title: HCV-related advanced fibrosis/cirrhosis: randomized controlled trial of pegylated interferon alpha-2a and ribavirin.
abstract: In patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related advanced fibrosis/cirrhosis, 30% of sustained HCV clearance has been reported with pegylated interferon alpha-2a (PEG-IFN) alone, but the efficacy and tolerability of the PEG-IFN/ribavirin (RBV) combination remain poorly defined. A total of 124 treatment-naïve patients with biopsy proved HCV-related advanced fibrosis/cirrhosis (Ishak score F4-F6, Child-Pugh score < or =7) were randomized to 48 weeks of PEG-IFN (180 microg sc weekly) and standard dose of RBV (1000/1200 mg po daily, STD) or PEG-IFN (180 microg sc weekly) and low-dose of RBV (600/800 mg po daily, LOW). Sustained virologic response (SVR) rates with PEG-IFN/STD RBV (52%) were higher--albeit not significantly--than that with PEG-IFN/LOW RBV (38%, P = 0.153). In multivariate analysis, genotype 2/3 and a baseline platelet count > or =150 x 10(9)/L were independently associated with SVR. The likelihood of SVR was < 7% if viraemia had not declined by > or =2 log or to undetectable levels after 12 weeks. Nine adverse events in the STD RBV and 15 in the LOW RBV group were classified as severe (including two deaths); dose reductions for intolerance were required in 78% and 57% (P = 0.013), and treatment was terminated early in 23% and 27% of patients (P = n.s.). The benefit/risk ratio of treating compensated HCV-cirrhotics with STD PEG-IFN/RBV is favourable.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Beat
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Helbling
authors.forename: Wolfram
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Jochum
authors.forename: Ivan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Stamenic
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Knöpfli
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cerny
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Borovicka
authors.forename: Jean-Jacques
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Gonvers
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wilhelmi
authors.forename: Sabine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dinges
authors.forename: Beat
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Müllhaupt
authors.forename: Alicia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Esteban
authors.forename: Beat
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Meyer-Wyss
authors.forename: Eberhard L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Renner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014766:Viremia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000821:virology
chemical_list: D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D012254:Ribavirin; C100416:peginterferon alfa-2a