Abstract
Despite advances in antiviral therapy for hepatitis C Virus (HCV), a large proportion of patients fails to respond to treatment. Initiation of interferon therapy is associated with a rapid first phase decline in viremia that occurs over 24 to 48 hours and seems to reflect inhibition of viral production or release from infected cells. We compared the blocking effectiveness of consensus interferon aifacon-1 (CIFN) in previous nonresponders (NR) to that observed in naive patients. Methods: Twenty virological NR with genotype 1 infection and no cirrhosis were evaluated. Ten received a single 15 mcg dose of IFN and ten ware given a 30 mug dose. Blood samples were collected at time O, 4, 8, 24, 48, 72, 96, and 168 hours after interferon administration. Data from previously untreated patients with genotype 1 infestion who received 9 mcg (n = 12) or 15 mg (n = 13) of CIFN provided a basis for comparison (Neumann at al. Hepatology 2000;32:372A). HCV RNA levels were measured by quantitative PCR (NGI). Viral dynamics were evaluated after CIFN dosing using models described by Neumann at al. (Science 1998;282:103). Results: The effectiveness of CIFN in inhibiting HCV production or release is shown in the table. 15 mcg of CIFN was significantly less effective in blocking HCV production in NR compared to either 15 mcg (p=O.O01) or 9 mcg (p=O.03) in halves. The 30 mcg dose provided less blocking effectiveness in NR than 15 mcg in naive patients (p=O.03), and a similar effect to 9 mcg in naives. NR who had greater than a 50% decrease in HCV RNA level from baseline at the end of previous treatment had a larger reduction in viral load at 24 hours compared to those who had not achieved that level of response with prior therapy (p = 0.05). Conclusions: The blocking effectiveness of CIFN was significantly lower in previous NR compared to naive patients at similar doses, suggesting that response to further treatment in NR is limited by intrinsic HCV resistance. However, the resistance was partially overcome with higher CIFN doses.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
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 callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
