Interferon alpha monotherapy for chronic hepatitis C viral infection in thalassemics and hemodialysis patients

Artan R., AKCAM M., YıLMAZ A., KOCACIK D. F.

JOURNAL OF CHEMOTHERAPY, cilt.17, sa.6, ss.651-655, 2005 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 17 Sayı: 6
  • Basım Tarihi: 2005
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1179/joc.2005.17.6.651
  • Dergi Adı: JOURNAL OF CHEMOTHERAPY
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.651-655
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: interferon, HCV, chronic hepatitis, hemodialysis, thalassemia, EFFICACY, RIBAVIRIN, CHILDREN, THERAPY
  • Akdeniz Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

We assessed the effectiveness of interferon (IFN) monotherapy in thalassemic or hemodialysis patients with chronic hepatitis C viral (HCV) infection. Ten thalassemic and four hemodialysis patients were included in the study. Chronic HCV was confirmed with both serum HCV-RNA and liver histopathology. IFN alpha-2a was administered three times a week for 24-48 weeks, at a dose of 5 MU/m(2) (Maximum 6 million units). Sustained response was defined as negative HCV-RNA at least 24 weeks after termination of the treatment. All patients completed the study. Eight of 10 thalassemic (80%) and one of four hemodialysis patients (25%) showed a sustained response. IFN monotherapy proved to be an effective treatment, especially in thalassemic patients with chronic HCV. IFN monotherapy seems reasonable for patients with thalassemia and chronic hepatitis C virus in whom ribavirin cannot be used.