Daily induction combination treatment with alpha 2b interferon and ribavirin or standard combination treatment in naive chronic hepatitis C patients. A multicentre randomized controlled trial

Van Vlierberghe, H.;Leroux-Roels, G;Adler, M.;Bourgeois, N.;Bruckers, L.;et.al.
(2003) Journal of Viral Hepatitis — Vol. 10, n° 6, p. 460-466 (2003)

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Authors
  • Van Vlierberghe, H.
    Author
  • Leroux-Roels, G
    Author
  • Adler, M.
    Author
  • Bourgeois, N.
    Author
  • Horsmans, YvesUCLouvain
    Author
  • Bruckers, L.
    Author
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Abstract
The standard treatment for patients with chronic hepatitis C is a 6-12-month combination therapy with interferon alpha and ribavirin. Induction treatment could result in a faster early decline of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) load and a better response rate. Naive chronically infected HCV patients (n = 454) were randomized into two arms to receive either induction treatment with interferon alpha 2b 5 million units (MU) subcutaneously (s.c.) daily during a period of 8 weeks (arm A); or treatment with interferon alpha 2b 5 MU s.c. three times a week (TIW) for a period of 8 weeks (arm B). After week 8, interferon treatment in both arms was 3 MU s.c. TIW for a total period of 12 months. In both arms, ribavirin (1000-1200 mg orally per day) was added at week 4. Induction treatment resulted in a higher virological response at week 8 of treatment (66% vs 47'%; P < 0.01). However, response at the end of treatment and at 6 months follow-up was not different (53% vs 50%). 41%, vs 33%). The occurrence of adverse events and the drop-out rate were similar in both arms. Although an early virological response is observed more frequently in the induction treatment. end of treatment response and sustained responses did not differ.
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Van Vlierberghe, H., Leroux-Roels, G., Adler, M., Bourgeois, N., Nevens, F., Horsmans, Y., Brouwer, J., Colle, I., Delwaide, J., Brenard, R., Bastens, B., Henrion, J., de Vries, R., de Galocsy, C., Michielsen, P., Robaeys, G., & Bruckers, L. (2003). Daily induction combination treatment with alpha 2b interferon and ribavirin or standard combination treatment in naive chronic hepatitis C patients. A multicentre randomized controlled trial. Journal of Viral Hepatitis, 10(6), 460-466. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2893.2003.00466.x (Original work published 2003)