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06:28
Immunofluorescence to Monitor the Cellular Uptake of Human Lactoferrin and its Associated Antiviral Activity Against the Hepatitis C Virus
Published on: October 1, 2015
Continuous versus intermittent therapy for chronic hepatitis C with recombinant interferon alfa-2a
F Negro1, M Baldi, A Mondardini
1Department of Gastroenterology, Ospedale Molinette, Torino, Italy.
Gastroenterology
|August 1, 1994
Summary
Intermittent interferon alfa-2a therapy for chronic hepatitis C offers similar sustained response rates to continuous treatment. This pulse schedule may reduce drug resistance and improve patient compliance.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Virology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Chronic hepatitis C treatment with interferon is associated with poor patient acceptance and potential drug resistance.
- A pulse-treatment schedule for interferon may improve compliance and reduce costs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy and safety of continuous versus intermittent interferon alfa-2a administration in chronic hepatitis C patients.
- To evaluate sustained response rates and patterns of drug resistance between treatment schedules.
Main Methods:
- 135 patients with chronic hepatitis C received interferon alfa-2a (6 MU TIW) for 9 months continuously (Group 1) or in two 3-month cycles with a 6-month pause (Group 2).
- Serum aminotransferase levels and sustained response rates were assessed at the end of therapy and six months post-treatment.
Main Results:
- Similar rates of normal serum aminotransferase levels were observed at the end of therapy in both groups (46.3% vs. 46.7%).
- Sustained response rates six months post-treatment were comparable between continuous and intermittent groups (16.7% vs. 10.1%).
- Hepatitis breakthroughs were associated with interferon-neutralizing antibodies in the intermittent group.
Conclusions:
- Intermittent interferon alfa-2a administration demonstrates comparable sustained response rates to continuous treatment in chronic hepatitis C.
- Pulse therapy appears to limit hepatitis breakthroughs to interferon-neutralizing antibodies, potentially reducing other forms of interferon resistance.
- Intermittent dosing may be a viable alternative for improving treatment adherence and managing resistance in chronic hepatitis C.
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