Pilot study of prolonged interferon-alpha retreatment in chronic hepatitis C patients with genotype 1b

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the efficacy of prolonged IFN retreatment for 3 years in chronic hepatitis C patients with high viral load and IFN treatment-resistant genotype 1b. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study was conducted in 12 patients, not HCV RNA-negative after completion of the initial treatment. Retreatment consisted of administration of 6 million international units (MIU) of natural interferon-alpha, two or three times a week for 3 years. RESULTS: One patient was withdrawn for personal reasons. All other 11 patients completed treatment without any serious adverse reactions and were followed for 3 years. Of the patients, 4 (36%) showed a sustained virological response, 5 (45%) showed a biochemical response, and 2 (18%) relapsed after retreatment. All patients with a sustained response had a transient response to initial therapy. Patients showing a sustained response tested negative for HCV RNA within the first 6 months of retreatment. CONCLUSIONS: After prolonged IFN retreatment, a significant number of patients showed a sustained response for the first time and long-term improvement in ALT level.