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Efficacy of consensus interferon in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C
Author(s) -
Kao JiaHorng,
Chen PeiJer,
Lai MingYang,
Chen DingShinn
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
journal of gastroenterology and hepatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.214
H-Index - 130
eISSN - 1440-1746
pISSN - 0815-9319
DOI - 10.1046/j.1440-1746.2000.02371.x
Subject(s) - medicine , viremia , gastroenterology , microgram , transaminase , interferon , hepatitis c virus , adverse effect , hepatitis , interferon alfa , alpha interferon , immunology , virus , in vitro , biochemistry , chemistry , enzyme
Background and Aims Consensus interferon (CIFN) is a newly developed type I interferon. The aim of this study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of CIFN in the treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C and to determine the predictors for sustained response. Methods Patients were randomized to receive 3 μg or 9 μg CIFN three times a week for 24 weeks, followed by 24 weeks of observation. Efficacy was assessed by normalization of serum transaminase levels and disappearance of serum hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐RNA at the end of treatment and at 24 weeks after stopping treatment. Histologic response was defined as a decrease of at least two points in the Knodell necroinflammatory score at week 48 and was compared with baseline. Results There were no serious adverse effects related to CIFN therapy. Overall, 44% of patients receiving 3 μg and 48% of patients receiving 9 μg had normalization of serum transaminase levels and disappearance of HCV viremia at the end of treatment. At 24 weeks after stopping treatment, 16% of patients in receiving 9 μg and 12% of patients receiving 3 μg had sustained responses. The histologic responses in patients receiving 9 μg and those receiving 3 μg were 60% and 36%, respectively. The necroinflammatory score was significantly reduced from baseline to week 48 in both groups. In addition, bodyweight < 60 kg and pretreatment serum HCV‐RNA level < 0.5 MEq/mL can serve as predictors for sustained response to CIFN treatment. Conclusions These findings suggest that 9 μg CIFN is safe and effective in the treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C.