Telaprevir- and boceprevir-based tritherapies in real practice for F3-F4 pretreated hepatitis C virus patients.

Aim: To assess, in a routine practice setting, the sustained virologic response (SVR) to telaprevir (TPV) or boceprevir (BOC) in hepatitis C virus (HCV) null-responders or relapsers with severe liver fibrosis.

Methods: One hundred twenty-five patients were treated prospectively for 48 wk with TPV or BOC + pegylated-interferon (peg-INF) α2a + ribavirin (PR) according to standard treatment schedules without randomization. These patients were treated in routine practice settings in 10 public or private health care centers, and the data were prospectively collected.

Non-invasive assessment of liver fibrosis progression in hepatitis C patients retreated for 96 weeks with antiviral therapy: a randomized study.

Background: The efficacy of a maintenance therapy in non-responder patients with chronic hepatitis C has been essentially evaluated by histological semiquantitative scores.

Aim: The aim was to evaluate the efficiency of 2 years of treatment with peginterferon alpha-2a vs alpha-tocopherol in these patients by histology, morphometry and blood markers of fibrosis.

Method: Hundred and five HCV patients with a Metavir fibrosis score > or = 2 were randomized to receive peginterferon alpha-2a 180 microg/week (PEG) (n=55) or alpha-tocopherol (TOCO) 1000 mg/day (n=50) for 96 weeks.

Safety and efficacy of combination therapy with peginterferon alfa-2a (40kD) and ribavirin in the outpatient setting: prospective analysis of 197 patients with chronic hepatitis C viral infection.

Objectives: Combination therapy using peginterferon alfa-2a (40 kD) plus ribavirin achieves viral eradication in nearly 60% of patients with chronic hepatitis C viral infection. However, because of the numerous side effects, use of the combination regimen might be restricted for patients consulting private practitioners specialized in hepatogastroenterology.

Patients And Method: Conducted in this specific context, this prospective clinical trial investigated the safety and efficacy of combination therapy in 197 patients.

Effect of ribavirin in genotype 1 patients with hepatitis C responding to pegylated interferon alfa-2a plus ribavirin.

Background & Aims: Pegylated interferon alfa-ribavirin combination is the standard treatment for chronic hepatitis C, but the mechanisms by which ribavirin enhances the rate of sustained hepatitis C virus (HCV) eradication remain unknown. We aimed to investigate the role of ribavirin in HCV clearance during therapy and to evaluate the consequences of ribavirin discontinuation in patients infected with genotype 1 hepatitis C who cleared HCV RNA at week 24.

Methods: A total of 516 patients were treated with pegylated interferon alfa-2a, 180 microg/wk, plus ribavirin, 800 mg/day.

[Assessment of quality of life in chronic hepatitis C: effect of treatment].

Objectives: To study Quality of Life during chronic hepatitis C infection in patients recruited by hospital-based- or private hepatologists and to assess the effect of antiviral therapy.

Methods: A self-administered quality of life questionnaire (SF36) was proposed before, during, and 6 months after the end of treatment. The quality of life scales were assessed according to treatment response.

[Assessment of hepatitis C networks].

Aims: To assess the functioning of hepatitis networks.

Methodology: A questionnaire was sent to all reference centers, to ten general hospitals and to twelve private hospitals working in hepatology. The main items included: participation and composition of networks, difficulties and positive or negative experiences, equal access to diagnostic and therapeutic means within the networks.

Daily or three times a week interferon alfa-2b in combination with ribavirin or interferon alone for the treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Background/aims: Data on hepatitis C virus (HCV) viral dynamics and on the effect of interferon in blocking virion production have suggested a rationale for daily administration of interferon in patients with chronic hepatitis C infection. We compared the efficacy and safety of daily interferon alfa-2b in combination with ribavirin with those of interferon alfa-2b three times a week alone or in combination with ribavirin.

Methods: We randomly assigned 321 patients with chronic hepatitis C to receive standard-dose interferon alfa-2b alone or in combination with ribavirin for 48 weeks or daily interferon alfa-2b (3 million units per day for 12 weeks then 3 million units three times per week for 24 weeks) and ribavirin (36 week treatment).