Therapeutic efficacy of interferon on HCV-RNA in chronic hepatitis C.
The efficacy of interferon therapy for chronic hepatitis C were evaluated by the changes of serum RNA of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) by the polymerase chain reaction. Before the treatment, HCV-RNA was detected in all of the 17 patients. 5 patients given IFN for 4 weeks, 12 cases given IFN by the 2 weeks/on 2 weeks off schedule (4 cases given 4 cycles and 8 given 6 cycles). Immediately after the treatment ended, the HCV-RNA was not detected in 12 (71%) cases. Five cases were persistently positive for HCV-RNA and showed continuously abnormal level of ALT. In 7 of 12 cases who became negative for HCV-RNA just after the treatment ended, HCV-RNA was detected again at first and 12th month after therapy. The ALT level were continuously abnormal in 4 of these 7 cases during and after the treatment, and became normal transiently in the other 3. In the 5 cases who became persistently negative (at least 1 year), ALT level decreased to normal or near-normal during follow up for more than one year. According to our results, we classified the therapeutic efficacy of IFN therapy for chronic hepatitis C. Type I response is complete response. In this type, HCV-RNA became negative persistently and ALT became normal or near-normal for at least 12 months after therapy. Type II is partial response. In this type, HCV-RNA became negative transiently and ALT level was transiently normal or poor. Type III is ineffective. In this type, HCV-RNA did not become negative and the effect for ALT was poor.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Kuroki
T
T
Third Department of Internal Medicine, Osaka City University Medical School, Japan.
Nishiguchi
S
S
Ueda
T
T
Yabusako
T
T
Fukuda
K
K
Takeda
T
T
Kim
K
K
Nakajima
S
S
Shiomi
S
S
Seki
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology; D006801:Humans; D007372:Interferons / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000187:drug effects
D012367:RNA, Viral; D007372:Interferons; D000410:Alanine Transaminase