title: [Prognostic relevance of hepatitis C virus genotype for responsiveness to interferon-alpha].
abstract: The influence of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-genotypes on the responsiveness to interferon- (IFN-alpha) was studied in 116 patients with proven chronic hepatitis C. 88 of 116 (76%) patients were infected with HCV-genotype 1, 7 (6%) with HCV-genotype 2, and 21 patients (18%) with HCV-genotype 3. All patients received at least 3 MU recombinant IFN-alpha-2a, 2b or lymphoblastoid IFN-alpha tiw for at least 6 month (total IFN-alpha dose per patient 216-720 MU, mean 360; treatment duration 6-12 month, mean 8). The follow-up after cessation of therapy was 9-48 months (mean 25). Sustained normalization of the aminotransferase levels was observed in 20 (17%) of the 116 patients. 10 of the 88 (11%) patients with HCV-genotype 1, 7 of the 21 (33%) patients with HCV-genotype 3 (p < 0.02), and 3 out of the 7 patients with HCV-genotype-2- infection achieved a sustained remission. No response was observed in 58 (66%) and 3 (14%) patients with HCV-genotype 1 and 3 infections, respectively (p < 0.002). All but one of the sustained responders remained HCV-RNA negative during the entire follow-up. There were no significant differences between the sustained responders and the group of non-responders and responders with relapse in relation to age, pretreatment aminotransferase levels, histological activity index, or given IFN-alpha dosage. HCV-genotyping is helpful in evaluating the responsiveness to IFN-alpha and will be of importance considering the indication of therapy.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000628:therapy / Q000821:virology*; D006521:Hepatitis, Chronic / Q000628:therapy / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012150:Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; D011379:Prognosis; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D007370:Interferon Type I; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
vernacular_title: Prognostische Relevanz der Hepatitis-C-Virus-Genotypen für das Ansprechen auf Interferon-alpha.