Viral kinetics of hepatitis C virus RNA in patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with 18 MU of interferon alpha daily.
BACKGROUND
A rapid decrease of hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA is interferon (IFN) dose-dependent, and a 3-log decline of HCV-RNA is a strong predictor of sustained virological response. In this study, viral kinetics of HCV RNA in patients treated with 18 MU interferon alpha (IFN-alpha) daily for 2 weeks are presented.


METHODS
Thirteen treatment-naive patients with chronic hepatitis C received 6 MU of IFN-alpha2a every 8 h for 2 weeks. Samples were obtained daily during the treatment period. HCV-RNA levels were determined using the quantitative VERSANT 3.0 bDNA assay (detection limit 520 IU/ml). When results were below the detection limit, HCV-RNA was measured by qualitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using the COBAS AMPLICOR HCV test, version 2.0 (detection limit of 50 IU/ml).


RESULTS
In patients infected with genotype non-1, a 3-log decline of viral load was found 2.4 days after the start of induction therapy. Only one of three patients infected with genotype 1 had a 3-log decline in viral load within 14 days of the start of therapy. In four patients, a third phase of viral decline was observed. At the end of treatment, 10/13 (77%) and 7/13 (54%) patients were HCV-RNA-negative in quantitative assay and qualitative PCR, respectively. Only one of 13 patients achieved a sustained virological response (SVR).


CONCLUSIONS
Daily administration of 18 MU IFN-alpha to patients infected with genotype non-1 induces a 3-log decline of viral load within 2.4 days of the start of treatment. In patients infected with genotype 1, only one-third of patients have a 3-log decline at 11 days.
Sentjens
Roel E
RE
Academic Medical Centre, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. r.e.sentjens@amc.uva.nl
Weegink
Christine J
CJ
Beld
Marcel G
MG
Cooreman
Michel C
MC
Reesink
Henk W
HW
D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011336:Probability; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D019562:Viral Load
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D012367:RNA, Viral; D011994:Recombinant Proteins