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PEG-INTRON Combination
Therapy Response RatesCombination therapy has been shown in a
clinical trial to be more effective in reducing
hepatitis C virus to undetectable levels than
REBETRON Combination Therapy. |
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PEG-INTRON/REBETOL combination therapy has been shown in a clinical trial to be more effective in reducing hepatitis C virus to undetectable levels than REBETRON Combination Therapy containing REBETOLŽ (Ribavirin, USP) Capsules and INTRONŽ A (Interferon alfa-2b, recombinant) Injection.
The National Institutes of Health has recognized that the highest response rates in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C have been achieved with combination therapy with ribavirin and pegylated alpha interferons.
In clinical trials, 52% of previously untreated patients who were treated with PEG-INTRON/REBETOL combination therapy for 48 weeks had undetectable levels of the hepatitis C virus 6 months after treatment completion compared to 46% of patients treated with REBETRON Combination Therapy.
Among patients with genotype 1, a subgroup of patients that generally responds less well to therapy than genotypes 2 and 3, 41% of those treated with PEG-INTRON/REBETOL combination therapy had undetectable levels of hepatitis C virus compared to 33% of those treated with REBETRON Combination Therapy.
Another benefit of PEG-INTRON/REBETOL combination therapy is that the PEG-INTRON component only needs to be taken once per week instead of three times per week as is done with standard alpha interferon therapy. This is because the process of pegylation helps to increase the lifetime of the interferon molecule in the body so that is takes longer to be broken down and eliminated.
It is not yet known whether PEG-INTRON/REBETOL therapy cures hepatitis C or prevents cirrhosis, liver failure, or liver cancer that can result from hepatitis C virus infection. It is also not known whether combination PEG-INTRON/REBETOL therapy will prevent one person from infecting others.
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