Problems in the treatment of hepatitis C with interferon.
A marked increase in the rate of eradication of hepatitis C virus (HCV) has been achieved by the combination of interferon-alpha2b and ribavirin when compared with interferon-alpha2b alone. However, even with combination therapy, hepatitis persists in more than half of the patients with chronic herpatitis C and progresses to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma with time. What needs to be kept in mind is that, whether by its natural course or by therapy to suppress liver inflammation or by interferon therapy, the rate of development of hepatocellular carcinoma is reduced if ALT is maintained at low levels. Attention should therefore be focused on the development of drugs which enhance the effect of interferon as well as drugs which suppress liver inflammation.
Iino
S
S
Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, St. Marianna University, School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan.
D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D005838:Genotype; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007372:Interferons / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011379:Prognosis; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis
D012367:RNA, Viral; D007372:Interferons; D000410:Alanine Transaminase