Management of patients with HCV infection poorly tolerant to recombinant interferon alpha

BACKGROUMD/AIMS: To evaluate leukocyte interferon-a tolerability and effica cy in the retreatment of patients poorly tolerant to recombinant interferon -a. METHODOLOGY: Patients with chronic hepatitis C, poorly tolerant to a,previo us interferon-a treatment (118 patients; 73 "relapsers": Group I; 45 "non-r esponders": Group II) were retreated with 6 MU tiw of leukocyte interferon- a for 6 months and then followed-up for 12-34 months. Only patients with co mplete regression of any previous interferon-related adverse event were inc luded. RESULTS: Three patients dropped out due to recurrence of a severe-depressiv e syndrome. In 86/115 patients (75%) no significant lifestyle changes versu s baseline were observed during retreatment, while 29 subjects experienced a moderately negative interference on their living habits. The different in fluence On the patients' quality of life of leukocyte interferon. in compar ison with the previous treatment was significant (P<0.001). In 98 patients the interferon-related adverse events significantly decreased. After 12 mon ths of follow-up, a sustained biochemical response was observed in 40 patie nts (Group I:31; Group II:9), and a persistent virological response in 28 ( Group I:23; Group II:5). CONCLUSIONS: The good compliance with leukocyte interferon administration s hown by poorly tolerant patients, non-responders/relapsers to recombinant i nterferon, permitted a retreatment with full doses, so increasing the chanc e to obtain a larger number of sustained responses.