BACKGROUND: Pegylated interferon alfa-2a (40 KD) plus ribavirin therapy induces sustained virological response rates up to 63% in randomized-controlled trials. AIM: To conduct a prospective open-label programme to examine the efficacy and safety of this therapy in routine clinical practice. METHODS: Treatment-naive patients with chronic hepatitis C received, at the discretion of the investigator, pegylated interferon alfa-2a 180 microg/week + ribavirin 800 mg/day for 24 or 48 weeks. In total, 508 patients were enrolled [334 non-cirrhotic; 174 cirrhotic (defined as stage F3 and F4)]. RESULTS: In genotype 1 patients treated for 48 weeks, sustained virological response rates were 41% in non-cirrhotics and 34% in cirrhotics. Sustained virological response rates in genotype 2 or 3 non-cirrhotics were 79% (24 weeks) and 72% (48 weeks). Corresponding values for cirrhotic genotype 2/3 were 66% and 44%. The negative predictive value of an early virological response at week 12 was 94%. Predictive factors for sustained virological response on multivariate analysis were genotype (2/3 vs. 1), low viral load and degree of fibrosis. Rates of serious adverse events (<or=5%) and adverse events inducing withdrawal (<or=8%) were comparable with the phase III trials. CONCLUSION: Efficacy and safety of pegylated interferon alfa-2a + ribavirin in clinical practice is comparable with results of randomized-controlled trials.
BACKGROUND: Pegylated interferon alfa-2a (40 KD) plus ribavirin therapy induces sustained virological response rates up to 63% in randomized-controlled trials. AIM: To conduct a prospective open-label programme to examine the efficacy and safety of this therapy in routine clinical practice. METHODS: Treatment-naive patients with chronic hepatitis C received, at the discretion of the investigator, pegylated interferon alfa-2a 180 microg/week + ribavirin 800 mg/day for 24 or 48 weeks. In total, 508 patients were enrolled [334 non-cirrhotic; 174 cirrhotic (defined as stage F3 and F4)]. RESULTS: In genotype 1 patients treated for 48 weeks, sustained virological response rates were 41% in non-cirrhotics and 34% in cirrhotics. Sustained virological response rates in genotype 2 or 3 non-cirrhotics were 79% (24 weeks) and 72% (48 weeks). Corresponding values for cirrhotic genotype 2/3 were 66% and 44%. The negative predictive value of an early virological response at week 12 was 94%. Predictive factors for sustained virological response on multivariate analysis were genotype (2/3 vs. 1), low viral load and degree of fibrosis. Rates of serious adverse events (<or=5%) and adverse events inducing withdrawal (<or=8%) were comparable with the phase III trials. CONCLUSION: Efficacy and safety of pegylated interferon alfa-2a + ribavirin in clinical practice is comparable with results of randomized-controlled trials.
Authors: Andreas Maieron; Sigrid Metz-Gercek; Franz Hackl; Alexander Ziachehabi; Harri Fuchsteiner; Christoph Luger; Helmut Mittermayer; Rainer Schöfl Journal: Wien Klin Wochenschr Date: 2010-04 Impact factor: 1.704
Authors: M Sherman; E M Yoshida; M Deschenes; M Krajden; V G Bain; K Peltekian; F Anderson; K Kaita; S Simonyi; R Balshaw; S S Lee Journal: Gut Date: 2006-05-18 Impact factor: 23.059
Authors: Curtis L Cooper; Robert J Bailey; Vince G Bain; Frank Anderson; Eric M Yoshida; Mel Krajden; Paul Marotta Journal: Can J Gastroenterol Date: 2008-08 Impact factor: 3.522