A randomized trial of pegylated-interferon alpha 2a plus ribavirin with or without amantadine in treatment-naïve or relapsing chronic hepatitis C patients

in Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2009), 30

Background The combination therapy of pegylated-interferon-a2a plus ribavirin is considered as the standard of care for patients with chronic hepatitis C. A sustained viral response is obtained in 40–50 ... [more ▼]

Background The combination therapy of pegylated-interferon-a2a plus ribavirin is considered as the standard of care for patients with chronic hepatitis C. A sustained viral response is obtained in 40–50% of naı¨ve patients with genotype 1 and in around 80% of naı¨ve patients with genotype 2 or 3. Aim To assess whether amantadine, added to the conventional combination therapy, could improve the treatment efficacy. Methods In all, 630 patients (intent-to-treat population) with chronic hepatitis C were randomized into two groups: 316 patients (treatment group) received pegylated-interferon-a2a (180 lg once weekly) plus ribavirin (1000–1200 mg⁄ daily) with amantadine (200 mg⁄ daily); 314 patients (control group) received pegylated-interferon-a2a (180 lg once weekly) plus ribavirin (1000–1200 mg⁄ daily) without amantadine. The duration of the treatment was 48 weeks for genotypes 1, 4, 5 and 6, and 24 weeks for genotypes 2 and 3. Results There was no statistically significant difference between treatments groups for any of the variables tested for. Subgroups of patients likely to take advantage of the addition of amantadine were not identified. Conclusions This large study definitely excludes the role of amantadine in addition of conventional combination therapy in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C patients. [less ▲]

Guidelines for the management of chronic hepatitis C in patients infected after substance use

in Acta Gastro-Enterologica Belgica (2005), 68(1), 38-45

Daily induction combination treatment with alpha 2b interferon and ribavirin or standard combination treatment in naive chronic hepatitis C patients. A multicentre randomized controlled trial

in Journal of Viral Hepatitis (2003), 10(6), 460-466

The standard treatment for patients with chronic hepatitis C is a 6-12-month combination therapy with interferon alpha and ribavirin. Induction treatment could result in a faster early decline of the ... [more ▼]

The standard treatment for patients with chronic hepatitis C is a 6-12-month combination therapy with interferon alpha and ribavirin. Induction treatment could result in a faster early decline of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) load and a better response rate. Naive chronically infected HCV patients (n = 454) were randomized into two arms to receive either induction treatment with interferon alpha 2b 5 million units (MU) subcutaneously (s.c.) daily during a period of 8 weeks (arm A); or treatment with interferon alpha 2b 5 MU s.c. three times a week (TIW) for a period of 8 weeks (arm B). After week 8, interferon treatment in both arms was 3 MU s.c. TIW for a total period of 12 months. In both arms, ribavirin (1000-1200 mg orally per day) was added at week 4. Induction treatment resulted in a higher virological response at week 8 of treatment (66%vs 47%; P < 0.01). However, response at the end of treatment and at 6 months follow-up was not different (53%vs 50%, 41%vs 33%). The occurrence of adverse events and the drop-out rate were similar in both arms. Although an early virological response is observed more frequently in the induction treatment, end of treatment response and sustained responses did not differ. [less ▲]

Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of Azathioprine and 6-Mercaptopurine Metabolites in Crohn Disease

in Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology (2001), 36(1), 71-6

BACKGROUND: 6-Mercaptopurine (6-MP) and its prodrug azathioprine (AZA) have proven efficacy in the treatment of Crohn disease (CD). The immunosuppressive properties of AZA/6-MP are mediated by the ... [more ▼]

BACKGROUND: 6-Mercaptopurine (6-MP) and its prodrug azathioprine (AZA) have proven efficacy in the treatment of Crohn disease (CD). The immunosuppressive properties of AZA/6-MP are mediated by the intracellular metabolism of 6-MP into its active metabolites, 6-thioguanine nucleotides (6TGN) and 6methylmercaptopurine (6-MMP). Preliminary studies have suggested that the red blood cell concentration of 6TGN (RBC 6TGN) is a potential guide to therapy. The aims of the study were to evaluate the RBC 6TGN concentrations in adult patients with CD under long-term AZA/6-MP therapy and to correlate it with response to treatment and haematological parameters. METHODS: Twenty-eight CD patients treated for at least 3 months with AZA/6-MP were prospectively studied. Patients were separated into three main groups: group 1 (n = 19), corresponding to quiescent CD receiving AZA (dose: 2.05 +/- 0.4 mg/kg/day for a mean of 28.6 +/- 25 months) or 6-MP (dose: 1.4 +/- 01 mg/kg/day for a mean of 7.5 +/- 3.5 months) alone; group 2 (n = 6), corresponding to quiescent CD treated by AZA (dose: 2.14 +/- 0.5 mg/kg/day for a mean of 29.5 +/- 22 months) with oral steroids; and group 3 (n = 3), corresponding to active CD on AZA (dose: 1.94 +/- 0.6 mg/kg/day for a mean of 31.3 +/- 35 months) as the only treatment. An assessment was also made by merging groups 1 and 2 forming a larger group of patients (n = 25) defined by clinical remission and groups 2 and 3 forming a larger group of patients (n = 9), non-complete responders with AZA/6-MP alone. Crohn disease index activity (CDAI), blood samples for full blood count and differential white cell count and measurement of RBC 6TGN and 6-MMP concentrations were evaluated at inclusion and at 6 months (n = 17). RBC 6TGN were measured using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) on heparinized blood. RESULTS: The baseline characteristics of the three groups of patients were similar. There was no significant difference among the three groups of patients regarding the dose and the duration of immunosuppressive treatment. There was no significant difference between groups according to various parameters tested. Particularly, the median RBC 6TGN concentration at inclusion was similar in the three groups of patients (166 (105-688), 183 (90-261) and 160 (52-194) pmol/8 x 10(8) RBC, respectively). The majority of patients had no detectable level of 6-MMP metabolite, except for 3 patients. There was also no difference between merging groups. Furthermore, there was no significant correlation between RBC 6TGN concentrations and the various biological parameters tested except for the mean erythrocyte volume. At 6 months, all patients of group 1 remained in remission and median RBC 6TGN concentration remained stable. No side effects were observed. CONCLUSIONS: There is, contrary to preliminary studies, a broad overlap in RBC 6TGN levels as well as for haematological parameters in patients in remission or not and responders or not to AZA/6-MP therapy. This suggests, beside a variability in the metabolism of these drugs, the existence of complex mechanisms of action. Nevertheless, beside the use of RBC 6TGN determination to confirm compliance to therapy, this dosage could be useful in non-responding patients, allowing, in absence of leukopenia, to increase the dose of AZA/6-MP safely. [less ▲]

Chronic hepatitis B therapy with lamivudine in clinical practice - Summary of the discussion

in Acta Gastro-Enterologica Belgica (2000), 63(4), 357-358