Comparison of therapeutic results between combination therapy of peginterferon alpha-2a plus ribavirin and interferon alpha-2b plus ribavirin according to treatment duration in patients with chronic hepatitis C |
Heon Ju Lee , Jong Ryul Eun , Jae Won Choi , Kyung Ok Kim , Hee Jung Moon |
Departments of Internal Medicine, Yeungnam University College of Medicine, Daegu, Korea
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ABSTRACT |
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Background/Aims This study compared the efficacy and safety of combined peginterferon alfa (PEG-IFN) and ribavirin with that of combined interferon alpha (IFN-α) and ribavirin, according to the treatment duration in Korean patients with chronic hepatitis C. Methods: Medical records of 86 patients treated with PEG-IFN and ribavirin (mean age, 50.7 years; males/females, 57/29; genotypes 1/2, 59/27) and 134 patients treated with IFN-α and ribavirin (mean age, 50.9 years; males/females 74/60; genotypes 1/2, 79/55) were reviewed. Ribavirin was administered at doses of 600-1,200 mg and 600-800 mg in patients with genotypes 1 and 2, respectively. Results: Sustained virological responses (SVRs) were evident in 68.4% and 41.7% of genotype 1 patients treated for 48 weeks in the PEG-IFN and IFN-α groups, respectively (P=0.021), and in 94.1% and 64.9% of genotype 2 patients treated for 24 weeks (P=0.026). Some genotype 1 patients treated for 24 weeks in the PEG-IFN group, who all exhibited negative HCV PCR results at week 12, showed an SVR of 87.5% (7/8). Conclusions: The rate of SVRs in Korean patients with chronic hepatitis C was higher for combined PEG-IFN and ribavirin than for combined IFN-α and ribavirin. Further study is needed to clarify the outcome of short-term therapy in patients with a rapid or early virological response. (Korean J Hepatol 2008;14:46- 57) |
KeyWords:
Peginterferon alfa, Interferon alfa, Hepatitis C, Sustained virological response, Treatment duration |
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