The efficacy of interferon-beta monotherapy for elderly patients with type C hepatitis of genotype 2

The aim of this study was to elucidate the efficacy of interferon (IFN)-beta monotherapy for elderly patients of > or = 70 years with type C hepatitis (HCV) of genotype 2.

The present study was a retrospective cohort study. Inclusion criteria were type C hepatitis patients with HCV genotype 2a or 2b, > or = 70 years, and IFN-beta monotherapy of within 24 weeks. Thirty-one consecutive patients who satisfied the above criteria were enrolled in the present study. Independent factors that might have influenced the sustained virological response (SVR) were studied using logistic regression analysis.

Background of clinical profiles was as follows: median (range) age = 71 (70-76) years, male/female = 13/18, and median (range) HCV-RNA = 260 (< 5-3,800) KIU/mL. Out of 31, 16 patients (51.6%) had SVR by the intention-to-treat analysis. The SVR was significantly associated with the serum HCV RNA level. Logistic analysis showed that SVR occurred when HCV RNA level was < 100 KIU/mL (p=0.020). Based on the difference of the serum HCV RNA level, the SVR rate was 81.8% (9/11) in patients with a serum HCV RNA level of < 100 KIU/mL and 35.0% (7/20) in patients with a serum HCV RNA level of > or = 100 KIU/mL.

IFN-beta monotherapy of < or = 24 week is a possible therapy selection for elderly patients of > or = 70 years with type C hepatitis of genotype 2.