title: Efficacy of low dose peginterferon alpha-2b with ribavirin on chronic hepatitis C.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the efficacy of peginterferon alpha 2b at doses of 50 microg weekly and 80 microg weekly (based on body weight) plus ribavirin in HCV genotype 2 and genotype 3 chronic hepatitis C patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  During the study period of Jan 2002 to Dec 2003, all patients diagnosed as chronic hepatitis C or HCV related compensated cirrhosis were treated with peginterferon alpha 2b 50 microg S/C weekly (body weight < 60 kg) or 80 microg S/C weekly (body weight > 60 kg) plus ribavirin 800 mg/d for 24 wk.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall 28 patients, 14 patients in each group (based on body weight) were treated during the period. Out of 28 patients, 75% were genotype 3, 18% were genotype 2 and 7% were genotype 1. The mean dose of peginterferon alpha 2b was 0.91 microg/kg in group 1 and 1.23 microg/kg in group 2 respectively. The end of treatment and sustained virologic response rates were 82% and 78% respectively. Serious adverse effects were seen in 3.5% patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Low dose peginterferon alpha 2b in combination with ribavirin for 24 wk is effective in HCV genotype 2 and 3 chronic hepatitis C patients.
authors.affiliation: Asian Institute of Gastroenterology, Somajiguda 63661, Hyderabad, India.
authors.forename: Rajesh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Ramakrishna
authors.forename: Sandeep
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lakhtakia
authors.forename: Manu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tandan
authors.forename: Rupa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Banerjee
authors.forename: D Nageshwar
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Reddy
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D012254:Ribavirin; C417083:peginterferon alfa-2b