[Interferon therapy in hepatitis C].
Chronic hepatitis C is one of the major causes of liver cirrhosis and seems to play a role in the pathogenesis of primary liver cancer. So far, no effective therapy--with the exception of some antiviral agents--was available for this disease. Interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) therapy results in about half of patients in a normalisation of liver transaminases within 4 weeks. Placebo-controlled studies confirm that in about 40% of patients IFN therapy achieves complete remissions. Frequently termination of IFN therapy is followed by a relapse. Therefore higher IFN doses and longer and/or repeated therapy cycles are currently investigated in order to improve treatment results. Furthermore, IFN-alpha is combined with other therapeutic principles. The possible usefulness of IFN-alpha for treatment of acute hepatitis C is under investigation.
Ferenci
P
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Klinischen Abteilung für Gastroenterologie und Hepatologie, Universitätsklinik für Innere Medizin IV, Wien.
D001706:Biopsy; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006521:Hepatitis, Chronic / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D008111:Liver Function Tests
D016898:Interferon-alpha
Interferontherapie bei Hepatitis C.