| Theme |
Interferon Therapy for Viral Hepatitis : an Update Handbook |
| Title |
The Characteristics and the Prognosis of Interferon-Treated Hepatitis C Virus(HCV) Patients with Sustained Biochemical Response (Asymptomatic HCV Carrier) |
| Author |
Ikuo Nakamura |
Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Omiya Medicel Center, Jichi Medical School |
| Author |
Michio Imawari |
Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Omiya Medicel Center, Jichi Medical School |
| [ Summary ] |
Patients with hepatitis C virus(HCV) responding differently to interferon (IFN) therapy were speculated to have different incidence of disease progression to cirrhosis and of the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The patients who cleared HCV (complete responder: CR) have been reported to have a histologic improvement and reduced incidence of cirrhosis and HCC. However, the background and prognosis of the patients with sustained biochemical response without clearance of HCV (BR) has not been revealed so far. Review of recent studies suggest that 4 to 37% of the IFN-treated patients have BR. The demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients with BR are those with F1 on the staging score, HCV subtype 2, and lower HCV-RNA load. The probability of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) reelevation of BR patients during the follow-up period after therapy has been shown to be 20 to 53%. The IFN therapy in patients who have not cleared HCV and showed normal ALT retards progression of fibrosis and reduces the incidence of cirrhosis and HCC. |