Abstract
A controlled trial comparing combination therapy with ofloxacin (OFLX) and interferon (IFN) versus IFN monotherapy was conducted in patients with chronic hepatitis C who failed IFN therapy. Twenty patients were assigned randomly to two groups. Equal doses of recombinant IFN alpha-2b were administered to each group for 24 weeks. For the IFN plus OFLX group, OFLX was administered for 12 weeks at a daily dose of 600 mg. Levels of hepatitis C virus RNA declined significantly from the first month after the start of IFN treatment compared with those before administration in both groups. Serum alanine aminotransferase levels were significantly lower in the IFN plus OFLX group at two and six months after the start of treatment than levels in the IFN group. The fraction of subjects whose levels of serum ALT normalized was also higher in the IFN plus OFLX group. Larger clinical trials should be undertaken.
Highlights
M Komatsu, T Ishii, T Ono, et al Pilot study of ofloxacin and interferon-alpha combination therapy for chronic hepatitis C without sustained response to initial interferon administration
All patients were positive for hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA and had persistently abnormal liver function tests
For group A, OFLX was administered for 12 weeks at a daily dose of 600 mg from the fifth week of IFN therapy
Summary
Masafumi Komatsu MD, Tohru Ishii MD, Tsuyoshi Ono MD, Takao Hoshino MD, Tomoyuki Kuramitsu MD, Takashi Goto MD, Tomoo Fujii MD, Itaru Toyoshima MD, Mitsuro Chiba MD, Osamu Masamune MD. M Komatsu, T Ishii, T Ono, et al Pilot study of ofloxacin and interferon-alpha combination therapy for chronic hepatitis C without sustained response to initial interferon administration. A controlled trial comparing combination therapy with ofloxacin (OFLX) and interferon (IFN) versus IFN monotherapy was conducted in patients with chronic hepatitis C who failed IFN therapy. Levels of hepatitis C virus RNA declined significantly from the first month after the start of IFN treatment compared with those before administration in both groups. RÉSUMÉ : Un essai contrôlé comparant un traitement combiné avec l’ofloxacine (OFLX) et l’interféron (IFN) à une monothérapie à l’IFN a été mené chez des patients atteints d’une hépatite C chronique et qui n’ont pas répondu au traitement par IFN. Dans le groupe IFN-OFLX, l’ofloxacine a été administrée pendant 12 semaines à une dose quotidienne de 600 mg.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
