Re-treatment with highly purified nIFNα in Mexican nonresponder patients with chronic genotype 1 hepatitis C.
OBJECTIVE
We undertook this study to evaluate the virological response to and presence of adverse events to natural interferon α (nIFNα; Multiferon®) treatment in previously nonresponsive Mexican patients chronically infected with genotype 1 hepatitis C.


METHODS
Thirty-nine patients received a 4-week induction of 5 days/week of 6 MU nIFNα plus weight-based ribavirin followed by 3 MU of nIFNα three times a week for 44 weeks. The relationship between viral response and incidence of adverse events was analyzed.


RESULTS
Early viral response (EVR) was age- and sex-dependent, with older male patients being less responsive. Sustained viral response (SVR) was evaluated according to: a) intention to treat analysis, b) 48-week treatment and 24-week follow-up (16 patients), and c) patients with EVR (11 patients). None of the factors was significantly different in groups a) and b); however, in group c) there was a better response with a marked viral load decline in younger patients and in patients aged 50 years and older. Five of 39 (13%) patients who completed treatment presented with an SVR. The most common adverse effect was asthenia in 27% of patients.


CONCLUSIONS
nIFNα could be a useful strategy for re-treatment in chronic hepatitis C, genotype 1, in previously nonresponsive patients. Confirmation of these data in a larger population is required.
Department of Internal Medicine, Liver Unit, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico. Electronic address: linda_uanl@hotmail.com.
Linda E
LE
Muñoz-Espinosa
Paula
P
Cordero-Pérez
Eduardo
E
Marín-López
Liliana
L
Torres-González
Rene
R
Malé-Velázquez
Rolando
R
Armienta-Sarabia
María Elena
ME
Hernández-Gómez
José de Jesús Ernesto
Jde J
Núñez-Camarena
Marco Antonio
MA
Olivera-Martínez
Juan Francisco
JF
Sánchez-Avila
D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D001247:Asthenia / Q000139:chemically induced; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019233:Retreatment; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D019562:Viral Load / Q000187:drug effects
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012254:Ribavirin
Adverse events; Hepatitis C virus; Natural interferon alpha; Nonresponders; Sustained viral response