Safety and efficacy of pegylated interferon and ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C following renal transplantation

Abstract

Objective To investigate the safety and efficacy of pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) and ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C following renal transplantation.Method Nine adult renal transplant recipients of ＞ 12-month duration,infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV),and with stable renal graft function were recruited.All patients were administered with PEG-IFN-α 2b 50 μg/week,plus ribovirin 400-600 mg/day.HCV viral load was reexamined monthly.Consolidation therapy lasted for 3-9 months after initial remission of HCV-RNA.Viral response,adverse effects and changes in hemogram,alanine aminotransferase and andserum creatinine were also monitored.Result The duration of treatment for 9 patients was 4-20 months.Sustained virologic response (SVR) occurred in 6 patients with no relapse during 6-month follow up period after the ceasation of the treatment.Two patients,with rapid virologic response,had a virologic relapse after completing their 3-month consolidation therapy.One patient maintained no obvious virologic response during 8 months of treatment.Renal function was kept in normal range in all patients and no one experienced a rejection episode during or after PEG-IFN-α 2b therapy.The major adverse reactions included influenza-like syndrome (fever,muscle soreness,anorexia),transient bone marrow suppression and anemia.All of the adverse reactions were transient and tolerable,and no discontinuation of PEG-IFN-a 2b therapy was required in all these patients.Conclusion For renal transplant recipients with stable renal graft function,treatment with PEG-IFN-α 2b and ribavirin has high efficacy in the treatment of HCV and is not associated with high risk of acute rejection of renal allografts. Key words: Kidney transplantation; Hepatitis C virus; Treatment outcome