Prolonged negative HCV-RNA status led to a good outcome in chronic hepatitis C patients with genotype 1b and super-high viral load.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

We examined whether a sustained negative HCV-RNA status for 48 weeks affects the outcome in patients with genotype 1b and super-high viral load, and also investigated whether the outcome is affected by the induction therapy of twice-daily pre-administrated interferon (IFN)-beta.

METHODS:

78 eligible patients were divided into four groups. 40 were patients assigned to the short treatment protocol. 13 patients received 3 MU IFN-beta twice daily for 2 weeks followed by IFN-alpha2b+ribavirin for 22 weeks (beta-induction group: group 1). 27 patients received IFN-alpha2b+ribavirin for 24 weeks (standard combination group: group 2). 38 patients were assigned to the maintenance treatment protocol. All of the 13 in the beta-induction group (group 3) and 21 of 25 patients in the standard combination group (group 4) who were negative HCV-RNA PCR at week 24 had IFN monotherapy to maintain a negative HCV-RNA result for 48 weeks.

RESULTS:

An HCV-RNA-negative status at week 24 was observed in 96% (25/26) of groups 1 and 3 versus in 79% (41/52) of groups 2 and 4 (p<0.01). The sustained virological response (SVR) was 38% (5/13) in group 1 and 11% (3/27) in group 2 (p<0.05). In the maintenance treatment, SVR was observed in 46% (6/13) of group 3 and 32% (8/25) of group 4 (NS).

CONCLUSIONS:

A sustained negative HCV-RNA status for 48 weeks might be associated with viral elimination in patients with genotype 1 and super-high viral load.

• Authors: Hiroshi Kohno, Shiomi Aimitsu, Mikiya Kitamoto, Yasuyuki Aisaka, Hiroiku Kawakami, Kazuaki Chayama
• Journal: Intervirology (Intervirology) Vol. 49 Issue 6 Pg. 362-9 ( 2006) ISSN: 0300-5526 [Print] Switzerland
• PMID: 16926549 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright (c) 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Chemical References

• Antiviral Agents
• Interferon alpha-2
• Interferon-alpha
• RNA, Viral
• Recombinant Proteins
• Ribavirin
• Interferon-beta

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Antiviral Agents (therapeutic use)
• Female
• Genotype
• Hepacivirus (genetics, physiology)
• Hepatitis C, Chronic (drug therapy, virology)
• Humans
• Interferon alpha-2
• Interferon-alpha (therapeutic use)
• Interferon-beta (therapeutic use)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• RNA, Viral (blood)
• Recombinant Proteins
• Ribavirin (therapeutic use)
• Time Factors
• Treatment Outcome
• Viral Load