en
Scientific article
English

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

Published inTransplant international, vol. 17, no. 4, p. 169-176
Publication date2004
Abstract

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.

Keywords
  • 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
Citation (ISO format)
GIOSTRA, Emiliano et al. Ribavirin/interferon-alpha sequential treatment of recurrent hepatitis C after liver transplantation. In: Transplant international, 2004, vol. 17, n° 4, p. 169–176. doi: 10.1007/s00147-004-0695-6
Main files (1)
Article (Published version)
accessLevelRestricted
Identifiers
ISSN of the journal0934-0874
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