Pilot study of interferon alpha high-dose induction therapy in combination with ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C in HIV-co-infected patients.
Twenty-three HIV/hepatitis C virus (HCV)-co-infected patients received dose-escalated IFN-alpha (5 MIU/day) induction therapy for 10 weeks, followed by 36 weeks of thrice-weekly IFN-alpha treatment (5 MIU), both in combinations with ribavirin. Sustained HCV clearance was observed in three patients. Nine patients discontinued the study aas a result of adverse reactions such as anaemia, pancreatitis and depression. In HIV/HCV-co-infected patients, the therapeutic benefit of high-dose IFN-alpha therefore seems to be limited by its poor tolerability.
Rockstroh
Jürgen Kurt
JK
Department of Medicine I, University of Bonn, Germany.
Mudar
Mannah
M
Lichterfeld
Mathias
M
Nischalke
Hans Dieter
HD
Klausen
Gerd
G
Gölz
Jörg
J
Dupke
Stefan
S
Notheis
Gundula
G
Stein
Luca
L
Mauss
Stefan
S
D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications*; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D012254:Ribavirin