Premium
Evaluation of long‐term biochemical responses to combination therapy of interferon plus ribavirin in those infected with hepatitis C virus genotype 1b and high baseline viral load
Author(s) -
Sezaki Hitomi,
Suzuki Fumitaka,
Kawamura Yusuke,
Yatsuji Hiromi,
Hosaka Tetsuya,
Akuta Norio,
Kobayashi Masahiro,
Suzuki Yoshiyuki,
Arase Yasuji,
Ikeda Kenji,
Kumada Hiromitsu
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
hepatology research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.123
H-Index - 75
eISSN - 1872-034X
pISSN - 1386-6346
DOI - 10.1111/j.1872-034x.2007.00132.x
Subject(s) - ribavirin , medicine , viral load , gastroenterology , hepatitis c virus , interferon , combination therapy , alanine aminotransferase , genotype , immunology , virus , biology , biochemistry , gene
Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the long‐term effects in non‐responders (NRs) to 48‐week interferon (IFN) and ribavirin combination treatment in patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1b and high baseline viral loads. Methods: We measured serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and HCV‐RNA levels in 52 consecutive patients infected with HCV genotype 1b and high viral loads who received combination therapy for 48 weeks. Results: Sustained virologic response (SVR) was noted in 30 patients (57.7%). Virologic response (VR), that is serum HCV‐RNA negativity by the end of treatment and positivity during follow‐up, was noted in nine patients (17.3%). Thirteen (25.0%) patients were NRs. Significantly lower serum albumin ( P = 0.007) and ribavirin doses according to body weight ( P = 0.021) and higher gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT, P = 0.038) were noted at baseline in the NR group than in the SVR and VR groups. ALT normalization rates at six months after the completion of treatment were 55.6% (5/9) in VR and 61.5% (8/13) in NRs. Sustained ALT normalization at two years after the completion of treatment was noted in 55.6% (5/9) and 58.3% (7/12), respectively. Conclusion: Our study indicates a high rate of ALT normalization in patients infected with HCV genotype 1b and high baseline viral loads who received combination therapy and that such a rate could be maintained after the completion of therapy, even in NRs. Our results suggest that combination therapy should be continued in NRs who show ALT normalization in order to prevent potential hepatocarcinogenesis.