Early detection of nonresponse to interferon plus ribavirin combination treatment of chronic hepatitis C

We have investigated the value of early hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA decline (ΔHCV RNA) to predict response to combination therapy in 66 chronic hepatitis C patients treated with IFN-α2b (3  M U thrice weekly) and ribavirin (800 mg daily) for 12 months [25 sustained responders (SR) and 41 nonresponders or relapsers (NR)]. Serum HCV RNA was retrospectively measured in samples obtained at baseline and 4, 8 and 12 weeks after treatment onset, using a commercially available quantitative RT-PCR assay. At 4 weeks, serum HCV RNA had decreased a mean of 2.6 ± 0.8 logs among SR as compared with only 0.5 ± 0.8 logs in NR ( P  < 0.001), and was already undetectable (< 600 IU/mL) in 12 (48%) of the SR but in none of the NR. At 8 weeks, HCV RNA was undetectable in 21 SR and in 2 NR and mean ΔHCV RNA were 4.2 ± 1.3 and 0.8 ± 1.0 logs, respectively ( P  < 0.001). At week 12 all SR had undetectable HCV RNA as compared with only five NR ( P  < 0.001). Stepwise logistic regression analysis identified ΔHCV RNA at 12 weeks as the strongest predictor of sustained response. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves of ΔHCV RNA for sustained response prediction identified sensitivity peaks with 100% negative predictive value corresponding to ΔHCV RNA > 1 log at 4 weeks, > 2 logs at 8 weeks and > 3 logs at 12 weeks. Our results show that early changes in the HCV RNA level may reliably identify patients having no chance of a sustained virological response during the first 3 months of combination therapy, thus providing an excellent tool for optimizing antiviral treatment of chronic hepatitis C.     

Mutations within the E2 and NS5A protein in patients infected with hepatitis C virus type 3a and correlation with treatment response

Defined regions of hepatitis C virus (HCV) envelope 2 (E2), PePHD, and nonstructural 5A (NS5A) protein (PKR-binding domain) have been shown to interact with interferon alfa (IFN-alpha)-inducible double-stranded RNA-activated protein kinase (PKR) in vitro, suggesting a possible mechanism of HCV to evade antiviral effects of IFN-alpha. The clinical correlation between amino acid mutations within the E2 PePHD or the NS5A PKR-binding domain and response to antiviral treatment in HCV-3a-infected patients is unknown. Thirty-three patients infected with HCV-3a isolates were treated with IFN-alpha with or without ribavirin. The carboxyterminal half of E2 and of the NS5A gene were sequenced. Sixteen patients achieved a sustained virological response (SR), 6 patients an end-of-treatment response with relapse thereafter (ETR), and 11 patients were nonresponders (NR). Within the PePHD of the E2 protein 0.5 (range, 0-2) mutations were observed in SR patients, whereas the number of mutations in ETR or NR patients was 0.2 (0-1). Quasispecies analyses showed almost no heterogeneity. The mean number of mutations within the PKR-binding domain of the NS5A protein was 1.6 (range, 0-4) in SR patients, 1 (0-2) in ETR patients, and 1.6 (0-3) in NR patients. Patients with higher numbers of mutations within the E2 or NS5A region showed a trend towards lower pretreatment viremia. Phylogenetic and conformational analyses of E2 or NS5A sequences allowed no differentiation between sensitive and resistant isolates. However, mutations within the E2 PePHD in SR patients were frequent, and hydrophobic mutations within the hydrophilic area of PePHD at codon 668 and 669 were exclusively observed in sustained virological responders.     

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.     

Serum chemokine levels are associated with the outcome of pegylated interferon and ribavirin therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C

Aim: Serum chemokine levels and amino acid substitutions in the interferon‐sensitivity determining region (ISDR) and core region have been associated with treatment outcome of pegylated interferon and ribavirin therapy in genotype 1 hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐infected patients. The present study was conducted to clarify the association between serum chemokines and treatment outcome in patients with chronic HCV‐1 infection in a Japanese cohort. Methods: A total of six serum chemokines were quantified before, during and after pegylated interferon and ribavirin treatment in 79 genotype 1 chronic HCV patients using a multiple bead array system. Viral ISDR and core region variants were determined by direct sequencing. Results: The baseline serum levels of eotaxin, IP‐10 and RANTES were significantly higher in chronic HCV patients than in controls. High levels of eotaxin and macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)‐1β before therapy and more than two mutations in the ISDR were associated with a sustained virological response, and patients with more than two mutations in the ISDR also had significantly higher MIP‐1β levels. Receiver–operator curve analysis showed a 77% sensitivity and 73% specificity for predicting an SVR using MIP‐1β values. Conclusion: Serum MIP‐1β levels may predict the response to HCV treatment with pegylated interferon and ribavirin and are associated with amino acid substitutions in the ISDR.     

Impairment of metabolic function in chronic hepatitis C is related to factors associated with resistance to therapy

OBJECTIVE: Liver disease causes a loss of hepatic function, and remission is associated with improved functional hepatic mass. The object of the present study was to investigate whether liver metabolic function assessed by antipyrine clearance is related to other disease characteristics influencing response to therapy in chronic hepatitis C. METHODS: Patients (n = 96) received three different treatment regimens: one group received interferon alfa-2b for 48 wk; in a second group with maintained positive hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA after 12 wk, interferon was combined for 36 wk with oral ribavirin; and patients who were relapsers or nonresponders to a previous therapy with interferon alone received interferon alfa-2b plus ribavirin for 48 wk. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients (26%) showed sustained normalization of ALT levels and negative HCV RNA 6 months after therapy. The response was more likely to be sustained in patients with a genotype other than 1 (52.0% vs 15.5% in patients with genotype 1, p < 0.001), and the percentage of sustained responders was higher among patients who demonstrated negativity of HCV RNA at the end of 4 wk of treatment (64% vs 13% without negativity, p < 0.001). Sustained response was associated with significantly lower baseline serum ferritin (-46%, p < 0.01) and duration of infection (-33%, p < 0.01). Baseline antipyrine clearance was higher in sustained responders than in nonresponders (+19%, p < 0.05) and lower in genotype 1 patients than in those with a genotype other than 1 (-24%, p < 0.05). Antipyrine clearance increased by 12% at the end of the 48-wk course of treatment among sustained responders (+34% vs nonresponders, p < 0.001) and still remained elevated at the end of the follow-up (+35% vs nonresponders, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In summary, the present study shows that liver oxidative metabolism is related to antiviral response rates and suggests that much of the effect is explained by viral genotype.     

Is investigation of hepatitis C virus NS5A gene heterogeneity a tool for predicting long‐lasting response to interferon therapy in patients with HCV‐1b chronic hepatitis?

Nonstructural protein 5A (NS5A) of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) may repress the interferon (IFN)-induced protein kinase R (PKR). High variability of different regions in the carboxy-terminal half of NS5A implicated in the interaction with PKR (particularly the interferon sensitivity determining region (ISDR)) may be a predictor of response to IFN in patients infected with genotype 1b of HCV. We examined pretreatment serum samples from 17 HCV-1b infected patients included in the same schedule of IFN therapy. Seven patients were a rare series of sustained responders (SR) with a post-treatment follow-up of 5-7 years, while ten were nonresponders (NR). The carboxy-terminal half of the NS5A gene was amplified and directly sequenced in all 17 cases. In addition, the entire NS5A gene and the part of the HCV E2 gene coding for the hypervariable region 1 (HVR1) were amplified, cloned and sequenced in six cases (three NR and three SR). No difference in number and distribution of amino acid mutations was observed between isolates from SR and NR in any portion of the protein, including the ISDR region. Analysis of full length NS5A confirmed no difference between the two groups. The NS5A gene sequence was different among the six cases cloned although it appeared to be conserved in each individual patient independently of the quasispecies complexity evaluated through HVR1 examination. These data indicate that pretreatment analysis of theNS5A genomic variability has no value in predicting long-lasting response to IFN therapy in HCV-1b-infected patients, and that the HCV NS5A gene has high quasispecies homology.     

High-dose interferon alfa-2b and ribavirin in patients previously treated with interferon: results of a prospective, randomized, controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Kinetic studies have demonstrated a more rapid reduction in hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA levels among patients taking high daily doses of interferon compared with those taking standard-dose interferon. GOALS: To compare the efficacy and safety of high-dose interferon alfa-2b and ribavirin with standard-dose interferon alfa-2b and ribavirin in chronic hepatitis C patients previously treated with interferon. STUDY: One hundred seven patients (30 interferon relapsers and 77 interferon nonresponders) were randomized to take either high-dose interferon alfa-2b in combination with ribavirin (group A) (consisting of 5 MU/d for 4 weeks, 5 MU three times weekly for 8 weeks, and then 3 MU three times weekly for 36 weeks) or standard-dose interferon alfa-2b and ribavirin (group B) for 48 weeks. Serum alanine transaminase (ALT), HCV RNA levels, and safety data were prospectively collected and compared during treatment and at week 24 of follow-up. RESULTS: The mean serum ALT and HCV RNA levels, as well as the proportion of patients with genotype 1 and cirrhosis and who were African American, were similar in the two treatment groups at study entry. The rates of suppression of HCV RNA to undetectable levels at weeks 4, 12, and 48 were similar. In addition, the sustained virologic response rates at week 24 of follow-up were similar in groups A and B (29% vs. 39%, respectively, p = 0.277). Clinical variables that correlated with a sustained virologic response included a history of relapse to previous interferon therapy and non-1 HCV genotype ( p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Short-term, high-dose interferon alfa-2b and ribavirin failed to demonstrate a tangible benefit compared with standard-dose interferon alfa-2b and ribavirin. However, our study results and others suggest that standard-dose interferon and ribavirin for 48 weeks should be considered for selected patients who did not respond to previous interferon therapy.     

Antiviral effect of ribavirin in early non-responders to interferon monotherapy assessed by kinetics of hepatitis C virus RNA and hepatitis C virus core antigen

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To evaluate the efficacy of ribavirin, given in second intention in non-responders to interferon alone, by studying viral kinetics. METHODS: We conducted a trial including 203 patients with chronic hepatitis C, na?ve of treatment. Patients were treated with interferon three times a week with or without ribavirin and amantadine according to response. Viral kinetics were assessed by serial measurements of HCV RNA (bDNA 3.0 and Monitor 2.0) and a new assay, trak-C, able to quantify total Hepatitis C virus (HCV) core antigen. RESULTS: A significant initial drop in HCV RNA or HCV core antigen, under interferon alone, was associated with response to therapy, -4.85+/-1.33 log for HCV RNA in sustained responders versus -1.86+/-1.53 log for others groups, P<0.001. In patients receiving ribavirin in second intention, we also observed a similar drop in HCV RNA and HCV core antigen, predictive of sustained response, -2.67+/-1.26 log for HCV RNA in sustained responders versus -0.44+/-0.49 log in non-responders, P<0.001. CONCLUSIONS: Ribavirin has probably an additional antiviral effect in interferon treated patients. Kinetics of HCV RNA and HCV core antigen under treatment are highly predictive of a sustained virological response.     

Similar hepatitis C virus RNA kinetics in HIV/hepatitis C virus monoinfected genotype 2 or 3 matched controls during hepatitis C virus combination therapy

We prospectively studied early hepatitis C virus kinetics and sustained virological response rates in HIV/HCV coinfected (n = 13) and HCV monoinfected matched controls (n = 26) with HCV genotype 2/3 treated with pegylated interferon (peg-IFN) alpha-2a 135 microg/week plus ribavirin 11 mg/kg daily during 24 weeks. No significant difference in HCV-RNA decay was seen at any time point during the initial 12 weeks of therapy. Sustained virological response was achieved in 9/13 (69%) versus 20/26 (77%) patients (intent-to-treat), respectively. The lower-than-standard peg-IFN dose offered high compliance and reasonable sustained virological response rates.     

Efficacy of high-dose interferon in combination with ribavirin in patients with chronic hepatitis C resistant to interferon alone

OBJECTIVE: Interferon combined with ribavirin has efficacy in the treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. However, its utility in patients who have not responded to prior interferon therapy is not clear. Furthermore, the effect of using an increased dose of interferon in combination with ribavirin in patients with chronic hepatitis C resistant to conventional doses of interferon is not known. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of high-dose interferon in combination with ribavirin on the efficacy of treating patients with chronic hepatitis C resistant to interferon monotherapy in a large multicenter trial. METHODS: We randomized 154 patients with chronic hepatitis C who failed to achieve a sustained response with prior interferon therapy to receive either 3 or 5 MU of interferon alpha-2b and ribavirin (1000-1200 mg/day) for 12 months. There were 119 patients who had not responded and 35 who initially responded but relapsed after prior interferon monotherapy. Serum HCV RNA levels were measured at entry, 6, and 12 months of treatment and at the end of a 6-month follow-up period. RESULTS: The mean age of the subjects was 47 yr (range 28-68 yr), and 110 (71.4%) were men. One hundred thirty-two patients (86%) had HCV genotype 1, whereas 21 (14%) had cirrhosis. Eighty-one subjects (53%) were randomized to receive 3 MU of interferon alpha-2b. Fifteen of 35 relapse subjects (43%) and 12 of 119 prior nonresponder entrants (10%) achieved a sustained virological response to the 12-month course of treatment. Overall, 11 of 81 patients (14%) receiving 3 MU, and 16 of 73 patients (22%) receiving 5 MU of interferon maintained an undetectable HCV RNA level after cessation of therapy. The difference in sustained response rates between the two interferon dosage groups did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.09). However, among the nonresponder patients alone, there was an increased sustained response in the high-dose interferon group compared with the standard interferon dose group (15.5% vs 4.9%, p = 0.055). Twenty-six patients discontinued therapy before 6 months, including 10 patients (12.3%) in the 3-MU and 16 patients (21.9%) in the 5-MU groups (p = 0.17). CONCLUSIONS: Sustained virological response to combined interferon alpha-2b and ribavirin was significantly higher in relapse patients than those who did not respond to prior interferon monotherapy. Although, when all treated patients were analyzed, there was no significant difference in sustained response between subjects receiving 3 and 5 MU of interferon, among the prior nonresponder patients, treatment with 5 MU of interferon with ribavirin resulted in a slightly increased response compared with treatment with the standard interferon dosage. The tolerability of the treatment regimens was comparable.     

The role of bile acid retention and a common polymorphism in the ABCB11 gene as host factors affecting antiviral treatment response in chronic hepatitis C

Summary. The outcome of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and the likelihood of a sustained virological response (SVR) to antiviral therapy depends on both viral and host characteristics. In vitro studies demonstrated that bile acids (BA) interfere with antiviral interferon effects. We investigate the influence of plasma BA concentrations and an ABCB11 polymorphism associated with lower transporter expression on viral load and SVR. Four hundred and fifty‐one Caucasian HCV‐patients treated with PEG‐interferon and ribavirin were included in the study. ABCB11 1331T>C was genotyped, and plasma BA levels were determined. The 1331C allele was slightly overrepresented in HCV‐patients compared to controls. In HCV‐patients, a significant difference between patients achieving SVR vs non‐SVR was observed for HCV‐2/3 (5 vs 9 μm ; P = 0.0001), while median BA levels in HCV‐1 were marginally elevated. Normal BA levels <8 μm were significantly associated with SVR (58.3%vs 36.3%; OR 2.48; P = 0.0001). This difference was significant for HCV‐2/3 (90.7%vs 67.6%; P = 0.002) but marginal in HCV‐1 (38.7%vs 27.8%; P = 0.058). SVR rates were equivalent between ABCB11 genotypes for HCV‐1, but increased for HCV‐2/3 (TT 100%vs CC 78%; OR 2.01; P = 0.043). IL28B genotype had no influence on these associations. No correlation between BA levels and HCV RNA was detected for any HCV genotype. The higher allelic frequency of ABCB11 1331C in HCV‐patients compared to controls may indirectly link increased BA to HCV chronicity. Our data support a role for BA as host factor affecting therapy response in HCV‐2/3 patients, whereas a weaker association was found for HCV‐1.     

Treatment of hepatitis C virus genotype 4-related cirrhosis: ribavirin and interferon combination compared with interferon alone

BACKGROUND: Response to treatment with interferon alfa, with or without concomitant ribavirin, varies with the viral genotype and the degree of fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV). GOALS: To determine the response of HCV type 4-related cirrhosis to interferon and ribavirin combination treatment compared with interferon alone. STUDY: Patients living in Kuwait were assigned to take either interferon alone at a dosage of 5 million units thrice weekly (26 patients) or interferon 5 million units thrice weekly combined with ribavirin 1,000 mg/d (21 patients) for 24 weeks. Biochemical response was defined as normal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) at end of therapy. Sustained biochemical response was defined as normal ALT 6 months after the end of therapy. Sustained virologic response was defined as negative serum HCV RNA 6 months after the end of therapy. RESULTS: Only 2 (8%) of 26 patients showed biochemical response after interferon alone, whereas 11 (52%) of 21 showed biochemical response after interferon combined with ribavirin (p < 0.01). Only 2 (8%) of 26 patients showed sustained biochemical response after interferon alone, whereas 5 (23%) of 21 showed sustained biochemical response after interferon combined with ribavirin (not significant, p > 0.1). None of the 26 patients showed virologic response after interferon alone, whereas 3 (14%) of 21 showed sustained virologic response after interferon combined with ribavirin (not significant, p > 0.1). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that patients with cirrhosis caused by HCV type 4 show no response to interferon alone and only slightly better response to 24 weeks of interferon combined with ribavirin.     

Daily or three times per week interferon alpha-2b in combination with ribavirin or interferon alone for the treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C not responding to previous interferon alone

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We compared the efficacy and safety of the combined therapy of daily interferon alpha-2b and ribavirin with those of interferon alpha-2b three times per week alone or in combination with ribavirin in non-responder patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.METHODS: A total of 376 patients were randomly assigned to receive interferon alpha-2b (6 MU three times per week for 24 weeks followed by 3 MU three times per week for 24 weeks) alone (group A) or in combination with ribavirin for 48 weeks (group B), or daily interferon alpha-2b (3 MU per day for 24 weeks followed by 3 MU three times per week for 24 weeks) and ribavirin (group C).RESULTS: After 24 weeks of therapy, HCV RNA was undetectable in 11.7, 24.0, and 37.8% for groups A, B, and C, respectively. Sustained virological response was more frequent in patients who received combination therapy with three times weekly interferon (20.9%) or daily interferon (26.0%) than in patients who received interferon alone (5.8%) (P<0.001). The predictive HCV parameters for sustained response were a low viral load on day 7 and a negative HCV RNA on week 12.CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, in non-responder patients with chronic hepatitis C, virological response with daily interferon and ribavirin, compared to interferon monotherapy, was significantly improved during treatment, although sustained virological response was similar for both combination therapies with ribavirin and three times a week or daily interferon.     

Chronic hepatitis C responds poorly to combination therapy in chronic hepatis B carriers

BACKGROUND: The effect of conventional interferon-based therapy of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) dual infection is controversial. Yet, no studies have been carried out into pegylated interferon treatment for chronic HBV/HCV coinfection. We aimed to evaluate the response rate and side effects of conventional or pegylated interferon combined with ribavirin on chronic HBV/HCV coinfection therapy. METHODS: The study included 36 chronic hepatitis patients (M/F: 28/8, mean age 47+/-12 years) who were positive for HBsAg and anti-HCV. They were tested for the presence of HBV-DNA by hybridisation assay, and the samples giving negative results were retested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). All patients were tested for HCV-RNA using PCR, and the HCV genotype was determined. RESULTS: Nineteen patients were given standard interferon either alone or in combination with ribavirin, whereas 17 were given pegylated interferon and ribavirin combination therapy. None of the patients had HBV-DNA positivity; however, all had HCV-RNA detectable by PCR. All the patients had HCV genotype 1b. The mean alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels were 118+/-65 U/l and 90+/-95 U/l respectively. Five patients in each group discontinued the treatment due to side effects. Only two patients (one from each group) reached sustained virological response. CONCLUSION: Neither pegylated nor conventional interferon based regimes were effective for HBV/HCV coinfection, in which the dominant virus was HCV. Pegylated interferon and ribavirin therapy was not superior to conventional interferon based regimes in the treatment of HBV/HCV coinfection.     

Peginterferon alfa-2a plus ribavirin for treating chronic hepatitis C virus infection: analysis of Mexican patients included in a multicenter international clinical trial

Treatment with polyethylene glycol-modified interferon alfa-2a (peginterferon) alone produces significantly higher sustained antiviral responses than treatment with interferon alfa-2a alone in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. We compared the efficacy and safety of peginterferon alfa-2a plus ribavirin, interferon alfa-2b plus ribavirin, and peginterferon alfa-2a alone in the initial treatment of chronic hepatitis C. Thirty-two patients were randomly assigned to treatment, and received at least one dose of medication consisting of 180 microg of peginterferon alfa-2a once weekly plus daily ribavirin (1,000 or 1,200 mg, depending on body weight) (n = 14), weekly peginterferon alfa-2a plus daily placebo (n = 6), or three million units of interferon alfa-2b thrice weekly plus daily ribavirin for 48 weeks (n = 12). More patients who received peginterferon alfa-2a plus ribavirin had a sustained virologic response (defined as the absence of detectable HCV RNA 24 weeks after cessation of therapy) than patients who received interferon alfa-2b plus ribavirin (7/14 vs. 4/12) or peginterferon alfa-2a plus placebo (0/6). The overall safety profiles of the three treatment regimens were similar. In conclusion, for patients with chronic hepatitis C, once-weekly peginterferon alfa-2a plus ribavirin was tolerated as well as interferon alfa-2b plus ribavirin and produced significant improvements in the rate of sustained viral reduction compared with interferon alfa-2b plus ribavirin or peginterferon alfa-2a alone.     

Effect of interferon plus ribavirin therapy on hepatitis C virus genotype 3 patients from Pakistan:Treatment response,side effects and future prospective

More than 10 million people are suffering from hepatitis C virus(HCV) in Pakistan,The available treatment option is a combination of interferon and ribavirin.Treatment response is linked with several factors and also induces a number of side effects.We searched in Pubmed.Pak Medi Net and Coogle Scholar for the articles presenting the effect of interferon plus ribavirin therapy on HCV patients from Pakistan,their side effects and future prospects.The major prevalent HCV genotype in Pakistan is 3.Conventional interferon alpha plus ribavirin showed sustained virological response of 54%-64%while pegylaled interferon alpha plus ribavirin showed sustained virological response of 58%-75%.IL-28 B CC genotype is linked with better sustained virological response.Studies on patients with HCV genotype 3 infections showed no correlation between treatment response and interferon sensitivity determining region mutations.Interferon therapy is linked with a number of side effects like thyroid dysfuncton.hactnatological disorders,weight loss,gastrointestinal tract side effects and neuropsychiatric side effects.Unusual side effects of clubbing of fingers and seizures were also observed in a couple of patients.Interferon alpha plus ribavirin therapy showed better response rate in HCV genotype 3 patients from Pakistan with number of side effects.A couple of interferon free therapies are light of hope for the patients living with HCV.     

Effect of ribavirin in genotype 1 patients with hepatitis C responding to pegylated interferon alfa-2a plus ribavirin

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Pegylated interferon alfa-ribavirin combination is the standard treatment for chronic hepatitis C, but the mechanisms by which ribavirin enhances the rate of sustained hepatitis C virus (HCV) eradication remain unknown. We aimed to investigate the role of ribavirin in HCV clearance during therapy and to evaluate the consequences of ribavirin discontinuation in patients infected with genotype 1 hepatitis C who cleared HCV RNA at week 24. METHODS: A total of 516 patients were treated with pegylated interferon alfa-2a, 180 microg/wk, plus ribavirin, 800 mg/day. Seventy percent were RNA negative at week 24. They were randomized to continue with the combination or receive pegylated interferon alone. RESULTS: Responders at week 24 who stopped ribavirin had a significantly higher rate of breakthroughs during, and relapses after, therapy (sustained virologic response, 52.8% vs 68.2%; P = .004), but their side-effect profile and quality of life tended to improve. Multiple logistic regression analysis in the pegylated interferon alfa monotherapy group allowed identification of responders at week 24 who could stop ribavirin without losing their chance of a sustained virologic response, based on baseline viral load and age. Forty-eight weeks of ribavirin may not be needed when HCV RNA is undetectable at week 2. CONCLUSIONS: We made 3 conclusions from this study. First, ribavirin primarily acts by sustaining the virologic response to pegylated interferon alfa; second, ribavirin must be administered for the full treatment duration in most genotype 1-infected patients who respond; third, baseline parameters may help identify patients who could discontinue ribavirin or reduce the dose without losing their chance of success.     

Critical illness evokes elevated circulating bile acids related to altered hepatic transporter and nuclear receptor expression

Hyperbilirubinemia is common during critical illness and is associated with adverse outcome. Whether hyperbilirubinemia reflects intensive care unit (ICU) cholestasis is unclear. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze hyperbilirubinemia in conjunction with serum bile acids (BAs) and the key steps in BA synthesis, transport, and regulation by nuclear receptors (NRs). Serum BA and bilirubin levels were determined in 130 ICU and 20 control patients. In liver biopsies messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of BA synthesis enzymes, BA transporters, and NRs was assessed. In a subset (40 ICU / 10 controls) immunohistochemical staining of the transporters and receptors together with a histological evaluation of cholestasis was performed. BA levels were much more elevated than bilirubin in ICU patients. Conjugated cholic acid (CA) and chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) were elevated, with an increased CA/CDCA ratio. Unconjugated BA did not differ between controls and patients. Despite elevated serum BA levels, CYP7A1 protein, the rate-limiting enzyme in BA synthesis, was not lowered in ICU patients. Also, protein expression of the apical bile salt export pump (BSEP) was decreased, whereas multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP) 3 was strongly increased at the basolateral side. This reversal of BA transport toward the sinusoidal blood compartment is in line with the increased serum conjugated BA levels. Immunostaining showed marked down-regulation of nuclear farnesoid X receptor, retinoid X receptor alpha, constitutive androstane receptor, and pregnane X receptor nuclear protein levels. CONCLUSION: Failure to inhibit BA synthesis, up-regulate canalicular BA export, and localize pivotal NR in the hepatocytic nuclei may indicate dysfunctional feedback regulation by increased BA levels. Alternatively, critical illness may result in maintained BA synthesis (CYP7A1), reversal of normal BA transport (BSEP/MRP3), and inhibition of the BA sensor (FXR/RXRα) to increase serum BA levels.     

Interferon and ribavirin versus interferon and amantadine in interferon nonresponders with chronic hepatitis C

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the potential efficacy and safety of a combination of interferon and ribavirin with that of interferon and amantadine in patients who had previously failed to respond to interferon monotherapy. METHODS: A total of 29 patients were randomized to 3 million units of alpha-interferon three times weekly with 1000 mg of ribavirin daily (group A, n = 14) or an identical dose of alpha-interferon and amantadine hydrochloride given in a dose of 200 mg daily (group B, n = 15). Patients were treated for 24 wk and observed for 24 wk posttreatment. RESULTS: The treatment groups were evenly matched with respect to gender, frequency of genotype 1, presence of fibrosis, as well as baseline alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and HCV RNA levels. At the end of therapy, five of 14 or 36% of patients in group A versus 0 of 15 in group B had both normal serum ALT and nondetectable HCV RNA by polymerase chain reaction (p = 0.017). A complete response was sustained, however, in only two of 13 patients (15%) in group A who completed 24 wk of observation posttreatment. CONCLUSIONS: A substantial proportion of interferon nonresponders have an end-of-treatment biochemical and virological response to a combination of interferon and ribavirin, and sustained responses are possible. The addition of amantadine to interferon, in contrast, does not seem to enhance the antiviral effectiveness of interferon in patients who have previously failed to respond.     

Biochemical and histologic changes in patients with chronic hepatitis C under treatment with interferon. a 5-year cohort study

Since 1989, some schemes of treatment for Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) have been investigated, including alpha and beta interferon (IFN), ribavirin, and amantadine either alone or in combination. These studies have been performed in other countries. In our study, we investigated the outcome of Mexican patients with CHC treated with IFN. Twenty-six patients with five years follow-up treated with IFN in monotherapy were studied. We evaluated three kinds of response: sustained response (SR); non response (NR), and partial response (PR). Patients were evaluated biochemically and histologically by means of aminotransferase levels (pretreatment and serial) and hepatic biopsy (pretreatment and control). The data were obtained from clinical records. Aminotransferase levels at the end of treatment and six months later as well as histologic damage score showed the following results: 16 patients were cataloged as NR (61.5%), four as PR (15.3%), and six as SR (23.1%). Ten patients developed cirrhosis during follow-up, eight from NR group, one from PR group, and one from SR group. CHC patients treated with IFN alone obtained SR in 19% of cases; the patient who developed cirrhosis was not included. A study for longer time, prospective and protocolized to evaluate standardized IFN dose as well as evaluate combined treatment, is necessary.