Muñoz-Espinosa LE, Cordero-Pérez P, Marín-López E, Torres-González L, Malé-Velázquez R, Armienta-Sarabia R, Hernández-Gómez ME, Núñez-Camarena JDJE, Olivera-Martínez MA, Sánchez-Avila JF. Re-treatment with highly purified nIFNα in Mexican nonresponder patients with chronic genotype 1 hepatitis C.
Arch Med Res 2013;
44:444-8. [PMID:
24051042 DOI:
10.1016/j.arcmed.2013.08.004]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2013] [Accepted: 08/14/2013] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS
We undertook this study to evaluate the virological response to and presence of adverse events to natural interferon α (nIFNα; Multiferon®) treatment in previously nonresponsive Mexican patients chronically infected with genotype 1 hepatitis C.
METHODS
Thirty-nine patients received a 4-week induction of 5 days/week of 6 MU nIFNα plus weight-based ribavirin followed by 3 MU of nIFNα three times a week for 44 weeks. The relationship between viral response and incidence of adverse events was analyzed.
RESULTS
Early viral response (EVR) was age- and sex-dependent, with older male patients being less responsive. Sustained viral response (SVR) was evaluated according to: a) intention to treat analysis, b) 48-week treatment and 24-week follow-up (16 patients), and c) patients with EVR (11 patients). None of the factors was significantly different in groups a) and b); however, in group c) there was a better response with a marked viral load decline in younger patients and in patients aged 50 years and older. Five of 39 (13%) patients who completed treatment presented with an SVR. The most common adverse effect was asthenia in 27% of patients.
CONCLUSIONS
nIFNα could be a useful strategy for re-treatment in chronic hepatitis C, genotype 1, in previously nonresponsive patients. Confirmation of these data in a larger population is required.
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