Durability of a sustained virologic response in combination therapy with interferon/peginterferon and ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C.
10.3350/kjhep.2009.15.1.70
- Author:
Chul Hyun KIM
1
;
Byung Do PARK
;
Jin Woo LEE
;
Young Soo KIM
;
Seok JEONG
;
Don Haeng LEE
;
Hyung Gil KIM
;
Yong Woon SHIN
;
Key Sook KWON
;
Jung Il LEE
Author Information
1. Department of Gastroenterology, Inha University College of Medicine, Incheon, Korea. mdflorence@inha.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article ; English Abstract
- Keywords:
Hepatitis C;
Therapeutics;
Interferons;
Ribavirin
- MeSH:
Adult;
Antiviral Agents/*therapeutic use;
Drug Therapy, Combination;
Female;
Genotype;
Hepatitis C, Chronic/*drug therapy;
Humans;
Interferon Alfa-2a/*therapeutic use;
Interferon-alpha/*therapeutic use;
Male;
Middle Aged;
Polyethylene Glycols/*therapeutic use;
RNA, Viral/metabolism;
Recurrence;
Retrospective Studies;
Ribavirin/*therapeutic use;
Viremia/drug therapy
- From:The Korean Journal of Hepatology
2009;15(1):70-79
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUNDS/AIMS: The ultimate goal of antiviral therapy using interferon/pegylated interferon combined with ribavirin in chronic C-viral hepatitis is to achieve a sustained virologic response (SVR). Several studies have shown that the reappearance rate of hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA in serum after the achievement of an SVR is less than 1%; the durability of an SVR in Korean patients is not known. The aim of this study was to determine the durability of the virologic response in chronic hepatitis C patients with an SVR to antiviral therapy. METHODS: A total of 156 patients who were treated successfully with interferon/peginterferon and ribavirin were evaluated retrospectively. Patients received either subcutaneous conventional interferon alpha 3x10(6) units three times a week or subcutaneous pegylated interferon (alpha-2a: 180 microgram, alpha-2b: 80-100 microgram) once a week in combination with ribavirin at 600-1,200 mg daily (depending on body weight). Patients with HCV genotype 1 were treated for 48 weeks, whereas those with non-genotype 1 were treated for 24 weeks. RESULTS: Eighty-two patients underwent treatment with conventional interferon and ribavirin, whereas 74 patients were treated with pegylated interferon and ribavirin. An SVR was achieved in 73 patients (73/156, 46.8%). HCV RNA reappeared in eight patients (8/73, 11.0%; detected by qualitative PCR), including one patient with persistent viremia (1/73, 1.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Reappearance of HCV RNA after earlier achievement of an SVR might appear more frequently than previously reported. Close follow-up of these patients is recommended and the implication of temporary viremia should be determined in the future.
