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Sustained virological responses following standard anti-viral therapy in decompensated HCV-infected cirrhotic patients

  1. A. IACOBELLIS1,
  2. M. SICILIANO2,
  3. B. E. ANNICCHIARICO2,
  4. M. R. VALVANO1,
  5. G. A. NIRO1,
  6. L. ACCADIA1,
  7. N. CARUSO1,
  8. G. BOMBARDIERI2,
  9. A. ANDRIULLI1

Article first published online: 17 APR 2009

DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2036.2009.04025.x

Issue

Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics

Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics

Volume 30, Issue 2, pages 146–153, July 2009

Additional Information

How to Cite

IACOBELLIS, A., SICILIANO, M., ANNICCHIARICO, B. E., VALVANO, M. R., NIRO, G. A., ACCADIA, L., CARUSO, N., BOMBARDIERI, G. and ANDRIULLI, A. (2009), Sustained virological responses following standard anti-viral therapy in decompensated HCV-infected cirrhotic patients. Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 30: 146–153. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2036.2009.04025.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    Division of Gastroenterology, “Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza” Hospital, IRCCS, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy

  2. 2

    Institute of Pathology and Semeiotica Medica, Catholic University, Rome, Italy

*Dr A. Andriulli, Division of Gastroenterology, “Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza” Hospital, IRCCS, viale Cappuccini 1, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy. E-mail: a.andriulli@operapadrepio.it

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 26 JUN 2009
  2. Article first published online: 17 APR 2009
  3. Publication data Submitted 29 January 2009 First decision 22 February 2009 Resubmitted 15 April 2009 Accepted 15 April 2009 Epub Accepted Article 17 April 2009

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Summary

Background  Little data is available about predictors of sustained virological response (SVR) during anti-viral therapy of patients with decompensated HCV cirrhosis.

Aims  To determine whether rapid and early virological responses (RVR and EVR) could predict SVR and help optimize treatment in these patients.

Methods  A total of 94 cirrhotics underwent treatment with peg-interferon alfa-2b (1.5 μg/kg weekly) and ribavirin (800/1200 mg daily) for 48 or 24 weeks for genotypes 1/4 or genotypes 2/3, respectively.

Results  Overall, SVR was achieved in 33 patients (35.1%), 16% with genotype 1/4 and 56.8% with genotype 2/3 (P < 0.01). At treatment week 4, 34 patients had undetectable HCV-RNA, 10 with genotype 1/4 and 24 with genotype 2/3. Of RVR patients, 24 achieved SVR (70.5%), 6 and 18 with genotypes 1 and non-1. At the multivariate analysis, only EVR, genotypes 2 and 3, and adherence to full course and dosage of therapy retained their independent predictive power, with corresponding ORs of 25.5 (95% CI 3.0–217.3), 4.2 (95% CI 1.2–15.3) and 9.1 (95% CI 2.2–38.0), respectively.

Conclusion  In decompensated cirrhotic patients, anti-viral therapy with current regimens is feasible and associated with an overall SVR rate of 35.1%. Treatment ought to be pursued among patients who attain an EVR, and maintain a full course and dosage of therapy.

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