Prolonged negative HCV-RNA status led to a good outcome in chronic hepatitis C patients with genotype 1b and super-high viral load

Intervirology. 2006;49(6):362-9. doi: 10.1159/000095156. Epub 2006 Aug 21.

Abstract

Objective: We examined whether a sustained negative HCV-RNA status for 48 weeks affects the outcome in patients with genotype 1b and super-high viral load, and also investigated whether the outcome is affected by the induction therapy of twice-daily pre-administrated interferon (IFN)-beta.

Methods: 78 eligible patients were divided into four groups. 40 were patients assigned to the short treatment protocol. 13 patients received 3 MU IFN-beta twice daily for 2 weeks followed by IFN-alpha2b+ribavirin for 22 weeks (beta-induction group: group 1). 27 patients received IFN-alpha2b+ribavirin for 24 weeks (standard combination group: group 2). 38 patients were assigned to the maintenance treatment protocol. All of the 13 in the beta-induction group (group 3) and 21 of 25 patients in the standard combination group (group 4) who were negative HCV-RNA PCR at week 24 had IFN monotherapy to maintain a negative HCV-RNA result for 48 weeks.

Results: An HCV-RNA-negative status at week 24 was observed in 96% (25/26) of groups 1 and 3 versus in 79% (41/52) of groups 2 and 4 (p<0.01). The sustained virological response (SVR) was 38% (5/13) in group 1 and 11% (3/27) in group 2 (p<0.05). In the maintenance treatment, SVR was observed in 46% (6/13) of group 3 and 32% (8/25) of group 4 (NS).

Conclusions: A sustained negative HCV-RNA status for 48 weeks might be associated with viral elimination in patients with genotype 1 and super-high viral load.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • Genotype
  • Hepacivirus / genetics
  • Hepacivirus / physiology*
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / drug therapy*
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / virology
  • Humans
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha / therapeutic use
  • Interferon-beta / therapeutic use*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • RNA, Viral / blood*
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Ribavirin / therapeutic use
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Viral Load*

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha
  • RNA, Viral
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Ribavirin
  • Interferon-beta