title: Combination of interferon induction therapy and ribavirin in chronic hepatitis C.
abstract: The initial clearance of hepatitis C virus (HCV) during interferon-alfa therapy is dose-dependent. Therefore, higher initial interferon doses (induction therapy) may improve treatment results. This concept was tested in a prospective, randomized controlled trial. Previously untreated patients with chronic hepatitis C were randomized to receive 3 different interferon doses during the first 14 weeks of therapy (Group A, n = 130: 10 MU IntronA [AESCA-Schering Plough, Traiskirchen, Austria]/day for 2 weeks, followed by 10 MU/2 days for 12 weeks; Group B, n = 124: 5 MU/day for 14 weeks; Group C, n = 119; 5 MU/2 days for 14 weeks) followed in all by 5 MU/2 days for 24 weeks. Throughout the whole study all patients received 1 to 1.2 g ribavirin/day. On treatment, no differences in viral clearance rates were observed. Sustained response rates were also not different among the groups (A: 48.5%, B and C: 41.3%, intent to treat). When data were analyzed according to genotypes, sustained response was almost twice as high in patients with genotype 1 receiving high-dose interferon induction therapy (A: 44.2%, B: 28.6%, C: 27%, P <.05). In contrast, results were not different in genotype 3a patients (A: 61.3%, B: 75.9%, C: 56.3%; P >.1). These data indicate that high-dose interferon induction therapy may improve the outcome of interferon/ribavirin combination therapy in genotype 1 patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine IV, Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Vienna, Austria. peter.ferenci@akh-wien.ac.at
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ferenci
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Brunner
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nachbaur
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Datz
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gschwantler
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hofer
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Stauber
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hackl
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Jessner
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rosenbeiger
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Munda-Steindl
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hegenbarth
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gangl
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Vogel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D007369:Interferon Inducers / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010352:Patient Dropouts; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D019562:Viral Load
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D007369:Interferon Inducers; D012254:Ribavirin