U.S. multicenter pilot study of daily consensus interferon (CIFN) plus ribavirin for "difficult-to-treat" HCV genotype 1 patients.

Background: Patients with chronic hepatitis C genotype 1 (HCV-1) and difficult-to-treat characteristics respond poorly to pegylated interferon alfa and ribavirin (RBV), and could benefit from an interferon with increased activity (consensus interferon or CIFN), favorable viral kinetics from daily dosing, and a longer duration of therapy. The purpose of this pilot study was to determine the efficacy and safety of daily CIFN + RBV for initial treatment of patients with HCV-1 infection.

Methods: Patients with difficult-to-treat characteristics (92% male, 33% African American, 78% Veterans Affairs [VA]; 67% high viral load, 59% stage 3-4 fibrosis, and mean weight of 204 lbs) were enrolled at seven VA and two community medical centers.

Spectrum of disease in U.S. veteran patients with hepatitis C.

Objective: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is more prevalent in U.S. veterans attending Veterans Affairs Medical Centers than in the general population.