Efficacy and safety of alpha-interferon treatment for chronic hepatitis C in HIV-infected patients. HIV-Hepatitis Spanish Study Group.
The efficacy and safety of recombinant alpha-interferon (IFN) therapy for chronic hepatitis C (CHC) was assessed in 57 HIV-infected individuals with CD4+ T cells above 200/mm3 and compared to the response obtained in 21 HIV-negative patients with CHC. IFN 5 megaU was given three times a week subcutaneously for 3 months. In responding patients, IFN 3 megaU three times a week was additionally administered for 9 months. After 8 months follow-up in HIV-infected patients, 38% (22/57) achieved normal (complete response, CR) alanine aminotransferase (ALT) values. Partial response (PR) was seen in 21% (12/57), and 40% (23/57) did not respond. Patients with CD4+ cells above 500/mm3 achieved CR in 58% (14/24) of cases compared to 24% (8/33) among those having a lower CD4+ count (P < 0.01). Females attained CR in 60% (9/15) of cases, and men in only 30.9% (13/42) (P < 0.01). No serious side effects or opportunistic infections were observed during the study period. However, three (5.2%) patients showed a dramatic fall in total CD4+ T cell count after beginning IFN therapy. Among 21 HIV-negative patients, after 8 months follow-up, CR was achieved in 10 (47%), PR in four (19%), and seven (33%) did not respond. We concluded that IFN therapy seems to be well tolerated and useful in HIV-infected patients suffering CHC. The rate of CR was not significantly different compared to that observed in HIV-negative patients (38% vs. 47%), relative risk (RR) = 0.67 (0.19-2.37).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Soriano
V
V
Centro de Investigaciones Clínicas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
García-Samaniego
J
J
Bravo
R
R
Castro
A
A
Odriozola
P M
PM
González
J
J
Colmenero
M
M
Carballo
E
E
Suárez
D
D
Llibre
J M
JM
D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology; D018023:HIV Seronegativity; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D000637:Transaminases / Q000378:metabolism
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D000637:Transaminases