A randomized trial of amantadine and interferon versus interferon alone as initial treatment for chronic hepatitis C

[Guest guest]

A randomized trial of amantadine and interferon versus interferon

alone as initial treatment for chronic hepatitis C

Following disappointing results with amantadine monotherapy for HCV

reported in March by Di o et al., (Clinical Infectious Diseases

2001;32:830-1), a study published in Hepatology this month (2001;33:989-993)

draws a favourable comparison between amantadine/interferon combination

therapy and interferon alone.

Mangia et al., compared the efficacy and safety of a combination of

interferon (IFN) and amantadine (AMA) with that of IFN alone in previously

untreated patients with chronic hepatitis C.

A total of 200 patients were randomized to 6 MU of IFN-alpha2a three

times per week, with 200 mg of AMA daily (n = 99) or to an identical dose of

IFN-alpha2a alone (n = 101). Patients were treated for 12 months and

observed for 6 months afterwards.

At the end of treatment, 28.7% of patients in the monotherapy group

and 45.5% in the combination group had a virologic response (P =0.014). At

6-months' post-treatment, a sustained virologic response was observed in

16.8% (95% CI: 9-23) of patients with IFN alone versus 29.3% (95% CI: 19-37)

of patients who were treated with combination therapy (P =0.036).

The authors suggest this new treatment appears safe and well

tolerated.

[Guest guest]

A randomized trial of amantadine and interferon versus interferon

alone as initial treatment for chronic hepatitis C

Following disappointing results with amantadine monotherapy for HCV

reported in March by Di o et al., (Clinical Infectious Diseases

2001;32:830-1), a study published in Hepatology this month (2001;33:989-993)

draws a favourable comparison between amantadine/interferon combination

therapy and interferon alone.

Mangia et al., compared the efficacy and safety of a combination of

interferon (IFN) and amantadine (AMA) with that of IFN alone in previously

untreated patients with chronic hepatitis C.

A total of 200 patients were randomized to 6 MU of IFN-alpha2a three

times per week, with 200 mg of AMA daily (n = 99) or to an identical dose of

IFN-alpha2a alone (n = 101). Patients were treated for 12 months and

observed for 6 months afterwards.

At the end of treatment, 28.7% of patients in the monotherapy group

and 45.5% in the combination group had a virologic response (P =0.014). At

6-months' post-treatment, a sustained virologic response was observed in

16.8% (95% CI: 9-23) of patients with IFN alone versus 29.3% (95% CI: 19-37)

of patients who were treated with combination therapy (P =0.036).

The authors suggest this new treatment appears safe and well

tolerated.

[Guest guest]

A randomized trial of amantadine and interferon versus interferon

alone as initial treatment for chronic hepatitis C

Following disappointing results with amantadine monotherapy for HCV

reported in March by Di o et al., (Clinical Infectious Diseases

2001;32:830-1), a study published in Hepatology this month (2001;33:989-993)

draws a favourable comparison between amantadine/interferon combination

therapy and interferon alone.

Mangia et al., compared the efficacy and safety of a combination of

interferon (IFN) and amantadine (AMA) with that of IFN alone in previously

untreated patients with chronic hepatitis C.

A total of 200 patients were randomized to 6 MU of IFN-alpha2a three

times per week, with 200 mg of AMA daily (n = 99) or to an identical dose of

IFN-alpha2a alone (n = 101). Patients were treated for 12 months and

observed for 6 months afterwards.

At the end of treatment, 28.7% of patients in the monotherapy group

and 45.5% in the combination group had a virologic response (P =0.014). At

6-months' post-treatment, a sustained virologic response was observed in

16.8% (95% CI: 9-23) of patients with IFN alone versus 29.3% (95% CI: 19-37)

of patients who were treated with combination therapy (P =0.036).

The authors suggest this new treatment appears safe and well

tolerated.

[Guest guest]

A randomized trial of amantadine and interferon versus interferon

alone as initial treatment for chronic hepatitis C

Following disappointing results with amantadine monotherapy for HCV

reported in March by Di o et al., (Clinical Infectious Diseases

2001;32:830-1), a study published in Hepatology this month (2001;33:989-993)

draws a favourable comparison between amantadine/interferon combination

therapy and interferon alone.

Mangia et al., compared the efficacy and safety of a combination of

interferon (IFN) and amantadine (AMA) with that of IFN alone in previously

untreated patients with chronic hepatitis C.

A total of 200 patients were randomized to 6 MU of IFN-alpha2a three

times per week, with 200 mg of AMA daily (n = 99) or to an identical dose of

IFN-alpha2a alone (n = 101). Patients were treated for 12 months and

observed for 6 months afterwards.

At the end of treatment, 28.7% of patients in the monotherapy group

and 45.5% in the combination group had a virologic response (P =0.014). At

6-months' post-treatment, a sustained virologic response was observed in

16.8% (95% CI: 9-23) of patients with IFN alone versus 29.3% (95% CI: 19-37)

of patients who were treated with combination therapy (P =0.036).

The authors suggest this new treatment appears safe and well

tolerated.