1. Telaprevir-based triple therapy following partial splenic arterial embolization for chronic hepatitis C with thrombocytopenia can reduce carcinogenesis and improve hepatic function reserve
- Author
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Yuichi Kojima, Keiichi Seki, Tomoe Sano, Akito Iwanaga, Terasu Honma, Ryoko Horigome, Satoshi Abe, Toru Ishikawa, and Toshiaki Yoshida
- Subjects
Cancer Research ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Hepatitis C virus ,Serum albumin ,thrombocytopenia ,medicine.disease_cause ,Gastroenterology ,Telaprevir ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,Immunology and Microbiology (miscellaneous) ,Interferon ,Pegylated interferon ,Internal medicine ,medicine ,telaprevir-based triple therapy ,biology ,business.industry ,Ribavirin ,Arterial Embolization ,Cancer ,General Medicine ,Articles ,medicine.disease ,Surgery ,chemistry ,partial splenic arterial embolization ,biology.protein ,business ,medicine.drug - Abstract
Thrombocytopenia in patients with chronic hepatitis C negatively impacts interferon (IFN)-based treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of telaprevir (TVR)-based triple therapy including IFN for patients who have undergone partial splenic arterial embolization (PSE). Ten patients with thrombocytopenia who were infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1b received 12 weeks of TVR in combination with 24 weeks of pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN)α2b and ribavirin following PSE. A sustained virological response (SVR) was seen in 9 of the 10 patients who could be assessed. Early relapse was seen in 1 patient who had the IL-28B minor allele and a null response to pretreatment. The α-fetoprotein levels of the patients decreased from 17.94±7.30 ng/ml prior to PSE to 4.33±2.41 ng/ml at 6 months after triple therapy (P=0.08). Furthermore, serum albumin levels improved significantly from 3.68±0.49 g/dl pre-PSE to 4.13±0.34 g/dl at 12 months after triple therapy (P=0.043). PSE contributed to the treatment success of triple therapy, particularly for patients who were either treatment-naive, had a history of relapse or the IL28B major allele. This strategy can reduce carcinogenesis and improve hepatic function reserve.
- Published
- 2015