Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
7
pubmed:dateCreated
2002-6-28
pubmed:abstractText
Recurrence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection after orthotopic liver transplantation is a major cause of graft failure. The aim of our study was to determine the safety, efficacy, and tolerability of combination therapy with interferon and ribavirin in the treatment of recurrent hepatitis after liver transplantation. Twenty-six patients (18 men) with histologically established HCV recurrence after liver transplantation for cirrhosis secondary to chronic HCV infection were treated with a combination of interferon alfa-2b (3 million units three times weekly) and ribavirin (800 to 1,000 mg/d). Dosage modifications were according to a standard protocol incorporating laboratory values and clinical side effects. Fifty percent of patients completed 1 year or more of therapy. On an intention-to-treat basis, nine patients (35%) showed an end-of-treatment virological response. Six of these nine patients completed greater than 6 additional months of follow-up, and all have had sustained virological responses. A histological response (decrease in histological activity index > or = 2) was seen in 75% of virological responders and 67% of nonresponders. Adverse events requiring dose modification or cessation of therapy occurred in 66% of patients. Adjuvant therapies used to support hemoglobin levels included erythropoietin and red blood cell transfusions. There were no independent pretreatment predictors of a virological response, perhaps because of the small sample size. Combination therapy with interferon and ribavirin may be beneficial in patients with recurrent HCV after liver transplantation. The majority of patients require dose modifications because of side effects. Histological response is common in virological nonresponders.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Jul
pubmed:issn
1527-6465
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
8
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
623-9
pubmed:dateRevised
2011-11-17
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed-meshheading:12089717-Adult, pubmed-meshheading:12089717-Aged, pubmed-meshheading:12089717-Anemia, pubmed-meshheading:12089717-Antiviral Agents, pubmed-meshheading:12089717-Clinical Protocols, pubmed-meshheading:12089717-Drug Therapy, Combination, pubmed-meshheading:12089717-Erythrocyte Transfusion, pubmed-meshheading:12089717-Erythropoietin, pubmed-meshheading:12089717-Female, pubmed-meshheading:12089717-Hepatitis C, Chronic, pubmed-meshheading:12089717-Humans, pubmed-meshheading:12089717-Interferon-alpha, pubmed-meshheading:12089717-Liver Transplantation, pubmed-meshheading:12089717-Male, pubmed-meshheading:12089717-Middle Aged, pubmed-meshheading:12089717-Polymerase Chain Reaction, pubmed-meshheading:12089717-Postoperative Complications, pubmed-meshheading:12089717-Recombinant Proteins, pubmed-meshheading:12089717-Recurrence, pubmed-meshheading:12089717-Ribavirin
pubmed:year
2002
pubmed:articleTitle
Treatment of posttransplantation recurrence of hepatitis C with interferon and ribavirin: lessons on tolerability and efficacy.
pubmed:affiliation
Liver Transplant Center, Mayo Clinic and Foundation, Rochester, MN 55902, USA.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't