Epoetin alfa treatment for acute anaemia during interferon plus ribavirin combination therapy for chronic hepatitis C

Summary.  Infection with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) remains chronic in 75% of infected individuals, in whom it can cause liver inflammation and progressive fibrosis leading to cirrhosis in 20% of patients. A sustained viral response (SVR) to HCV therapy, i.e. undetectable plasma HCV RNA 6 months after the end of treatment, leads to permanent eradication of the virus in 98.3% of patients. The current treatment of choice is combination therapy with pegylated interferon alfa (PEG-IFN alfa), 2a or 2b, and ribavirin (RBV), which achieves an SVR in 54–56% of patients. In patients with HCV genotype 1, RBV doses of 1000–1200 mg/day are associated with a higher SVR than 800 mg/day (51 vs 40%). However, RBV also causes dose-dependent reversible haemolytic anaemia that, in combination with the myelosuppressive effects of PEG-IFN, results in a mean drop in haemoglobin (Hb) level of 3.7 g/dL within 4 weeks. Conventionally, this acute anaemia has been managed with RBV dose reductions. However, this may result in a decreased SVR rate. Alternatively, this anaemia can be managed with administration of epoetin alfa at 40 000 IU once weekly. In a randomized placebo-controlled trial, treatment with epoetin alfa has been shown to raise Hb levels and maintain RBV doses. Furthermore, the increase in Hb level was associated with improved quality of life. Anaemia in patients treated with interferon plus RBV combination therapy can be managed effectively and safely with once weekly epoetin alfa without sacrificing optimal dosing of RBV.     

Sequence variation in hepatitis C virus nonstructural protein 5A predicts clinical outcome of pegylated interferon/ribavirin combination therapy

A substantial proportion of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-1b-infected patients still do not respond to interferon-based therapy. This study aims to explore a predictive marker for the ultimate virological response of HCV-1b-infected patients treated with pegylated interferon/ribavirin (PEG-IFN/RBV) combination therapy. Nonstructural protein 5A (NS5A) sequences of HCV in the pretreated sera of 45 patients infected with HCV-1b were analyzed. The mean number of mutations in the variable region 3 (V3) plus its upstream flanking region of NS5A (amino acid 2334-2379), referred to as IFN/RBV resistance-determining region (IRRDR), was significantly higher for HCV isolates obtained from patients who later achieved sustained virological response (SVR) by PEG-IFN/RBV than for those in patients undergoing non-SVR. The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis estimated six mutations in IRRDR as the optimal threshold for SVR prediction. Indeed, 16 (76%) of 21 SVR, but only 2 (8%) of 24 non-SVR, had HCV with six or more mutations in IRRDR (IRRDR > or = 6) (P < 0.0001). All of 18 patients infected with HCV of IRRDR of 6 or greater examined showed a significant (> or =1 log) reduction or disappearance of serum HCV core antigen titers within 24 hours after initial dose of PEG-IFN/RBV, whereas 10 (37%) of 27 patients with HCV of IRRDR of 5 or less did (P < 0.0001). The positive predictive value of IRRDR of 6 or greater for SVR was 89% (16/18; P = 0.0007), with its negative predictive value for non-SVR being 81% (22/27; P = 0.0008). CONCLUSION: A high degree (> or =6) of sequence variation in IRRDR would be a useful marker for predicting SVR, whereas a less diverse (< or =5) IRRDR sequence predicts non-SVR.     

Safety, tolerability and efficacy of peginterferon alpha-2a and ribavirin in chronic hepatitis C in clinical practice: The German Open Safety Trial

The combination treatment of peginterferon alpha-2a (PEG-IFN alpha-2a; Pegasys) plus ribavirin (RBV) is recommended as a standard care for HCV infections. Side effects and aspects of efficacy and safety have to be balanced. This study evaluates clinical practice data on safety and efficacy of HCV treatment with PEG-IFN in combination with RBV over 24 and 48 weeks. This study was a phase III, multi-centre, open-label study with two treatment groups: PEG-IFN in combination with RBV for 24 or 48 weeks. The allocation to the treatment groups was at the discretion of the investigator; 309 patients entered active treatment: 90 patients received PEG-IFN plus RBV for 24 weeks and 219 patients PEG-IFN plus RBV for 48 weeks. A sustained virological response (SVR) was achieved in 48.9% of all patients. Genotype 1 patients with a 48-week combination treatment achieved an SVR of 39.9%. In the 48-week group a low baseline viral load was associated with a higher SVR rate (47.0% vs. 32.4%). For genotype 2 or 3 patients, the SVR was 67.9%. For these patients there was no relevant difference between patients with low and high viral loads; 97.7% of the patients experienced at least one adverse event. The incidence of serious adverse events was distinctly lower in the 24-week group (4.4% vs. 10.5%). This investigation confirms the well-known risk-benefit ratio found in controlled studies in a clinical practice setting. The safety profile is similar and shows the highest incidence of adverse events in the first 12 weeks of treatment.     

血脂水平与慢性丙型肝炎患者抗病毒疗效的相关性分析

目的分析慢性丙型肝炎(CHC)患者血脂水平与抗病毒疗效的相关性,为评估预后、指导治疗提供依据。方法纳入2010年1月至2013年8月收治的171例CHC初治患者,给予聚乙二醇干扰素(PEG-IFN)及利巴韦林抗病毒治疗,分析比较不同应答情况、基因型及治疗0、12及24周(非1b型)或0、24及48周(1b型)患者血清总胆固醇(TC)、甘油三酯(TG)、低密度脂蛋白(LDL-C)、高密度脂蛋白(HDL-C)、载脂蛋白A(apoA)、载脂蛋白B(apoB)水平。正态分布计量资料采用t检验及方差分析;非正态分布资料采用秩和检验;分类变量采用χ2检验。采用单因素及多因素Logistic回归分析筛选与患者预后相关的预测因子。结果171例CHC PEG-IFN及利巴韦林抗病毒初治患者治疗后,获得持续病毒学应答(SVR)率及未获得持续病毒学应答(nonSVR)率分别为81.87%、18.13%,SVR组患者TG、apoB明显较non-SVR组患者低(P0.05)。基因3型CHC患者TC、LDL-C、apoA及apoB均较基因1b、6a型患者低;ALT、AST水平相比较高(P0.05)。SVR组患者TG、apoB在治疗结束时升高,HDL-C降低(P0.05);non-SVR组患者血脂水平在治疗过程中无明显改变。单因素Logistic分析示患者年龄≤50岁、基因型非1b型、TG≤3.11 mmol/L、apoB≤0.63 g/L与SVR密切相关(P0.05);多因素回归分析表明,年龄≤50岁及apoB≤0.63 g/L CHC患者易获得SVR(P0.05)。结论本研究提示,血脂水平和年龄与CHC患者抗病毒疗效密切相关,年龄≤50岁和apoB≤0.63 g/L是CHC患者SVR的独立预测因素。     

Characterization of naturally occurring protease inhibitor-resistance mutations in genotype 1b hepatitis C virus patients

Background and aims

Protease inhibitor (PI)-resistant hepatitis C virus (HCV) variants may be present in substantial numbers in PI-untreated patients according to recent reports. However, influence of these viruses in the clinical course of chronic hepatitis C has not been well characterized.

Methods

The dominant HCV nonstructural 3 (NS3) amino acid sequences were determined in 261 HCV genotype 1b-infected Japanese patients before pegylated interferon plus ribavirin (PEG-IFN/RBV) therapy, and investigated the patients?? clinical characteristics as well as treatment responses including sustained virological response (SVR) rate. HCV-NS3 sequences were also determined in 39 non-SVR patients after completion of the therapy.

Results

Four single mutations (T54S, Q80K, I153V, and D168E) known to confer PI resistance were found in 35 of 261 patients (13.4%), and double mutations (I153V plus T54S/D168E) were found in 6 patients (2.3%). Responses to PEG-IFN/RBV therapy did not differ between patients with and without PI-resistance mutations (mutation group, SVR 48%; wild-type group, SVR 40%; P?=?0.38). On the other hand, two mutations appeared in two non-SVR patients after PEG-IFN/RBV therapy (I153V and E168D, 5.1%).

Conclusions

PI-resistance-associated NS3 mutations exist in a substantial proportion of untreated HCV-1b-infected patients. The impact of these mutations in the treatment of PIs is unclear, but clinicians should pay attention to avoid further development of PI resistance.     

Interleukin 28B polymorphisms are the only common genetic variants associated with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in genotype-1 chronic hepatitis C and determine the association between LDL-C and treatment response

Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels and interleukin 28B (IL28B) polymorphism are associated with sustained viral response (SVR) to peginterferon/ribavirin (pegIFN/RBV) for chronic hepatitis C (CHC) infection. IL28B has been linked with LDL-C levels using a candidate gene approach, but it is not known whether other genetic variants are associated with LDL-C, nor how these factors definitively affect SVR. We assessed genetic predictors of serum lipid and triglyceride levels in 1604 patients with genotype 1 (G1) chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection by genome-wide association study and developed multivariable predictive models of SVR. IL28B polymorphisms were the only common genetic variants associated with pretreatment LDL-C level in Caucasians (rs12980275, P = 4.7 × 10(-17), poor response IL28B variants associated with lower LDL-C). The association was dependent on HCV infection, IL28B genotype was no longer associated with LDL-C in SVR patients after treatment, while the association remained significant in non-SVR patients (P < 0.001). LDL-C was significantly associated with SVR for heterozygous IL28B genotype patients (P < 0.001) but not for homozygous genotypes. SVR modelling suggested that IL28B heterozygotes with LDL-C > 130 mg/dL and HCV RNA ≤600 000 IU/mL may anticipate cure rates >80%, while the absence of these two criteria was associated with an SVR rate of <35%. IL28B polymorphisms are the only common genetic variants associated with pretreatment LDL-C in G1-HCV. LDL-C remains significantly associated with SVR for heterozygous IL28B genotype patients, where LDL-C and HCV RNA burden may identify those patients with high or low likelihood of cure with pegIFN/RBV therapy.     

Comparison of peg-interferon,ribavirin plus telaprevir vs simeprevir by propensity score matching

AIM: To compare efficacy of telaprevir(TVR) and simeprevir(SMV) combined with pegylated interferon(PEG-IFN) and ribavirin(RBV) while treating chronic hepatitis C(CHC). METHODS: In all, 306 CHC patients were included in this study. There were 159 patients in the TVR combination therapy group and 147 patients in the SMV combination therapy group. To evaluate pretreatment factors contributing to sustained virological response at 12 wk(SVR12), univariate and multivariate analyses were performed in TVR and SMV groups. To adjust for patient background between TVR and SMV groups, propensity score matching was performed. Virological response during treatment and SVR12 were evaluated.RESULTS: Overall rates of SVR12 [undetectable serum hepatitis C virus(HCV) RNA levels] were 79.2% and 69.4% in TVR and SMV groups, respectively. Patients in the SMV group were older, had higher serum HCV RNA levels, lower hemoglobin, higher prevalence of unfavorable interleukin-28B(IL28B) genotype(rs8099917), and poorer response to previous PEG-IFN and RBV treatment. Propensity score matching was performed to adjust for backgrounds(n = 104) and demonstrated SVR12 rates of 74.0% and 73.1% in the TVR and SMV groups, respectively. In the TVR group, discontinuation rates were higher because of adverse events; however, breakthrough and nonresponse was more frequent in the in SMV group. Multivariate analysis revealed IL28 B genotype(rs8099917) as the only independent predictive factor of SVR12 in both groups.CONCLUSION: SVR12 rates were almost identical following propensity score matching.     

A randomized controlled trial of pegylated interferon alpha-2a (40 KD) or interferon alpha-2a plus ribavirin and amantadine vs interferon alpha-2a and ribavirin in treatment-naïve patients with chronic hepatitis C

Summary. We determined whether triple therapy comprising amantadine (AMA), ribavirin (RBV) and either peginterferon (PEG-IFN) α-2a or conventional IFN α-2a would improve sustained virological response (SVR) rates over dual therapy with IFN α-2a and RBV in patients with chronic HCV infection. A total of 362 treatment-naïve patients were randomized to 48 weeks of treatment with: PEG-IFN α-2a 180 μg/week (group A) or IFN α-2a 3 MU tiw (groups B and C). All patients received RBV 1000 or 1200 mg/day and those in groups A and B received AMA 200 mg/day. SVR was defined as an undetectable HCV RNA after 24 weeks of untreated follow-up. At the end of therapy, 74.4% (95% CI 0.66–0.82) of patients in group A were HCV RNA-negative compared with 42.5% (95% CI 0.33–0.50) of those in group B (P = 0.0001) and 48.8% (95% CI 0.40–0.56) of those in group C. SVR was achieved in a significantly greater proportion of patients in group A compared with groups B and C: 65.3% (95% CI 0.53–0.56), 33.3% (95% CI 0.25–0.41) and 44.6% (95% CI 0.36–0.53; P = 0.0001) respectively. In patients with genotype 1, SVR rates were 55.2, 22.8 and 28.8% with the three regimens respectively. Factors independently associated with SVR were HCV genotype 2 or 3, therapy with PEG-IFN, female gender and age. In treatment-naïve patients with chronic hepatitis C, triple therapy with PEG-IFN α-2a, RBV and AMA produces higher SVR than dual or triple therapy with conventional IFN α-2a.     

Triple therapy with boceprevir or telaprevir for prior HCV non-responders

Approximately 170 million people are infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) worldwide. Sustained virological response (SVR) is equivalent to viral eradication and associated with a reduction in the risk of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The treatment for genotype 1 HCV chronic infection is the addition of a protease inhibitor (telaprevir or boceprevir) to the pegylated-interferon (PEG-IFN) plus ribavirin (RBV) regimen. Treatment of genotype 1 naïve chronic hepatitis C with PEG-IFN and ribavirin (RBV) for 48 weeks results in SVR in approximately 40% of patients. Retreatment of previous relapsers to PEG-IFN/RBV therapy with triple therapy, a protease inhibitor (telaprevir or boceprevir), plus PEG-IFN and RBV results in SVR in more than 70% of cases. However, retreatment of previous non-responders to PEG-IFN/RBV therapy with these triple therapies, results in SVR in less than 30% of cases. The aim of this review is to summarize results obtained with Boceprevir or Telaprevir triple therapy for prior HCV experienced patients (non-responders and relapsers).     

Impact of weight-based ribavirin with peginterferon alfa-2b in African Americans with hepatitis C virus genotype 1

WIN-R (Weight-based dosing of pegINterferon alfa-2b and Ribavirin) was a multicenter, randomized, open-label, investigator-initiated trial involving 236 community and academic sites in the United States, comparing response to pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) alfa-2b plus a flat or weight-based dose of ribavirin (RBV) in treatment-naive patients with chronic hepatitis C and compensated liver disease. Patients were randomized to receive PEG-IFN alfa-2b at 1.5 microg/kg/week plus flat-dose (800 mg/day) or weight-based-dose RBV (800 mg/day for weight <65 kg, 1000 mg/day for 65-85 kg, 1200 mg/day for >85-105 kg, or 1400 mg/day for >105-<125 kg). Sustained virologic response (SVR; undetectable [<125 IU/mL] hepatitis C virus [HCV] RNA at end of follow-up) in patients > or =65 kg was the primary end point. Low SVR rates have been reported among African American individuals, in whom there is a preponderance of HCV genotype 1. This subanalysis of WIN-R was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of weight-based dosing among African American individuals with genotype 1 infection enrolled in the trial. Of 362 African American patients in the primary efficacy analysis, 188 received RBV flat dosing and 174 received weight-based dosing. SVR rates were higher (21% versus 10%; P = 0.0006) and relapse rates were lower (22% versus 30%) in the weight-based-dose group than in the flat-dose group. Safety and rates of drug discontinuation were similar between the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: Weight-based dosing of RBV is more effective than flat dosing in combination with PEG-IFN alfa-2b in African American individuals with HCV genotype 1. Even with weight-based dosing, response rates in African American individuals are lower than reported in other ethnic groups.     

Effect of interferon α-2b plus ribavirin therapy on incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with chronic hepatitis

Aim:  The objective of this study was to elucidate the long-term effects of interferon (IFN)α-2b plus ribavirin combination therapy and to clarify whether this therapy can reduce the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with chronic hepatitis C.
Methods:  A total of 403 patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) were enrolled in a multicenter trial. All patients were treated with a combination of IFN-α-2b plus ribavirin therapy. We examined the incidence of HCC after combination therapy and analyzed the risk factors for liver carcinogenesis.
Results:  A sustained virological response (SVR) was achieved by 139 (34%) of the patients. The cumulative rate of incidence of HCC was significantly lower in SVR patients than in non-SVR patients ( P  = 0.03), while there was no difference in the cumulative incidence of HCC between the transient response (TR) group and the no response (NR) group. Cox's regression analysis indicated the following risk factors as independently significant in relation to the development of HCC: age being > 60 years ( P  = 0.006), advanced histological staging ( P  = 0.033), non-SVR to IFN therapy ( P  = 0.044). The cumulative incidence rate of HCC was significantly lower in patients who had average serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels of < 40 IU/L than in those who showed average serum ALT levels of ≧ 40 IU/L after the combination therapy ( P  = 0.021).
Conclusions:  These results suggest that the attainment of SVR or continuous normalization of ALT levels after IFN therapy can affect patients apart from HCC development.     

Phase 3 trial of first generation protease inhibitor therapy for hepatitis C virus/human immunodeficiency virus coinfection

AIM To evaluate efficacy/safety of hepatitis C virus(HCV) protease inhibitor boceprevir with pegylated interferon(PEG-IFN) alfa and weight-based ribavirin(RBV) in a phase 3 trial. METHODS A prospective, multicenter, phase 3, open-label, singlearm study of PEG-IFN alfa, weight-based RBV, and boceprevir, with a PEG-IFN/RBV lead-in phase was performed. The HCV/human immunodeficiency virus coinfected study population included treatment na?ve(TN) and treatment experienced(TE) patients. Treatment duration ranged from 28 to 48 wk dependent upon response-guided criteria. All patients had HCV Genotype 1 with a viral load 10000 IU/ml. Compensated cirrhosis was allowed. Sample size was determined to establish superiority to historical(PEG-IFN plus RBV) rates in sustained viral response(SVR). RESULTS A total of 257 enrolled participants were analyzed(135 TN and 122 TE). In the TN group, 81.5% were male and 54.1% were black. In the TE group, 76.2% were male and 47.5% were white. Overall SVR12 rates(HCV RNA lower limit of quantification, target not detected, target not detected) were 35.6% in TN and 30.3% in TE. Response rates at SVR24 were 28% in TN and 10% in TE, and exceeded those in historical controls. The highest rate was observed in TN non-cirrhotic participants(36.8% and the lowest in TE cirrhotics(26.3%). Cirrhotic TN participants had a 27.8% SVR12 rate and 32.1% of TE non-cirrhotics achieved SVR12. Significantly lower response rates were observed among black participants; in the TE, SVR12 was 39.7% in white participants but only 13.2% of black subjects(P = 0.002). Among the TN, SVR12 was 42.1% among whites and 27.4% among blacks(P = 0.09). CONCLUSION The trial met its hypothesis of improved SVR compared to historical controls but overall SVR rates were low. All-oral HCV treatments will mitigate these difficulties.     

Predictive factors of early and sustained responses to peginterferon plus ribavirin combination therapy in Japanese patients infected with hepatitis C virus genotype 1b: amino acid substitutions in the core region and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We showed previously that amino acid (aa) substitutions in the HCV core region (HCV-CR) are predictors of non-virological response (NVR) to peginterferon (PEG-IFN) plus ribavirin (RBV) therapy. Here, we determined the predictive factors of sustained virological response (SVR) and early virologic response (EVR) to this treatment. METHODS: We evaluated the response to 48-week PEG-IFN-RBV therapy in 114 Japanese adults infected with HCV genotype 1b and determined the predictors of EVR and SVR. RESULTS: EVR was achieved by 70% and SVR by 45% of patients. 64% of patients who achieved EVR also showed SVR, while none of non-EVR achieved SVR. Multivariate analysis identified low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (>or=86 mg/dl), aa substitutions in HCV-CR (double-wild-type; arginine at aa 70/leucine at aa 91), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) (<109 IU/l), RBV dose (>or=11.0mg/kg), and leukocyte count (>or=4500/mm3) as significant determinants of EVR, and aa substitutions in HCV-CR (double-wild-type), LDL-C (>or=86 mg/dl), male gender, ICG R15 (<10%), GGT (<109 IU/l), and RBV dose (>or=11.0 mg/kg) as determinants of SVR. Prediction of response to therapy based on combination of these factors had high sensitivity, specificity, positive, and negative predictive values. CONCLUSIONS: Our study identified aa substitutions in the core region and serum LDL-C as predictors of response to PEG-IFN-RBV therapy in Japanese patients infected with HCV genotype 1b.     

Immunodeficiency and intrinsic IFN resistance are associated with viral breakthrough to HCV therapy in HIV-coinfected patients

Viral breakthroughs (VB), defined as having detectable HCV VL while on anti-HCV therapy after achieving maximal suppression, have not yet been characterized with the use of PEG-IFN in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients. We evaluated possible mechanisms for VB among HIV/HCV-coinfected patients receiving PEG-IFN/RBV. Thirty HIV/HCV coinfected patients were treated with PEG-IFN (1.5 mug/kg sc qwk) and RBV (1-1.2 g daily) for 48 weeks. Liver chemistry, HCV VL, genotyping, DNA microarray, and sequencing of HCV E-2 envelope were performed before and during treatment. VB had lower baseline HCV VL but higher ALT and AST than relapsers (ETR) (p < 0.05) and lower CD4+ T lymphocytes (%) than patients with sustained virological responses (SVR), but similar first and second phase HCV viral kinetics (vs. ETR and SVR; p > 0.05). HCV genotypes and envelope sequences were similar for patients with VB pretreatment and at break-through. VB had higher levels of interferon-induced gene (IFIG) expression pretreatment than patients with ETR (p < 0.01). HIV/HCV-coinfected patients have a high rate of VB on PEG-IFN/RBV therapy characterized by higher levels of IFIG expression, immunodeficiency, and hepatic inflammation. Novel strategies are required for the treatment of persons with VB.     

索非布韦联合α-干扰素治疗慢性丙型肝炎患者疗效比较的Meta分析

目的 评价索非布韦（SOF）联合α-干扰素（PEG-IFN）与索非布韦或干扰素治疗慢性丙型肝炎患者的疗效。 方法 检索 PubMed、Cochrane Library、中国期刊全文数据库（CNKI）、中国生物医学文献数据库（CBM）、万方数据库及中文科技期刊全文数据库（VIP）等数据库,纳入索非布韦联合干扰素与索非布韦或干扰素治疗慢性丙型肝炎患者的临床随机对照试验研究。采用Revman 5.2软件进行Meta分析。 结果 纳入9篇文献,共827例慢性丙型肝炎患者,其中5篇研究比较了SOF/PEG-IFN/利巴韦林（RBV）治疗的339例与SOF/RBV治疗的269例患者,4篇研究比较了SOF/PEG-IFN/RBV治疗的105例与PEG-IFN/RBV治疗的114例患者。Mate分析结果显示,SOF/PEG-IFN/RBV组快速病毒学应答率（RVR）显著高于SOF/RBV组（86.7% 对71.7%,P=0.002）,与PEG-IFN/RBV组比为91.7% 对32.3%（P=0.006）;SOF/PEG-IFN/RBV组持续病毒学应答率（SVR）显著高于PEG-IFN/RBV组（85.7%对44.2%,P<0.00001）,但与SOF/RBV组比,差异无统计学意义（89% 对74.1%,P=0.16）;SOF/PEG-IFN/RBV组头疼、疲劳、恶心、皮疹、肌痛、食欲减退、关节痛、发热、贫血发生率较SOF/RBV组高,且差异具有统计学意义（P<0.05）。 结论 索非布韦联合α-干扰素和利巴韦林治疗相比索非布韦联合利巴韦林或聚乙二醇干扰素联合利巴韦林治疗慢性丙型肝炎患者可获得更高的快速病毒学应答率,而不良反应发生率也较索非布韦联合利巴韦林治疗组高。     

粒细胞集落刺激因子联合聚乙二醇干扰素α-2a及利巴韦林治疗丙型肝炎肝硬化的疗效观察

目的观察粒细胞集落刺激因子（G-CSF）联合聚乙二醇干扰素（PEG-IFNα）及利巴韦林的标准化方案与PEG-IFNα减量治疗对代偿期丙肝肝硬化抗病毒的疗效比较。方法选择代偿期丙肝肝硬化患者48例,随机分为G-CSF联合PEG-IFNα及利巴韦林标准治疗组和PEG-IFNα减量组;以慢性丙肝接受标准化抗病毒治疗方案患者28例为对照组。观察快速病毒学应答（RVR）、早期病毒学应答（EVR）、治疗结束时病毒学应答（ETVR）、持续病毒学应答（SVR）、停药后复发,并随访48周,同时观察肝功能复常和其他不良反应。组间比较采用方差分析或卡方检验分析。结果 G-CSF治疗组的ETVR率、SVR率等指标与CHC的标准化抗病毒治疗组比较,差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）;但是PEG-IFN减量组在ETVR率、SVR率方面均低于CHC的标准化抗病毒治疗组,且差异有统计学意义（χ2=8.266、4.467,P均〈0.05）。另外,G-CSF治疗组的ETVR率明显高于PEG-IFN减量组,且差异有统计学意义（χ2=4.009,P〈0.05）。结论用GM-CSF陪伴标准化治疗方案抗病毒治疗对丙肝肝硬化患者疗效明显优于PEG-IFNα减量组。     

Analysis of the complete open reading frame of hepatitis C virus in genotype 2a infection reveals critical sites influencing the response to peginterferon and ribavirin therapy

Purpose

A proportion of patients infected with genotype 2a hepatitis C virus (HCV) cannot achieve a sustained virological response (SVR) to pegylated-interferon plus ribavirin therapy (PEG-IFN/RBV) but the reason remains unclear. The present study aimed to clarify the possible correlation between viral sequence variations and final outcome.

Methods

The pretreatment complete open reading frame (ORF) sequences of genotype 2a HCV were determined by direct sequencing for two independent groups of patients (43 patients as test; group 1 and 35 as validation; group 2), and the correlation with the final outcome was explored.

Results

Patients with SVR (n = 58) and with non-SVR (n = 20) differed significantly in pretreatment HCV RNA level (p = 0.002), fibrosis score (p = 0.047), and cumulative RBV dosage (p = 0.003). By comparison of all amino acid positions in the complete HCV ORFs, threonine at amino acid (aa) 110 in the core region was remarkably frequent in SVR (p = 0.01 for group 1, p = 0.004 for group 2, and p = 5E?05 for combined). A sliding window analysis revealed that the total number of amino acid variations within the NS5A aa 2258–2306 region were significantly high in SVR compared to non-SVR patients (p = 0.01 for group 1, p = 0.006 for group 2, and p = 0.0006 for combined). Multivariate analyses revealed that core aa 110 (p = 0.02), NS5A aa 2258–2306 (p = 0.03), and cumulative RBV dosage (p = 0.02) were identified as independent variables associated with the final outcome.

Conclusions

The outcome of PEG-IFN/RBV therapy is significantly influenced by variation in the core and NS5A regions in genotype 2a HCV infection.     

Current progress in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C

Over the last decade, the standard of care for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C has been the combination of pegylated-interferon-alfa (PEG-IFN) and ribavirin (RBV) which results in sustained virological response (SVR) rates of 75%-85% in patients with genotypes 2 or 3 but only of 40%-50% in patients with genotype 1. Currently, there are rapid and continuous developments of numerous new agents against hepatitis C virus (HCV), which are the focus of this review. Boceprevir and telaprevir, two first-generation NS3/4A HCV protease inhibitors, have been recently licensed in several countries around the world to be used in combination with PEG-IFN and RBV for the treatment of genotype 1 patients. Boceprevir or telaprevir based triple regimens, compared with the PEG-IFN/RBV combination, improve the SVR rates by 25%-31% in treatment-naïve genotype 1 patients, by 40%-64% in prior relapsers, by 33%-45% in prior partial responders and by 24%-28% in prior null responders. At the same time, the application of response-guided treatment algorithms according to the on-treatment virological response results in shortening of the total therapy duration to only 24 wk in 45%-55% of treatment-naïve patients. There are, however, several challenges with the use of the new triple combinations in genotype 1 patients, such as the need for immediate results of HCV RNA testing using sensitive quantitative assays, new and more frequent adverse events (anemia and dysgeusia for boceprevir; pruritus, rash and anemia for telaprevir), new drug interactions and increasing difficulties in compliance. Moreover, the SVR rates are still poor in very difficult to treat subgroups of genotype 1 patients, such as null responders with cirrhosis, while there is no benefit for patients who cannot tolerate PEG-IFN/RBV or who are infected with non-1 HCV genotype. Many newer anti-HCV agents of different classes and numerous combinations are currently under evaluation with encouraging results. Preliminary data suggest that the treatment of chronic HCV patients with well tolerated combinations of oral agents without PEG-IFN is feasible and may lead to a universal HCV cure over the next 5-10 years.     

Relevance of the Core 70 and IL-28B polymorphism and response-guided therapy of peginterferon alfa-2a ± ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C of Genotype 1b: a multicenter randomized trial,ReGIT-J study

Background

We conducted a multicenter randomized clinical trial to determine the optimal treatment strategy against chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) with genotype 1b and a high viral load (G1b/high).

Methods

The study subjects included 153 patients with G1b/high. Patients were initially treated with PEG-IFNα-2a alone and then randomly assigned to receive different treatment regimens. Ribavirin (RBV) was administered to all patients with HCV RNA at week 4. Patients negative for HCV RNA at week 4 were randomly assigned to receive PEG-IFNα-2a (group A) or PEG-IFNα-2a/RBV (group B). Patients who showed HCV RNA at week 4 but were negative at week 12 were randomly assigned to receive weekly PEG-IFNα-2a (group C) or biweekly therapy (group D). Patients who showed HCV RNA at week 12 but were negative at week 24 were randomly assigned to receive PEG-IFNα-2a/RBV (group E) or PEG-IFNα-2a/RBV/fluvastatin (group F).

Results

Overall, the rate of sustained virological response (SVR) was 46 % (70/153). The total SVR rate in the group (A, D, and F) of response-guided therapy was significantly higher than that in the group (B, C, and E) of conventional therapy [70 % (38/54) versus 52 % (32/61), p = 0.049]. Although IL28-B polymorphism and Core 70 mutation were significantly associated with efficacy, patients with rapid virological response (RVR) and complete early virological response (cEVR) achieved high SVR rates regardless of their status of IL-28B polymorphism and Core 70 mutation.

Conclusion

In addition to knowing the IL-28B polymorphism and Core 70 mutation status, understanding the likelihood of virological response during treatment is critical in determining the appropriate treatment strategy.     

Efficacy of interferon alpha-2b induction therapy before retreatment for chronic hepatitis C.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Chronic hepatitis C (HCV) patients who have failed previous treatment have low sustained viral response (SVR) rates with repeat treatment. We evaluated whether interferon (IFN) induction during retreatment improves response rates. METHODS: Two randomized, controlled trials were conducted in chronic HCV patients who failed IFN. In Study 1, patients received IFN 3 MU daily plus ribavirin (RBV) 1000 mg/day for 4 weeks, followed by IFN 3 MU TIW plus RBV 1000 mg/day for 44 weeks (induction; n=232), or IFN 3 MU TIW plus RBV 1000 mg/day for 48 weeks (non-induction; n=237). In Study 2, patients received IFN 5 MU B.I.D. plus RBV 1000-1200 mg/day for 2 weeks, followed by pegylated IFN (PEG-IFN) 75-150 mug weekly plus RBV 1000-1200 mg/day for 46 weeks (induction; n=201), or PEG-IFN 75-150 mug weekly plus RBV 1000-1200 mg/day for 48 weeks (non-induction; n=206). The primary end point for both trials was SVR. RESULTS: Induction did not increase SVR compared with non-induction, but did increase the on-treatment response among genotype non-1 patients in Study 2. By intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis, SVR in Study 1 was 13% for induction vs. 9% for non-induction (P=NS). In Study 2 (ITT), SVR was 20% for induction vs. 24% for non-induction (P=NS). However, by non-ITT analysis of Study 2, genotype non-1-previous non-responders showed significantly higher response rates with induction than non-induction. CONCLUSION: For chronic HCV patients who have failed IFN, induction with retreatment does not improve SVR, but may be beneficial for patients with genotype non-1 HCV.