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PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
1
pubmed:dateCreated
2004-1-23
pubmed:abstractText
Pilot studies have suggested that the addition of amantadine to interferon (IFN) is effective against hepatitis C virus (HCV). Furthermore, IFN induction therapy seems to improve virological response rates. In this open, randomized, multicentre trial we compared safety and efficacy of a triple therapy comprising IFN alpha 2a, ribavirin and amantadine using high induction doses (6 MU IFN alpha daily for the first 6 weeks) against a therapy with standard IFN alpha dosages over the entire treatment period plus amantadine and ribavirin. A total of 158 naive patients with chronic HCV infection were randomized 1:1. Group A (n = 81): induction therapy with 6 MU IFN alpha daily for 6 weeks, followed by 6 MU three times a week (tiw) for 18 weeks and then 3 MU tiw until week 48. Group B (n = 77): standard therapy with 6 MU IFN alpha tiw for 24 weeks, followed by 3 MU until week 48. All patients received oral ribavirin (10 mg/kg/day) and amantadine (200 mg/day). The triple therapy was safe and well tolerated. There were no significant differences between the groups with respect to biochemical response rates. Groups A and B did not differ in virological response rates at the end of treatment (33%vs 35%) or at the end of the 6 month follow up period (37%vs 39%). We could not detect favourable effects on sustained virological response rates using induction therapy, in either genotype 1 or non-1 infected patients. In summary, induction therapy with 6 MU IFN alpha daily did not result in increased overall response rates compared with standard IFN alpha dosages of 6 MU tiw.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Jan
pubmed:issn
1352-0504
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
11
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
60-8
pubmed:dateRevised
2011-11-17
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
2004
pubmed:articleTitle
Interferon alfa2a induction therapy in combination with ribavirin and amantadine for the treatment of naive patients with chronic HCV infection.
pubmed:affiliation
Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital of Heidelberg, Germany. sigrid.engler@gmx.de
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Clinical Trial, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Multicenter Study