Response-Guided Peginterferon α-2a Monotherapy for Hemodialysis Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C

Response-Guided Peginterferon α-2a Monotherapy for Hemodialysis Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C

Background: Hemodialysis patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) have a poor prognosis and ribavirin combination therapy is problematic in these patients. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of response-guided peginterferonα-2a (PEG-IFNα-2a) monotherapy in hemodialysis patients with HCV. Associations with the IL-28B polymorphism were also examined. Methods: After 4 weeks of PEG-IFNα-2a therapy, 21 patients were allocated to two different treatment periods. Those who tested negative for HCV RNA at this point (rapid virological response, RVR) were treated for 48 weeks and those who remained positive (non-RVR) were treated for 72 weeks. We evaluated the rates of sustained virological response (SVR) and discontinuation of therapy due to adverse events.