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-naïve patients were randomized into two equal-sized treatment groups. Both IFN-beta-1a (44 microg) 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.
RCT Entities:
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-naïve patients were randomized into two equal-sized treatment groups. Both IFN-beta-1a (44 microg) 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.
Authors: G Barbaro; G Di Lorenzo; M Soldini; G Giancaspro; A Pellicelli; B Grisorio; G Barbarini Journal: Scand J Gastroenterol Date: 1999-09 Impact factor: 2.423
Authors: A Castro; E Carballo; A Domínguez; M Diago; D Suárez; J A Quiroga; V Carreño Journal: J Interferon Cytokine Res Date: 1997-02 Impact factor: 2.607
Authors: Rinaldo Pellicano; Antonio Craxi; Piero-Luigi Almasio; Mario Valenza; Giovanna Venezia; Alfredo Alberti; Silvia Boccato; Luigi Demelia; Orazio Sorbello; Antonino Picciotto; Francesco Torre; Gaetano Ideo; Carlo Cattaneo; Mara Berrutti; Mario Rizzetto Journal: World J Gastroenterol Date: 2005-08-07 Impact factor: 5.742
Authors: K Ikeda; Y Arase; S Saitoh; M Kobayashi; Y Suzuki; F Suzuki; A Tsubota; K Chayama; N Murashima; H Kumada Journal: Hepatology Date: 2000-08 Impact factor: 17.425