title: Recombinant interferon-Beta-1alpha plus ribavirin for the treatment of chronic HCV infection: a prospective, randomized, comparative pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Interferon beta (IFN-beta) has been shown to have antiviral activity, and thus could be useful in treating viral infections. Therefore, we compared the efficacy and safety of recombinant IFN-beta (IFN-beta-1a) plus oral ribavirin versus interferon alpha (IFN-alpha) plus ribavirin therapy for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C (HCV).
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty treatment-naïve patients were randomized into two equal-sized treatment groups. Both IFN-beta-1a (44 microg) and IFN-alpha (3 MIU) were given subcutaneously three times a week, while ribavirin was given orally at 1,000-1,200 mg/day. Patients were treated for 24 weeks and followed for an additional 24 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After 24 weeks of treatment, six (60%) and four patients (40%) in the IFN-beta-1a group and IFN-alpha groups, respectively, achieved viral clearance. The sustained virological response (SVR) at the end of the observation period was similar in both groups (40%). However, the baseline viral load was significantly higher (p=0.034) in the IFN-beta-1a group than in the IFN-alpha group, and there were more HCV genotype 1 patients in the IFN-beta-1a group (eight versus seven). The IFN-beta-1a group was associated with similar adverse events in terms of frequency and severity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The SVR rate and safety profile were similar for the combination of IFN-beta-1a and ribavirin and that of IFN-alpha and ribavirin.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Yonsei Institute of Gastroenterology, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Sang Hoon
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Ahn
authors.forename: Hyun Woong
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Yong Soo
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Ja Kyung
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Kwang-Hyub
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Chae Yoon
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Chon
authors.forename: Young Myoung
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Moon