Antiviral re-treatment of IFN-ribavirin non-responders for recurrent post-transplantation hepatitis C.

[Guest guest]

Clin Transplant. 2011 Jan-Feb;25(1):131-5. doi:

10.1111/j.1399-0012.2009.01201.x.

Antiviral re-treatment of IFN-ribavirin non-responders for recurrent

post-transplantation hepatitis C.

Yedibela S, Demir R, Melling N, Aydin Ü, Schuppan D, Müller V, Hohenberger W,

Schönleben F.

Source

Department of General Surgery, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Krankenhausstr,

Erlangen, Germany. Sueleyman.Yedibela@...

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The aim of the study was to compare the efficacy and tolerability of pegylated

interferon (PEG-IFN) plus ribavirin (RIB) and PEG-IFN monotherapy after

unsuccessful initial therapy with interferon-α2b (IFN) plus RIB after recurrent

post-transplantation hepatitis C.

METHODS:

Twenty-four patients with either no response (n = 10) or relapse (n = 14) after

treatment with IFN plus RIB were prospectively randomized in the two treatment

arms: 1) PEG-IFN monotherapy at a dosage of 0.8 μg/kg per week (n = 12) and 2)

PEG-IFN (0.8 μg/kg per week) plus RIB (800-1200 mg/d) (n = 12).

RESULTS:

Twenty-one patients (86%) were treated for at least six months. Three patients

are still being treated. At the end of therapy, 18 patients (75%) were HCV RNA

negative. Five (45%) patients in PEG-IFN and five (50%) in PEG-IFN plus RIB arms

had sustained virological response. Two patients (10%) died from recurrent

hepatocellular carcinoma. The histologic activity indices significantly improved

in both treatment arms. In the PEG-IFN arm, one patient experienced an acute

rejection and discontinued therapy.

CONCLUSIONS:

Both treatment arms showed to be effective, well tolerated and lead to an

improvement in histologic outcome. Because of lower rates in side effects and

equal outcome, PEG-IFN monotherapy is an adequate option for antiviral

re-treatment.

© 2010 Wiley & Sons A/S.

PMID: 20438578 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

[Guest guest]

Clin Transplant. 2011 Jan-Feb;25(1):131-5. doi:

10.1111/j.1399-0012.2009.01201.x.

Antiviral re-treatment of IFN-ribavirin non-responders for recurrent

post-transplantation hepatitis C.

Yedibela S, Demir R, Melling N, Aydin Ü, Schuppan D, Müller V, Hohenberger W,

Schönleben F.

Source

Department of General Surgery, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Krankenhausstr,

Erlangen, Germany. Sueleyman.Yedibela@...

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The aim of the study was to compare the efficacy and tolerability of pegylated

interferon (PEG-IFN) plus ribavirin (RIB) and PEG-IFN monotherapy after

unsuccessful initial therapy with interferon-α2b (IFN) plus RIB after recurrent

post-transplantation hepatitis C.

METHODS:

Twenty-four patients with either no response (n = 10) or relapse (n = 14) after

treatment with IFN plus RIB were prospectively randomized in the two treatment

arms: 1) PEG-IFN monotherapy at a dosage of 0.8 μg/kg per week (n = 12) and 2)

PEG-IFN (0.8 μg/kg per week) plus RIB (800-1200 mg/d) (n = 12).

RESULTS:

Twenty-one patients (86%) were treated for at least six months. Three patients

are still being treated. At the end of therapy, 18 patients (75%) were HCV RNA

negative. Five (45%) patients in PEG-IFN and five (50%) in PEG-IFN plus RIB arms

had sustained virological response. Two patients (10%) died from recurrent

hepatocellular carcinoma. The histologic activity indices significantly improved

in both treatment arms. In the PEG-IFN arm, one patient experienced an acute

rejection and discontinued therapy.

CONCLUSIONS:

Both treatment arms showed to be effective, well tolerated and lead to an

improvement in histologic outcome. Because of lower rates in side effects and

equal outcome, PEG-IFN monotherapy is an adequate option for antiviral

re-treatment.

© 2010 Wiley & Sons A/S.

PMID: 20438578 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]