BACKGROUND: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to examine the efficacy and safety of pegylated interferon (peg-IFN) alfa-2a and peg-IFN alfa-2b plus ribavirin (RBV) in children and adolescents with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV). METHODS: Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched. Clinical trials examining peg-IFN alfa-2a or peg-IFN alfa-2b plus RBV among persons ages 3-18 years with HCV were included. Data were abstracted for complete early virologic response (EVR), sustained virologic response (SVR), relapse, treatment discontinuations, hematologic and dermatologic adverse events, and growth inhibition. RESULTS: Eight trials met the inclusion criteria. Results indicate that 70% of subjects (95% confidence interval [CI], 58%-81%) achieved EVR, and 58% (95% CI, 53%-64%) achieved SVR. EVR and SVR were higher for those with HCV genotypes 2/3 than 1/4. Discontinuation due to adverse events and discontinuation due to viral breakthrough were each 4%, discontinuation due to a lack of response was 15%, and relapse was 7%. Anemia, neutropenia, leukopenia, and thrombcytopenia were 11%, 32%, 52%, and 5%, respectively. Alopecia, injection site erythema, and pruritus were 13%, 27%, and 10%, respectively. Small growth inhibitions were observed during treatment. CONCLUSION: The results of this meta-analysis indicate that peg-IFN/RBV combination treatment is effective and safe in treating children and adolescents with HCV.
BACKGROUND: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to examine the efficacy and safety of pegylated interferon (peg-IFN) alfa-2a and peg-IFN alfa-2b plus ribavirin (RBV) in children and adolescents with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV). METHODS: Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched. Clinical trials examining peg-IFNalfa-2a or peg-IFNalfa-2b plus RBV among persons ages 3-18 years with HCV were included. Data were abstracted for complete early virologic response (EVR), sustained virologic response (SVR), relapse, treatment discontinuations, hematologic and dermatologic adverse events, and growth inhibition. RESULTS: Eight trials met the inclusion criteria. Results indicate that 70% of subjects (95% confidence interval [CI], 58%-81%) achieved EVR, and 58% (95% CI, 53%-64%) achieved SVR. EVR and SVR were higher for those with HCV genotypes 2/3 than 1/4. Discontinuation due to adverse events and discontinuation due to viral breakthrough were each 4%, discontinuation due to a lack of response was 15%, and relapse was 7%. Anemia, neutropenia, leukopenia, and thrombcytopenia were 11%, 32%, 52%, and 5%, respectively. Alopecia, injection site erythema, and pruritus were 13%, 27%, and 10%, respectively. Small growth inhibitions were observed during treatment. CONCLUSION: The results of this meta-analysis indicate that peg-IFN/RBV combination treatment is effective and safe in treating children and adolescents with HCV.
Authors: Suzan El Naghi; Tawhida Y Abdel-Ghaffar; Hanaa El-Karaksy; Elham F Abdel-Aty; Mona S El-Raziky; Aleef A Allam; Heba Helmy; Hanaa A El-Araby; Behairy E Behairy; Mohamed A El-Guindi; Hatem El-Sebaie; Aisha Y Abdel-Ghaffar; Nermin A Ehsan; Ahmed M El-Hennawy; Mostafa M Sira Journal: World J Gastroenterol Date: 2014-04-28 Impact factor: 5.742
Authors: Fritz Klein; Ruth Neuhaus; Dennis Eurich; Jörg Hofmann; Sandra Bayraktar; Johann Pratschke; Marcus Bahra Journal: Hepat Res Treat Date: 2016-04-18