Abstract
To gain insight into the long-term effect of interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) therapy on hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA-positive hemodialysis patients, 23 subjects were given 3 MU of IFN-alpha 3 times a week for 6 (n = 12) or 12 months (n = 11). They were followed for 19 months after cessation of therapy. Sustained serum HCV RNA clearance occurred in 42% of patients treated for 6 months and in 64% of those treated for 12 months. HCV was eradicated from 6 of 13 patients infected with HCV genotype 1b and from 2 of 6 patients also infected with hepatitis G virus. HCV RNA remained undetectable in both serum and a liver biopsy of 2 patients who were given cadaveric kidney transplants after IFN-alpha treatment. These data suggest that HCV RNA-positive dialysis patients can be considered for treatment while receiving dialysis, particularly those awaiting transplant.
Publication types
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Clinical Trial
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Controlled Clinical Trial
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Multicenter Study
MeSH terms
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Adult
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Antiviral Agents / administration & dosage
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Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use*
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Female
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Flaviviridae / genetics
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Flaviviridae / isolation & purification
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Hepacivirus / genetics
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Hepacivirus / isolation & purification*
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Hepatitis C Antibodies / analysis
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Hepatitis C, Chronic / drug therapy*
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Hepatitis C, Chronic / virology
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Hepatitis, Viral, Human / complications
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Hepatitis, Viral, Human / diagnosis
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Humans
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Interferon alpha-2
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Interferon-alpha / administration & dosage
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Interferon-alpha / therapeutic use*
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Kidney Transplantation / adverse effects
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Liver / virology
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Male
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Middle Aged
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Pilot Projects
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RNA, Viral / analysis
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RNA, Viral / blood
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Recombinant Proteins
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Renal Dialysis*
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Transaminases / metabolism
Substances
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Antiviral Agents
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Hepatitis C Antibodies
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Interferon alpha-2
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Interferon-alpha
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RNA, Viral
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Recombinant Proteins
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Transaminases