Ribavirin/interferon-alpha sequential treatment of recurrent hepatitis C after liver transplantation

Article Article scientifique Article Ribavirin/interferon-alpha sequential treatment of recurrent hepatitis C after liver transplantation eng 2004 author Giostra Emiliano 609263 author Kullak-Ublick Gerd A author Keller Walter author Fried Ronald author Vanlemmens Claire author Kraehenbuhl Stephan author Locher Sandrine 83991 author Egger Hans-Peter author Clavien Pierre-Alain author Hadengue Antoine 30244 author Mentha Gilles 22892 author Morel Philippe 22337 author Negro Francesco 96509 169-176 10.1007/s00147-004-0695-6 15060764 0934-0874 Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection invariably recurs after liver transplantation (LT), and sequels of chronic hepatitis of the graft are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. In an uncontrolled trial, 31 patients with histologically confirmed hepatitis C after LT received, sequentially, ribavirin (10 mg/kg body weight q.d.) for 12 weeks, followed by ribavirin at the same dose q.d. plus interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) [3 million units three times a week (3 MU TIW)] for another 48 weeks. Based on an intent-to-treat analysis, the percentages of patients with undetectable HCV RNA in their serum were 0%, 38.7% and 45.2% after 12, 36 and 60 weeks of therapy, respectively. A sustained virological response, as defined by undetectable serum HCV RNA 24 weeks after the end of treatment, was observed in 9/31 patients (29%). Sustained responders had a significant improvement of their liver inflammatory activity score (P=0.025), but not of their liver fibrosis score. The chances of sustained virological response correlated with the length of treatment, but not with the HCV genotype or baseline HCV RNA level. In conclusion, patients with recurrent hepatitis C after LT might benefit from ribavirin/IFN-alpha therapy, provided that the treatment is tolerated for a sufficient duration of time. Adult Aged Antiviral Agents/administration & dosage Drug Administration Schedule Drug Therapy, Combination Female Hepacivirus/genetics/isolation & purification Hepatitis C/drug therapy/pathology Hepatitis C, Chronic/prevention & control Humans Interferon-alpha/administration & dosage Liver Transplantation/adverse effects Male Middle Aged RNA, Viral/blood Recurrence Ribavirin/administration & dosage Severity of Illness Index Time Factors Treatment Outcome Viral Load Dewey 616 Dewey 616.07 Dewey 617 137 Département de pathologie et immunologie 21F 56 Département de médecine 221 57 Département de chirurgie 222 false 79 Chirurgie viscérale 104 1329 Chirurgie viscérale (HUG) 297 Etudes et traitement de l'hépatite C et B 554 249 Hépatologie chirurgicale 327 Transplant international 17 4 da922803-821c-4c0d-a230-933473d05084 Article (Published version) Restricted j.1432-2277.2004.tb00424.x.pdf 751476 application/pdf restrictedAccess Faculté de médecine / Section de médecine fondamentale / Département de pathologie et immunologie Faculté de médecine / Section de médecine clinique / Département de médecine Faculté de médecine / Section de médecine clinique / Département de chirurgie

Title	Published in	Year	Views	Downloads

Ribavirin/interferon-alpha sequential treatment of recurrent hepatitis C after liver transplantation	Transplant international	2004	741	0
Traitement de l'hépatite C après greffe hépatique par l'association ribavirine-interféron alpha		2003	823	624

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Locher, Sandrine