Safety, tolerability, and efficacy of pegylated-interferon alfa-2a plus ribavirin in HCV-related decompensated cirrhotics.
BACKGROUND
Pretransplantation clearance of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-RNA reduces the risk of HCV recurrence after transplantation. Furthermore, a sustained virological response could reduce disease progression and slow clinical deterioration in nontransplanted patients.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the safety, tolerability and efficacy of pegylated-interferon (PEG-IFN) alfa-2a plus ribavirin therapy in HCV-related decompensated cirrhotics.


METHODS
Twenty HCV-related decompensated cirrhotics (44-67 years, 12 males, six Child-Pugh score A, 14 Child-Pugh score B, all with genotype 1b) were enrolled into the study. Treatment with PEG-IFN alfa-2a (135 microg, once a week) plus ribavirin (1000-1200 mg/day) was commenced. A 48-week treatment was planned in patients who had early virological response.


RESULTS
Treatment was stopped in 8 (40%) patients. The remaining 12 (60%) patients completed 48 weeks of therapy; nine (45%) of them obtained end-of-therapy virological response and six (30%) of them obtained sustained virological response. Living donor liver transplantation was performed in three (15%) patients. Eight (40%) and six (30%) patients needed to reduce PEG-IFN alfa-2a and ribavirin dosages, respectively. No patient died during the follow-up period.


CONCLUSIONS
PEG-IFN alfa-2a plus ribavirin therapy is safe, tolerable and efficacious in selected HCV-related decompensated cirrhotics.
Tekin
F
F
Department of Gastroenterology, Ege University Medical School, Izmir, Turkey. drtekinfatih@yahoo.com
Gunsar
F
F
Karasu
Z
Z
Akarca
U
U
Ersoz
G
G
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D012254:Ribavirin; C100416:peginterferon alfa-2a