title: Interferon-based combination anti-viral therapy for hepatitis C virus after liver transplantation: a review and quantitative analysis.
abstract: Recurrence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection after liver transplantation (LT) is universal. However, the efficacy, tolerability and safety of combination interferon and ribavirin (IFN-RIB) or peginterferon and ribavirin (PEG-RIB) anti-viral therapies post-LT are uncertain. We performed a comprehensive search of major medical databases (1980-2005) and conference proceedings (1996-2005). The main outcome measure was sustained virological response (SVR, undetectable HCV RNA) at 6 months. Summary estimates were calculated using random-effects models. Twenty-seven IFN-RIB and 21 PEG-RIB studies were included. IFN-RIB was associated with a pooled SVR rate of 24% (95% CI, 20-27%), while PEG-RIB was associated with an SVR rate of 27% (23-31%). Pooled discontinuation rates were 24% (21-27%) with IFN-RIB and 26% (20-32%) with PEG-RIB. The pooled rate of acute graft rejection was 2% (1-3%) with IFN-RIB and 5% (3-7%) with PEG-RIB. IFN-RIB and PEG-RIB therapies in HCV infection post-LT were associated with similar but overall low SVR and were poorly tolerated. The rate of acute rejection was small. The therapeutic advantage of PEG-RIB therapy observed in non-transplant chronic HCV infection appears to be attenuated post-LT. Clinical trials are needed to evaluate reasons for this post-transplant therapeutic disadvantage and to find strategies to ameliorate them.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
authors.forename: C S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: H H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Ko
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Yoshida
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Marra
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Richardson
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D007372:Interferons / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D012254:Ribavirin; D007372:Interferons