title: Addition of pentoxifylline to pegylated interferon-alpha-2a and ribavirin improves sustained virological response to chronic hepatitis C virus: a randomized clinical trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The commonly accepted treatment for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, pegylated interferon alpha (PEG INF-alpha) and ribavirin, leads to 50-60% of sustained virological response (SVR). On the other hand, pentoxifylline (PTX) possesses antiviral and hepatoprotector properties.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate whether the addition of PTX to conventional hepatitis C treatment increases SVR.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy two patients of both genders were studied in a randomized fashion; the diagnosis of chronic HCV infection was made according to clinical and laboratory criteria and histopathologically classified according to METAVIR scoring system criteria. HCV viral load was tested by PCR, baseline, and after 6 months of treatment, as well as anti-HCV, anti-hepatitis B virus , and anti-human immunodeficiency virus antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. During 48 weeks, control group patients were treated with PEG INF-alpha- 2a plus ribavirin. PTX was administered to Experimental Group patients prior to the treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Demographic data were similar in both groups. Experimental- and control-group subjects were at F2 and F3 states according to the METAVIR classification. The most common HCV genotypes were 1a and 1b (39% in the control group in each case, and 42% in the experimental group in each case). At the end of the study, hepatic enzymes and viral load decreased in both groups to similar values. SVR in the experimental group increased significantly (p < 0.05) when compared with standard therapy alone.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Addition of PTX to conventional chronic hepatitis C treatment may increase the percentage of patients with SVR.
authors: Servicio de Gastroenterología, Hospital Valentín Gómez Farías, Instituto de Seguridad y Seguro Social de los Trabajadores del Estado (ISSSTE), Zapopan, Jalisco, México.
authors: Miguel Ángel
authors: MÁ
authors: Jiménez-Luévano
authors: José Manuel
authors: JM
authors: Lerma-Díaz
authors: Georgina
authors: G
authors: Hernández-Flores
authors: Miguel Ángel
authors: MÁ
authors: Jiménez-Partida
authors: Alejandro
authors: A
authors: Bravo-Cuellar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico; D008875:Middle Aged; D010431:Pentoxifylline / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D019562:Viral Load
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D015415:Biomarkers; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D012254:Ribavirin; C100416:peginterferon alfa-2a; D010431:Pentoxifylline