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KMID : 1103920090150010070
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Korean Journal of Hepatology
2009 Volume.15 No. 1 p.70 ~ p.79
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Durability of a sustained virologic response in combination therapy with interferon/peginterferon and ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C
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Kim Chul-Hyun
Park Byoung-Do
Lee Jin-Woo
Kim Young-Soo
Jeung Seok
Lee Don-Haeng
Kim Hyung-Gil
Shin Yong-Woon
Kwon Kye-Sook
Lee Jung-Il
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Abstract
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Backgrounds/Aims:The ultimate goal of antiviral therapy using interferon/pegylated interferon combined with ribavirin in chronic C-viral hepatitis is to achieve a sustained virologic response (SVR). Several studies have shown that the reappearance rate of hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA in serum after the achievement of an SVR is less than 1%; the durability of an SVR in Korean patients is not known. The aim of this study was to determine the durability of the virologic response in chronic hepatitis C patients with an SVR to antiviral therapy.
Methods:A total of 156 patients who were treated successfully with interferon/peginterferon and ribavirin were evaluated retrospectively. Patients received either subcutaneous conventional interferon alpha 3×106 units three times a week or subcutaneous pegylated interferon (α-2a: 180 μg, α-2b: 80-100 μg) once a week in combination with ribavirin at 600-1,200 mg daily (depending on body weight). Patients with HCV genotype 1 were treated for 48 weeks, whereas those with non-genotype 1 were treated for 24 weeks.
Results:Eighty-two patients underwent treatment with conventional interferon and ribavirin, whereas 74 patients were treated with pegylated interferon and ribavirin. An SVR was achieved in 73 patients (73/156, 46.8%). HCV RNA reappeared in eight patients (8/73, 11.0%; detected by qualitative PCR), including one patient with persistent viremia (1/73, 1.4%).
Conslusions:Reappearance of HCV RNA after earlier achievement of an SVR might appear more frequently than previously reported. Close follow-up of these patients is recommended and the implication of temporary viremia should be determined in the future.
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KEYWORD
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Hepatitis C, Therapeutics, Interferons, Ribavirin.
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