title: [New therapeutic possibilities in chronic hepatitis C].
abstract: This article briefly reviews the results of antiviral treatment of chronic hepatitis C with interferon-alpha. Its relation to the natural course of the illness is discussed. Interferon monotherapy achieves definitive viral elimination in a small minority of patients only. The therapeutic response rate can be enhanced by combining interferon-alpha with ribavirin as well as by increasing interferon dosage or prolonging treatment. A number of questions remain unanswered with regard to the optimal treatment modality and cost-effectiveness. Thus the current recommendation is to treat suitable patients within the frame of controlled studies.
authors.affiliation: Gastroenterologische Abteilung, Medizinische Klinik, Kantonsspital Luzern.
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Criblez
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D012254:Ribavirin