Relation between serum hepatitis C virus-RNA levels and efficacy of interferon-beta therapy.
We performed two courses of interferon-beta (IFN-beta) to a child with chronic hepatitis C. A complete response was not obtained by the first interferon treatment, however, the results of the second treatment differed from those of the first. Hepatitis C virus (HCV)-RNA remained negative and both aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels remained normal after completion of the second course. From these results we estimated that HCV-RNA levels before IFN therapy could be significantly associated with the efficacy of this treatment. The serum level of HCV-RNA was 10(6) copies/50 microL before the first treatment, but was 10(3) copies/50 microL before the second course. We conclude that IFN therapy to children with hepatitis C should always be directed at providing a cure. Even if the clinical effects of the first course are minimal decreasing quantities of HCV-RNA still offer hope for cure by subsequent readministration.
Minohara
Y
Y
Department of Pediatrics, St Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan.
Kato
T
T
Kanki
K
K
Goshima
T
T
Nakajima
N
N
Kaku
H
H
Arimoto
Y
Y
Goshima
F
F
Ishiko
H
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000628:therapy* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood*
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D012367:RNA, Viral; D016899:Interferon-beta