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Interferon-alpha 2b treatment of chronic hepatitis C in haemodialysis patients
M Raptopoulou-Gigi1, S Spaia, A Garifallos
14th Medical Department, University of Thessaloniki, Greece.
Insights
Interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) treatment effectively cleared Hepatitis C virus RNA in most chronic hepatitis C patients undergoing haemodialysis. A significant proportion maintained a sustained virologic response during long-term follow-up.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Virology
- Nephrology
Background:
- Chronic hepatitis C is a significant concern in patients undergoing haemodialysis.
- Interferon-alpha has been explored as a treatment option for viral hepatitis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of interferon-alpha 2b (IFN-alpha) in haemodialysis patients with chronic hepatitis C.
- To assess long-term treatment response and viral clearance.
Main Methods:
- Nineteen haemodialysis patients with chronic hepatitis C received IFN-alpha (1 or 3 MU thrice weekly) for 6 months.
- Patients were monitored for treatment side-effects, liver enzymes (AST, ALT), serum HCV RNA, and 2'5' oligosynthetase levels.
- A 14-month follow-up period without treatment was conducted.
Main Results:
- Hepatitis C virus RNA became undetectable in 10/13 patients by end of treatment and in 12/13 by 14 months post-treatment.
- Liver transaminase levels remained normalized in most patients throughout treatment and follow-up.
- 2'5' oligosynthetase levels increased during treatment and returned to baseline post-treatment.
Conclusions:
- Haemodialysis patients with chronic hepatitis C demonstrate a good response to IFN-alpha therapy.
- Sustained virologic response is achievable in a high percentage of these patients, indicating long-term efficacy.
Abstract:
Nineteen haemodialysis (HD) patients with chronic hepatitis C were treated with interferon-alpha 2b (IFN-alpha) at a dose of 3 or 1 MU thrice weekly for 6 months and were followed-up for another 14 months without treatment. Six patients discontinued treatment because they either presented severe side-effects to IFN-alpha or had complications of their primary disease. Levels of AST and ALT were within normal limits on the 2nd month of treatment and remained so throughout the treatment and the follow-up period in all patients except one who showed an elevation of transaminase levels 2 months after the end of treatment. Serum HCVRNA became negative in 10/13 patients at the end of treatment and was negative in all patients on the 6th month and in 12/13 patients on the 14th month during the follow-up period. Levels of 2'5' oligosynthetase were increased significantly on the 2nd and 4th month of treatment and returned to pretreatment values the 2nd month after treatment. These findings demonstrate that haemodialysis patients with chronic hepatitis C respond well to interferon treatment and that a long-term response is achieved in a high proportion of patients.