(IFN)治疗后复发的慢性丙型肝炎患者对IFN再治疗的应答情况及影响因素。方法对聚乙二醇化干扰素(PEG-IFN)α-2a与重组人干扰素(CIFN)α-2a治疗中国慢性丙型肝炎患者疗效与安全性的随机、开放、多中心对照研究中的6O例干扰素治疗后复发患者的再治疗进行回顾性研究。其中PEG-IFN α-2a组35例和CIFN α-2a组25例,以持续病毒学应答(SVR)作为疗效的主要评价指标,分析HCV RNA载量、基因型、药物种类对IFN疗效的影响。结果 60例复发患者用IFN再治疗后,55．00％取得治疗结束时的病毒学应答(ETVR),35．00％取得SVR;其中PEG-IFN α-2a组74.29％取得ETVR,显著高于CIFN α-2a组(28．00％),P<0．01; PEG-IFN α-2a组45．71％取得SVR,高于CIFN α-2a组(20．00％), P>0．05;病毒载量高、低组间的ETVR、SVR的差异无统计学意义;对于HCV基因1型感染患者,PEG- IFN α-2a的ETVR(75．00％)和SVR(45．83％)均显著高于CIFN α-2a组(分别为22．22％和11．11％), P相似文献   

干扰素治疗慢性丙型肝炎发生甲状腺功能异常的分析

目的：探讨干扰素治疗慢性丙型肝炎患者后发生甲状腺功能异常的情况及相关因素的分析。方法回顾性分析206例慢性丙型肝炎患者,观察89例干扰素治疗前和117例治疗后甲状腺功能的异常情况及其影响因素,Logistic分析发生甲状腺功能异常的危险因素。结果干扰素治疗前的89例患者中,有23例合并甲状腺功能异常,其中甲状腺功能减退症7例,甲状腺功能亢进症2例,亚临床甲状腺功能减退症14例;干扰素治疗后的117例患者中,有17例发生甲状腺功能异常,其中甲状腺功能减退4例,为桥本甲状腺炎2例和非自身免疫性甲状腺功能减退2例;甲状腺功能亢进1例;亚临床甲状腺功能减退症12例。多元Logistic回归分析显示,女性（OR＝5．828）、体内预存抗甲状腺自身抗体（OR＝35．393）是慢性丙型肝炎患者使用干扰素治疗后诱发甲状腺疾病的独立危险因素。结论干扰素治疗慢性丙型肝炎可导致甲状腺功能异常的发生;对体内预存大量抗甲状腺过氧化物酶抗体的女性,要监测甲状腺功能,定期复查。     

Risk factors for retinopathy associated with interferon α-2b and ribavirin combination therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C

AIM: To elucidate the frequency and risk factors for retinopathy in patients with chronic hepatitis C who are treated by interferon-ribavirin combination therapy. METHODS: We prospectively analyzed 73 patients with histologically confirmed chronic hepatitis C, who underwent combination therapy for 24 wk. Optic fundi were examined before, and 2, 4, 12 and 24 wk after the start of combination therapy. RESULTS: Fourteen patients (19%) developed retinopathy, which was initially diagnosed by the appearance of a cotton wool spot in 12 patients. Retinal hemorrhage was observed in 5 patients. No patient complained of visual disturbance. Retinopathy disappeared in 9 patients (64%) despite the continuation of combination therapy. However, retinopathy persisted in 5 patients with retinal hemorrhage. A comparison of the clinical background between the groups with and without retinopathy showed no significant differences in age, gender, viral genotype, RNA level, white blood cell count, platelet count, prothrombin time, complications by diabetes mellitus or hypertension, or pretreatment arteriosclerotic changes in the optic fundi. However, multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that complication by hypertension was observed with a high frequency in the group with retinopathy (P = 0.004, OR = 245.918, 95% CI = 5.6-10786.2). CONCLUSION: Retinopathy associated with combination therapy of interferon alpha-2b and ribavirin tends to develop in patients with hypertension.     

Risk factors for retinopathy associated with interferon α-2b and ribavirin combination therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C

AIM: To elucidate the frequency and risk factors for retinopathy in patients with chronic hepatitis C who are treated by interferon-ribavirin combination therapy.METHODS: We prospectively analyzed 73 patients with histologically confirmed chronic hepatitis C, who underwent combination therapy for 24 wk. Optic fundi were examined before, and 2, 4, 12 and 24 wk after the start of combination therapy.RESULTS: Fourteen patients (19%) developed retinopathy, which was initially diagnosed by the appearance of a cotton wool spot in 12 patients. Retinal hemorrhage was observed in 5 patients. No patient complained of visual disturbance. Retinopathy disappeared in 9 patients (64%)despite the continuation of combination therapy. However, retinopathy persisted in 5 patients with retinal hemorrhage. A comparison of the clinical background between the groups with and without retinopathy showed no significant differences in age, gender, viral genotype, RNA level, white blood cell count, platelet count, prothrombin time, complications by diabetes mellitus or hypertension,or pretreatment arteriosclerotic changes in the optic fundj. However, multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that complication by hypertension was observed with a high frequency in the group with retinopathy (P=0.004,OR=245.918, 95% CI=5.6-10786.2).CONCLUSION: Retinopathy associated with combination therapy of interferon α-2b and ribavirin tends to develop in patients with hypertension.     

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。     

The effect of interferon on the liver in chronic hepatitis C: a quantitative evaluation of histology by meta-analysis

Background/Aims: Several randomized clinical trials of interferon in chronic hepatitis C have examined the histological changes in paired biopsy specimens. We have attempted a quantitative evaluation by meta-analysis.Methods: Randomized Clinical Trials found by MEDLINE search were included if: a) they compared different IFN regimens with non-active treatment or with each other, b) they obtained biopsies before starting and at the time of stopping IFN in a sizable proportion of the treated and control patients, and c) they assessed the biopsy-specimens semi-quantitatively according to Scheuer's numerical scoring, system or Knodell's Histological Activity Index, with quantitation of fibrosis and Iobular, portal and periportal necroinflammation.Results: Seventeen trials were identified, in which 1223 adult patients had been studied. All trials homogeneously pointed towards a favorable interferon effect. The pooled data show a statistically significant histological improvement in treated patients as compared with controls for each of the four Histological Activity Index components and for the total Histological Activity Index score (overall improvement was −0.82 in favor of interferon, p<0.0001, 95% Confidence Interval −1.25 to −0.40). In the ten trials reporting histological changes separately in biochemical responders (primary and sustained responders) and non-responders, histological improvement was confined to the subset of biochemical responders. No change or very little change occurred in non-responders.Conclusions: Interferon treatment in chronic hepatitis C significantly improves liver histology. The effect of interferon is closely related to biochemical response. Studies assessing histological outcome 1 year or more after interferon treatment in long-term responders and comparatively in non-responders or relapsers would be important to confirm the regression of the necroinflammatory process in the former, as suggested by the normal serum alanine aminotransferase levels.     

Evolution and predictive factors of thyroid disorder due to interferon alpha in the treatment of hepatitis C

AIM： To study predictive factors of thyroid dysfunction associated with interferon-alpha （IFNa） therapy in chronic hepatitis C （CHC） and to describe its long-term evolution in a large population without previous thyroid dysfunction. METHODS： We performed a follow-up of thyroid function and detection of thyroid antibodies in 301 patients treated for CHC with IFNα from 1999 to 2004. RESULTS： Thyroid disorder developed in 30/301 （10%） patients with a mean delay of 6 ± 3.75 mo： 13 patients had hyperthyroidism, 11 had hypothyroidism, and 6 had biphasic evolution. During a mean follow-up of 41.59 ± 15.39 mo, 9 patients with hyperthyroidism, 3 with hypothyroidism, and 4 with biphasic evolution normalized thyroid function in 7.88 ± 5.46 mo. Recovery rate of dysthyroidism was not modified by treatment discontinuation, but was better for patients with negative thyroid antibodies before antiviral treatment （P = 0.02）. Women had significantly more dysthyroidism （P = 0.05）. Positive thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin antibodies were more frequent before antiviral treatment in patients who developed dysthyroidism （P 〈 0.0003 and P = 0.0003, respectively）. In a multivariate model, low fibrosis was found to be a predictive factor of dysthyroidism （P = 0.039）.
CONCLUSION： In this monocentric population of CHC, dysthyroidism, especially hyperthyroidism, developed in 10% of patients, Low fibrosis was found to be a predictive factor of dysthyroidism, Thyroid disorder recovered in 16/30 patients （53%） and recovery was better in the non-autoimrnune form,     

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.     

Virological effects and safety of combined double filtration plasmapheresis (DFPP) and interferon therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C: A preliminary study.

PURPOSE: In patients with chronic genotype 1b hepatitis C and a high viral load, the viral load was reduced by double filtration plasmapheresis (DFPP), followed by combined interferon and ribavirin therapy. The safety and virological effects of this treatment method were preliminarily investigated. METHODS: In nine patients with chronic hepatitis C, DFPP was performed three times on days 1, 2, and 4, and the administration of interferon and ribavirin was initiated immediately after DFPP on day 1. RESULT: The HCV RNA was undetectable in all patients after the plasma was passed through a plasma fractionator (second filter) in the DFPP circuit. After 2 weeks, the HCV RNA tended to decrease in the DFPP group more than in the control group (-2.45+/-1.12 versus -1.57+/-0.95, P=0.073). However, this decrease was not attributable to a sustained virological response (SVR) (22.2% versus 18.2%, P=0.822). Most of the adverse events were caused by the interferon and ribavirin combination therapy. CONCLUSION: DFPP can be safely performed concomitantly with interferon and ribavirin combination therapy in chronic hepatitis C patients. The combination may contribute to an early virological response. The effect of DFPP on the SVR and its significance remain to be clarified.     

Expression of bcl-2 protein in chronic hepatitis C： Effect of interferon alpha 2b with ribavirin therapy

AIM: Mechanisms responsible for persistence of HCV infection and liver damage in chronic hepatitis C are not clear. Apoptosis is an important form of host immune response against viral infections. Anti-apoptotic protein bcl-2 expression on liver tissue as well as the influence of interferon alpha 2b (IFNa2b) and ribavirin (RBV) were analyzed in patients with chronic hepatitis C. METHODS: In 30 patients with chronic hepatitis C (responders - R and non-responders - NR) treated with IFNα2b+RBV, protein bcl-2 was determined in hepatocytes and in liver associated lymphocytes before and after the treatment. RESULTS: The treatment diminished bcl-2 protein accumulation in liver cells in_patients with hepatitis C (P<0.05). Before and after the therapy, we detected bcl-2 protein in R in 87±15% and 83±20% of hepatocytes and in 28±18% and 26±10% of liver-associated lymphocytes, respectively. In NR, the values before treatment decreased from 94±32% to 88±21% of hepatocytes and 39±29% to 28±12% of lymphocytes with bcl-2 expression. There was no statistical correlation between bcl-2 expression on liver tissue with inflammatory activity, fibrosis and biochemical parameters before and after the treatment. CONCLUSION: IFNα2b+RBV treatment, by bcl-2 protein expression decrease, enables apoptosis of hepatocytes and associated liver lymphocytes, which in turn eliminate hepatitis C viruses.     

Immunogenicity of recombinant hepatitis B vaccine in treatment-naive and treatment-experienced chronic hepatitis C patients： The effect of pegylated interferon plus ribavirin treatment

AIM: To retrospectively evaluate the vaccination-induced anti-HBs seroconversion rates in treatment-naive and treatment-experienced chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients. Also to prospectively evaluate the seroconversion rates in CHC patients during pegylated interferon (PEG) plus ribavirin (RIB) treatment. METHODS: Seventy treatment-naive CHC patients (group A), 22 sustained virological responders-SVR following interferon (IFN) plus RIB treatment CHC patients (group B) and 121 healthy subjects (group C) had been participated in the same HBV vaccination schedule (20 microg, 0-1-6 mo). Seroconversion was considered if anti-HBs levels were above 10 mIU/mL within 3 mo following the third dose of the vaccine. Moreover, we prospectively selected 30 non-cirrhotic CHC patients and evaluated them for the efficacy of the same vaccine schedule randomizing them in two groups: Group-1, 15 CHC patients received the first dose of the vaccine in parallel with the initiation of PEG plus RIB treatment and Group-2, 15 patients received the same vaccination schedule without concomitant treatment. Determination of anti-HBs was performed at mo 1, 2, and 7. Statistical analysis of data was based on ANOVA student's t-test and chi-square analysis (P < 0.05). RESULTS: Fifty-eight of 70 group A patients (82.85%), 20/22 group B (90.9%) and 112/121 healthy subjects (92.56%) had been seroconverted. The seroconversion rates were significantly higher in the control group than in treatment-naive CHC patients (P = 0.04). The corresponding rates were comparable between group A and group B CHC patients (P = 0.38). The vast majority of non-responders (10/14, 71.43%) had been infected by genotype-1 of HCV. The seroconversion rates were comparable between group 1 and 2 CHC patients at mo 1 (20% versus 26.7%, P = 0.67), mo 2 (46.7% vs 60%, P = 0.46) and mo 7 (86.7% versus 93.3%, P = 0.54) of follow-up. CONCLUSION: The immunogenicity of HBV vaccine seems to be lower in CHC patients compared to healthy subjects. SVR following IFN plus RIB treatment does not affect the antibody response to HBV vaccine. Infection by genotype-1 seems to negatively influence the seroconversion rates. Vaccination against HBV during PEG plus RIB combination treatment is not beneficial in terms of anti-HBs seroconversion rates.     

Immunogenicity of recombinant hepatitis B vaccine in treatment-nave and treatment-experienced chronic hepatitis C patients: The effect of pegylated interferon plus ribavirin treatment

AIM: To retrospectively evaluate the vaccination-induced anti-HBs seroconversion rates in treatment-naive and treatment-experienced chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients. Also to prospectively evaluate the seroconversion rates in CHC patients during pegylated interferon (PEG) plus ribavirin (RIB) treatment. METHODS: Seventy treatment-naive CHC patients (group A), 22 sustained virological responders-SVR following interferon (IFN) plus RIB treatment CHC patients (group B) and 121 healthy subjects (group C) had been participated in the same HBV vaccination schedule (20μg, 0-1-6 mo). Seroconversion was considered if anti-HBs levels were above 10 mIU/mL within 3 mo following the third dose of the vaccine. Moreover, we prospectively selected 30 non-cirrhotic CHC patients and evaluated them for the efficacy of the same vaccine schedule randomizing them in two groups: Group-1, 15 CHC patients received the first dose of the vaccine in parallel with the initiation of PEG plus RIB treatment and Group-2, 15 patients received the same vaccination schedule without concomitant treatment. Determination of anti-HBs was performed at mo 1, 2, and 7. Statistical analysis of data was based on ANOVA student's t-test and chi-square analysis (P < 0.05). RESULTS: Fifty-eight of 70 group A patients (82.85%), 20/22 group B (90.9%) and 112/121 healthy subjects (92.56%) had been seroconverted. The seroconversion rates were significantly higher in the control group than in treatment-naive CHC patients (P = 0.04). The corresponding rates were comparable between group A and group B CMC patients (P = 0.38). The vast majority of non-responders (10/14, 71.43%) had been infected by genotype-1 of HCV. The seroconversion rates were comparable between group 1 and 2 CHC patients at mo 1 (20% versus 26.7%, P = 0.67), mo 2 (46.7% vs 60%, P = 0.46) and mo 7 (86.7% versus 93.3%, P = 0.54) of follow-up. CONCLUSION: The immunogenicity of HBV vaccine seems to be lower in CHC patients compared to healthy subjects. SVR following IFN plus RIB treatment does not affect the antibody response to HBV vaccine. Infection by genotype-1 seems to negatively influence the seroconversion rates. Vaccination against HBV during PEG plus RIB combination treatment is not beneficial in terms of anti-HBs seroconversion rates.     

Successful interferon desensitization in a patient with chronic hepatitis C infection

Treatment of hepatitis C, even when absolutely necessary, is almost impossible when interferon cannot be administered for any reason. We report a 65-year-old patient with chronic hepatitis C virus （HCV） infection and fibrosis, who was unable to receive interferon because of systemic hypersensitivity. The patient was desensitized successfully through gradual incremental exposure to interferon, and HCV infection was eradicated after a complete course of treatment, with no further allergic reactions. This case report that describes successful eradication of hepatitis C in a patient with advanced liver disease after desensitization to interferon revealed that desensitization may not necessarily damage the therapeutic efficacy of the drug.     

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。     

干扰素α-2b联合利巴韦林治疗慢性丙型肝炎患者疗效观察

目的：观察普通干扰素联合利巴韦林治疗慢性丙型肝炎患者的临床疗效。方法87例慢性丙型肝炎患者被随机分成对照组44例和观察组43例,均应用重组人干扰素α-2b 联合利巴韦林治疗,分别治疗48周和72周,随访24周,观察疗效。结果在44例对照组患者中,HCV 1b型感染者28例（63.6%）,2a型感染者8例（18.2%）,在观察组43例患者中则分别为29例（67.4%）和6例（14.0%）;对照组获得快速病毒学应答率（RVR）、早期病毒学应答（EVR）、治疗结束时应答（ETR）和持续病毒学应答率（SVR）分别为40.9%、59.1%、68.2%和38.6%,而观察组则分别为39.5%、60.5%、88.4%（P＜0.05）和65.1%（P＜0.05）;根据血清HCV RNA水平是否≥1×106copies/m1,将两组患者分为高病毒载量组和低病毒载量组,结果两组低病毒载量组患者的ETR和SVR均显著高于高病毒载量组（P＜0.05）。结论延长干扰素联合利巴韦林治疗慢性丙型肝炎的疗程有助于提高SVR。     

Is pegylated interferon superior to interferon, with ribavarin, in chronic hepatitis C genotypes 2/3？

Over the past decade, significant improvements have been made in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C （CHC）, especially with the introduction of combined therapy using both interferon and ribavarin. The optimal dose and duration of treatment is still a matter of debate and, importantly, the efficacy of this combined treatment varies with the viral genotype responsible for infection. In general, patients infected with viral genotypes 2 or 3 more readily achieve a sustained viral response than those infected with viral genotype 1. The introduction of a pegylated version of interferon in the past decade has produced better clinical outcomes in patients infected with viral genotype 1. However, the published literature shows no improvement in clinical outcomes in patients infected with viral genotypes 2 or 3 when they are treated with pegylated interferon as opposed to nonpegylated interferon, both given in combination with ribavarin. This is significant because the cost of a 24-wk treatment with pegylated interferon in lessdeveloped countries is between six and 30 times greater than that of treatment with interferon. Thus, clinicians need to carefully consider the cost-versusbenefit of using pegylated interferon to treat CHC, particularly when there is no evidence for clinically measurable benefits in patients with genotypes 2 and 3 infections.