High rate of hepatitis C virus clearance in hemodialysis patients after interferon-alpha therapy.
To gain insight into the long-term effect of interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) therapy on hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA-positive hemodialysis patients, 23 subjects were given 3 MU of IFN-alpha 3 times a week for 6 (n = 12) or 12 months (n = 11). They were followed for 19 months after cessation of therapy. Sustained serum HCV RNA clearance occurred in 42% of patients treated for 6 months and in 64% of those treated for 12 months. HCV was eradicated from 6 of 13 patients infected with HCV genotype 1b and from 2 of 6 patients also infected with hepatitis G virus. HCV RNA remained undetectable in both serum and a liver biopsy of 2 patients who were given cadaveric kidney transplants after IFN-alpha treatment. These data suggest that HCV RNA-positive dialysis patients can be considered for treatment while receiving dialysis, particularly those awaiting transplant.
Izopet
J
J
Laboratoire de Virologie, and Service de Médecine Interne, Hôpital Purpan, Centre Hospitalier Toulouse, France.
Rostaing
L
L
Moussion
F
F
Alric
L
L
Dubois
M
M
That
H T
HT
Payen
J L
JL
Duffaut
M
M
Durand
D
D
Suc
J M
JM
Puel
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D018067:Flaviviridae / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects; D008099:Liver / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D000637:Transaminases / Q000378:metabolism
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D012367:RNA, Viral; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D000637:Transaminases