Body Weight Affects Relapse Rates in Latinos with Genotype 2/3 Hepatitis C Treated
with Pegylated Interferon Alfa-2a (Pegasys) plus Ribavirin  The
efficacy of treatment of chronic hepatitis C
with pegylated interferon/ribavirin is
superior for patients with HCV genotypes
2/3 than for those with genotype 1. However, the effectiveness of this therapy
in Latinos infected with genotypes 2/3 is unknown.
The
purpose of the present study, published in the July 22, 2008 issue of the Journal
of Medical Virology, was to examine efficacy of pegylated interferon in Latinos
and factors that predict sustained virological
response (SVR) in this patient population.  This
was a retrospective study of genotypes 2/3 patients treated with 180
mcg/week pegylated interferon alfa-2a (Pegasys) plus 800 mg daily ribavirin
for 24 weeks. Multiple baseline characteristics were evaluated. SVR and relapse
rates were calculated, as well as multiple regression models performed to examine
factors that predict SVR and relapse, such as genotype, HCV viral load, weight,
steatosis (fat accumulation) at liver biopsy, total cholesterol, triglycerides,
and diabetes.
A
total of 35 consecutive patients were included in the study: 26 with genotype
2 and 9 with genotype 3 patients. Baseline characteristics were similar between
both genotype groups. Results
•
18 of 26 (69.2%)
genotype 2 patients and 8 of 9 (88.9%) genotype 3 patients achieved SVR.
•
The overall
SVR rate was 74.3%, or 26 of 35 patients.
•
Relapse rates
were 28.0% for genotype 2 and 11.1% for genotype 3 patients, for a combined relapse
rate of 23.5%.
•
Patients heavier
than 75 kg had relapse rates 2-fold higher than leaner patients: 6 of 21 (28.6%)
vs 2 of 14 (14.3%) (P = 0.088).
•
Weight increase
in kg was the only predictor for risk of relapse.
In
conclusion, the study authors wrote, "Latinos heavier than 75 kg with genotype
2/3 HCV infection achieve lower SVR than those who weigh less than 75 kg, because
[they have] a higher relapse rate." In
addition, the investigators noted, "More research in ethnic and racial minorities
is needed to further establish optimal treatment in this population." Fundación
de Investigación de Diego, Santurce, Puerto Rico. 8/12/08 Reference
M
Rodríguez-Torres, CF Ríos-Bedoya, G Ortiz-Lasanta, and others. Weight
affect relapse rates in latinos with genotype 2/3 chronic hepatitis C (CHC) treated
with peg IFN alfa-2a (Pegasys) 180 mcg/week and 800 mg daily of ribavirin for
24 weeks. Journal of Medical Virology 80: 1576-1580. July 22, 2008 [Epub
ahead of print].
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