| [ Summary ] |
In the United States and Europe, randomized comparative clinical trials have demonstrated that interferon(IFN) + ribavirin combination therapy is much more effective than interferon alone. This combination therapy is already the first choice treatment for chronic hepatitis C. Clinical trials of IFN + ribavirin are currently ongoing in Japan, but final results are not yet available. Since the standard IFN regimen, followed in Japan, of daily administration of high doses in the initial phase of treatment has resulted in better efficacy than achieved in the U.S. and Europe, it is of great interest to see how much greater efficacy can be achieved in HCV eradication with the addition of ribavirin to the standard Japanese IFN regimen, but prediction is difficult. The side effect of concern with combination treatment is anemia, but this can be adequately controlled by reducing the dose of ribavirin. |