H. Sax et al., Pilot study of interferon-alpha with and without amantadine for the treatment of hepatitis C in HIV co-infected individuals on antiretroviral therapy, INFECTION, 29(5), 2001, pp. 267-270
Background: Concurrent potent therapy of hepatitis C (HCV) and HIV includes
at [east five antiviral drugs. Drug interactions, toxicity, tolerance and
acceptance by patients of such treatment regimens are unknown.
Study design: A prospective open randomized pilot trial was conducted to te
st interferon-alpha (6 million units/day for the ist month followed by 6 mi
llion thrice weekly) and amantadine versus interferon-a monotherapy for tol
erability and feasibility among HIV and HCV co-infected patients on stable
antiretroviral combination therapy.
Results: 1,013 HIV-infected patients were consecutively evaluated. 314 were
anti-HCV antibody positive; only eight (2.4%) were eligible. Major reasons
for exclusion were: normal transaminase Levels (34%), ongoing intravenous
drug use (33%), or recent change in antiretroviral therapy (31%). Study dru
gs were stopped in all of the seven patients enrolled because of side effec
ts and/or failure of anti-HCV therapy. CD4 lymphocyte counts and HIV-1 RNA
remained stable.
Conclusion: Among patients on highly active antiretroviral therapy, the add
ition of interferon-a with or without amantadine was inefficient and poorly
tolerated, but had no negative influence on HIV infection. Eligibility for
the study was unexpectedly low.