These tools will no longer be maintained as of December 31, 2024. Archived website can be found here. PubMed4Hh GitHub repository can be found here. Contact NLM Customer Service if you have questions.


Pubmed for Handhelds

PUBMED FOR HANDHELDS

Search MEDLINE/PubMed

  • Title: Efficacy of interferon based antiviral therapy for recurrent hepatitis C in patients who received steroid free immunosuppression for liver transplantation.
    Author: Nair S, Lipscomb J, Eason J.
    Journal: Transplantation; 2008 Aug 15; 86(3):418-22. PubMed ID: 18698245.
    Abstract:
    BACKGROUND: In this article, we explore the virological response to two types of interferon based treatment in recurrent hepatitis C virus in liver recipients who received thymoglobulin induction. METHODS: Fifty consecutive patients were randomized to receive PEG interferon alpha 2b (1.0 microg/kg per week), ribavirin (800 mg/d) plus amantadine (200 mg/d), or PEG interferon alpha 2b (1.0 microg/kg per week) plus ribavirin (800 mg/d). The primary endpoint was absence of hepatitis C virus RNA 6 months posttreatment. The secondary endpoint was change in fibrosis at 1 year. RESULTS: Only 30 patients completed 1 year of treatment. In an intention to treat analysis, the sustained virological response (SVR) rate was 26% in I/R/A group and 50% in I/R group. By per protocol, the overall SVR rate was 57%. Fibrosis progression by at least one stage was noted in 37% patients. Twenty-nine percent of patients who achieved SVR had shown fibrosis progression by at least one stage whereas 46% nonresponders showed fibrosis progression (P=NS). CONCLUSION: This is the first study exploring the efficacy of pegylated interferon-based antiviral treatment in patients who received a steroid-free protocol. Our data is encouraging and shows that if liver transplant recipients can tolerate treatment for 1 year there is a reasonable chance of SVR.
    [Abstract] [Full Text] [Related] [New Search]