A Glimmer of Hope for HIV/HCV-Coinfected Patients

Among HIV-infected patients, coinfection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) is common and is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Two multisite randomized, controlled trials now . . .

Among HIV-infected patients, coinfection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) is common and is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Two multisite randomized, controlled trials now provide evidence that combination therapy with pegylated interferon and ribavirin offers such patients a slight hope of sustained HCV suppression.

Torriani and colleagues enrolled 868 HIV/HCV-coinfected adults at 95 sites in an industry-supported trial comparing 48 weeks of peginterferon alfa-2a (180 µg once weekly) plus either ribavirin (400 mg twice daily) or placebo with interferon alfa-2a (3 million IU 3 times weekly) plus ribavirin (400 mg twice daily). The rate of sustained HCV suppression 24 weeks after completing therapy was significantly better for…

Reviewing Author

Richard T. Ellison III, MD