Clinical trial: interferon alpha-2b continuous long-term therapy vs. repeated 24-week cycles for re-treating chronic hepatitis C.

摘要: Summary Background  Treatment options are limited for patients with hepatitis C virus who do not experience sustained viral eradication pegylated interferon and ribavirin therapy. Aim  To compare, in an open-label, randomized study, long-term continuous alpha-2b treatment repeated 24-week courses chronic that relapsed after prior monotherapy. Methods  A total of 499 received 24 weeks alpha-2b, 3 MIU administered 3 TIW. Responders (normal alanine aminotransferase negative -RNA, n = 244) were then to therapy (1, 2 or TIW depending on response) cyclical (3 MIU per relapse). Mean Knodell inflammation (I + II + III) necrosis (IV) scores at baseline vs. year compared. Results  Patients receiving low-dose cycled had larger reductions (−3.9 −3.1) fibrosis (−0.49 −0.24). Among both groups, the mean change was −3.4 −0.36 fibrosis. Overall, 73% (95% CI: 67–79) experienced reduced 28% 22–34) fibrosis. Conclusions  Our results suggest experiencing suppression during maintenance demonstrate histological improvement. Further prospective trials testing this hypothesis progress.