Faculty Bibliography

OBJECTIVES: The efficacy of combination therapy with pegylated interferon (PEG IFN) alpha plus ribavirin (RBV) in the retreatment of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) in patients who previously failed combination standard IFN plus RBV or IFN monotherapy has not been well established. METHODS: Three hundred and twenty-one CHC patients including virologic nonresponders to combination IFN plus RBV (n = 219) or IFN monotherapy (n = 47), and relapsers to combination therapy (n = 55) were randomized to receive PEG IFN alpha-2b 1.5 microg/kg per wk plus RBV 800 mg per day (Regimen A, n = 160) or PEG IFN alpha-2b 1.0 microg/kg per wk plus RBV 1,000-1,200 mg per day (Regimen B, n = 161) for 48 wks. RESULTS: Sustained virologic response (SVR) occurred in 16% of the overall study population (Regimen A vs B, 18%vs 13%, p= 0.21), in 8% of the combination therapy nonresponders (10%vs 6%, p= 0.35), in 21% of the IFN monotherapy nonresponders (16%vs 27%, p= 0.35), and in 42% of the combination therapy relapsers (50%vs 32%, p= 0.18). In nonresponders to prior combination therapy, HCV ribonucleic acid levels <100,000 copies/mL at the end of the prior treatment course were associated with an increased SVR compared with levels >or=100,000 copies/mL (21%vs 5%, p= 0.002). In the overall study population, genotype 1 patients had lower SVR rates than others (14%vs 33%, p= 0.01), and African Americans had lower SVR than Caucasians (4%vs 18%, p= 0.01). CONCLUSION: Combination therapy with PEG IFN alpha-2b plus RBV is more effective in patients who relapsed after combination standard IFN plus RBV than in nonresponders to either combination therapy or IFN monotherapy. There was no significant effect of dosing regimen

OBJECTIVES: Most studies establishing the role of antiviral therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) excluded the patients with normal ALT levels. Small trials with interferon monotherapy suggested a limited efficacy and/or de novo ALT elevations. We sought to evaluate the efficacy of two doses of interferon alfa-2b (IFN) with ribavirin (RBV) in patients with normal ALT [correction]. METHODS: Patients with biopsy-proven CHC with detectable HCV RNA and at least two normal ALT levels three or more months apart were randomized to receive either 3 or 5 million units of IFN thrice a week plus RBV 1,000-1,200 mg. Therapy was stopped at 24 wk if HCV RNA remained detectable and continued for an additional 24 wk if HCV RNA was undetectable. A final HCV RNA level was obtained 24 wk after discontinuation of therapy. RESULTS: Fifty-six patients were randomized and received at least one dose of treatment. The overall rate of sustained virologic response (SVR) was 32%. SVR rates were higher in genotype 2 and 3 patients (80%) than in genotype 1 patients (24%, p = 0.002). There was a tendency toward higher SVR in genotype 1 patients treated with the higher IFN dose (36%vs 10%, p = 0.07). Five patients had mild, transient ALT elevations. No sustained ALT elevations were noted. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with normal ALT had a rate of SVR comparable to that reported in patients with elevated ALT. Higher dose of interferon tended to be more effective in genotype 1 infected patients. De novo ALT elevations were transient and not clinically significant. Patients with CHC should not be excluded from treatment on the basis of ALT alone. Combination therapy with pegylated interferon and ribavirin should be evaluated in these patients

Methotrexate treatment for psoriasis is known to cause hepatic fibrosis in some patients, which might progress to cirrhosis. The fine, radiating, fibrous septa developing in this setting have a distribution that is reminiscent of the location of the canals of Hering (coH). To assess the possibility of fibrous obliteration of the coH in patients receiving methotrexate, we developed a staining technique by combining an immunohistochemical stain for cytokeratin 7 with a modified Masson trichrome. Sixteen biopsy specimens from 7 patients were evaluated. The biopsies had a variety of histologic changes, including steatosis, anisonucleosis, multinucleation, chronic inflammation, bile duct damage, and ductular reaction. Fibrosis was present in 13 biopsy specimens (81%) and was mild in 7, moderate in 3, and severe in 3 specimens. Compared with normal (control) liver specimens, biopsy specimensfrom patients receiving methotrexate had decreased numbers of coH (1.9 +/- 0.8 vs 5.2 +/- 1.7; P < .025). In specimens with moderate or severe fibrosis, fibrous septa sometimes extended along the coH. These findings suggest that scarring of the coH might be a consequence of the toxic effects of methotrexate

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Chronic hepatitis B is an important public health problem worldwide and in the United States. A treatment algorithm for chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection was developed by a panel of US hepatologists based on new developments in the understanding of the virology of HBV, availability of more sensitive molecular diagnostic testing, and advantages and disadvantages of currently approved therapies. METHODS: This algorithm is based on available evidence, but where data are lacking, the panel relied on clinical experience and consensus expert opinion. RESULTS: Serum HBV DNA can be detected at levels as low as 100-1000 copies/mL by using molecular assays and should be determined to establish a baseline level before treatment, monitor response to antiviral therapy, and survey for the development of drug resistance. The primary aim of antiviral therapy is durable suppression of serum HBV DNA to the lowest level possible. The threshold level of HBV DNA for determination of candidacy for therapy is >/=10(5) copies/mL for patients with hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive chronic hepatitis B. A lower serum HBV DNA threshold is appropriate for patients with HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B and those with decompensated cirrhosis, and the panel recommends thresholds of 10(4) copies/mL and 10(3) copies/mL, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Interferon alfa-2b, lamivudine, and adefovir dipivoxil are all approved as initial therapy for chronic hepatitis B and have certain advantages and disadvantages. Issues for consideration include efficacy, safety, incidence of resistance, method of administration, and cost. Studies are under way to explore the safety and efficacy of combination therapy, which may prove to be more effective than monotherapy in suppressing viral replication and may decrease or delay the incidence of drug resistance