Recombinant Interferon-Beta-1alpha Plus Ribavirin for the Treatment of Chronic HCV Infection: A Prospective, Randomized, Comparative Pilot Study
Gut and Liver
;
: 20-25, 2009.
Article
in English
| WPRIM
| ID: wpr-111178
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND/AIMS:
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-naive patients were randomized into two equal-sized treatment groups. Both IFN-beta-1a (44microgram) 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.
Full text:
Available
Index:
WPRIM (Western Pacific)
Main subject:
Ribavirin
/
Pilot Projects
/
Prospective Studies
/
Interferons
/
Treatment Outcome
/
Interferon-beta
/
Interferon-alpha
/
Hepatitis C
/
Viral Load
/
Hepatitis C, Chronic
Type of study:
Controlled clinical trial
/
Observational study
Limits:
Humans
Language:
English
Journal:
Gut and Liver
Year:
2009
Type:
Article
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