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Interferon-alpha plus amantadine in chronic hepatitis C resistant to interferon alone: a pilot randomized study
G B Gaeta1, G Stornaiuolo, M Stanzione
1Dipartimento di Malattie Infettive Seconda Università di Napoli, Napoli, Italy. giovannib.gaeta@unina2.it
Journal of Viral Hepatitis
|July 17, 2001
Summary
High-dose interferon plus amantadine did not improve outcomes for chronic hepatitis C patients who previously failed interferon therapy. This combination therapy proved ineffective in achieving sustained viral clearance or normal liver enzymes.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Virology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Optimal treatment for chronic hepatitis C non-responders remains a challenge.
- Interferon (IFN)-based therapies have limitations in achieving sustained virologic response.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the efficacy and tolerability of high-dose IFN-alpha2a combined with amantadine.
- To evaluate this combination in chronic hepatitis C patients refractory to prior IFN treatment.
Main Methods:
- Randomized trial involving 40 chronic hepatitis C genotype 1b non-responders.
- Group A received high-dose IFN-alpha2a plus amantadine; Group B received IFN-alpha2a alone.
- Treatment duration was 6 months with follow-up for ALT relapse and viral load.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in normal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels at end of treatment between groups (28.6% vs 15.8%).
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV)-RNA was detectable in all patients post-treatment, with no sustained clearance.
- The combination therapy showed no superior benefit over IFN alone and did not prevent ALT relapse.
Conclusions:
- High-dose IFN-alpha2a combined with amantadine is ineffective for chronic hepatitis C patients who are non-responders to previous IFN therapy.
- This combination strategy does not lead to sustained virologic response or prevent biochemical relapse.