title: Weekly pegylated interferon alpha-2b vs daily interferon a-2b versus standard regimen of interferon a-2b in the treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The combination of Pegylated (PEG)interferon alpha-2b and ribavirin is considered to be the standard treatment for naïve chronic hepatitis C patients. Study aims are to evaluate the differences between standard interferon and PEG-interferon by conducting a multi-centre, controlled randomized trial comparing 3 groups. Group A : daily interferon alfa-2b at a dose of 4 MIU + ribavirin, Group B : PEG-interferon alfa-2b at a dose of 100 mcg/week + ribavirin; Group C: interferon alfa-2b at a dose of 3 MIU TIW + ribavirin
  
  
  METHODS
  Multicentrer, open label study including naïve chronic Hepatitis C Virus patients randomised in three groups with a ratio of 2:2:1. Group A: daily interferon alpha-2b (4 MIU s.c. for patients > 65 kg or 0.06 MIU/kg < 65 kg) and ribavirin, group B: PEG-interferon alpha-2b (100 microg s.c. weekly for patients > 65 kg or 1.5 microg/kg weekly for patients < 65 kg) and ribavirin and group C (reference arm) : interferon alpha-2b (3MIU s.c. TWI) and ribavirin. The duration of the treatment was 48 weeks for all 3 groups, with a 6 month follow-up period. 336 patients were enrolled in the study and included in the intention-to-treat analysis; 78 never started treatment (35 in group A, 28 in group B and 15 in group C): 101 in group A, 98 in group B and 59 in group C.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Demographic data, PCR results and reasons for early withdrawal have been statistically analysed. At baseline, the 3 groups did not show any statistical difference regarding age, gender, race, genotypes and METAVIR score. At week 24 on treatment, HCV ribonucleic acid RNA was undetectable in 87% in group A, in 79% in group B and in 69% in group C. At the end of treatment, 73% 74% and 58% respectively, had a negative PCR result. At week 24 of follow-up, these results were 71%, 64% and 48%, respectively. When comparing the efficacy of the daily interferon (+ ribavirin) and the PEG-interferon (+ ribavirin) regimen, no statistical difference was found (p = 0.32). In group A, 38% of drop-outs were due to adverse events compared to 37% in group B and 58% in group C. No statistical differences were observed regarding safety.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Daily weight based interferon alpha-2b dosing and PEG interferon alpha-2b weighed based dosing once weekly both in combination with Ribavirin offer the same efficacy and safety rates.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium. yves.horsmans@uclouvain.be
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Horsmans
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Colle
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Van Vlierberghe
authors.forename: Ph
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Langlet
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Adler
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bourgeois
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Brenard
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Michielsen
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Goossens
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bruckers
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D012254:Ribavirin; C417083:peginterferon alfa-2b