Disappearance of Hepatitis C Virus RNA in Plasma during Interferon Alpha-2B Treatment in Hemophilia Patients

D. Bresters Central Laboratory of The Netherlands Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service, and Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, and Van Crevcld Clinic Bilthoven The Netherlands, and Chiron Corporation, Emeryville, California, USA

E. P. Mauser-Bunschoten Central Laboratory of The Netherlands Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service, and Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, and Van Crevcld Clinic Bilthoven The Netherlands, and Chiron Corporation, Emeryville, California, USA

H. T. M. Cuypers Central Laboratory of The Netherlands Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service, and Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, and Van Crevcld Clinic Bilthoven The Netherlands, and Chiron Corporation, Emeryville, California, USA

P. N. Lelie Central Laboratory of The Netherlands Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service, and Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, and Van Crevcld Clinic Bilthoven The Netherlands, and Chiron Corporation, Emeryville, California, USA

J. H. Han Central Laboratory of The Netherlands Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service, and Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, and Van Crevcld Clinic Bilthoven The Netherlands, and Chiron Corporation, Emeryville, California, USA

P. L. M. Jansen Central Laboratory of The Netherlands Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service, and Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, and Van Crevcld Clinic Bilthoven The Netherlands, and Chiron Corporation, Emeryville, California, USA

M. Houghton & Central Laboratory of The Netherlands Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service, and Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, and Van Crevcld Clinic Bilthoven The Netherlands, and Chiron Corporation, Emeryville, California, USA

H. W. Reesink Central Laboratory of The Netherlands Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service, and Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, and Van Crevcld Clinic Bilthoven The Netherlands, and Chiron Corporation, Emeryville, California, USA

show all

Abstract

To establish the effect of interferon alpha-2B (IFN-alpha) treatment on hepatitis C virus (HCV) viremia, rather than monitor the alanine aminotransferase (ALAT) values we measured HCV-RNA by cDNA-polymerase chain reaction (cDNA-PCR) in plasma before and during IFN-alpha treatment. Eight hemophilia patients with chronic hepatitis C were treated with IFN-alpha for 24 weeks: 5 MU daily for 2 weeks, 2.5 MU daily for 4 weeks, and 1.5 MU three times a week for 18 weeks. HCV-RNA, as measured by cDNA-PCR, was present in all patients before treatment. After 24 weeks of treatment HCV-RNA was no longer detectable in three of eight (37.5%) patients, whereas only one of eight (12.5%) patients showed complete ALAT normalization. In three of eight patients a transient response to IFN-alpha was seen, with renewed HCV-RNA detection after dose reduction. HCV-RNA measurement by cDNA-PCR appeared to be more sensitive in detecting relapse than ALAT measurement.

Key Words:

Reprints and Corporate Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

To request a reprint or corporate permissions for this article, please click on the relevant link below:

Order Reprints Request Corporate Permissions

Academic Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

Obtain permissions instantly via Rightslink by clicking on the button below:

Request Academic Permissions

If you are unable to obtain permissions via Rightslink, please complete and submit this Permissions form. For more information, please visit our Permissions help page.

Disappearance of Hepatitis C Virus RNA in Plasma during Interferon Alpha-2B Treatment in Hemophilia Patients

Information for

Open access

Opportunities

Help and information

Disappearance of Hepatitis C Virus RNA in Plasma during Interferon Alpha-2B Treatment in Hemophilia Patients

Abstract

Reprints and Corporate Permissions

Academic Permissions

Related research

To cite this article:

Download citation

Information for

Open access

Opportunities

Help and information

Keep up to date

Your download is now in progress and you may close this window

Login or register to access this feature