Hepatic histologic response (HR) to combination therapy among HCV/HIV-coinfected individuals: interferon induces HR independent of sustained virologic response (SVR)

AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses. 2006 Nov;22(11):1091-8. doi: 10.1089/aid.2006.22.1091.

Abstract

Most HIV/HCV-coinfected patients fail to achieve a sustained virologic response (SVR) to peginterferon-ribavirin therapy. We examined the hepatic histologic response (HR), defined as an improvement in hepatic inflammation scores of two points or more, to combination therapy among HIV/HCV-coinfected subjects. An open label prospective trial treated 32 HIV/HCV-coinfected patients with peginterferon alpha-2b and ribavirin for 48 weeks. Liver biopsies, scored by a single pathologist using the Histology Activity Index (HAI, range 0-18) and Ishak fibrosis scores (range 0-6), were performed before and after treatment. Gene expression profiles of PBMCs were performed using Affymetrix U133A gene chips. A total of 87% of SVR subjects and 88% of nonresponders (NR) had an HR, but no significant change in the liver fibrosis scores was observed (p > 0.05). For genotype 1 patients, a baseline fibrosis score </=2 was related to a higher likelihood of SVR than those with a score >2 (p = 0.012). Combination therapy for HCV among HIV-coinfected subjects resulted in a modest SVR rate. Persons with mild liver disease had a better SVR rate, suggesting early treatment may be beneficial. Combination therapy resulted in an HR for most of the patients, however, further follow-up of these patients will determine the durability of such an HR.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural

MeSH terms

  • Antiviral Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Biopsy
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / complications*
  • HIV Infections / drug therapy*
  • Hepatitis C / complications*
  • Hepatitis C / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha / administration & dosage
  • Interferon-alpha / therapeutic use*
  • Liver / drug effects
  • Liver / pathology
  • Liver Cirrhosis / drug therapy
  • Liver Cirrhosis / pathology
  • Male
  • Pilot Projects
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Ribavirin / administration & dosage
  • Ribavirin / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • Ribavirin
  • peginterferon alfa-2b