title: Combination treatment of IFNalpha2b and ribavirin in patients with chronic hepatitis C and persistently normal ALTs.
abstract: Combination therapy of interferon-alpha2b and ribavirin was prospectively evaluated in 20 patients with chronic replicative hepatitis and persistently normal ALTs. Patients with normal ALTs on three or more occasions within 6 months received interferon-alpha2b 3 MU three times a week with ribavirin 1000-1200 mg everyday for 12 months and had a follow-up of 6 months. HCV genotype 1 was found in 16, and HCV genotype 2 or 3 in 4 patients. No patient experienced an ALT elevation during therapy. Ten of 20 patients (50%) cleared virus at the end of treatment. In an intent-to-treat analysis, a sustained virological response (SR) was achieved in 8 of 20 patients (40%). Nonresponse occurred in 5 patients. Relapse and breakthrough were seen in 2 patients each. Treatment was discontinued in 3 patients due to side effects. Interferon (IFN) ribavirin combination therapy is effective in patients with normal ALTs and appears superior to IFN monotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Gastroenterologie, Hepatologie und Infektiologie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität, Düsseldorf, Germany.
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Erhardt
authors.forename: Ulla
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Behlen-Wilm
authors.forename: Ortwin
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Adams
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Donner
authors.forename: Tobias
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Heintges
authors.forename: Dieter
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Häussinger
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000145:classification*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012254:Ribavirin; D000410:Alanine Transaminase