Treatment of chronic hepatitis C with cirrhosis with recombinant human granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor plus recombinant interferon‐alpha

Abstract

Interferon therapy in cirrhotic patients with hepatitis C virus infection is not efficient. In an attempt to improve the response rate, a pilot study using recombinant human granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor (rhG‐CSF) alone, and in combination with recombinant interferon‐alpha (rIFN), was carried out. Fifteen cirrhotic patients with hepatitis C virus infection were randomly allocated into 3 groups to receive treatment: 0.5, 1, or 1.5 μg/kg of rhG‐CSF daily for 4 weeks, followed by a 4 week resting period, and by the same dose of rhG‐CSF daily, plus 6 MU of rIFN 3 times weekly for 4 weeks. They then continued to receive 6 MU of rIFN alone for 4 weeks, followed by 3 MU of rIFN for 16 weeks. After the 4 weeks of treatment with rhG‐CSF alone, no changes in ala‐nine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were observed. No changes occurred during the resting period. Three of 10 patients who ended the rhG‐CSF plus rIFN treatment period had normal ALT values. During the treatment with rIFN alone, two responders suffered a relapse. The other responder had normal ALT until the first month of follow‐up. In summary, the combination of rhG‐CSF and rIFN seems promising for the treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C and liver cirrhosis. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Copyright © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc., A Wiley Company