Efficacy and tolerability of low-dose interferon-α in hemodialysis patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection

摘要

AIM:To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of lowdose standard or pegylated interferon(PEG-IFN)in hepatitis C virus(HCV)-positive hemodialysis patients.METHODS:In total,19 patients were enrolled in this study,of which 12 received PEG-IFNα-2a 67.5μg 1time/wk(Group 1)and 7 received standard interferonα-2b subcutaneously 1.5×106 U 3 times/wk(Group2).The treatment durations were 48 wk for patients infected with HCV genotype 1 and 24 wk for patients infected with HCV genotype 2/3.All patients were prospectively followed after the completion of therapy.The efficacy and tolerability of the treatment were evaluated based on the sustained virological response(SVR)and treatment-related drop-out rate.RESULTS:In Group 1,11 of the 12 patients completed the treatment.Early virological response(EVR)and sustained virological response(SVR)rates were 83.3%and 91.7%,respectively.One patient withdrew from treatment due to an adverse event(leukopenia).The drop-out rate was 8.3%in this group.In Group 2,5 of the 7 patients completed the treatment with an EVR and SVR of 85.7%and 71.4%,respectively.Two patients withdrew due to treatment-related adverse events(nausea and depression).In this group,the drop-out rate was 28.6%.In total,16 of the patients attained EVR,and 15 of them completed the treatment.The SVR rate for the patients who attained EVR was93.7%.Anemia was the most frequent side effect and was observed in 10/19 patients(55.5%),but could be effectively managed with erythropoietin.CONCLUSION:Low-dose interferon monotherapy,either with PEG-IFNα-2a or standard interferonα-2b,is an effective treatment option for hemodialysis patients with chronic hepatitis C.