Abstract | BACKGROUND & AIMS: METHODS: One hundred seventy-five patients acutely infected with HCV were screened. Patients whose infection did not spontaneously resolve by week 8 were randomized to once weekly peginterferon alfa-2b monotherapy (1.5 microg/kg per week) started at weeks 8, 12, or 20 for a duration of 12 weeks. The primary endpoint was undetectable HCV RNA 24 weeks after the end of treatment (sustained virologic response [SVR]). All patients were followed for 48 weeks after cessation of therapy. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-nine subjects started treatment at week 8 (group A, n = 43), week 12 (group B, n = 43), or week 20 (group C, n = 43). By using an intent-to-treat analysis, the overall SVR rate was 87%. The SVR rates were 95%, 92%, and 76% with treatment onset at 8, 12, and 20 weeks, respectively. Overall, SVR rates were better for patients infected with genotypes 2, 3, and 4 than those infected with genotype 1. Earlier initiation of therapy improved SVR rates for patients infected with genotype 1 with high viral load. Peginterferon alfa-2b was well tolerated. Subjects with SVR maintained undetectable HCV RNA 48 weeks after therapy. CONCLUSIONS:
Peginterferon alfa-2b monotherapy in acute hepatitis C induces high sustained virologic response rates, prevents chronic evolution, and is well tolerated. Initiation of treatment at week 8 or 12 results in higher sustained virologic rates than initiation at week 20.
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Authors | Sanaa M Kamal, Amr E Fouly, Refaat R Kamel, Bridgette Hockenjos, Ahmed Al Tawil, Khalifa E Khalifa, Qi He, Margaret J Koziel, Khairy M El Naggar, Jens Rasenack, Nezam H Afdhal |
Journal | Gastroenterology
(Gastroenterology)
Vol. 130
Issue 3
Pg. 632-8
(Mar 2006)
ISSN: 0016-5085 [Print] United States |
PMID | 16530503
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- Antiviral Agents
- Interferon alpha-2
- Interferon-alpha
- RNA, Viral
- Recombinant Proteins
- Polyethylene Glycols
- peginterferon alfa-2b
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Topics |
- Acute Disease
- Adult
- Antiviral Agents
(therapeutic use)
- Female
- Hepatitis C
(drug therapy, virology)
- Humans
- Interferon alpha-2
- Interferon-alpha
(adverse effects, therapeutic use)
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Polyethylene Glycols
- Prospective Studies
- RNA, Viral
(blood)
- Recombinant Proteins
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