Background/aims: The efficacy of interferon-alpha and ribavirin combination therapy for GB virus C/hepatitis G virus infection is not well understood. We previously conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial using high-dose interferon-alpha 2b with or without ribavirin for patients with interferon-alpha-relapsed chronic hepatitis C.
Methodology: Fifty-two patients were randomly assigned and completed the 24-week treatment of interferon-alpha 2b (6 million units three times per week) plus ribavirin (1000 to 1200 mg/daily), or plus a matched placebo. Patients were then followed for an additional 24 weeks.
Results: Of the 52 patients, 5 patients (9.6%) had hepatitis G virus viremia before or during enrollment. Two patients received interferon-alpha 2b alone and three patients received interferon-alpha 2b and ribavirin combination therapy. At the end of treatment, all of the 5 patients had undetectable hepatitis G virus RNA in sera. Early loss of hepatitis G virus RNA at week 4 of treatment was observed in the 2 patients on combination therapy. Hepatitis G virus RNA reappeared at the end of follow-up in these 5 patients.
Conclusions: In conclusion, interferon-alpha 2b and ribavirin combination therapy could induce earlier loss of hepatitis G virus RNA than interferon-alpha 2b alone. Either interferon-alpha 2b alone or interferon-alpha 2b and ribavirin combination therapy achieved transient but not sustained virological response to hepatitis G virus viremia.