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Immunofluorescence to Monitor the Cellular Uptake of Human Lactoferrin and its Associated Antiviral Activity Against the Hepatitis C Virus
Published on: October 1, 2015
WITHDRAWN: Ribavirin with or without alpha interferon for chronic hepatitis C
L L Gluud1, K Krogsgaard, C Gluud
1Copenhagen Trial Unit, Centre for Clinical Intervention Research, Cochrane Hepato-Biliary Group, Copenhagen Trial Unit, Rigshospitalet, Dept. 3344, Blegdamsvej 9, Copenhagen, Denmark, DK-2100. lgluud@ctu.rh.dk
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
|July 20, 2007
Summary
Combination therapy with ribavirin and interferon improves sustained virological response in chronic hepatitis C patients, including those with prior treatment failures. However, this combination also increases adverse events and treatment discontinuation rates.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology and Viral Gastroenterology
- Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics
Background:
- Chronic hepatitis C is a significant global health issue, leading to liver disease and mortality.
- Interferon-based therapies are standard, but efficacy in relapsed or non-responder patients requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of ribavirin, alone or combined with alpha interferon, for chronic hepatitis C.
- To assess treatment outcomes in interferon-naive patients, relapsers, and non-responders.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
- Searches included major electronic databases (Cochrane, MEDLINE, EMBASE) and manual searches.
- Primary outcomes: sustained virological response, morbidity, and mortality.
Main Results:
- Ribavirin monotherapy showed no significant benefit over placebo for virological or histological response.
- Combination therapy significantly improved sustained virological response rates in naive (26%), relapser (33%), and non-responder (11%) patients compared to interferon alone.
- Combination therapy increased adverse events and treatment discontinuation but did not significantly impact morbidity or mortality.
Conclusions:
- Combination therapy with ribavirin and alpha interferon enhances sustained virological, biochemical, and histological responses across different patient groups.
- The improved efficacy of combination therapy is accompanied by an increased incidence of adverse events.
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