title: Efficacy of induction therapy with high-dose interferon for patients with hemophilia and human immunodeficiency virus-hepatitis C virus coinfection.
abstract: To evaluate the efficacy of high-dose interferon (IFN) on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, 15 HIV-positive patients and 15 age-matched HIV-negative patients with hemophilia were treated with 9 million units (MU) of IFN-alpha2a daily for 2 weeks, followed by 9 MU of IFN-alpha2a 3 times/week for a further 22 weeks. At week 2, HIV RNA levels decreased from 7410+/-2190 to 320+/-130 copies/mL, and HCV RNA levels decreased from 390x10(3)+/-80x10(3) to 70x10(3)+/-30x10(3) copies/mL in the HIV-positive group and from 300x10(3)+/-80x10(3) to 10x10(3)+/-10x10(3) copies/mL in the HIV-negative group. HCV RNA was undetectable after treatment in 4 of 12 HIV-positive and 6 of 15 HIV-negative patients. IFN therapy was discontinued because of adverse effects in 3 HIV-positive patients. Induction therapy and the dose of IFN should be evaluated in combination therapy with IFN and ribavirin.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology, Ogikubo Hospital, Tokyo 167-0035, Japan. hanabusa@muh.biglobe.ne.jp
authors.forename: Hideji
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hanabusa
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D006678:HIV / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D006467:Hemophilia A / Q000150:complications*; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007372:Interferons / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D012367:RNA, Viral; D007372:Interferons