title: Effect of hepatitis C virus treatment in fibrosis progression rate (FPR) and time to cirrhosis (TTC) in patients co-infected with human immunodeficiency virus: a paired liver biopsy study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Patients with hepatitis C and human immunodeficiency virus coinfection have rapid fibrosis progression. The effect on fibrosis progression rate and time to cirrhosis of HCV treatment has not been extensively studied. First aim of the study was to assess changes in FPR and TTC and staging after HCV therapy vs. no treatment. Secondary aim was to study changes in FPR/staging of sustained viral responders and non-responders to Peg-IFN alfa-2a and RBV.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-four (74) co-infected patients were grouped in three according to HCV treatment, Group 1 - None (n=9), Group 2 - IFN (n=30), Group 3-Peg-IFN alfa-2a (n=35). Paired liver biopsies were analyzed and FPR/TTC calculated for each biopsy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Baseline characteristics, duration of treatment and time between biopsies were similar among groups. HCV therapy, improved grading, but only Peg-IFN alfa-2a therapy resulted in staging decrease. Group 2 had significant staging increase and Group 1 had doubling of FPR and (TTC) reduction from 22.7 to 9.09 years. Peg-IFN alfa-2a treated patients had negative change in FPR and stabilization in TTC. SVR and NR with Peg-IFN alfa-2a/RBV had same FPR and staging.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In patients with HIV/HCV co-infection Peg-IFN alfa 2a based treatment produced regression or stable fibrosis in contrast to accelerated progression in those without treatment.
authors.affiliation: Fundación de Investigación de Diego, Ave. De Diego 359 Suite 302, Santurce, 00909, Puerto Rico. rodztorres@coqui.net
authors.forename: Maribel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rodríguez-Torres
authors.forename: José F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Rodríguez-Orengo
authors.forename: Carlos F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Ríos-Bedoya
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fernández-Carbia
authors.forename: Acisclo M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Marxuach-Cuétara
authors.forename: Abimael
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: López-Torres
authors.forename: Josselyn
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jiménez-Rivera
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018450:Disease Progression; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007372:Interferons / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology*; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D007372:Interferons; C100416:peginterferon alfa-2a