Antiviral response of HCV genotype 1 to consensus interferon and ribavirin versus pegylated interferon and ribavirin.
Achieving an antiviral response at a reasonable cost is a challenge in the treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C. A previous study indicated that consensus interferon with ribavirin had promising activity against hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1. The objective of this study was to determine the virologic response with consensus interferon or pegylated interferon alpha-2b plus weight-ribavirin in patients chronically infected with HCV genotype 1. Intention-to-treat analysis showed response in 37% and 41% of subjects treated with consensus interferon/ribavirin or pegylated interferon/ribavirin, respectively, with response rates of 42% and 44% observed in analysis of the per-protocol population, not a significant difference. Tolerability of the two treatment regimens was similar. In conclusion, both treatment regimens were safe and gave a similar antiviral response. It is possible that if consensus interferon is administered daily rather than three times weekly, eradication of HCV could be achieved in a larger proportion of patients infected with HCV genotype 1.
Sjogren
Maria H
MH
Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC 20307, USA. maria.sjogren@na.amedd.army.mil
Sjogren
Robert
R
Lyons
Michael F
MF
Ryan
Michael
M
Santoro
John
J
Smith
Coleman
C
Reddy
K Rajender
KR
Bonkovsky
Herbert
H
Huntley
Brooke
B
Faris-Young
Sima
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003863:Depression / Q000139:chemically induced; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005221:Fatigue / Q000139:chemically induced; D005260:Female; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D011788:Quality of Life; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019562:Viral Load
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D007370:Interferon Type I; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D012254:Ribavirin; C050739:interferon alfacon-1; C417083:peginterferon alfa-2b