Finish my treatment with failure

[irwanchristanto]

I started my treatment for my Hep C genotype 1A at June 2007 for 52 weeks with Pegylated Interferon 2A 100 Mg weekly & 800 Mg Ribavirin daily. I used Schering-plough product (PegIntron & Rebetol). My HCV RNA result before treatment was 1,700,000 copy. After 52 weeks I found that the treatment was sucsses with my last HCV RNA result "no detection" (Sept 2008).
But just about 2 months ago at Jan 2009 I got my SGOT, SGPT & GGT increase again. My SGOT was around 70++, SGPT around 140++... My question is:
1. How can my result SGOT, SGPT & GGT increase again? I never drink alchohol again since i knew that i got Hep C.
And i never stop my treatment.
2. Should i take a HCV RNA test again?
3. Why my treatment was failure??? Is it because of the wrong dosses??? Coz i've heard from my friend (she is a doctor) normally she use 180 Mg pegylated interveron (pegassys roche product) for her pacient.

Thx for reply...and sorry for my bad english :)


This discussion is related to SGOT/SGPT values for HCV infection.

[HCA]

You need to be tested for viral RNA again.
You seem to be saying you have not been tested since finishing treatment.
You should be tested at twelve and twenty four weeks post treatment.
If these are negative the treatment has been successful..

[zazza]

Schering-Plough's product PegIntron is dosed differently than Roche's product Pegasys. So 100 mcg of PegIntron would be the correct dose for you if you weigh between 65 and 75 kilo.

If I understand correctly, you finished treatment in June 2008 and then got a viral load test 3 months later in September 2008. At 12 weeks post treatment you are just about certain to get a correct result whether or not your treatment has been successful or not. Still it is considered that one should have a viral load test taken at 6 months post treatment to make sure. I believe you are fine and do not have hepatitis C anymore, but to make sure I suggest you take yet one more viral load test.

[zazza]

What genotype are/were you?

[irwanchristanto]

I'm genotype 1 b. That's why the doctor said that i have to get 48 weeks treatment ( i make it 52 weeks just to make sure the treatment will be successful,lol...).
I always take the HCV RNA test every 3 months while the treatment running. And last time i did it at Sept 2008. I guess u're right,i should take the test again to make sure rather if treatment succesed or not.
But this thing really make me confused,should i run another treatment using other product (in this case using pegassys)? Is it possible that the treatment succesful but the SGOT,SGPT & GGT still increasing??

[Marc1955]

Unfortunately, it would not be unusual if your Hepatitis returned after your treatment ended. The cure rates for people with genotype 1b who undergo 48 weeks of treatment are roughly 50%. (There are many other factors that can move than number up or down.) As you said, you should definitely get a new viral load test to see if the virus has returned.

If the virus has returned, it won't work to simply re-do the treatment even with the other form of interferon. The chances are pretty good you would get the same result in the end. So you need to change some factor – either treat for a longer period, or with a higher dose, or, most attractive, add one of the new drugs to the treatment protocol. If it turns out you have relapsed, you'll want to explore all these options with your doctor. If you do not have a severe degree of liver fibrosis, it will almost certainly make sense to wait until the new drugs are approved for general treatment. This should occur in about two years. This will dramatically improve your chances of success. Good luck!