Peginterferon Alfa-2a Plus Ribavirin for the Treatment of Dual Chronic Infection With Hepatitis B and C Viruses
Journal
Gastroenterology
Journal Volume
136
Journal Issue
2
Pages
496-504000
Date Issued
2009
Author(s)
Chuang W.
Lee C.
Yu M.
Lu S.
Wu S.
Liao L.
Kuo H.
Chao Y.
Tung S.
Yang S.
Su W.
Lin C.
Abstract
Background & Aims: Dual chronic infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) is common in areas endemic for either virus. Combination therapy with ribavirin and pegylated interferon (peginterferon) is the standard of care for patients with HCV monoinfection. We investigated the effects of combination therapy in patients infected with both HBV and HCV (genotypes 1, 2, or 3). Methods: The study included 321 Taiwanese patients with active HCV infection; 161 also tested positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and 160 were HBsAg-negative (controls). Patients with HCV genotype 1 infection received peginterferon alfa-2a (180 μg) weekly for 48 weeks and ribavirin (1000-1200 mg) daily. Patients with HCV genotypes 2 or 3 received peginterferon alfa-2a weekly for 24 weeks and ribavirin (800 mg) daily. At 24 weeks posttreatment, patient samples were examined for a sustained virologic response (SVR) against HCV (serum HCV levels decreased to <25 IU/mL). Results: In patients with HCV genotype 1 infection, the SVR was 72.2% in dually infected patients vs 77.3% in monoinfected patients after treatment. For patients with HCV genotype 2/3 infections, the SVR values were 82.8% and 84.0%, respectively, after treatment. Serum HBV DNA eventually appeared in 36.3% of 77 dual-infected patients with undetectable pretreatment levels of HBV DNA; this was not accompanied by significant hepatitis. Posttreatment HBsAg clearance was observed in 11.2% of 161 dual-infected patients. Conclusions: Combination therapy with peginterferon alfa-2a and ribavirin is equally effective in patients with HCV monoinfection and in those with dual chronic HCV/HBV infection. ? 2009 AGA Institute.
SDGs
Other Subjects
hepatitis B surface antigen; hepatitis B(e) antigen; peginterferon alpha2a; ribavirin; robatrol; unclassified drug; virus antibody; virus DNA; virus RNA; adult; article; blood sampling; chronic disease; clinical assessment; clinical trial; combination chemotherapy; controlled clinical trial; controlled study; diabetes mellitus; drug effect; drug efficacy; drug safety; female; follow up; genotype; hepatitis B; Hepatitis B virus; hepatitis C; Hepatitis C virus; human; hypoglycemia; major clinical study; male; mixed infection; multicenter study; open study; outcome assessment; patient compliance; priority journal; rash; serodiagnosis; Taiwan; thrombocyte count; thrombocytopenia; treatment outcome; treatment response; treatment withdrawal; unspecified side effect; urinary tract infection; virology; virus load
Publisher
W.B. Saunders
Type
journal article