Efficacy of Interferon β Combined With Cyclosporine Induction and Intensified Therapy for Retreatment of Chronic Hepatitis C

ObjectiveHepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major burden after liver transplantation. There is no effective treatment for these patients, therefore management is challenging. Cyclophilins are essential host factors for HCV replication. We have reported herein the efficacy of divided administration of interferon (IFN) β plus cyclosporine for chronic hepatitis C patients who failed pegylated (Peg)-IFN or IFN combined ribavirin treatment.Patients and MethodsWe prospectively enrolled 59 patients (median age, 63 years) with genotype 1b who failed to respond to the combinations of IFN plus ribavirin or Peg-IFN plus ribavirin. Our treatment involved induction, intensified, and maintenance therapies. The induction therapy prescribed intravenous 1 MU IFN β every 4 hours for the first 3 days, 1.5 MU IFN β every 6 hours for the next 4 days, and then 2 MU IFN β every 8 hours for 3 weeks. The intensified therapy was the induction therapy shortened to 2 weeks. The maintenance therapy involved Peg-IFN α 2b and ribavirin. Cyclosporine was given 4 times daily during the induction and intensified therapies. Ribavirin was given twice daily during the maintenance phase.ResultsThe end treatment and sustained virological response rates in the present study were 73% (43/59) and 59% (35/59), respectively. The relapse rate was 19% (8/43). Sixteen percent of patients (3/19) were nonresponders. All adverse effects were reversible. The treatment protocol was well tolerated.ConclusionOur protocol should be effective for patients who have failed previous combination therapies.