Background: The efficacy of interferon-alpha (IFN) induction in combination with ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is not known.
Methods: A total of 256 treatment-naive HCV RNA-positive patients with biopsy-confirmed chronic hepatitis were enrolled in a randomized multicentre study. The patients received either standard combination therapy with 3 MIU interferon-alpha2b thrice weekly for 26 weeks or 6 MIU interferon-alpha2b daily for 4 weeks and 3 MIU 3/7 days for 22 weeks. All patients received ribavirin 1000 mg or 1200 mg (weight dependent) daily during the 26-week treatment period. Patients were monitored for HCV RNA during and following treatment.
Results: The sustained virological response rates (26 weeks after end of treatment) were 54% and 47% for patients receiving IFN induction/ribavirin and standard IFN/ribavirin, respectively (P = 0.35). Among patients infected with genotype 1a/1b, the sustained response rates were 32% and 35%. In patients infected with genotype 2b/3a IFN induction/ribavirin led to a sustained response rate of 80% as compared to 65% in the standard combination therapy group (P = 0.073). Steatosis was more frequently seen in liver biopsies from patients infected with genotype 3a as compared to genotypes la/lb. Among genotype 1a/1b infected patients. steatosis was a highly significant predictor of failure to achieve sustained virological response. Logistic regression analysis (multivariate analysis) showed that independent predictors of sustained virological response were low age, female gender, genotype 2b/3a and HCV RNA negativity at 2 weeks.
Conclusions: IFN induction in combination with ribavirin does not increase the sustained virological response rate among patients infected with HCV. Absence of steatosis is an independent predictor of sustained virological response in patients infected with genotypes 1a/1b.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/003655202753416920 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Resistance-associated substitutions (RASs) are mutations within the hepatitis C (HCV) genome that may influence the likelihood of achieving a sustained virological response (SVR) with direct acting antiviral (DAA) treatment. Clinicians conduct RAS testing to adapt treatment regimens with the intent of improving the likelihood of cure. The Canadian Network Undertaking against Hepatitis C (CANUHC) prospective cohort consists of chronic HCV patients enrolled between 2015 and 2023 across 17 Canadian sites.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFExtracellular vesicles promote the infection and pathogenicity of Japanese encephalitis virus.
J Extracell Vesicles
January 2025
National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is a neurotropic zoonotic pathogen that poses a serious threat to public health. Currently, there is no specific therapeutic agent available for JEV infection, primarily due to the complexity of its infection mechanism and pathogenesis. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been known to play an important role in viral infection, but their specific functions in JEV infection remain unknown.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTubulointerstitial nephritis antigen-like 1 promotes the progression of liver fibrosis after HCV eradication with direct-acting antivirals.
Int J Biol Sci
January 2025
CAMS Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drug Research, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China.
Although therapies based on direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) effectively eradicate hepatitis C virus (HCV) in patients, there is still a high risk of liver fibrosis even after a sustained virological response. Therefore, it is of great clinical importance to understand the mechanism of potential factors that promote liver fibrosis after virological cure by treatment with DAAs. Here, we found that tubulointerstitial nephritis antigen-like 1 (TINAGL1) is significantly increased in HCV-infected hepatocytes and in the liver of patients with liver fibrosis, and that higher TINAGL1 expression persists in HCV-eradicated hepatocytes after treatment with DAAs.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCCR5-ligand decorated rilpivirine lipid-based nanoparticles for sustained antiretroviral responses.
Nat Commun
January 2025
Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA.
Antiretroviral therapy (ART) improves the quality of life for those living with the human immunodeficiency virus type one (HIV-1). However, poor compliance reduces ART effectiveness and leads to immune compromise, viral mutations, and disease co-morbidities. Here we develop a drug formulation in which a lipid-based nanoparticle (LBNP) carrying rilpivirine (RPV) is decorated with the C-C chemokine receptor type 5 (CCR5) targeting peptide.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAbsence of Viral Replication in HCV-Associated HCC: A Pathway to Improved Outcomes.
Liver Int
February 2025
Endemic Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Helwan University, Cairo, Egypt.
Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!