Treatment of hepatitis C virus genotype 4-related cirrhosis: ribavirin and interferon combination compared with interferon alone

J Clin Gastroenterol. 2002 Jul;35(1):82-5. doi: 10.1097/00004836-200207000-00017.

Abstract

Background: Response to treatment with interferon alfa, with or without concomitant ribavirin, varies with the viral genotype and the degree of fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV).

Goals: To determine the response of HCV type 4-related cirrhosis to interferon and ribavirin combination treatment compared with interferon alone.

Study: Patients living in Kuwait were assigned to take either interferon alone at a dosage of 5 million units thrice weekly (26 patients) or interferon 5 million units thrice weekly combined with ribavirin 1,000 mg/d (21 patients) for 24 weeks. Biochemical response was defined as normal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) at end of therapy. Sustained biochemical response was defined as normal ALT 6 months after the end of therapy. Sustained virologic response was defined as negative serum HCV RNA 6 months after the end of therapy.

Results: Only 2 (8%) of 26 patients showed biochemical response after interferon alone, whereas 11 (52%) of 21 showed biochemical response after interferon combined with ribavirin (p < 0.01). Only 2 (8%) of 26 patients showed sustained biochemical response after interferon alone, whereas 5 (23%) of 21 showed sustained biochemical response after interferon combined with ribavirin (not significant, p > 0.1). None of the 26 patients showed virologic response after interferon alone, whereas 3 (14%) of 21 showed sustained virologic response after interferon combined with ribavirin (not significant, p > 0.1).

Conclusion: These results suggest that patients with cirrhosis caused by HCV type 4 show no response to interferon alone and only slightly better response to 24 weeks of interferon combined with ribavirin.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antiviral Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • Genotype
  • Hepacivirus / genetics
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Interferon Type I / administration & dosage
  • Interferon Type I / therapeutic use*
  • Liver Cirrhosis / blood
  • Liver Cirrhosis / drug therapy*
  • Liver Cirrhosis / virology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Ribavirin / administration & dosage
  • Ribavirin / therapeutic use*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Interferon Type I
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Ribavirin