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Bicyclol for chronic hepatitis C

X Y Yang, Q Zhuo, T X Wu

    The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
    |January 27, 2007
    PubMed

    Insights

    Bicyclol (a synthetic anti-hepatitis drug) showed no significant benefit for Hepatitis C viral clearance in one small trial. However, it did reduce alanine aminotransferase levels, warranting further research.

    Area of Science:

    • Hepatology
    • Pharmacology
    • Clinical Trials

    Background:

    • Bicyclol is a synthetic drug used in China for chronic hepatitis C.
    • Systematic reviews on bicyclol therapy for chronic hepatitis C are lacking.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To evaluate the benefits and harms of bicyclol in patients with chronic hepatitis C.
    • To synthesize evidence from available randomized clinical trials.

    Main Methods:

    • Comprehensive literature search across multiple databases (Cochrane, MEDLINE, EMBASE, etc.) and contact with manufacturers.
    • Inclusion of randomized clinical trials comparing bicyclol with placebo or other interventions, regardless of publication status or language.
    • Primary outcomes included mortality and liver-related morbidity; secondary outcomes were viral response and liver histology.

    Main Results:

    • One small, three-month randomized clinical trial involving 39 patients was identified.
    • Bicyclol did not demonstrate superiority over placebo for Hepatitis C Virus RNA or anti-HCV antibody clearance.
    • A statistically significant decrease in alanine aminotransferase levels was observed with bicyclol treatment.

    Conclusions:

    • The current evidence from one small, short-term trial is insufficient to support or refute the use of bicyclol for chronic hepatitis C.
    • Larger, long-term, randomized, double-blind clinical trials are necessary to determine the efficacy and safety of bicyclol.
    • Bicyclol's use should currently be limited to participation in randomized clinical trials.
    Abstract

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