Consensus Interferon plus Ribavirin for Previous Nonresponders to HCV Therapy

Daily consensus interferon plus ribavirin was associated with an SVR rate of 22% in HCV-positive patients with previous nonresponse to interferon plus ribavirin.

Few treatment options are available for hepatitis C virus (HCV)-positive patients who do not respond to interferon therapy. Alternatives under investigation include maintenance therapy with low-dose interferon, higher-dose regimens, longer-duration regimens, and different interferons, such as consensus interferon (CIFN). In unpublished data, previous nonresponders had higher sustained virologic response (SVR) rates with CIFN plus ribavirin than with a second course of pegylated interferon plus ribavirin (Hepatology 2004 Oct; 40:supp 4:abstract 172). Now, researchers in Germany have further evaluated the efficacy of daily CIFN plus ribavirin.

This open-label pilot study involved 77 HCV-positive patients who had not responded to previous inter…

Reviewing Author

Atif Zaman, MD, MPH