A randomized trial of consensus interferon in combination with ribavirin as initial treatment for chronic hepatitis C

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of the present, open-labeled, randomized study was to determine the efficacy and safety of different doses of consensus interferon plus ribavirin in the initial treatment of chronic hepatitis C. METHODS: One hundred and one genotype 2/3 patients were randomized to receive 9 mcg (group A, n=48) or 18 mcg (group B, n=53) of consensus interferon thrice weekly plus ribavirin (1000/1200 mg/daily) for 24 weeks and 92 genotype 1 patients to receive 9 mcg (group C, n=47) or 18 mcg (group D, n=45) of consensus interferon plus ribavirin for 48 weeks. RESULTS: In an intention-to-treat analysis, the sustained virologic response at 24-week follow-up was 69% and 66% for group A and B (P=0.77) and 40% and 36% for group C and D (P=0.63). The overall sustained response was 67% and 38% in patients with genotype 2/3 and 1, respectively. Among genotype 1 patients the sustained virologic response was 39% and 41% for high or low baseline viremia levels. CONCLUSIONS: Higher consensus interferon dose does not increase sustained virologic response. Naive genotype 1 patients may achieve significant response rate of approximately 40% if treated with 9 mcg of consensus interferon plus ribavirin for 48 weeks.