BACKGROUND/AIMS: To evaluate leukocyte interferon-alpha tolerability and efficacy in the retreatment of patients poorly tolerant to recombinant interferon-alpha. METHODOLOGY: Patients with chronic hepatitis C, poorly tolerant to a previous interferon-alpha treatment (118 patients; 73 "relapsers": Group I; 45 "non-responders": Group II) were retreated with 6 MU tiw of leukocyte interferon-alpha for 6 months and then followed-up for 12-34 months. Only patients with complete regression of any previous interferon-related adverse event were included. RESULTS: Three patients dropped out due to recurrence of a severe depressive syndrome. In 86/115 patients (75%) no significant lifestyle changes versus baseline were observed during retreatment, while 29 subjects experienced a moderately negative interference on their living habits. The different influence on the patients' quality of life of leukocyte interferon in comparison with the previous treatment was significant (P < 0.001). In 98 patients the interferon-related adverse events significantly decreased. After 12 months of follow-up, a sustained biochemical response was observed in 40 patients (Group I:31; Group II:9), and a persistent virological response in 28 (Group I:23; Group II:5). CONCLUSIONS: The good compliance with leukocyte interferon administration shown by poorly tolerant patients, non-responders/relapsers to recombinant interferon, permitted a retreatment with full doses, so increasing the chance to obtain a larger number of sustained responses.
BACKGROUND/AIMS: To evaluate leukocyte interferon-alpha tolerability and efficacy in the retreatment of patients poorly tolerant to recombinant interferon-alpha. METHODOLOGY:Patients with chronic hepatitis C, poorly tolerant to a previous interferon-alpha treatment (118 patients; 73 "relapsers": Group I; 45 "non-responders": Group II) were retreated with 6 MU tiw of leukocyte interferon-alpha for 6 months and then followed-up for 12-34 months. Only patients with complete regression of any previous interferon-related adverse event were included. RESULTS: Three patients dropped out due to recurrence of a severe depressive syndrome. In 86/115 patients (75%) no significant lifestyle changes versus baseline were observed during retreatment, while 29 subjects experienced a moderately negative interference on their living habits. The different influence on the patients' quality of life of leukocyte interferon in comparison with the previous treatment was significant (P < 0.001). In 98 patients the interferon-related adverse events significantly decreased. After 12 months of follow-up, a sustained biochemical response was observed in 40 patients (Group I:31; Group II:9), and a persistent virological response in 28 (Group I:23; Group II:5). CONCLUSIONS: The good compliance with leukocyte interferon administration shown by poorly tolerant patients, non-responders/relapsers to recombinant interferon, permitted a retreatment with full doses, so increasing the chance to obtain a larger number of sustained responses.
Authors: Francesco Giuseppe Foschi; Anna Chiara Dall'aglio; Arianna Lanzi; Giorgio Marano; Sara Savini; Pietro Andreone; Mauro Bernardi; Giuseppe Francesco Stefanini Journal: World J Gastrointest Pharmacol Ther Date: 2010-04-06
Authors: Luigi E Adinolfi; Emanuele Durante-Mangoni; Marta Salzillo; Aldo Marrone; Marie-Francoise Tripodi; Luciano Restivo; Antonietta Merola; Rosa Zampino; Giuseppe Ruggiero Journal: Intern Emerg Med Date: 2009-12 Impact factor: 3.397
Authors: Nathaniel Jembere; Michael A Campitelli; Morris Sherman; Jordan J Feld; Wendy Lou; Stuart Peacock; Eric Yoshida; Murray D Krahn; Craig Earle; Hla-Hla Thein Journal: PLoS One Date: 2012-07-13 Impact factor: 3.240