인터페론 단독 투여에 지속적 치료 효과가 없었던 만성 C 형 간염 환자에서의 인터페론과 리바비린의 병용 치료

Abstract

Background/Aims: Interferon-alpha has been effective in 10-20% of treated patients with chronic hepatitis C (CH-C) on a long term basis. We conducted this study to evaluate the biochemical and virological outcomes of combined treatment with interferon alpha and ribavirin for the patients who had CH-C but showed non-response or relapse to interferon alpha alone. Methods: Twenty five patients with CH-C who had not responded or relapsed to interferon alpha alone treatment were enrolled. Eighteen patients were given by the combined treatment of interferon alpha and ribavirin and 7 patients were not given any specific treatment as control. Interferon alpha-2a was given subcutaneously, at a dose of 4.5 MU thrice weekly. Ribavirin was also given orally, at a dose of 900 mg/day for 24 weeks. We quantified serum HCV-RNA levels at the end of treatment. Results: The normalization rate of serum ALT at the end of treatment was 47.1% (8/17) in treated group and 14.3% (1/7) in control group and negative conversion of HCV-RNA was noted in all patients. In the treated group, 75% (6/8) of responders at the end of treatment sustained serum ALT level normally during 24 weeks follow-up, but none has responded persistently in the control group. Conclusions The combined treatment with interferon alpha and ribavirin is effective and safe for treating chronic hepatitis C in patients who showed non-response or relapse to interferon alone.