[Clinical study of retreatment of chronic hepatitis C with interferon (IFN) for non-complete responders on initial treatment].
From August 1990 to May 1993, we treated 23 non-complete responders on initial treatment with interferon and studied the factor which affects the effectiveness in the attempt to verify the factors for the selection of patients who are to receive it. Complete response was achieved in 8 (34.8%) patients, while the other 15 patients did not achieve this degree of response. Three patients were of genotype II and 5 of genotype III in these 8 complete responders. All complete responders were patients with relapse who had had normalized serum ALT levels during the initial administration and undetectable HCV-RNA at the end of the period. No patient who failed to achieve normalization of the serum ALT level on initial treatment achieved a complete response on retreatment. HCV-RNA concentration before retreatment was significantly less than the one before initial treatment in 8 complete responders. Interferon retreatment of patients who do not achieve a complete response may be effective in relapsed cases with undetectable HCV-RNA at the end of initial treatment. Selection of patients to receive interferon retreatment requires careful review and consideration of genotype, HCV-RNA concentration, and the clinical response at initial treatment.
Toyoda
H
H
Department of Gastroenterology, Ogaki Municipal Hospital.
Nakano
S
S
Kumada
T
T
D000328:Adult; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007372:Interferons / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D015415:Biomarkers; D012367:RNA, Viral; D007372:Interferons; D000410:Alanine Transaminase