A multicenter controlled, randomized, open trial of interferon alpha2b
treatment of anti-human immunodeficiency virus-negative hemophilic patients
with chronic hepatitis C. Hepatitis Study Group of the Association of
Italian Hemophilia Centers
MG Rumi, E Santagostino, M Morfini, A Gringeri, G Tagariello, A Chistolini, P Pontisso, A Tagger, M Colombo and PM Mannucci
Institute of Internal Medicine, University of Milan, IRCCS Maggiore
Hospital, Italy.
There is limited information about the long-term efficacy of prolonged
therapy (more than 6 months) with interferon alpha in hemophilic patients
with chronic hepatitis C who are not coinfected with the human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1). One hundred and seven hemophiliacs were
randomly assigned to 3 million U of interferon alpha2b three times weekly
for 12 months or no therapy. The patients were followed up for at least 12
months posttreatment. Response was assessed by both serial alanine
aminotransferase (ALT) levels and hepatitis C virus (HCV)-RNA measured by
reverse transcribed polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method. Before
treatment, serum levels of HCV-RNA were measured quantitatively by
second-generation branched-DNA assay and the HCV genotype was determined by
RT-PCR. Serum HGV-RNA, a marker of infection with the hepatitis G virus,
was also measured by RT-PCR. Normalization of ALT was sustained and serum
HCV-RNA was cleared in 6 of 45 treated patients, compared with none of the
50 untreated controls (13% v 0% P < .01). Low pretreatment viremia was
the only feature that was associated with an increased likelihood of
sustained response (P < .01). This study shows that multitransfused
hemophiliacs with chronic hepatitis C not coinfected with HIV-1 respond at
low rates to prolonged interferon therapy.
Volume 89,
Issue 10,
pp. 3529-3533,
05/15/1997
Copyright © 1997 by The American Society of Hematology
