Efficacy of triple therapy with thymalfasin, peginterferon α-2a, and ribavirin for the treatment of hispanic chronic HCV nonresponders
Journal Title: Annals of Hepatology - Year 2008, Vol 7, Issue 4
Abstract
Background/Aims: Thymalfasin has shown efficacy in the treatment of chronic HCV infection. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of triple therapy with thymalfasin, peginterferon α-2a (PEG-IFN α-2a), and ribavirin in Hispanic patients with chronic viral hepatitis C who were nonresponders to prior treatment with interferon alfa (IFN-α)/ribavirin. Methods: In this open-label study, 40 subjects received thymalfasin (1.6 mg twice a week), PEG-IFN α-2a (180 µg once a week), and ribavirin (800-1,000 mg/day) for 48 weeks. All patients had positive HCV RNA by PCR analysis, abnormal levels of ALT, compensated hepatic disease, and liver biopsy with chronic damage. Results: Viral response was observed in 52.5% patients at week 12 and 50% at week 24. Of the per protocol group, 52.6% showed an end-of-treatment response at week 48 and 21.1% achieved an SVR at week 72. Among genotype 1 patients, 23.5% achieved an SVR at week 72. A reduction of the dose of PEG IFN α-2a and ribavirin was required. Thymalfasin was well tolerated without dose reduction. Conclusion: Triple therapy with thymalfasin, PEG IFN α-2a, and ribavirin is an effective treatment option for difficult-to-treat HCV patients who are refractory to prior conventional treatment, with adequate tolerability.
Authors and Affiliations
Jorge Poo, Francisco Sánchez Ávila, David Kershenobich, Xochitl García Samper, Rocio Torres-Ibarra, J Gongora, Carlos Cano, Miguel Parada, Misael Uribe
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP77812
- DOI -
- Views 152
- Downloads 0
Hepatology Highligh
Monosegmental ALPPS after Bilateral Hepatectomy
Associated liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS) has emerged as an alternative for patients with bilobar colorectal liver metastasis and a small future liver remnant (FLR). In cases of e...
Cirrhosis is less cirrhosis without virus C
Tyrosinemia type I: clinical and biochemical analysis of patients in Mexico
Introduction. Hepatorenal tyrosinemia (HT1) is a treatable, inherited, metabolic disease characterized by progressive liver failure with pronounced coagulopathy. The aim of this study is to describe the clinical, biochem...
Management of gastroesophageal varices in cirrhotic patients: current status and future directions
Bleeding from gastroesophageal varices (GEV) is a serious event in cirrhotic patients and can cause death. According to the explosión theory, progressive portal hypertension is the primary mechanism underlying variceal...