Recombinant interferon-Beta-1alpha plus ribavirin for the treatment of chronic HCV infection: a prospective, randomized, comparative pilot study.
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.
Ahn
Sang Hoon
SH
Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Yonsei Institute of Gastroenterology, Seoul, Korea.
Lee
Hyun Woong
HW
Kim
Yong Soo
YS
Kim
Ja Kyung
JK
Han
Kwang-Hyub
KH
Chon
Chae Yoon
CY
Moon
Young Myoung
YM