title: Differences in HCV viral decline between low and standard-dose pegylated-interferon-alpha-2a with ribavirin in HIV/HCV genotype 3 patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of the study was to analyze the different impact of standard and low-dose Peg-IFN-α2a/RBV therapies on HCV viral decline in HIV/HCV genotype 3 co-infected patients during the first weeks of treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Plasma HCV viral decline was analyzed between baseline and weeks 1, 2 and 4 in two groups of treatment-naïve HCV genotype 3 patients with HIV co-infection. The Standard Dose Group (SDG) included patients who received Peg-IFN at 180 µg/per week with a weight-adjusted dose of ribavirin; Low-Dose Group (LDG) patients received Peg-IFN at 135 µg/per week with 800 mg/day ribavirin. The effect of IL28B genotype on HCV viral decline was evaluated in both groups. HCV viral decline was analyzed using a multivariate linear regression model.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred and six patients were included: 48 patients in the SDG and 58 in the LDG. HCV viral decline for patients in the LDG was less than for those in the SDG (week 1:1.72±0.74 log(10) IU/mL versus 1.78±0.67 log(10) IU/mL, p = 0.827; week 2:2.3±0.89 log(10) IU/mL versus 3.01±1.02 log(10) IU/mL, p = 0.013; week 4:3.52±1.2 log(10) IU/mL versus 4.09±1.1 log(10) IU/mL, p = 0.005). The linear regression model identified the Peg-IFN/RBV dose as an independent factor for HCV viral decline at week 4.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results showed that HCV viral decline was less for patients in the low-dose group compared to those receiving the standard dose. Until a randomized clinical trial is conducted, clinicians should be cautious about using lower doses of Peg-IFN/RBV in HIV/HCV genotype 3 co-infected patients.
authors.affiliation: Unit of Infectious Diseases, Hospital Universitario Reina Sofia, Cordoba, Spain.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rivero-Juárez
authors.forename: Luis F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Lopez-Cortes
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Camacho
authors.forename: Almudena
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Torres-Cornejo
authors.forename: Juan A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Pineda
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marquez-Solero
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Caruz
authors.forename: Rosa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ruiz-Valderas
authors.forename: Julian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Torre-Cisneros
authors.forename: Alicia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gutierrez-Valencia
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rivero
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D060085:Coinfection / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006678:HIV / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000821:virology; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D019562:Viral Load / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D012254:Ribavirin; C100416:peginterferon alfa-2a