Comparison of 2 regimens that include interferon-alpha-2a plus ribavirin for treatment of chronic hepatitis C in human immunodeficiency virus-coinfected patients.
An open-label, randomized trial was conducted to compare the efficacy and safety of 2 regimens of interferon-alpha-2a (IFN-alpha-2a) plus ribavirin for management of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-coinfected patients. Sixty-eight patients were randomized to receive IFN-alpha-2a at a dosage of either (1) 6 MU given 3 times per week for 24 weeks, followed by 3 MU 3 times per week for an additional 24 weeks (group A; 31 patients); or (2) 9 MU per day for 2 weeks, followed by 3 MU per day for 22 weeks, followed by 3 MU 3 times per week for 24 weeks (group B; 37 patients). Ribavirin was added at week 16 of therapy if HCV RNA remained detectable at week 12. Sustained virological response was achieved in 10 patients (15%; 6 in group A and 4 in group B). HCV genotypes 2 or 3 and a decrease in the HCV load of >or=3 log(10) copies/mL between inclusion and week 4 were associated with virological response. In conclusion, the combination of conventional IFN-alpha-2a and ribavirin has poor virological efficacy in HCV-HIV-coinfected patients.
Neau
Didier
D
Fédération des Maladies Infectieuses, Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire Pellegrin, Bordeaux, France. didier.neau@chu-bordeaux.fr
Trimoulet
Pascale
P
Winnock
Maria
M
Rullier
Anne
A
Le Bail
Brigitte
B
Lacoste
Denis
D
Ragnaud
Jean-Marie
JM
Bioulac-Sage
Paulette
P
Lafon
Marie-Edith
ME
Chêne
Geneviève
G
Dupon
Michel
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006678:HIV / Q000187:drug effects; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000187:drug effects; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D012367:RNA, Viral; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012254:Ribavirin