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PEG-IFN treatment yields high SVR in children with HCV

In a systematic review, children with hepatitis C virus infection treated with pegylated interferon-alfa with ribavirin yielded higher sustained virologic response rates compared with children treated with interferon alfa with ribavirin, according to study data.

“This systematic review aimed to compare the SVR among children treated for [chronic hepatitis C] according to the HCV genotype with different therapeutic regimens using combined tests of statistical analysis,” the researchers wrote. “The conclusions drawn from evidence-based data regarding the efficacy and the safety of each regimen might support the future management of [chronic hepatitis C] among that cohort.”

Researchers from Tanta Fever Hospital in Tanta, Egypt, and Ain-Shams University in Cairo, Egypt, collected and analyzed data of 23 studies from an electronic database that assessed clinical trials with children and treatment regimens of interferon alfa plus ribavirin and pegylated interferon-alfa (PEG-IFN-a) plus ribavirin.

Overall, SVR rates were higher with the addition of ribavirin to both PEG-IFN-a and interferon alfa vs. their monotherapies for HCV genotypes 1, 2 and 3. Patients with HCV genotype 1 treated with PEG-IFN-a plus ribavirin showed higher SVR rates compared with patients treated with interferon alfa plus ribavirin (50% vs. 40%), as well as patients with genotypes 2 and 3 (90% vs. 84%, respectively). Patients with genotype 4 treated with PEG-IFN-a plus ribavirin had lower SVR rates compared with all other genotypes (41%).

Rate of relapse was not different between the two regimens and their monotherapies. However, frequency of breakthrough during treatment was more frequent in patients treated with interferon alfa vs. those treated with interferon alfa plus ribavirin (P < .03) and vs. those who received PEG-IFN-a plus ribavirin (P < .02).

Adverse events, such as weight loss, injection site reaction, psychiatric disorders, thyroid dysfunction and leucopenia, were seen more in children treated with PEG-IFN-a plus ribavirin vs. interferon alfa plus ribavirin.

“The outcome of the current therapy among children with [chronic hepatitis C] regardless of the HCV genotype, shows significantly higher SVR with PEG-IFN-a [plus ribavirin] compared with interferon alfa [plus ribavirin],” the researchers concluded. “Besides, the addition of [ribavirin] to any type of interferon alfa was associated with significantly higher SVR vs. their monotherapies.” – by Melinda Stevens

Disclosures: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.