A randomized trial of pegylated-interferon alpha 2a plus ribavirin with or without amantadine in treatment-naïve or relapsing chronic hepatitis C patients
Langlet, P.; D'Heygere, F.; Henrion, J.et al.
2009 • In Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 30, p. 352-363
[en] Background
The combination therapy of pegylated-interferon-a2a plus ribavirin is
considered as the standard of care for patients with chronic hepatitis C.
A sustained viral response is obtained in 40–50% of naı¨ve patients with
genotype 1 and in around 80% of naı¨ve patients with genotype 2 or 3.
Aim
To assess whether amantadine, added to the conventional combination
therapy, could improve the treatment efficacy.
Methods
In all, 630 patients (intent-to-treat population) with chronic hepatitis C
were randomized into two groups: 316 patients (treatment group)
received pegylated-interferon-a2a (180 lg once weekly) plus ribavirin
(1000–1200 mg⁄ daily) with amantadine (200 mg⁄ daily); 314 patients
(control group) received pegylated-interferon-a2a (180 lg once weekly)
plus ribavirin (1000–1200 mg⁄ daily) without amantadine.
The duration of the treatment was 48 weeks for genotypes 1, 4, 5 and
6, and 24 weeks for genotypes 2 and 3.
Results
There was no statistically significant difference between treatments
groups for any of the variables tested for. Subgroups of patients likely
to take advantage of the addition of amantadine were not identified.
Conclusions
This large study definitely excludes the role of amantadine in addition of
conventional combination therapy in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C
patients.
Disciplines :
Gastroenterology & hepatology
Author, co-author :
Langlet, P.; CHU Brugmann
D'Heygere, F.; CAZK Groeninghe
Henrion, J.; Hopital de Jolimont
Adler, M.; Hopital Universitaire Erasme
Delwaide, Jean ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Gastro-Entérologie-Hépatologie
A randomized trial of pegylated-interferon alpha 2a plus ribavirin with or without amantadine in treatment-naïve or relapsing chronic hepatitis C patients
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