       Document 0134
 DOCN  M9630134
 TI    Efficacy and safety of alpha-interferon treatment for chronic hepatitis
       C in HIV-infected patients. HIV-Hepatitis Spanish Study Group.
 DT    9603
 AU    Soriano V; Garcia-Samaniego J; Bravo R; Castro A; Odriozola PM; Gonzalez
       J; Colmenero M; Carballo E; Suarez D; Llibre JM; et al; Centro de
       Investigaciones Clinicas, Instituto de Salud Carlos; III, Madrid, Spain.
 SO    J Infect. 1995 Jul;31(1):9-13. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE MED/96019118
 AB    The efficacy and safety of recombinant alpha-interferon (IFN) therapy
       for chronic hepatitis C (CHC) was assessed in 57 HIV-infected
       individuals with CD4+ T cells above 200/mm3 and compared to the response
       obtained in 21 HIV-negative patients with CHC. IFN 5 megaU was given
       three times a week subcutaneously for 3 months. In responding patients,
       IFN 3 megaU three times a week was additionally administered for 9
       months. After 8 months follow-up in HIV-infected patients, 38% (22/57)
       achieved normal (complete response, CR) alanine aminotransferase (ALT)
       values. Partial response (PR) was seen in 21% (12/57), and 40% (23/57)
       did not respond. Patients with CD4+ cells above 500/mm3 achieved CR in
       58% (14/24) of cases compared to 24% (8/33) among those having a lower
       CD4+ count (P < 0.01). Females attained CR in 60% (9/15) of cases, and
       men in only 30.9% (13/42) (P < 0.01). No serious side effects or
       opportunistic infections were observed during the study period. However,
       three (5.2%) patients showed a dramatic fall in total CD4+ T cell count
       after beginning IFN therapy. Among 21 HIV-negative patients, after 8
       months follow-up, CR was achieved in 10 (47%), PR in four (19%), and
       seven (33%) did not respond. We concluded that IFN therapy seems to be
       well tolerated and useful in HIV-infected patients suffering CHC. The
       rate of CR was not significantly different compared to that observed in
       HIV-negative patients (38% vs. 47%), relative risk (RR) = 0.67
       (0.19-2.37).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
 DE    Adult  Aminotransferases/METABOLISM  Antiviral Agents/ADVERSE
       EFFECTS/*THERAPEUTIC USE  Chronic Disease  Comparative Study  CD4
       Lymphocyte Count  Female  Follow-Up Studies  Hepatitis
       C/COMPLICATIONS/*DRUG THERAPY/ENZYMOLOGY  Human  HIV
       Infections/*COMPLICATIONS/IMMUNOLOGY  HIV Seronegativity
       Interferon-alpha/ADVERSE EFFECTS/*THERAPEUTIC USE  Male  Prospective
       Studies  Risk Factors  CLINICAL TRIAL  JOURNAL ARTICLE  MULTICENTER
       STUDY

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).

