Disappearance of hepatitis C virus RNA in plasma during interferon alpha-2B treatment in hemophilia patients.
To establish the effect of interferon alpha-2B (IFN-alpha) treatment on hepatitis C virus (HCV) viremia, rather than monitor the alanine aminotransferase (ALAT) values we measured HCV-RNA by cDNA-polymerase chain reaction (cDNA-PCR) in plasma before and during IFN-alpha treatment. Eight hemophilia patients with chronic hepatitis C were treated with IFN-alpha for 24 weeks: 5 MU daily for 2 weeks, 2.5 MU daily for 4 weeks, and 1.5 MU three times a week for 18 weeks. HCV-RNA, as measured by cDNA-PCR, was present in all patients before treatment. After 24 weeks of treatment HCV-RNA was no longer detectable in three of eight (37.5%) patients, whereas only one of eight (12.5%) patients showed complete ALAT normalization. In three of eight patients a transient response to IFN-alpha was seen, with renewed HCV-RNA detection after dose reduction. HCV-RNA measurement by cDNA-PCR appeared to be more sensitive in detecting relapse than ALAT measurement.
Bresters
D
D
Central Laboratory, The Netherlands Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service, Amsterdam.
Mauser-Bunschoten
E P
EP
Cuypers
H T
HT
Lelie
P N
PN
Han
J H
JH
Jansen
P L
PL
Houghton
M
M
Reesink
H W
HW
D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D006467:Hemophilia A / Q000150:complications*; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000628:therapy* / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D012367:RNA, Viral; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D000410:Alanine Transaminase