Abstract | BACKGROUND: METHODS: Fifteen patients (case group; group 1) enrolled in this study showed a BR after the first IFN therapy and reelevated ALT during follow up. Next, we retrospectively selected 30 patients (control group; group 2) with no response (NR) after the first IFN therapy. Group 2 patients were matched 1 : 2 with group 1 patients for sex and age. All patients were given intramuscular injections of human lymphoblastoid IFN alpha daily (6 MU) for 8 weeks and then three times a week for 16 weeks. We compared the clinical and biological differences between group 1 patients and group 2 patients. Virological response (VR) was defined when serum HCV- RNA showed negativity more than 6 months after the completion of IFN therapy. BR was defined when ALT values remained normal during more than 6 months in spite of positive serum HCV- RNA, by reverse-transcription nested polymerase chain reaction, 3 and 6 months after the completion of IFN therapy. NR was defined as any response except for VR or BR. RESULTS: The rate of patients showing VR in this study was 6.7% (1/15) in group 1 and 13.3% (4/30) in group 2. There was no significant difference between the groups with respect to VR. BR occurred in 73.3% (11/15) of patients in group 1, but in only 3.3% (1/30) of patients in group 2 (P = 0.0002). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that IFN retreatment is one of the effective strategies with which to achieve BR again in HCV-positive patients who had a BR after their first IFN therapy and reelevation of ALT during follow up.
|
Authors | Yasuji Arase, Kenji Ikeda, Akihito Tsubota, Yoshiyuki Suzuki, Satoshi Saitoh, Masahiro Kobayashi, Fumitaka Suzuki, Norio Akuta, Takashi Someya, Tetsuya Hosaka, Mariko Kobayashi, Hiromitsu Kumada |
Journal | Journal of gastroenterology
(J Gastroenterol)
Vol. 39
Issue 5
Pg. 455-60
( 2004)
ISSN: 0944-1174 [Print] Japan |
PMID | 15175944
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
|
Copyright | Copyright 2004 Springer-Verlag |
Chemical References |
- Antiviral Agents
- Interferon-alpha
- Alanine Transaminase
|
Topics |
- Adult
- Aged
- Alanine Transaminase
(blood)
- Antiviral Agents
(therapeutic use)
- Female
- Hepatitis C, Chronic
(blood, drug therapy)
- Humans
- Interferon-alpha
(therapeutic use)
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Recurrence
- Remission Induction
- Retreatment
|