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World J Gastroenterol. Feb 7, 2006; 12(5): 784-790
Published online Feb 7, 2006. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v12.i5.784
Interferon alpha plus ribavirin combination treatment of Japanese chronic hepatitis C patients with HCV genotype 2: A project of the Kyushu University Liver Disease Study Group
Norihiro Furusyo, Masaki Katoh, Yuichi Tanabe, Eiji Kajiwara, Toshihiro Maruyama, Junya Shimono, Hironori Sakai, Makoto Nakamuta, Hideyuki Nomura, Akihide Masumoto, Shinji Shimoda, Kazuhiro Takahashi, Koichi Azuma, Jun Hayashi, Kyushu University Liver Disease Study Group
Norihiro Furusyo, Jun Hayashi, Department of General Medicine, Kyushu University Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan
Masaki Katoh, Yuichi Tanabe, Department of Medicine, Fukuoka City Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan
Eiji Kajiwara, Department of Internal Medicine, Nippon Steel Yawata Memorial Hospital, Kitakyushu, Japan
Toshihiro Maruyama, Department of Medicine, Kitakyushu Municipal Medical Center, Kitakyushu, Japan
Junya Shimono, Department of Medicine, Yahata Saiseikai Hospital, Kitakyushu, Japan
Hironori Sakai, Department of Gastroenterology, National Hospital Organization Kyushu Medical Center, Fukuoka, Japan
Makoto Nakamuta, Department of Medicine and Bioregulatory Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
Hideyuki Nomura, Department of Internal Medicine, Shin-Kokura Hospital, Kitakyushu, Japan
Akihide Masumoto, Department of Clinical Research, National Hospital Organization, Kokura Hospital, Kitakyushu, Japan
Shinji Shimoda, Department of Medicine and Biosystemic Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
Kazuhiro Takahashi, Department of Medicine, Hamanomachi Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan
Koichi Azuma, Department of Medicine and Clinical Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
Correspondence to: Norihiro Furusyo, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of General Medicine, Kyushu University Hospital, Higashi-Ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan. furusyo@genmedpr.med.kyushu-u.ac.jp
Telephone: +81-92-642-5909 Fax: +81-92-642-5916
Received: July 6, 2005
Revised: July 9, 2005
Accepted: August 3, 2005
Published online: February 7, 2006
Abstract

AIM: To determine the efficacy of an interferon alpha and ribavirin combination treatment for Japanese patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) of genotype 2, a multi-center study was retrospectively analyzed.

METHODS: In total, 173 patients with HCV genotype 2 started to receive interferon-alpha subcutaneously thrice a week and 600–800 mg of ribavirin daily for 24 wk.

RESULTS: The overall sustained virological response (SVR), defined as undetectable HCV RNA in serum, 24 wk after the end of treatment, was remarkably high by 84.4 %, (146/173) by an intention-to-treat analysis. A significant difference in SVR was found between patients with and without the discontinuation of ribavirin (46.9% vs 92.9 %), but no difference was found between those with and without a dose reduction of ribavirin. A significant difference in SVR was also found between patients with less than 16 wk and patients with 16 or more weeks of ribavirin treatment (34.8 % vs 92.0 %).

CONCLUSION: The 24-wk interferon and ribavirin treatment is highly effective for Japanese patients with HCV genotype 2. The significant predictor of SVR is continuation of the ribavirin treatment for up to 16 weeks.

Keywords: Hepatitis C virus; Interferon; Ribavirin; Genotype 2