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High rate of long‐term virological response after a 1‐year course of interferon ± ribavirin in chronic hepatitis C relapsers. Results of a 191 patients randomized trial
Author(s) -
Boucher Eveline J,
Jacquelinet Sylvie,
Canva Valérie,
Turlin Bruno,
Jacquelinet Christian,
Colimon Ronald,
Deugnier Yves,
Guyader Dominique,
Brissot Pierre
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
liver international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.873
H-Index - 110
eISSN - 1478-3231
pISSN - 1478-3223
DOI - 10.1034/j.1600-0676.2003.00836.x
Subject(s) - ribavirin , medicine , gastroenterology , randomized controlled trial , alpha interferon , interferon , hepatitis c , chronic hepatitis , immunology , virus
We investigated the long‐term efficacy of a 12‐month course of interferon (IFN)+ribavirin in chronic hepatitis C relapsers. We randomized 191 relapsers with a 2:1 ratio to receive 3 million units three times a week of interferon alpha (IFN α)‐2b+ribavirin (1–1.2 g/day) (group A=127 patients) or IFN α‐2b (group B=60 patients) of same dosage and duration for 1 year. General and hepatitis C data of group A and B patients were similar. The main goal of the study was to determine the rate of sustained virological response evaluated 1 year after treatment. Results: Virological sustained response (SR) was 61% and 12% for groups A and B, respectively ( P <0.001). A significant histological improvement was observed in both treatment groups. The Metavir activity score became significantly lower in the IFN+ribavirin group than in the IFN group ( P <0/0001). The Metavir fibrosis scores remained unchanged. Also, at the end of the treatment, the virological response was 69% (88/127) for group A and 33% (20/60) for group B ( P <0.001). Conclusion: One‐year retreatment of relapsers with the combination of IFN+ribavirin led to 61% of virological SR and to a significant improvement of histological activity. Therefore, the therapeutic schedule presented here can be considered of particular interest for the retreatment of relapsers.