Alpha-interferon 2b in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C: interim report of the first multicentre Australian trial.
Interferon has been shown to be effective in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C but the optimal treatment regime has not yet been defined. Studies using 3 million units (MU) of interferon thrice weekly (tiw) for 6 months have shown normalization of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in about 50% of patients, but relapse occurs in at least 50% of responders after interferon is stopped. The aims of this study were to determine whether 5 MU of interferon tiw produces a higher response rate than 3 MU tiw and to examine if the higher dose results in more sustained remissions. In addition, factors that are associated with a more or less favourable response to interferon treatment were sought. Overall, 65% of patients responded and no advantage of the higher dose therapy was found, either in terms of response or relapse rate after treatment. The presence of cirrhosis on the pre-treatment liver biopsy was associated with a poor response rate to interferon and a trend towards a higher relapse rate. Risk factor for acquisition of disease was also related to likelihood of response but not relapse. We conclude that two thirds of Australian patients with chronic hepatitis C initially respond to interferon treatment. Positive predictors of response are intravenous drug use as a risk factor and histologically less severe liver disease. Relapse occurs in two thirds of all responders.
Lin
R
R
Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Sydney, Westmead Hospital, N.S.W., Australia.
Liddle
C
C
Farrell
G C
GC
D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006521:Hepatitis, Chronic / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors
D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins