Hoffmann, R. A wiki for the life sciences where authorship matters. Nature Genetics (2008)

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Everson, G.T. et al.

G.T. Everson, L. Balart, S.S. Lee, R.W. Reindollar, M.L. Shiffman, G.Y. Minuk, P.J. Pockros, S. Govindarajan, E. Lentz, E.J. Heathcote,

Histological benefits of virological response to peginterferon alfa-2a monotherapy in patients with hepatitis C and advanced fibrosis or compensated cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND: Patients with chronic hepatitis C virus and advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis are at risk for disease progression and hepatic decompensation. AIM: To determine the effects on hepatic histology of treatment with peginterferon alfa-2a (90 or 180 mug/week) or interferon alfa-2a (3 million units three times weekly) for 48 weeks in patients with paired biopsies. METHODS: Liver biopsies were obtained at baseline and 6 months after end of treatment. Histological and virological responses were compared. RESULTS: Patients attaining sustained virological response (n = 40) demonstrated the greatest improvements in fibrosis (-1.0, P < 0.0001) and inflammation (-0.65, P < 0.0001). Patients who cleared hepatitis C virus during treatment, but later relapsed (n = 59), experienced less improvement in fibrosis (-0.04, P < 0.0001) and inflammation (-0.14, P = 0.0768). Nonresponders (n = 85) showed no significant improvement in inflammation or fibrosis. Multiple regression analysis showed that the only factors contributing to improvement in fibrosis were sustained virological response (vs. nonresponder, P = 0.0005; vs. relapse, P = 0.7525) and body mass index < or =30 kg/m2 (P = 0.0995). CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that virological response to peginterferon alfa-2a improves inflammation and fibrosis in hepatitis C virus patients with advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis. Improving virological response and maintaining ideal body weight are critical for achieving optimal histological outcomes in hepatitis C virus patients.[1]

References

Histological benefits of virological response to peginterferon alfa-2a monotherapy in patients with hepatitis C and advanced fibrosis or compensated cirrhosis. Everson, G.T., Balart, L., Lee, S.S., Reindollar, R.W., Shiffman, M.L., Minuk, G.Y., Pockros, P.J., Govindarajan, S., Lentz, E., Heathcote, E.J. Aliment. Pharmacol. Ther. (2008) [Pubmed]

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