title: Definition and management of anemia in patients infected with hepatitis C virus.
abstract: Chronic infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) can progress to cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and end-stage liver disease. The current best treatment for HCV infection is combination therapy with pegylated interferon and ribavirin. Although this regimen produces sustained virologic responses (SVRs) in approximately 50% of patients, it can be associated with a potentially dose-limiting hemolytic anemia. Hemoglobin concentrations decrease mainly as a result of ribavirin-induced hemolysis, and this anemia can be problematic in patients with HCV infection, especially those who have comorbid renal or cardiovascular disorders. In general, anemia can increase the risk of morbidity and mortality, and may have negative effects on cerebral function and quality of life. Although ribavirin-associated anemia can be reversed by dose reduction or discontinuation, this approach compromises outcomes by significantly decreasing SVR rates. Recombinant human erythropoietin has been used to manage ribavirin-associated anemia but has other potential disadvantages. Viramidine, a liver-targeting prodrug of ribavirin, has the potential to maintain the virologic efficacy of ribavirin while decreasing the risk of hemolytic anemia in patients with chronic hepatitis C.
authors.affiliation: Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA. mchut001@mc.duke.edu
authors.forename: John G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: McHutchison
authors.forename: Michael P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Manns
authors.forename: Dan L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Longo
mesh_terms: D000740:Anemia / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002319:Cardiovascular System / Q000503:physiopathology; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D016174:Hepacivirus; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011788:Quality of Life; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D006454:Hemoglobins; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D012254:Ribavirin; C100416:peginterferon alfa-2a; C026956:taribavirin