The efficacy of a Hansenula-derived 20 kDa pegylated interferon alpha-2a in the treatment of genotype 4 chronic hepatitis C.

Pending the emergence and approval of an effective interferon-free regimen, pegylated interferon will remain an integral part of the treatment of genotype 4 hepatitis C virus (HCV). A new 20 kDa pegylated interferon has been developed in a cost-saving fungal-based system and is commercialized in Egypt at a quarter to a third of the price of conventional pegylated interferon. We hereby test the efficacy and safety of this novel cost-saving interferon.

Nitazoxanide plus pegylated interferon and ribavirin in the treatment of genotype 4 chronic hepatitis C, a randomized controlled trial.

Background & Aims: Nitazoxanide has been proposed as a novel therapeutic agent for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) potentiating the effect of interferon and improving sustained virological response rates to up to 80% in genotype 4. This is an independent randomized trial to confirm the efficacy of nitazoxanide in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C genotype 4.

Methods: This was an open-label trial.