Should PEG-Intron Be Given Twice Weekly to Improve HCV Clearance in Genotype 1 Patients?
The decline in hepatitis C viral load on treatment with peginterferon alfa-2b (PEG-Intron) is not continuous, according to the authors of this study. The aim of their study was to investigate whether twice weekly dosing of peginterferon alfa-2b may improve viral kinetics. Ten interferon-nave patients with chronic hepatitis C (genotype 1a or b) were randomized to receive either 1.0 microgram/kg peginterferon alfa-2b once (group A) or twice weekly (group B) for 4 weeks. Viral load and serum concentrations of peginterferon alfa-2b were measured. Peginterferon alfa-2b reached maximal blood concentrations 24 h after the first dose, followed by a linear decline during the subsequent days. On the day before administration of the next dose, peginterferon alfa-2b was undetectable in nine patients in group A (once weekly dosing). The same pattern was observed during the next 3 weeks of therapy. In group B (twice weekly dosing) peginterferon alfa-2b was detectable at any given time point and high
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- Should PEG-Intron Be Given Twice Weekly to Improve HCV Clearance in Genotype 1 Patients?
