| Interferon retreatment in chronic hepatitis C: which patients to choose, and what schedule to use. | |
MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 10418937 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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OBJECTIVE; To evaluate the results of a large cohort of non-responder or relapsing responder patients with chronic hepatitis C retreated with various schedules of interferon (IFN). METHODS: Our study included 276 patients (158 non-responders and 118 relapsing responders) who underwent IFN retreatments. Among the non-responder group, 158 patients underwent further courses of IFN. In particular, 108 patients underwent one course of IFN retreatment, 40 patients underwent two courses, eight patients underwent three courses, and two patients underwent four courses. Regarding the relapsing responder group, the 118 patients were retreated with the same dosage for varying periods. In particular, 50 patients were treated for 6 months, 43 patients for 12 months, and 25 for 24 months. Patients in the subgroups of IFN retreatment were homogeneous as far as age and gender distribution, as well as virological and histological characteristics, are concerned. Qualitative and quantitative HCV-RNA was evaluated at baseline, at the end of treatment and at the last check-up of follow-up. HCV genotype was determined on baseline serum samples. Alanine transaminase (ALT) levels were tested monthly. RESULTS: Long-term biochemical (normal ALT levels) and virological (HCV-RNA negative) response was obtained in 2.6% of non-responder retreated patients, and in 33.9% of relapsing responder retreated patients. Evaluation of response on the basis of the duration of treatment showed that 48%, 19% and 16% of relapsing responder patients retreated for 24, 12 and 6 months, respectively, obtained long-term biochemical and virological response. CONCLUSION: Non-responder patient retreatment is inefficient especially in cirrhotic and/or genotype 1 b patients. IFN retreatment is warranted in relapsing responder patients. In particular, 24-month therapy induces significant long-term biochemical and virological response. |
Authors:
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A Picciotto; N Campo; R Brizzolara; N Sinelli; F Torre; A G Cipriani; I Ponassi; G Varagona; A Grasso; P De Leo; V De Conca; S Mesiti; G Marenco; G Menardo; M Dodero; G Celle |
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Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article |
Journal Detail:
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Title: European journal of gastroenterology & hepatology Volume: 11 ISSN: 0954-691X ISO Abbreviation: Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol Publication Date: 1999 Jun |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 1999-08-26 Completed Date: 1999-08-26 Revised Date: 2009-10-16 |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 9000874 Medline TA: Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol Country: ENGLAND |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 649-53 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, Italy. picciott@unige.it |
Export Citation:
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| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Aged Alanine Transaminase / blood Antiviral Agents / administration & dosage, therapeutic use* Female Genotype Hepacivirus / genetics Hepatitis C, Chronic / enzymology, therapy* Humans Interferon-alpha / administration & dosage, therapeutic use* Male Middle Aged Patient Selection* RNA, Viral / analysis Retreatment Retrospective Studies Treatment Outcome |
| Chemical | |
Reg. No./Substance:
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0/Antiviral Agents; 0/Interferon-alpha; 0/RNA, Viral; EC 2.6.1.2/Alanine Transaminase |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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