New Hep C Treatment Reduces Viral Load, Increases Adverse Events

May 13, 2004

OTTAWA — The use of pegylated IFN combination (pegylated interferon alfa plus oral ribavirin) to treat chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection reduces viral load but can increase the need for urgent medical attention when compared to other therapeutic options, a CCOHTA report concludes.

CCOHTA’s findings suggest patients and clinicians should think twice about this new treatment, according to Don Husereau, the report’s lead author.

“Given the lack of direct evidence that decreasing a patient’s viral load will prevent future complications like cirrhosis or cancer, clinicians and patients will need to decide if a reduced viral load is worth the increased risk of hospitalization or trips to an emergency clinic,” said Husereau.

“In other words, will the benefits of pegylated IFN combination therapy outweigh the risks?”

The CCOHTA report addresses the clinical effectiveness and efficacy of pegylated interferon alfa. An economic analysis of the cost effectiveness and cost benefits of the drug will be published by CCOHTA later this year.

An estimated 200,000 Canadians have HCV infection. Up to 30% of patients with chronic infection may go on to develop serious complications.

Interferon-based Therapies for Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection: An Assessment of Clinical Outcomes is available from CCOHTA’s web site.

The Canadian Coordinating Office for Health Technology Assessment is an independent not-for-profit organization that provides timely and reliable information about health technologies. CCOHTA delivers a health technology assessment program, the Common Drug Review, and the Canadian Optimal Medication Prescribing and Utilization Service. CCOHTA is funded by the Canadian federal, provincial and territorial governments.

Media contact: Kirk Fergusson, Communications Director (613) 226-2553 ext. 276