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  • Title: Randomized clinical trial comparing high versus standard dose of ribavirin plus peginterferon alfa-2a in hepatitis C genotype 3 and high viral load. Dargen-3 study.
    Author: Fernández-Rodríguez CM, Morillas RM, Masnou H, Navarro JM, Bárcena R, González JM, Martín-Martín L, Poyato A, Miquel-Planas M, Jorquera F, Casanovas T, Salmerón J, Calleja JL, Solà R, Alonso S, Planas R, Romero-Gomez M.
    Journal: Gastroenterol Hepatol; 2014 Jan; 37(1):1-8. PubMed ID: 24360571.
    Abstract:
    INTRODUCTION: Less than half of patients with chronic hepatitis C genotype 3 (G3) and high viral load (HVL) without a rapid virological response (RVR) achieve a sustained virological response (SVR) when treated with peginterferon plus ribavirin (RBV). OBJECTIVES: To assess the impact of high doses of RBV on SVR in patients with G3 and HVL. METHODS: Ninety-seven patients were randomized to receive peginterferon α-2a+RBV 800 mg/day (A; n=42) or peginterferon α-2a+RBV 1600 mg/day+epoetin β 400 IU/kg/week SC (B; n=55). Patients allocated to group B who achieved RVR continued on RBV (800mg/day) for a further 20 weeks (B1; n=42) while non-RVR patients received a higher dose of RBV (1600 mg/day)+epoetin β (B2; n=13). RESULTS: RVR was observed in 64.3% of patients in A and in 76.4% in B (p=0.259). Intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis showed SVR rates of 64.3% (A) and 61.8% (B), with a reduction of -2.5% (-21.8% to 16.9%) (p=0.835). The SVR rate was 61.9% in arm B1 and 61.5% in arm B2. No serious adverse events were reported, and the rate of moderate adverse events was < 5%. CONCLUSIONS: G3 patients with high viral load without RVR did not obtain a benefit from a higher dose of RBV. Higher doses of RBV plus epoetin β were safe and well tolerated (Clin Trials Gov NCT00830609).
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