Hepatitis C: limits and dose regimen of interferon alfa.
(1) Hepatitis C can progress over decades, leading in some cases to cirrhosis or liver cancer. (2) The only treatment currently approved for preventing long-term complications of hepatitis C is interferon alfa (2a or 2b) at 3 MU 3 times a week for 12 months.  It is recommended only for patients with chronic active hepatitis C. (3) The assessment of interferon alfa in clinical trials is based on surrogate end points (transaminase levels, histopathological changes, clearance of viraemia), and the results sometimes conflict. (4) There is no firm evidence that interferon alfa prevents cirrhosis. (5) Treatment with interferon alfa can be stopped after 3 months when patients fail to respond. (6) Thyroid disorders are the most important adverse effect of interferon alfa.
D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005602:France; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D011634:Public Health; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors; D013959:Thyroid Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; D016898:Interferon-alpha