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Antiviral effect of ribavirin in early non-responders to interferon monotherapy assessed by kinetics of hepatitis C virus RNA and hepatitis C virus core antigen.
- Source :
-
Journal of hepatology [J Hepatol] 2003 Nov; Vol. 39 (5), pp. 826-33. - Publication Year :
- 2003
-
Abstract
- Background/aims: To evaluate the efficacy of ribavirin, given in second intention in non-responders to interferon alone, by studying viral kinetics.<br />Methods: We conducted a trial including 203 patients with chronic hepatitis C, naïve of treatment. Patients were treated with interferon three times a week with or without ribavirin and amantadine according to response. Viral kinetics were assessed by serial measurements of HCV RNA (bDNA 3.0 and Monitor 2.0) and a new assay, trak-C, able to quantify total Hepatitis C virus (HCV) core antigen.<br />Results: A significant initial drop in HCV RNA or HCV core antigen, under interferon alone, was associated with response to therapy, -4.85+/-1.33 log for HCV RNA in sustained responders versus -1.86+/-1.53 log for others groups, P<0.001. In patients receiving ribavirin in second intention, we also observed a similar drop in HCV RNA and HCV core antigen, predictive of sustained response, -2.67+/-1.26 log for HCV RNA in sustained responders versus -0.44+/-0.49 log in non-responders, P<0.001.<br />Conclusions: Ribavirin has probably an additional antiviral effect in interferon treated patients. Kinetics of HCV RNA and HCV core antigen under treatment are highly predictive of a sustained virological response.
- Subjects :
- Adult
Amantadine therapeutic use
Drug Therapy, Combination
Female
Hepacivirus genetics
Hepacivirus immunology
Hepatitis C Antigens blood
Hepatitis C, Chronic virology
Humans
Interferon alpha-2
Kinetics
Male
Middle Aged
Predictive Value of Tests
RNA, Viral blood
Recombinant Proteins
Retreatment
Treatment Outcome
Viral Core Proteins blood
Viral Load
Antiviral Agents therapeutic use
Drug Resistance, Viral
Hepacivirus isolation & purification
Hepatitis C, Chronic drug therapy
Interferon-alpha therapeutic use
Ribavirin therapeutic use
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 0168-8278
- Volume :
- 39
- Issue :
- 5
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Journal of hepatology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 14568267
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/s0168-8278(03)00402-1