title: Sustained suppression of hepatitis C virus by interferon and ribavirin in hemophilic patients not responding to interferon monotherapy.
abstract: Thirty-nine hemophiliac patients, negative for human immunodeficiency virus, with chronic hepatitis C who failed to respond to interferon (IFN) at 3 million units (MU) given subcutaneously thrice weekly for at least 3 months were retreated with 5 MU IFN for 6 months followed by 3 MU IFN in combination with daily oral doses of 1 or 1.2 g ribavirin. Thirty-four patients (87%) completed the study. In 4 patients treatment was discontinued because of treatment-related symptoms; 1 patient dropped out. Dosage reduction was required in 10 patients (26%) because of ribavirin-related anemia or IFN-related side effects. By intention-to-treat analysis, 14 (37%) had a sustained virologic response with preference for those infected by genotypes other than type 1 (43% versus 12%) and with high transaminases levels (168 U/L versus 116 U/L). Thus, IFN and ribavirin combination therapy led to a sustained suppression of hepatitis in one third of hemophiliac patients resistant to conventional monotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Angelo Bianchi Bonomi Hemophilia and Thrombosis Center, Division of Hepatology, IRCCS Maggiore Hospital, University of Milan, Via Pace 9, 20122 Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Santagostino
authors.forename: Maria Grazia
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Rumi
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rivi
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Colombo
authors.forename: Pier Mannuccio
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Mannucci
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006467:Hemophilia A / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000821:virology*; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007372:Interferons / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000633:toxicity; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000633:toxicity; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D012254:Ribavirin; D007372:Interferons