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- Title
Pilot study of prolonged interferon-α retreatment in chronic hepatitis C patients with genotype 1b
- Authors
Nomura, Hideyuki; Tanimoto, Hironori; Sou, Suketo; Nagahama, Takashi; Hayashi, Jun; Kashiwagi, Seizaburo; Ishibashi, Hiromi
- Abstract
Objectives: To investigate the efficacy of prolonged IFN retreatment for 3 years in chronic hepatitis C patients with high viral load and IFN treatment-resistant genotype 1b. Patients and methods: The study was conducted in 12 patients, not HCV RNA-negative after completion of the initial treatment. Retreatment consisted of administration of 6 million international units (MIU) of natural interferon-α, two or three times a week for 3 years. Results: One patient was withdrawn for personal reasons. All other 11 patients completed treatment without any serious adverse reactions and were followed for 3 years. Of the patients, 4 (36%) showed a sustained virological response, 5 (45%) showed a biochemical response, and 2 (18%) relapsed after retreatment. All patients with a sustained response had a transient response to initial therapy. Patients showing a sustained response tested negative for HCV RNA within the first 6 months of retreatment. Conclusions: After prolonged IFN retreatment, a significant number of patients showed a sustained response for the first time and long-term improvement in ALT level.
- Subjects
HEPATITIS C; INTERFERONS; GENETIC polymorphisms; RNA; ANTINEOPLASTIC agents
- Publication
Hepatology Research, 2003, Vol 27, Issue 4, p266
- ISSN
1386-6346
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1016/S1386-6346(03)00271-7