High-dose interferon plus ribavirin in chronic hepatitis C not responding to recombinant alpha-interferon

Background. Recently, the combination treatment of recombinant alpha-interf eron plus ribavirin has been proposed for chronic hepatitis C patients unre sponsive to previous therapy with recombinant alpha-interferon alone. Aim. To determine the effectiveness of the combination therapy for the re-t reatment of chronic hepatitis C patients unresponsive to previous interfero n therapy Immediate and long-term follow-up data are reported. Patients and Methods. A series of 100 patients with chronic hepatitis C not responding to recombinant alpha-interferon 3 MU tiw, were randomly assigne d to two groups of 50 patients each: Group A, treated with recombinant alph a-interferon therapy for an additional six months but at a double dosage (6 MU tiw) in association with ribavirin. Group B, same treatment as group A but without ribavirin. All patients responsive to therapy were then followe d-up for at least 12 months. At the end of the treatment and at the end of the follow-up period, we distinguished between complete responses (return t o normal of alanine aminotransferase with undetectable serum HCV-RNA) and b iochemical responses (return to normal of alanine aminotransferase still wi th detectable viraemia). Results. Side-effects were observed only in patients treated with recombina nt alpha-interferon plus ribavirin: 12% discontinued the therapy due to hae molytic anaemia. In group A, the percentages of end-of-treatment complete r esponse, end-of-treatment biochemical response, sustained complete response , and sustained biochemical response, were 38%, 20%, 8%, and 14%, respectiv ely whilst in group B, these percentages were 12%, 16%, 6%, and 16%, respec tively. Conclusion. The results indicate that in patients with chronic hepatitis C unresponsive to previous recombinant alpha-interferon therapy, re-treatment with higher recombinant alpha-interferon doses, either alone or in combina tion with ribavirin, lead to mild long-term benefit. However the satisfacto ry end of treatment complete response in group A suggests that a significan t percentage of patients are sensitive to the combination therapy; and that a more aggressive therapeutic protocol in this selected subset of patients could result in a larger number of long-lasting responses leading, in turn , to a more favourable cost-effect ratio.