The pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN)/ribavirin combination has been shown to be effective for hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related compensated cirrhosis, but it frequently causes adverse events, leading to premature termination. In this open study we evaluated the safety and efficacy of early retreatment with leukocyte IFN-alpha in Child A HCV genotype 1b-infected cirrhotics intolerant to PEG-IFNs. 61 patients were treated with PEG-IFN (either alpha-2b 1.2-1.5 lg/kg weekly or alpha-2a 180 lg/weekly) plus ribavirin (1,000 mg/day) for 48 weeks. During the first 6 months, patients who discontinued treatment because of side effects were retreated with leukocyte IFN-alpha (6 MU/three times weekly) plus ribavirin (1,000 mg/day) for 48 weeks after a 1-month wash-out. The primary end points were safety and efficacy in terms of sustained virological response (SVR). At intention-to-treat analysis of the 61 patients receiving PEG-IFNs plus ribavirin revealed that 18 (29.5%) obtained a SVR. 16 patients (26.2%) prematurely discontinued treatment and were retreated with leukocyte IFN-alpha plus ribavirin. The switch was well tolerated, and all but one patient completed the treatment period. As a result of the switch, 4 of these 16 (25%) patients also obtained a SVR. Thus, the overall SVR rate of this study was 22/61 (36.1%). These results suggest that an early retreatment with leukocyte IFN-alpha may be a safe and valid therapeutic option among difficult-to-treat HCV cirrhotic patients who cannot tolerate PEG-IFNs.
Leukocyte Interferon Alpha Early Retreatment for Child A HCV Genotype 1b-Infected Cirrhotics Intolerant to Pegylated Interferons
CACOPARDO, Bruno Santi;Nunnari G;CAPPELLANI, Alessandro;
2009-01-01
Abstract
The pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN)/ribavirin combination has been shown to be effective for hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related compensated cirrhosis, but it frequently causes adverse events, leading to premature termination. In this open study we evaluated the safety and efficacy of early retreatment with leukocyte IFN-alpha in Child A HCV genotype 1b-infected cirrhotics intolerant to PEG-IFNs. 61 patients were treated with PEG-IFN (either alpha-2b 1.2-1.5 lg/kg weekly or alpha-2a 180 lg/weekly) plus ribavirin (1,000 mg/day) for 48 weeks. During the first 6 months, patients who discontinued treatment because of side effects were retreated with leukocyte IFN-alpha (6 MU/three times weekly) plus ribavirin (1,000 mg/day) for 48 weeks after a 1-month wash-out. The primary end points were safety and efficacy in terms of sustained virological response (SVR). At intention-to-treat analysis of the 61 patients receiving PEG-IFNs plus ribavirin revealed that 18 (29.5%) obtained a SVR. 16 patients (26.2%) prematurely discontinued treatment and were retreated with leukocyte IFN-alpha plus ribavirin. The switch was well tolerated, and all but one patient completed the treatment period. As a result of the switch, 4 of these 16 (25%) patients also obtained a SVR. Thus, the overall SVR rate of this study was 22/61 (36.1%). These results suggest that an early retreatment with leukocyte IFN-alpha may be a safe and valid therapeutic option among difficult-to-treat HCV cirrhotic patients who cannot tolerate PEG-IFNs.File | Dimensione | Formato | |
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