Factor VIII and IX deficiencies related to acquired inhibitors in a patient with chronic hepatitis C virus infection receiving treatment with pegylated interferon plus ribavirin

The development of clotting factor inhibitor autoantibodies is rarely observed, but can result in a potentially life-threatening haemorrhagic disorder. These acquired inhibitors are most frequently against factor VIII (FVIII), whilst the detection of inhibitors against other clotting factors is rarer. Inhibitors against FVIII and FIX are mostly observed in patients with classical hereditary haemophilia after receiving factor replacement therapy. We report a rare case of acquired FVIII and factor IX (FIX) inhibitors in a single, non-haemophilic patient with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection who was receiving antiviral treatment with pegylated interferon plus ribavirin. The FVIII and FIX activities were <1% and high titres of inhibitors autoantibodies were found in his serum samples. After achieving a sustained virological response, combined immunosuppression with oral corticosteroids (prednisone) and azathioprine was introduced, eradicating the inhibitory autoantibodies. The development of these inhibitors in association with antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis C is poorly understood, and particular attention must be given to HCV-infected patients with worsening coagulopathy, particularly if coexistent with treatment related thrombocytopenia.     

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

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

Digital ischemic necrosis caused by pegylated interferon in a patient with hepatitis C

Pegylated interferon plus ribavirin remains the firstline treatment for patients with hepatitis C virus(HCV) . Interferonαhas the most extensive clinical application and is used for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus and hepatitis D virus as well as acute and chronic HCV infections.The attachment of polyethylene glycol to interferon increases its half-life by reducing the rate of absorption after injection,reducing renal and cellular clearance and also decreasing immunogenicity.In this case report,we have described a patient with chronic hepatitis C who developed ischemic necrosis of her fingertips after completing her third course of pegylated interferon and ribavirin.The patient underwent a very extensive workup in order to determine the underlying cause of her digital ischemia which was finally determined to be secondary to the use of pegylated interferon.     

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

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

Sustained virological response to pegylated interferon plus ribavirin leads to normalization of liver stiffness in hepatitis C virus-infected patients

Introduction

Pegylated interferon plus ribavirin (Peg-IFN/RBV) therapy leads to improvements in liver stiffness measurements (LSM) in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients. However, the rate of LSM return to normal values in response to Peg-IFN/RBV is unclear. Thus, our aim was to assess the probability and factors associated with LSM normalization in HCV-infected patients receiving Peg-IFN/RBV.

Methods

This prospective observational longitudinal study included 160 HCV-infected patients, 111 (69%) with human immunodeficiency virus and receiving Peg-IFN/RBV, with baseline LSM ≥7 kPa. The outcome variable was LSM normalization, i.e. a stable decrease in LSM below 7 kPa after starting Peg-IFN/RBV.

Results

After starting Peg-IFN/RBV, 56 [35%, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 28–42%] patients showed LSM normalization. The probability of LSM normalization was 21% (95% CI: 13.2–32.4%) at 12 months, and 51.3% (95% CI: 39.9–63.9%) at 24 months after Peg-INF/RBV initiation for individuals with sustained virological response (SVR), and 8.3% (95% CI: 4–16.6%) at 12 months and 11.3% (95% CI: 6–20.7%) at 24 months for those without SVR (p < 0.001). For individuals with LSM ≥7 kPa 24 weeks after the pre-planned end of treatment, LSM normalizations were only observed among those with SVR. Achievement of SVR [Hazard ratio (HR, 95% CI): 6.84 (3.39–13.81)] and lack of baseline cirrhosis [HR (95% CI): 4.17 (1.69–10)] were independently associated with LSM normalization after starting Peg-IFN/RBV.

Conclusions

LSM normalizations during Peg-IFN/RBV treatment are more likely, and occur earlier among patients with SVR. In addition, LSM normalizations continue 24 weeks after the scheduled end of therapy, but only among individuals who reach SVR.     

Response to pegylated interferon plus ribavirin in HIV-infected patients with chronic hepatitis C due to genotype 4

SUMMARY: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes 1 and 4 respond less well to pegylated interferon (pegIFN) plus ribavirin (RBV) therapy. For this reason most studies merge these two genotypes when assessing virological response. However, in most trials the HCV genotype 4 population is rather small, and conclusions are mainly derived from what occurs in HCV-1 patients. All HCV-4 patients coinfected with HIV who received pegIFN plus RBV in two different multicentre studies, PRESCO and ROMANCE, conducted respectively in Spain and Italy, were retrospectively analyzed. Baseline plasma HCV-RNA, proportion of patients with HCV-RNA <10 IU / mL at week 4 (rapid virological response), and HCV-RNA declines >2 logs at week 12 (early virological response, EVR) were all assessed as predictors of sustained virological response (SVR). Overall, 75 patients (60 men) were evaluated. Median age was 40 years and median CD4 count 598 cells / mm(3); 49% had plasma HIV-RNA <50 copies / mL; 71% had elevated liver enzymes and 31% had advanced liver fibrosis (Metavir F3-F4). Median serum HCV-RNA was 5.7 log IU / mL. Rapid virological response was attained by 10 (20%) patients and EVR by 26 (42%). Using intention-to-treat and on-treatment (OT) analyses, SVR was achieved by 21 / 75 (28%) and 21 / 62 (34%) of HCV-4 patients, respectively. In the multivariate analysis (OT), baseline HCV-RNA (OR 0.09 for every log increment; 95% CI: 0.01-0.7) and EVR (OR: 7.08; 95% CI: 1.8-27.2) were significantly and independently associated with SVR. This is the largest series of HIV-infected patients with chronic hepatitis C due to HCV-4 treated with pegIFN plus RBV examined so far and the results show that HCV-4 behaves similarly to HCV-1. Therefore, these patients should be considered as difficult to treat population. Baseline serum HCV-RNA and EVR are the best predictors of SVR in HCV-4 / HIV-coinfected patients.     

丙型肝炎病毒载量与基因型和抗病毒疗效的关系研究

目的探讨丙型肝炎患者血清HCV RNA载量与基因型的关系及其对抗病毒治疗疗效的影响。方法113例慢性丙型肝炎患者接受聚乙二醇干扰素联合利巴韦林抗病毒治疗。采用实时荧光定量PCR法检测血清HCV RNA载量,应用CE1区测序遗传树比对分析法检测HCV基因型。结果 113例患者分别感染1b、2a、3a、3b和6a共5种基因亚型,其HCV RNA载量（lgcopies/ml）分别为6.6973±1.19245、6.0824±1.68603、6.8393±1.03400、6.5533±1.29577和7.1503±1.16115,经单因素方差分析无明显统计学差异（P=0.166）;治疗前高血清HCV RNA载量者（≥107copies/ml）与低HCV RNA载量者（〈107copies/ml）完成治疗后获得SVR的比例,无论在所有患者（76.4%对75.9%,P=0.950）,还是在HCV1型（66.7%对60.0%,P=0.641）或非1型感染者（82.4%对87.9%,P=0.526）中均无统计学差异。结论治疗前血清HCV RNA载量与HCV基因型无关,血清HCV RNA载量对聚乙二醇干扰素联合利巴韦林抗病毒的疗效无明显影响。     

Therapeutic effects of pegylated interferon plus ribavirin in chronic hepatitis C patients with occult hepatitis B virus dual infection

Background and Aim: Occult hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is defined by the detectable serum HBV–DNA in HBV surface antigen‐negative patients. This retrospective study aims to evaluate the therapeutic effects of combined pegylated interferon (PEG–IFN) plus ribavirin (RBV) in patients with concurrent occult HBV/hepatitis C virus (HCV) dual infection. Methods: In total, 126 consecutive chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients who received combined PEG–IFN and RBV therapy were included. Patients were divided into the occult HBV/HCV dual infection group or the HCV‐monoinfected group according to whether or not they had the detectable serum HBV–DNA. The biochemical and virological responses to combined therapy were compared between these two groups. Serum HCV‐RNA and HBV–DNA were checked before treatment, at the end of treatment as well as at 6‐ and 12‐months' follow up in the occult HBV/HCV group. Result: Six patients were seropositive for HBV–DNA and were included in the occult HBV/HCV dual infection group. There were no statistical differences in the biochemical and virological responses to combined therapy between these two groups. Undetectable serum HBV–DNA was noted at the end of the treatment and the 6‐ and 12‐months' follow up in patients with occult HBV/HCV dual infection. Conclusion: Occult HBV infection in CHC patients is rare. The biochemical and virological responses to combined PEG–IFN and RBV therapy might be similar in CHC patients with or without occult HBV infection. The serum HBV–DNA level was low in patients with occult HBV/HCV dual infection who responded to combined therapy.     

Serum complements C3 and C4 in chronic HCV infection and their correlation with response to pegylated interferon and ribavirin treatment

Background and study aimsTo search for an immunological parameter that may correlate with the response to interferon (IFN) treatment is very crucial. The objective of this study was to correlate the levels of C3 and C4 complement components with the response to IFN treatment in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.Patients and methodsThis study was conducted on 100 patients and control subjects classified into three groups. Group (I) consisted of 50 patients with chronic hepatitis C who were receiving IFN treatment and showed various responses; group (II) included 25 patients with chronic hepatitis C naive to IFN treatment; and group (III) included 25 healthy subjects matched for age and sex who served as controls. Measurement of the level of complement C3 and C4 was done by a quantitative turbidimetric test. Measurement of complement levels in group (I) was done at the end of treatment at the 48th week.ResultsSerum levels of C3 and C4 were found to be significantly reduced in all patients with chronic HCV infection in both groups (I and II) compared to the healthy control group (III) (p < 0.05). Moreover, chronic HCV patients treated with IFN and ribavirin had significantly lower levels of C3 and C4 compared with patients naive to IFN and ribavirin treatment. At the end of treatment, both C3 and C4 had significantly increased in responders to IFN when compared to non-responders (p = 0.025 and 0.05, respectively). There was a significant negative correlation between C3 and C4 levels and the concentration of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) measured simultaneously.ConclusionHigher C3 and C4 serum concentrations were found to be positively correlated to the end-of-treatment response in patients with chronic HCV infection treated with IFN and ribavirin.     

Acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy associated with pegylated interferon 2a therapy for chronic hepatitis C virus infection

The combination of pogylated interferon (Peg-IFN) and ribavirin is the standard of care for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection treatment. In general, common side effects related to this combination therapy are mild and are very well tolerated. However, peripheral neuropathy including demyelinating polyneuropathy related to Peg-IFN is extremely rare. We present the first case of an acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (AIDP)associated with Peg-IFN-α 2a (Pegasys) after 16 wk of a combination therapy with Pegasys and ribavirin in a 65-year-old woman with chronic HCV infection.She developed tingling, numbness, and weakness of her upper and lower extremities and was hospitalized for acute neurological deficits. Her clinical course,neurological findings, an electromyogram (EHG), nerve conductions studies (NCS), muscle biopsy, and a sural nerve biopsy were all consistent with AIDP likely related to Pegasys use. The patient recovered completely with the use of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) including physical therapy and neurological rehabilitation. It is very important that gastroenterologists and/or hepatologists recognize this rare neurological complication related to Peg-IFN treatment very early, since it requires a prompt discontinuation of therapy including an immediate referral to a neurologist for the confirmation of diagnosis, management, and the prevention of long-term neurological deficits.     

Cutaneous sarcoidosis in a chronic hepatitis C patient receiving pegylated interferon and ribavirin therapy

A 61‐year‐old Japanese woman suffered from a small, painful, subcutaneous nodule on the sole of her foot that was 10 mm across in diameter during pegylated interferon (PEG IFN) and ribavirin (RBV) combination therapy for chronic hepatitis C. Skin biopsy revealed multiple non‐caseating granulomas composed of epithelioid histiocytes with multinucleate giant cells, which was consistent with sarcoidosis. Ophthalmologic examination revealed uveitis. Thoracic computed tomography (CT) showed multiple bilateral hilar lymphadenopathies and a diffuse micronodular interstitial pattern of the lungs. Genetic analysis indicated a probable homozygous haplotype of A*02:01‐C*15:02‐B*51:01‐DRB1*16:02‐DQB1*05:02 in human leukocyte antigen regions. The patient was observed carefully without any additional medication because no significant systemic symptoms were noted. Combination therapy was continued for 2 months afterwards. She was asymptomatic for over 3 years of follow up, and repeated hematological and biological investigations and chest CT showed improvement. In conclusion, clinicians should bear sarcoidosis in mind as a complication during PEG IFN and RBV combination therapy. They should also be aware of the usually good prognosis of PEG IFN‐induced cutaneous sarcoidosis in order not to prematurely discontinue a treatment necessary for liver disease; maintenance of PEG IFN treatment may be advised with careful follow up.     

Acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy associated with pegylated interferon α 2a therapy for chronic hepatitis C virus infection

The combination of pegylated interferon （Peg-IFN） and ribavirin is the standard of care for chronic hepatitis C virus （HCV） infection treatment. In general, common side effects related to this combination therapy are mild and are very well tolerated. However, peripheral neuropathy including demyelinating polyneuropathy related to Peg- IFN is extremely rare. We present the first case of an acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy （AIDP） associated with Peg-IFN-α 2a （Pegasys） after 16 wk of a combination therapy with Pegasys and ribavirin in a 65-year-old woman with chronic HCV infection. She developed tingling, numbness, and weakness of her upper and lower extremities and was hospitalized for acute neurological deficits. Her clinical course, neurological findings, an electromyogram （EMG）, nerve conductions studies （NCS）, muscle biopsy, and a sural nerve biopsy were all consistent with AIDP likely related to Pegasys use. The patient recovered completely with the use of intravenous immunoglobulin （IVIG） including physical therapy and neurological rehabilitation. It is very important that gastroenterologists and/or hepatologists recognize this rare neurological complication related to Peg-IFN treatment very early, since it requires a prompt discontinuation of therapy including an immediate referral to a neurologist for the confirmation of diagnosis, management, and the prevention of long-term neurological deficits.     

Factors influencing early virological response in children with chronic hepatitis C treated with pegylated interferon and ribavirin.

Combined therapy with pegylated IFN-alpha and ribavirin enables to achieve EVR in 8/10 treated children with CHC infected with genotype 1. Lower ALT activity, lower HCV viral load and small progression of fibrosis in the histopathological evaluation have positive influence on EVR.     

聚乙二醇干扰素联合利巴韦林治疗慢性丙型肝炎患者效果的影响因素

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

Vitamin D in addition to peg-interferon-alpha/ribavirin in chronic hepatitis C virus infection: ANRS-HC25-VITAVIC study

AIM: To investigate if correction of hypovitaminosis D before initiation of Peg-interferon-alpha/ribavirin(Peg IFN/RBV) therapy could improve the efficacy of Peg IFN/RBV in previously null-responder patients with chronic genotype 1 or 4 hepatitis C virus(HCV) infection.METHODS:Genotype 1 or 4 HCV-infected patients with null response to previous Peg IFN/RBV treatment and with hypovitaminosis D(30 ng/m L)prospectively received cholecalciferol 100000 IU per week for 4 wk[from week-4(W-4)to W0],followed by 100000 IUper month in combination with Peg IFN/RBV for 12 mo(from W0 to W48).The primary outcome was the rate of early virological response defined by an HCV RNA12 IU/m L after 12 wk Peg IFN/RBV treatment.RESULTS:A total of 32 patients were included,19(59%)and 13(41%)patients were HCV genotype1 and 4,respectively.The median baseline vitamin D level was 15 ng/m L(range:7-28).In modified intention-to-treat analysis,29 patients who received at least one dose of Peg IFN/RBV were included in the analysis.All patients except one normalized their vitamin D serum levels.The rate of early virologic response was 0/29(0%).The rate of HCV RNA12IU/m L after 24 wk of Peg IFN/RBV was 1/27(4%).The safety profile was favorable.CONCLUSION:Addition of vitamin D to Peg IFN/RBV does not improve the rate of early virologic response in previously null-responders with chronic genotype 1or 4 HCV infection.     

抗丙型肝炎病毒治疗过程中甲状腺功能异常与病毒学应答关系研究*

目的探讨聚乙二醇干扰素（Peg-IFN）联合利巴韦林（RBV）治疗慢性丙型肝炎患者发生甲状腺功能异常的转归及其对抗病毒疗效的影响。方法204例（HCV基因1b型感染173例,2a型9例,3b型2例,未分型20例）慢性丙型肝炎患者应用Peg-IFN联合RBV抗病毒治疗。对于基因1型和未分型者治疗48 w,对于基因2型和3型治疗24 w。采用化学发光免疫分析法检测血清游离三碘甲状腺原氨酸（FT3）、游离甲状腺素（FT4）、超敏促甲状腺激素（sTSH）;采用间接免疫荧光法检测血清抗甲状腺球蛋白抗体（Tg-Ab）、抗甲状腺过氧化物酶抗体（TPOAb）、抗促甲状腺激素受体抗体（TRAb）、抗甲状腺微粒体抗体。结果在治疗过程中,发生甲状腺功能异常43例（19.0%）,其中甲状腺功能减退症7例（16.3%）,亚临床甲状腺功能减退症17例（39.5%）,甲状腺功能亢进症11例（25.6%）,亚临床甲状腺功能亢进症8例（18.6%）;甲状腺功能异常集中发生于治疗后24~36 w;在观察结束时,37例甲状腺功能异常患者自发或者经药物治疗后甲状腺功能恢复正常,6例患者仍需要密切监测甲状腺功能或服用抗甲状腺药物;43例甲状腺功能异常与161例无甲状腺功能异常患者RVR、EVR、ETVR、SVR、治疗结束后96 w病毒学应答率差异均无统计学意义（P>0.05）。结论Peg-IFN联合RBV治疗慢性丙型肝炎患者诱发甲状腺功能异常的发生率为19.0%,大部分是可逆的,甲状腺功能异常不影响抗病毒疗效。     

Psychiatric side effects of pegylated interferon alfa-2b as compared to conventional interferon alfa-2b in patients with chronic hepatitis C

AIM: To assess systematically the spectrum and extent of depressive symptoms comparing patient groups receiving peginterferon or conventional interferon. METHODS: Ninety-eight patients with chronic hepatitis C and interferon-based therapy (+ribavirin) were consecutively enrolled in a longitudinal study. Patients were treated with conventional interferon alfa-2b (48/98 patients; 5 MIU interferon alfa-2b thrice weekly) or peginterferon alfa-2b (50/98 patients; 80-150 μg peginterferon alfa-2b) in combination with weight-adapted ribavirin (800-1 200 mg/d). Repeated psychometric testing was performed before, three times during and once after antiviral therapy: Depression was evaluated by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), anger/hostility by the Symptom Checklist-90 Items Revised (SCL-90-R). RESULTS: Therapy with pegylated interferon alfa-2b produces comparable scores for depression (ANOVA: P = 0.875) as compared to conventional interferon. Maximums of depression scores were even higher and cases of clinically relevant depression were frequent during therapy with peginterferon. Scores for anger/hostility were comparable for both therapy subgroups. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that the extent and frequency of depressive symptoms in total are not reduced by peginterferon. Monitoring and management of neuropsychiatric toxicity especially depression have to be considered as much as in antiviral therapy with unmodified interferon.     

Pegylated interferon plus ribavirin for recurrent Hepatitis C infection after liver transplantation in naïve and non-responder patients on a stable immunosuppressive regimen

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis C virus recurrence after liver transplantation is universal, leading to chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis. AIMS AND PATIENTS: We evaluated the efficacy and safety of pegylated interferon and ribavirin in 20 patients with recurrent Hepatitis C virus after liver transplantation (10 na?ve and 10 non-responders to a previous interferon course). METHODS: Treatment consisted of pegylated interferon alfa-2b (1.0 microg/kg once weekly) and ribavirin (600 mg/daily) for at least 6 months. Therapy continued for an additional 6 months only in patients with undetectable serum Hepatitis C virus-RNA or >2 log drop from baseline levels. RESULTS: Eleven out of 20 patients (55%) completed 1 year of treatment. Nine patients (45%) had undetectable Hepatitis C virus-RNA at the end of treatment, six of them were na?ves and three non-responders. In all of them, virological response persisted 6 months after discontinuation of therapy, so the sustained virological response rate was 60% in na?ve patients and 30% in non-responders. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that pegylated interferon plus ribavirin combination therapy may be effective in patients with post-liver transplantation recurrent chronic Hepatitis C, even in those previously non-responders to interferon plus ribavirin. These results need to be confirmed by large studies.     

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

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

Management of chronic hepatitis C patients who have relapsed or not responded to pegylated interferon alfa plus ribavirin

Summary.  Development of therapeutic strategies for patients with chronic hepatitis C who experience virological breakthrough, relapse or nonresponse lag behind those for treatment-naïve patients. The probability of a previously treated patient responding to re-treatment depends on the nature of the previous regimen, the magnitude of the response to previous treatment and the patient's characteristics. Relapsers have higher sustained virological response rates than nonresponders when re-treated with pegylated interferon plus ribavirin. Re-treatment of nonresponders to pegylated interferon plus ribavirin with the standard 48-week regimen resulted in an approximate 6% sustained response rate in the EPIC-3 program. In the REPEAT trial, the sustained response rate was significantly higher in nonresponders to pegylated interferon alfa-2b (12 kD) plus ribavirin randomized to 72 weeks of peginterferon alfa-2a (40 kD) plus ribavirin, compared with a 48-week regimen (16% vs 8%, P  = 0.0006). Based on available data, extended treatment is the best option for these individuals. Undetectable viral RNA at week 12 is an important criterion for re-treatment in the REPEAT and EPIC studies. Maintenance therapy with pegylated interferon is generally ineffective in nonresponders and cannot be recommended. Directly acting antivirals may increase response rates and the burden of adverse events when combined with the standard of care, but will not be available for some years. In conclusion, after careful evaluation of an individual's benefit–risk ratio, a 72-week regimen is the preferred strategy for optimizing sustained response rates in patients who have not responded to the standard of care, provided that viral RNA is undetectable at week 12 of re-treatment.