Re: Protocol for treatment after not responding to Rebetron

Posted By bob on April 24, 1999 at 21:40:19
I am a 48 year old male.  I was naive when I began Rebetron Therapy (3 shots a week, 5 pills a day).  Prior to treatment, my viral load was 493.0.  In Febrary, according to my "levels" (ALT, AST, etc.) and my doctor, I was responding to treatment.  We tested my viral load after 31 weeks of treatment and it is 341.6.  I have three questions.  Does current protocol state that I continue treatment for the remainder of my year even tho I haven't responded.  If so, what are the statistics on people who respond after having not responded by 31 weeks?  Also, is there a current or suggested protocol stating that at this point I should try the 5 days a week dosage of interferon?  If so, what are the statistics that someone in my situation will respond to that?  Finally, is there a protocol that says simply stop the treatment for now?  Thanks.  Bob.

[Pat__0__0]

Posted By Pat on April 25, 1999 at 07:27:32
I to was on combo inteferon for 16 months with 10 months of that with the rebetron. It worked first 8 months but I relapsed. liver counts normal but pcr went as low as 6000 but climbing. I was just taken off and go into a high dose protocol in August of Infergen by amigen. write if you like . Good luck Pat

[bob__0__0]

Posted By bob on April 25, 1999 at 09:20:53
thank you for responding.  Why are you waiting until August to go into your high dose protocol?  Will you take infergen, intron a or peglated interferon.  Thanks.

[John-W]

Posted By John W on April 29, 1999 at 20:14:39
Hi Bob,
I'm in the same boat...genotype 1a, non responder to Intron monotherapy (12 weeks and viral load rose during treatment). I just ended 48 weeks of Rebatron..viral load was 3.2 million at start of therapy, dropped to 700K @ 12 weeks, 600K @ 6 months but now back to 2.6 million 2 months after ending treatment. My doc mentioned new trials for non responders which will include Intron, Ribavirin and Interleukin 2 (triple combo....wonder what the sides will be like?).
I'll have to ad that after 2 months of no treatment, I feel allmost human again, even tho the virus is back.
Best of luck on your treatment choice.
John










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