Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C With PEG Interferon alfa2a and Ribavirin in HIV-infected Patients

Efficacy and Safety of Peginterferon alfa2a and Ribavirin for the Second Line Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C in HIV Infected Patients Previously Non Responders to a First Anti-HCV Treatment

Combination of PEG interferon and ribavirin is the standard treatment of chronic hepatitis C. Efficacy of this treatment has never been evaluated in HCV-HIV infected patients, who have previously been treated with a first line anti-HCV treatment. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the combination PEG interferon alfa2a-ribavirin in HIV-infected patients with chronic hepatitis C pretreated with interferon alone or interferon combined with ribavirin. The patients receive a dose of 180 µg of PEGASYS once a week and 800 to 1200 mg/day of ribavirin (according to weight) for 48 weeks. Primary outcome of the study is a sustained virological response, defined as an undetectable HCV RNA level 24 weeks after the end of anti-HCV treatment.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Chronic hepatitis C : Detectable HCV RNA, Previously treated with interferon or interferon combined with ribavirin, Elevated ALT level
• HIV infection (CD4>250/µL, HIV RNA<10 000 copies/ml) treated or not with antiretroviral therapy
• Signed informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Chronic hepatitis B
• Alcohol consumption>40g/day
• Evidence of decompensated liver disease
• Hepatocellular carcinoma
• Other relevant disorders: organ transplantation, psychiatric or cardiovascular disease, poorly controlled diabetes, seizure disorders, hemoglobinopathy, autoimmune disease