Meta-analysis: re-treatment of genotype I hepatitis C nonresponders and relapsers after failing interferon and ribavirin combination therapy.

Singal AG, Waljee AK, Shiffman M, Bacon BR, Schoenfeld PS. Meta-analysis: re-treatment of genotype I hepatitis C nonresponders and relapsers after failing interferon and ribavirin combination therapy. Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics. 2010 Oct 1; 32(8):969-83.

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Abstract:

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of re-treating genotype I hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients who failed combination therapy with interferon/pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) and ribavirin remains unclear. AIMS: To quantify sustained virological response (SVR) rates with different re-treatment regimens through meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). METHODS: Randomized controlled trials of genotype I HCV treatment failure patients that compared currently available re-treatment regimens were selected. Two investigators independently extracted data on patient population, methods and results. The pooled relative risk of SVR for treatment regimens was computed using a random effects model. RESULTS: Eighteen RCTs were included. In nonresponders to standard interferon/ribavirin, re-treatment with high-dose PEG-IFN combination therapy improved SVR compared with standard PEG-IFN combination therapy (RR = 1.49; 95% CI: 1.09-2.04), but SVR rates did not exceed 18% in most studies. In relapsers to standard interferon/ribavirin, re-treatment with high-dose PEG-IFN or prolonged CIFN improved SVR (RR = 1.57; 95% CI: 1.16-2.14) and achieved SVR rates of 43-69%. CONCLUSIONS: In genotype I HCV treatment failure patients who received combination therapy, re-treatment with high-dose PEG-IFN combination therapy is superior to re-treatment with standard combination therapy, although SVR rates are variable for nonresponders ( 18%) and relapsers (43-69%). Re-treatment may be appropriate for select patients, especially relapsers and individuals with bridging fibrosis or compensated cirrhosis.