title: Relation between serum hepatitis C virus-RNA levels and efficacy of interferon-beta therapy.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, St Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Minohara
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kato
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kanki
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Goshima
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nakajima
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kaku
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Arimoto
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Goshima
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ishiko
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D012367:RNA, Viral; D016899:Interferon-beta