Abstract | BACKGROUND/AIMS: METHODOLOGY: Forty-nine patients with chronic hepatitis C, with less than 5 Meq/mL serum hepatitis C virus- RNA, were randomly assigned into one of the two treatment groups A and B and treated with natural interferon-beta following two different protocols. Twenty-two patients were treated with twice-a-day interferon-beta (3 MU) for 3 weeks followed by once-a-day interferon-beta (6 MU) for 5 weeks (group A), and 20 patients were treated with once-a-day interferon-beta (6 MU) for 8 weeks (group B). Seven patients did not complete the treatment protocol. Efficacy was assessed by measuring the serum levels of hepatitis C virus- RNA and aminotransferase. RESULTS: The rate of sustained virological response was significantly higher in group A (14 of 22 patients, 63.6%) than in group B (6 of 20 patients, 30.0%) (P < 0.05). Among patients with hepatitis C virus- RNA level less than 1 Meq/mL, the sustained virological response rate was significantly higher in group A (13 of 15 patients, 86.7%) than in group B (5 of 12 patients, 41.7%) (P < 0.05). However, the sustained virological response rate in patients with hepatitis C virus levels more than 1 Meq/mL was not significantly different between group A (1 of 7 patients, 14.3%) and group B (1 of 8 patients, 12.5%). CONCLUSIONS:
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Authors | Masahiko Kaito, Noriko Yasui-Kawamura, Motoh Iwasa, Yoshinao Kobayashi, Naoki Nakagawa, Naoki Fujita, Jiro Ikoma, Esteban C Gabazza, Shozo Watanabe, Yukihiko Adachi |
Journal | Hepato-gastroenterology
(Hepatogastroenterology)
2003 May-Jun
Vol. 50
Issue 51
Pg. 775-8
ISSN: 0172-6390 [Print] Greece |
PMID | 12828083
(Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)
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Chemical References |
- Antiviral Agents
- RNA, Viral
- Interferon-beta
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Topics |
- Adult
- Antiviral Agents
(administration & dosage, adverse effects)
- Drug Administration Schedule
- Female
- Hepacivirus
(genetics)
- Hepatitis C, Chronic
(drug therapy)
- Humans
- Infusions, Intravenous
- Interferon-beta
(administration & dosage, adverse effects)
- Liver Function Tests
- Male
- Middle Aged
- RNA, Viral
(blood)
- Treatment Outcome
- Viral Load
- Virus Replication
(drug effects)
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