Peginterferon alfa-2a [pegasys] and ribavirin in the treatment of chronic Hepatitis C

Background and aims: pegylation of interferon alfa-2a is a new modality for treatment of chronic hepatitis C. This clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of PEG IFN in combination with ribavirin in CHC patients

Methods: fifty-seven patients with HGV RNA in serum, persistently elevated ALT and chronic C hepatitis on liver biopsy enrolled to this study. The patients received PEG IFN 180 micg per week plus ribavirin 10- 15 mg/kg per day

Results: HCV RNA was negative in 37 patients [74%] after three months of beginning of study [EVR] and SVR occurred in 50% of all patients

Conclusion: peginterferon alfa-2a plus ribavirin is safe and effective in treatment of naive patients and relapses