Daily consensus interferon (CIFN) monotherapy in non-responders or relapsers to a previous interferon regime: One year follow-up after 48 weeks of treatment

Background/aims: Data suggests on the basis of thrice a week therapy, efficacy of mono consensus interferon is comparable to other alpha interferons. One-year follow-up after 12-month daily consensus interferon monotherapy for chronic hepatitis C among non-responders or relapsers to previous consensus interferon monotherapy is investigated. Methods: Between February and August 1998, 11 non-cirrhotic patients with previous consensus interferon failure were treated. Six were relapsers and five non-responders. Serum HCV-RNA was tested at the 12^th and 48th weeks of treatment and followed for one year thereafter. Results: Eight (72%) were HCV-RNA negative at both 12th and 48th weeks. Of these, 60% (3/5) were among previous non-responders and 83% (5/6) were among previous relapsers. One year sustained virological response was 55%. Of this, 40% (2/5) were among non-responders and 66% (4/6) previous relapsers. Conclusions: These findings suggest that daily consensus interferon needs to be further investigated as an alternative to pegylated formulations, especially with the addition of ribavirin.