HCV RNA monitoring for tailored regimens of interferon therapy in hepatitis C.
Sustained non-viraemia is prerequisite for a virological cure of hepatitis C virus (HCV) disease. We monitored serum HCV RNA in our patients during interferon therapy and for 6 months of follow-up. The rate of sustained responders (RNA-negative at the end of follow-up) differed significantly by whether or not RNA became sero-negative within 24 weeks of the initiation of therapy (71% vs 7%); and also by whether or not the RNA-seronegativity lasted for 12 weeks during therapy (88% vs 11%). Thus, by monitoring viraemia in individual patients, we can tailor the duration of therapy and minimize waste of interferon.
Kanai
K
K
Department of Gastroenterology, Toshiba General Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.
Kako
M
M
Aikawa
T
T
Kumada
T
T
Kawasaki
T
T
Hatahara
T
T
Oka
Y
Y
Mizokami
M
M
Sakai
T
T
Iwata
K
K
D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007372:Interferons / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood*
D012367:RNA, Viral; D007372:Interferons