Efficacy and tolerability of low-dose interferon-α in hemodialysis patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection.
AIM
To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of low-dose 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 67.5 μg 1 time/wk (Group 1) and 7 received standard interferon α-2b subcutaneously 1.5 × 10⁶ U 3 times/wk (Group 2). 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 was 93.7%. 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 interferon α-2b, is an effective treatment option for hemodialysis patients with chronic hepatitis C.
['Wang|Kai-Li|KL|', 'Xing|Han-Qian|HQ|', 'Zhao|Hong|H|', 'Liu|Jun-Wei|JW|', 'Gao|Deng-Lian|DL|', 'Zhang|Xue-Hua|XH|', 'Yao|Hong-Yu|HY|', 'Yan|Li|L|', 'Zhao|Jun|J|']
D000328:Adult D004334:Drug Administration Schedule D004921:Erythropoietin D005260:Female D005838:Genotype D016174:Hepacivirus D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic D006801:Humans D000077190:Interferon alpha-2 D016898:Interferon-alpha D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic D008297:Male D008875:Middle Aged D011092:Polyethylene Glycols D011446:Prospective Studies D011994:Recombinant Proteins D006435:Renal Dialysis D013997:Time Factors D016896:Treatment Outcome
Hemodialysis Chronic hepatitis C Hepatitis C virus End-stage renal disease Peginterferon