UNLABELLED In hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1 infection, the duration of interferon-based therapy is a critical determinant in achieving sustained virologic response (SVR). Slow or late responders to peginterferon and ribavirin may benefit from an extended treatment course. We sought to determine if therapy extension could improve response rates in a United States population of slow responde...

BACKGROUND Ipilimumab and peginterferon alfa-2b are established systemic treatment options for melanoma that have distinct mechanisms of action. Given the need for improved therapies for advanced melanoma, we conducted an open-label, single institution, phase Ib study to assess the safety and tolerability of using these two agents in combination. METHODS Study treatment consisted of ipilimuma...

BACKGROUND & AIMS High-level coffee consumption has been associated with reduced progression of pre-existing liver diseases and lower risk of hepatocellular carcinoma. However, its relationship with therapy for hepatitis C virus infection has not been evaluated. METHODS Patients (n=885) from the lead-in phase of the Hepatitis C Antiviral Long-Term Treatment Against Cirrhosis Trial recorded co...

INTRODUCTION A large number of patients with chronic hepatitis C have not been cured with interferon-based therapy. Therefore, we evaluated the efficacy of amantadine combined with the standard of care(pegylated interferon plus ribavirin) in patients who had not responded to or had relapsed after ≥ 24 weeks of treatment with conventional interferon plus ribavirin. MATERIAL AND METHODS Patient...

UNLABELLED Alpha interferon is the only licensed drug for hepatitis B with immunomodulatory as well as viral inhibitory properties. Potential advantages of interferon compared to nucleoside analogs include a lack of drug resistance, a finite and defined treatment course, and a higher likelihood for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) clearance. Approximately 30% of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)...

Background: Treatment with interferon-alfa has been shown to be effective in one-third of hepatitis B e antigen-positive chronic hepatitis B patients, but is clinically associated with relevant adverse events. Aim: To investigate the safety of peginterferon alfa-2b in 300 hepatitis B e antigen-positive patients with compensated liver disease. Methods: Patients were treated with peginterferon al...

conclusions according to the results, total direct medical costs for hcv patients in iran exceeded 12 billion ppp$ in (inf-rbv) treatment and 55 billion ppp$ in (peg-rbv). results average direct medical costs for the courses treated with conventional interferon plus ribavirin (inf-rbv) were 4,403 ppp$, and 20,010 ppp$ for peg-interferon plus ribavirin (peg-rbv) courses. there was an increase of...

The treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1 infection has been revolutionized by the introduction of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) agents (boceprevir and telaprevir) in combination with peginterferon and ribavirin. Although improved antiviral efficacy and shorter durations of therapy are anticipated, there are also potentially severe drug-drug interactions involving protease inh...