May 2003 Cover
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A researcher in Japan has found that interferon (IFN) treatment may be effective for both HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Hideji Hanabusa, working at Ogikubo Hospital in
Tokyo, assessed the efficacy of high-dose IFN therapy in coinfected hemophiliacs. He reported that IFN-treated patients showed significant reductions in levels of both viral pathogens.
Thirty patients-- 15 coinfected with HIV and HCV, and 15 age-matched patients with HCV alone-- took high-dose IFN-alpha2a therapy for 24 weeks. The report states that HIV
viral loads dropped from roughly 7,410 copies/mL to 320 copies/mL after two weeks. Data showed that HCV RNA was undetectable in four of 12 evaluable HIV-positive patients, and in six
of 15 HCV-alone patients after 24 weeks. Three HIV-positive patients had to discontinue treatment because of IFN-related toxicity.
Editor's Note: from Drug Week
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