Hepatitis C virus/human immunodeficiency virus coinfection in hemophiliacs: high rates of sustained virologic response to pegylated interferon and ribavirin therapy.
BACKGROUND
Progression of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection to end-stage liver disease is accelerated in patients coinfected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). HCV/HIV-coinfected hemophiliacs are no exception. Although eradication of HCV with pegylated interferon (Peg-IFN) plus ribavirin (Rbv) is the only approach to halt the progression of liver disease, the rates of sustained virologic response (SVR) in coinfected patients are attenuated as compared with those in HCV-monoinfected patients. Nonetheless, in HCV-infected hemophiliacs, who are considered to constitute a difficult-to-treat population, current treatment strategies yielded rates of SVR similar to those obtained in non-hemophiliacs.


OBJECTIVE
In this open-label, prospective, multicenter study, the efficacy and safety of therapy with Peg-IFNalpha2a plus Rbv was evaluated in 34 HCV/HIV-coinfected adult hemophiliacs naive to previous antiviral therapy.


METHODS
Peg-IFNalpha2a was administered at a dose of 180 mug subcutaneously once-weekly plus oral Rbv 1000-1200 mg day(-1) for 48 weeks, irrespective of HCV genotype.


RESULTS
All but one patient (3%) completed the study, 15 (44%) achieved an SVR, and 13 (38%) required dose reduction of either drug. A rapid virologic response (HCV-RNA clearance at week 4; P = 0.01), a complete early virologic response (HCV RNA clearance at week 12; P = 0.005) and absence of cirrhosis (P = 0.04) were independent predictors of SVR. During a median post-treatment follow-up of 3 years, a steady increase in CD4+ cell count and CD4+/CD8+ cell ratio was observed in SVR patients.


CONCLUSIONS
These results strongly support the use of anti-HCV therapy in HCV/HIV-coinfected hemophiliacs.
Department of Medicine and Medical Specialities, Angelo Bianchi Bonomi Haemophilia and Thrombosis Centre, IRCCS Maggiore Hospital, Mangiagalli and Regina Elena Foundation, Milan, Italy. elisamancuso@tiscali.it
M E
ME
Mancuso
M G
MG
Rumi
A
A
Aghemo
E
E
Santagostino
M
M
Puoti
A
A
Coppola
M
M
Colombo
P M
PM
Mannucci
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006678:HIV; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D006467:Hemophilia A / Q000150:complications / Q000821:virology*; D016174:Hepacivirus; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007372:Interferons / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D012254:Ribavirin; D007372:Interferons