AIM:To assess the efficacy and advantages of 4-wk pegylated interferon a-2a(peg-IFN-a2a) monotherapy for chronic hepatitis C patients with strong predictors of sustained virologic response(SVR).METHODS:Patients(n = 33...AIM:To assess the efficacy and advantages of 4-wk pegylated interferon a-2a(peg-IFN-a2a) monotherapy for chronic hepatitis C patients with strong predictors of sustained virologic response(SVR).METHODS:Patients(n = 33) with genotype 2 and low viral load(< 100 KIU/mL),who became HCV RNA negative after 1 wk of IFN treatment,were randomly allocated to receive a 4-or 12-wk treatment course at a ratio of 2:1,respectively,with a subsequent 24-wk follow-up period.Peg-IFN-a2a was administered subcutaneously at a dose of 180 μg or 90 μg once weekly.SVR was defined as absence of serum HCV RNA at the end of the follow-up period.RESULTS:All patients completed the treatment schedule,and more than half were symptom-free during the treatment.In the 4-wk treatment group,20 of 22(91%) patients achieved SVR.Two patients relapsed,but achieved SVR following re-treatment with peg-IFN-a2a alone.In the 12-wk treatment group,11 of 11(100%) patients attained SVR.CONCLUSION:Our results show that a 4-wk course of peg-IFN-a2a monotherapy can achieve a high SVR rate in "IFN-sensitive" patients,without negatively affecting outcome.展开更多
基金Supported by Clinical Research Funds from Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology,Kashiwa Hospital,Jikei University School of Medicine
文摘AIM:To assess the efficacy and advantages of 4-wk pegylated interferon a-2a(peg-IFN-a2a) monotherapy for chronic hepatitis C patients with strong predictors of sustained virologic response(SVR).METHODS:Patients(n = 33) with genotype 2 and low viral load(< 100 KIU/mL),who became HCV RNA negative after 1 wk of IFN treatment,were randomly allocated to receive a 4-or 12-wk treatment course at a ratio of 2:1,respectively,with a subsequent 24-wk follow-up period.Peg-IFN-a2a was administered subcutaneously at a dose of 180 μg or 90 μg once weekly.SVR was defined as absence of serum HCV RNA at the end of the follow-up period.RESULTS:All patients completed the treatment schedule,and more than half were symptom-free during the treatment.In the 4-wk treatment group,20 of 22(91%) patients achieved SVR.Two patients relapsed,but achieved SVR following re-treatment with peg-IFN-a2a alone.In the 12-wk treatment group,11 of 11(100%) patients attained SVR.CONCLUSION:Our results show that a 4-wk course of peg-IFN-a2a monotherapy can achieve a high SVR rate in "IFN-sensitive" patients,without negatively affecting outcome.
