Durability of a sustained virologic response in combination therapy with interferon/peginterferon and ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C

doi:2009.15.1.70

Korean J Hepatol > Volume 15(1); 2009 > Article

The Korean Journal of Hepatology 2009;15(1): 70-79.
doi: https://doi.org/10.3350/kjhep.2009.15.1.70

Durability of a sustained virologic response in combination therapy with interferon/peginterferon and ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C

Chul Hyun Kim , Byung Do Park , Jin Woo Lee , Young Soo Kim , Seok Jeong , Don Haeng Lee , Hyung Gil Kim , Yong Woon Shin , Key Sook Kwon , Jung Il Lee

Departments of Gastroenterology, Inha University College of Medicine, Incheon, Korea

ABSTRACT

Backgrounds
/Aims: The ultimate goal of antiviral therapy using interferon/pegylated interferon combined with ribavirin in chronic C-viral hepatitis is to achieve a sustained virologic response (SVR). Several studies have shown that the reappearance rate of hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA in serum after the achievement of an SVR is less than 1%; the durability of an SVR in Korean patients is not known. The aim of this study was to determine the durability of the virologic response in chronic hepatitis C patients with an SVR to antiviral therapy. Methods: A total of 156 patients who were treated successfully with interferon/peginterferon and ribavirin were evaluated retrospectively. Patients received either subcutaneous conventional interferon alpha 3×10(6) units three times a week or subcutaneous pegylated interferon (α-2a: 180 μg, α-2b: 80-100 μg) once a week in combination with ribavirin at 600-1,200 mg daily (depending on body weight). Patients with HCV genotype 1 were treated for 48 weeks, whereas those with non-genotype 1 were treated for 24 weeks. Results: Eighty-two patients underwent treatment with conventional interferon and ribavirin, whereas 74 patients were treated with pegylated interferon and ribavirin. An SVR was achieved in 73 patients (73/156, 46.8%). HCV RNA reappeared in eight patients (8/73, 11.0%, detected by qualitative PCR), including one patient with persistent viremia (1/73, 1.4%). Conclusions: Reappearance of HCV RNA after earlier achievement of an SVR might appear more frequently than previously reported. Close follow-up of these patients is recommended and the implication of temporary viremia should be determined in the future. (Korean J Hepatol 2008;15:70-79)

KeyWords: Hepatitis C; Therapeutics; Interferons; Ribavirin