1992-1997: Questions (and answers ?) abound...
Also in 1995, DiBisceglie, et al. published a RCT of 29 HCVAb + pts treated with either ribavirin or placebo for 12 months.
- 35% of treated patients had short-term ALT improvement vs. none of the placebo group; no decreases in HCV RNA levels; only 7% had sustained response.
- They concluded that ribavirin alone was unlikely to be of benefit; based on earlier preliminary trials and several abstracts, there was enthusiasm that combination therapy may increase response rates.
This era of HCV research culminated with the findings and recommendations of the consensus panel published in late 1997.