Both Pegasys/Ribavirin and PegIntron/Ribavirin Combination Regimens Appear Similar in Efficacy and Safety in HCV Genotype 3 Patients

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 3 accounts for up to 80% of HCV infections in Pakistan. The purpose of the current study, a poster presentation at DDW 2007 in Washington, D.C. this week, was to compare the efficacy and safety of peginterferon alfa-2a (Pegasys) plus ribavirin combination therapy with peginterferon alfa-2b (PegIntron) plus ribavirin combination therapy in chronic hepatitis C genotype 3 patients.

This was an open, controlled trial of 66 treatment-naïve chronic hepatitis C genotype 3 patients who were randomized to receive Pegasys 180 ug/weekly plus ribavirin 800 mg/day (33 pt, group I) or PegIntron 1ug/kg/body weight/ weekly plus ribavirin 800 mg/day (33 pt, group II) for 24 weeks.

Both groups were comparable in age, sex, baseline ALT level, albumin level, viral load, and genotype 3 subtypes. Primary end point was loss of HCV RNA at 24 weeks following the end of treatment (SVR).

Results

• 60 patients (30 in each group) completed the trial (1 in each group were lost to follow up), 1 patient in group I developed hyperthyroidism, 2 patients (1 in each group) developed severe thrombocytopenia and one patient in group II developed severe neutropenia.

• Reduction of peginterferon dosage were required in 4 patients (2 in each group) and reduction of ribavirin dosage were required in 3 patients (2 in group I and 1 in group II).

• End-of-treatment response (ETR) in group I and II was 26 (86.6%) and 27 (90%) patients respectively.

• Sustained virologic response (SVR) in group I and II was 26 (86.6%) and 27(90%) patients respectively.

Based on these results, the study authors conclude, "Both peginterferon alfa-2a [Pegasys] / ribavirin and peginterferon alfa-2b [PegIntron] / ribavirin regimens were similar in efficacy and safety in chronic HCV genotype 3 patients."

Department Of Medicine Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology , Allama Iqbal Medical College/ Jinnah Hospital and Advanced Gastroenterology and Liver Center Jail Road , Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.

05/25/07

Reference
A Q Khan, A Awan, S Shahbuddin, and others. Peginterferon Alfa-2a/ Ribavirin versus Peginterferon Alfa-2b/Ribavirin in Combination Therapy in Chronic Hepatitis C Genotype 3. DDW 2007. May 19-25, 2007. Washington, D.C. Abstract # S 1231.

<----   DDW 2007 Main Page