Efficacy of consensus interferon in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C

Background and Aims: Consensus interferon (CIFN) is a newly developed type I interferon. The aim of this study was to investigate the safety and effic acy of CIFN in the treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C and to de termine the predictors for sustained response. Methods: Patients were randomized to receive 3 mug or 9 mug CIFN three time s a week for 24 weeks, followed by 24 weeks of observation. Efficacy was as sessed by normalization of serum transaminase levels and disappearance of s erum hepatitis C virus (HCV)-RNA at the end of treatment and at 24 weeks af ter stopping treatment. Histologic response was defined as a decrease of at least two points in the Knodell necroinflammatory score at week 48 and was compared with baseline. Results:There were no serious adverse effects related to CIFN therapy. Over all, 44% of patients receiving 3 mug and 48% of patients receiving 9 mug ha d normalization of serum transaminase levels and disappearance of HCV virem ia at the end of treatment. At 24 weeks after stopping treatment, 16% of pa tients in receiving 9 mug and 12% of patients receiving 3 mug had sustained responses. The histologic responses in patients receiving 9 mug and those receiving 3 mug were 60% and 36%, respectively. The necroinflammatory score was significantly reduced from baseline to week 48 in both groups. In addi tion, bodyweight < 60 kg and pretreatment serum HCV-RNA level < 0.5 MEq/mL can serve as predictors for sustained response to CIFN treatment. Conclusions: These findings suggest that 9 mug CIFN is safe and effective i n the treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C. (C) 2000 Blackwell Sc ience Asia Pty Ltd.