Long-term therapy of chronic delta hepatitis with peginterferon alfa.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Chronic delta hepatitis virus (HDV) infection rapidly progresses to cirrhosis. Treatment with peginterferon for up to 2 years is often without durable response.

Aim

To examine the efficacy and safety of long-term peginterferon in achieving a durable response.

Methods

Treatment was initiated with 180 μg/week of peginterferon alfa-2a with titration to a maximal tolerable dose, for up to 5 years. Liver biopsies and hepatic venous pressure gradients (HVPG) were evaluated at baseline, 1, 3 and 5 years. The primary endpoint was histological improvement or loss of serum HDV and HBsAg at 3 years.

Results

Thirteen patients were treated for a median of 140 weeks (6-260) with an average peginterferon dose of 180 μg/week (90-270). At baseline, most had advanced

SUBMITTER: Heller T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5510621 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature