| Theme | Interferon Therapy for Viral Hepatitis : an Update Handbook | |
|---|---|---|
| Title | Efficacy of Interferon Treatment for Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C | |
| Publish Date | 2000/10 | |
| Author | Takashi Matsushima | Hakodate Municipal Hospital |
| Author | Yoshiyasu Karino | Sapporo Kosei Hospital |
| Author | Joji Toyota | Sapporo Kosei Hospital |
| [ Summary ] | In cases of chronic hepatitis C, the goal of treatment, defined as complete response (CR), normal alanine aminotransferase levels and undetectable serum hepatitis C virus-RNA levels 6 months after therapy were achieved in approximately 30% of patients on the standard IFN schedule. IFN is known to possess both antiviral and immunomodulatory effects. We analysed 18 chronic hepatitis C patients undergoing combination therapy with IFN-beta and IFN-alpha (3MU of IFN-beta administration twice daily for 4 weeks, followed by IFN-alpha three times a week for 20 weeks) CR was observed in 14 cases(77.8%). Serum IR-2R, IL-6 and alanine aminotransferase levels increased in all the patients after 4 weeks of IFN-beta therapy. This data suggest the host immune response may be important in determining the outcome of IFN therapy for chronic HCV infections. When patients who were TR to initial treatment were retreated with IFN for 6 months, 15.4% had a CR. CR was frequently found in patients with HCV genotype 2 or low viral loads. Additional clinical trials have been conducted to evaluate alternative treatment modalities for chronic hepatitis C, including longer IFN treatment duration, i.e., 12 to 18 months. |
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