Is there an optimal time to measure quantitative HCV RNA to predict non-response following interferon treatment for chronic HCV infection?
OBJECTIVE
Current criteria to predict sustained response for a patient with chronic hepatitis C virus during interferon treatment are not consistent. The aim of this study was to determine a reliable point in time to predict non-response to therapy, as a theoretical basis for early cessation of treatment.


METHODS
Sera (-70 degrees C) from 66 patients treated with interferon (3 million units three times a week for 6 months) were assayed with a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (sensitivity < or =100 copies per milliliter). Evaluations were made at baseline, during treatment at weeks 1, 2, 4, 12, and 24, and at follow-up week 48. Biochemical response was defined using standard alanine aminotransferase criteria. Virologic response was defined as: sustained if loss of HCV RNA persisted through therapy and follow-up; relapse if HCV RNA became undetectable but reappeared during treatment or follow-up; and non-response if HCV RNA remained detectable during the study period. Alanine aminotransferase and HCV RNA results were analyzed at defined time intervals to determine a predictive value for non-response and sustained response.


RESULTS
HCV RNA results are a more accurate predictor than alanine aminotransferase for both non-response and sustained response. Serum HCV RNA predicted non-response better than sustained response. The optimal time to predict non-response with serum HCV RNA was treatment week 12.


CONCLUSIONS
Treatment week 12 results indicate that HCV RNA was a more accurate predictor for non-response than serum alanine aminotransferase. This prediction would have theoretically permitted stopping treatment for 75% of the patients in this study at treatment week 12 allowing an overall cost savings of 28%.
McHutchison
J
J
Division of Gastroenterology/Hepatology, Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation, La Jolla, California 92037, USA.
Blatt
L
L
Sedghi-Vaziri
A
A
Russell
J
J
Schmid
P
P
Conrad
A
A
D000328:Adult; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D012367:RNA, Viral; D000410:Alanine Transaminase