Antiviral response of HCV genotype 1 to consensus interferon and ribavirin versus pegylated interferon and ribavirin.

Achieving an antiviral response at a reasonable cost is a challenge in the treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C. A previous study indicated that consensus interferon with ribavirin had promising activity against hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1. The objective of this study was to determine the virologic response with consensus interferon or pegylated interferon alpha-2b plus weight-ribavirin in patients chronically infected with HCV genotype 1.

Final results of a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of the antifibrotic efficacy of interferon-gamma1b in chronic hepatitis C patients with advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis.

Unlabelled: Interferon-gamma1b (IFN-gamma1b) is a pleiotropic cytokine that displays antifibrotic, antiviral, and antiproliferative activity. A total of 502 patients with compensated liver disease and an Ishak fibrosis score of 4-6 were randomized in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, and 488 of these patients received subcutaneous injections of IFN-gamma1b 100 microg (group 1, n=169), IFN-gamma1b 200 microg (group 2, n=157), or placebo (group 3, n=162) 3 times a week for 48 weeks. Most patients (83.

Liver biopsy in cirrhotic patients.

Liver biopsy remains an important tool for the evaluation of patients with hepatic disease. However, clinicians utilize a variety of biopsy techniques including automated cutting needle devices, manual cutting needles, and aspiration needles. Using a large study cohort of patients with advanced fibrosis/cirrhosis we sought to evaluate practices and outcomes of the biopsy technique used by study investigators across the United States.