Efficacy of Pegylated Interferon α-2b and Ribavirin in Treatment Naive and Previously Treated Children and Adolescents with Chronic HCV (Genotype 1 and 4) Infection 

Wi?niewska-Ligier M, Paw?owska M, Pilarczyk M, Halota W, Wo?niakowska-G?sicka T

The course of chronic hepatitis C in children is often mild or asymptomatic, but may lead to liver cirrhosis and neoplasm.The aim of our study was retrospective evaluation of treatment efficacy using pegylated interferon α-2b with ribavirin children and adolescents with chronic hepatitis C, both treatment naïve and re-treated.The study comprised 79 patients with chronic hepatitis C aged 8 - 18 years (43 patients re-treated; 54 infected with genotype 1 HCV and 25 with genotype 4.), treated with pegylated interferon α-2b (1.5 μg/kg/week) plus ribavirin (15 mg/kg/day) for 48 weeks. The primary endpoint was sustained virologic response (SVR).EVR was observed in 43.1%, ETR in 47.9%. In 44.3% of patients SVR was achieved, which was maintained for at least 6 following months. Patients not treated before significantly more frequently attained EVR, ETR and SVR (64%, 65.6% and 63.9%, respectively) as compared to patients re-treated (30%, 33.3% and 27.9%, respectively). Among 28 patients who attained EVR, 23 achieved SVR. In two patients, despite lack of EVR, SVR was observed. There were numerous side effects. They were not so severe as to discontinue therapy.Combined therapy with pegylated interferon α-2b and ribavirin in patients with chronic hepatitis C, infected with HCV genotype 1 and 4, was more effective in treatment-naive patients (63.9%) as compared to re-therapy cases (27.9%). SVR was maintained for at least 6 following months in all patients. The applied treatment has limited efficacy and evokes numerous side effects, thus search for new methods of treatment is mandatory.