Maintenance therapy with gradual reduction of the interferon dose over one year improves histological response in patients with chronic hepatitis C with biochemical response: results of a randomized trial

Background/Aims : Our aim was to assess whether histological response was improved by continuing interferon-alpha (IFN) treatment in patients with chronic hepatitis C (HCV) with a biochemical response and no viral clearance after a usual IFN treatment. Methods : Fifty-seven patients with normal alan...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of hepatology 2001-08, Vol.35 (2), p.272-278
Main Authors: Alric, Laurent, Duffaut, Michel, Selves, Janik, Sandre, Karine, Mularczyck, Marius, Izopet, Jacques, Desmorat, Herve, Bureau, Christophe, Chaouche, Nadia, Dalbergue, Bernard, Vinel, Jean-Pierre
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Alanine Transaminase - blood
Biological and medical sciences
Biopsy
Chronic hepatitis C
Digestive system
Female
Fibrosis
Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C, Chronic - drug therapy
Hepatitis C, Chronic - enzymology
Hepatitis C, Chronic - pathology
Histology
Humans
Interferon
Interferon alpha-2
Interferon-alpha - administration & dosage
Liver biopsy
Male
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Pharmacology. Drug treatments
Prospective Studies
Recombinant Proteins
Time Factors
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Summary:Background/Aims : Our aim was to assess whether histological response was improved by continuing interferon-alpha (IFN) treatment in patients with chronic hepatitis C (HCV) with a biochemical response and no viral clearance after a usual IFN treatment. Methods : Fifty-seven patients with normal alanine aminotransferase (ALAT) levels and positive HCV RNA at the end of a 1 year IFN treatment were randomly assigned to either group 1 ( n =28) where IFN was stopped, or group 2 ( n =29) where IFN was continued for 1 more year with gradual reduction of the dose to keep serum ALAT activity below the upper limit of normal. Liver biopsies were obtained before, and then 6 months after the end of treatment. Results : Knodell's index improved between paired biopsies in group 2 (8.2 ±2.4 vs. 5.5 ±2.1), but not in group 1 (8 ±2.3 vs. 6.5 ±2). In post-treatment biopsies, the METAVIR activity score was significantly lower in group 2 than in group 1 (0.7 ±0.2 vs. 1.1 ±0.3, P
ISSN:0168-8278
1600-0641
DOI:10.1016/S0168-8278(01)00110-6