Abstract |
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility, tolerability and efficacy of long-term combination therapy with interferon-alfa 2b (IFNalpha-2b) and ribavirin (Rb) for recurrent hepatitis C after liver transplantation. Fifteen patients with histologically confirmed hepatitis C after liver transplantation were treated. After a basic course of 12 months (IFNalpha-2b 3 MU/3 times a week; Rb 3 x 200 mg/day), patients achieving clearance of viremia underwent maintenance therapy with ribavirin (3 x 200 mg/day). Patients without virological response continuously received combination therapy. Levels of HCV RNA, aminotransferases and bilirubin were followed. Therapy led to a significant decline of transaminases and bilirubin in all patients (p < 0.05). Sixty-four per cent of patients had clearance of viremia after 12 months. Sustained virolo gical response was 88%. In patients without virological response, continuation of combination therapy prevented another biochemical relapse of hepatitis. Treatment was accompanied by severe hematological side-effects, requiring medical support in a majority of patients. In two patients (13.5%), therapy finally had to be withdrawn because of major hematological disorders. These results indicate that long-term combination therapy with IFNalpha-2b and Rb is effective in the treatment of recurrent hepatitis C and in preventing further relapse of disease after liver transplantation, but side-effects may require cessation of therapy.
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Authors | A Kornberg, M Hommann, A Tannapfel, T Wagner, T Grube, U Schotte, R Voigt, J Scheele |
Journal | American journal of transplantation : official journal of the American Society of Transplantation and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons
(Am J Transplant)
Vol. 1
Issue 4
Pg. 350-5
(Nov 2001)
ISSN: 1600-6135 [Print] United States |
PMID | 12099379
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- Antiviral Agents
- Interferon alpha-2
- Interferon-alpha
- RNA, Viral
- Recombinant Proteins
- Ribavirin
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Topics |
- Adult
- Antiviral Agents
(therapeutic use)
- Follow-Up Studies
- Hepacivirus
(genetics, isolation & purification)
- Hepatitis C
(drug therapy, surgery)
- Humans
- Interferon alpha-2
- Interferon-alpha
(therapeutic use)
- Liver Function Tests
- Liver Transplantation
(physiology)
- Middle Aged
- RNA, Viral
(blood, genetics)
- Recombinant Proteins
- Recurrence
- Ribavirin
(therapeutic use)
- Time Factors
- Viremia
(drug therapy)
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