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Interferon alpha with ribavirin for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C in non‐responders or relapsers to interferon monotherapy
Author(s) -
J.A. Moreno-Monteagudo,
Miguel Fernández-Bermejo,
Luisa Garcı́a-Buey,
Patricia Sanz,
L O Iacono,
Carmelo GarcíaMonzón,
M.J. Borque,
Ricardo Moreno–Otero
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
alimentary pharmacology and therapeutics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.308
H-Index - 177
eISSN - 1365-2036
pISSN - 0269-2813
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2036.1998.00359.x
Subject(s) - ribavirin , medicine , gastroenterology , interferon , alpha interferon , adverse effect , alanine transaminase , interferon alfa , hepatitis c , hepatitis c virus , transaminase , immunology , virus , biology , biochemistry , enzyme
Background: A more effective therapy for chronic hepatitis C virus‐infected patients is needed. Aim: To evaluate the efficacy, tolerance and timing of response to interferon alpha plus ribavirin in 60 patients with no response or reactivation after interferon alpha alone. Methods: Sixty patients, 42 non‐responders and 18 relapsers, received 3 million units three times weekly of interferon alpha‐2b plus 1–1.2 g ribavirin daily, for 6 months. Basal biochemical and virological (HCV RNA and genotype) parameters were determined. Clinical examination, recording adverse effects, and laboratory tests, including viraemia, were carried out at 1, 2, 3 and 6 months. Results: A significant ( P < 0.001) progressive decrease of HCV RNA and alanine transaminase (ALT) levels was observed during treatment. On finalizing the sixth month, 42 patients (70%) had normal ALT and 26 (43.3%) were HCV RNA negative. Of these 26 complete responders, in 20 the viraemia was undetectable by the third month, while a late clearance at the sixth month of treatment was observed in six patients. Response rates were higher in previous responders to interferon alone ( P < 0.05). Mild adverse effects appeared in 46 patients (79.6%), but only three were withdrawn due to serious side‐effects. Significantly ( P < 0.001), haemoglobin and leucocytes decreased, and bilirubin, ferritin and uric acid increased in the first month of treatment, with no changes thereafter. Conclusions: Interferon alpha plus ribavirin progressively decreased HCV RNA and ALT levels, achieving a complete response in the six months of treatment in 26 (43.3%) patients. This combined therapy was well tolerated.