Interferon-alpha-2B and ribavirin in combination for chronic hepatitis C patients not responding to interferon-alpha alone: an Italian multicenter, randomized, controlled, clinical study.
Am J Gastroenterol
; 93(12): 2445-51, 1998 Dec.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-9860407
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:
The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy of interferon (IFN)-alpha-2b and ribavirin in combination in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients unresponsive to a previous treatment with IFN-alpha-2b alone.METHODS:
We conducted a randomized study in 303 CHC patients. One hundred fifty-two patients received subcutaneous administration of recombinant IFN-alpha-2b (3 MU thrice weekly) and ribavirin (1000-1200 mg/daily per os), whereas 151 received IFN-alpha-2b alone (6 MU thrice weekly). Both ribavirin and IFN-alpha-2b were given for 24 wk, regardless of treatment response. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels and HCV RNA titer were checked during the treatment period and for a further 24 wk.RESULTS:
Normal ALT levels were observed in 64.5% of the patients treated with IFN-alpha and ribavirin and in 22.6% of the patients treated with IFN-alpha alone. In the group of patients receiving IFN-alpha and ribavirin HCV RNA was not detectable in 40% of patients responders and remained undetectable in 44.2% of sustained responders. In the group of patients receiving IFN-alpha alone HCV RNA was not detectable in 24.2% of patients responders and remained not detectable in 33.3% of sustained responders.CONCLUSIONS:
A 24-wk treatment course with IFN-alpha and ribavirin given to patients with a previous lack of response to IFN-alpha alone offers a chance of a sustained biochemical and virological response, at least in a subset of such patients. The role of long-term therapy in inducing prolonged remission still remains to be explored.
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Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Antivirais
/
Ribavirina
/
Interferon-alfa
/
Hepatite C Crônica
Tipo de estudo:
Clinical_trials
Limite:
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Am J Gastroenterol
Ano de publicação:
1998
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Itália