Interferon-alpha in combination with ribavirin for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C in patients with persistently normal aminotransferase levels.

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIMS:

A substantial proportion of patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection have persistently normal serum transaminase levels. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of interferon plus ribavirin combination therapy in this population.

METHODS:

In this prospective open trial 152 patients with biopsy-proven chronic hepatitis C were enrolled, 32 of whom had persistently normal alanine aminotransferase levels (group A). The remaining 120 patients served as a comparison (group B). Patients were treated for 12 months with 4.5 million units of interferon-alpha(2a) thrice weekly in combination with ribavirin 1,000 or 1,200 mg daily. They were followed up for at least 6 months after therapy. Serum hepatitis C RNA was detected by polymerase chain reaction and quantified by a branched DNA assay.

RESULTS:

At the end of treatment, 12 (37.5%) and 48 patients (40%) were negative for HCV-RNA in groups A and B, respectively (p = 0.33). After 24 weeks of follow-up, 9 patients (28%) from group A and 36 patients (30%) from group B were still HCV-RNA negative (p = 0.4). Treatment was well tolerated by both groups. There were no alanine transferase elevations among group A patients during therapy.

CONCLUSION:

Interferon-ribavirin combination therapy was safe and induced a sustained virologic response in a significant proportion of patients with chronic hepatitis C and repeatedly normal serum transaminase levels.

• Authors: Fuad Hasan, Haifa Asker, Jameela Al-Khalid, Khalid Al-Mekhaizeem, Mohammed Al-Shamali, Iqbal Siddique, Basil Al-Nakib
• Journal: Digestion (Digestion) Vol. 65 Issue 2 Pg. 127-30 ( 2002) ISSN: 0012-2823 [Print] Switzerland
• PMID: 12021486 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright 2002 S. Karger AG, Basel

Chemical References

• Antiviral Agents
• Interferon alpha-2
• Interferon-alpha
• Recombinant Proteins
• Ribavirin
• Alanine Transaminase

Topics

• Adult
• Alanine Transaminase (blood)
• Antiviral Agents (therapeutic use)
• Drug Therapy, Combination
• Female
• Hepatitis C, Chronic (drug therapy)
• Humans
• Interferon alpha-2
• Interferon-alpha (therapeutic use)
• Male
• Prospective Studies
• Recombinant Proteins
• Ribavirin (therapeutic use)