[Interferon-treated hepatitis C virus(HCV) patients with sustained biochemical response without eradication of HCV(asymptomatic HCV carrier)].
Patients with hepatitis C virus(HCV) responding differently to interferon(IFN) therapy were speculated to have different incidence of disease progression to cirrhosis and of the development of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC). However, the background and prognosis of the patients with sustained biochemical response without eradication of HCV (BR) (asymptomatic HCV carrier) has not been revealed so far. Review of recent studies suggest that the characteristics of the patients with BR are lower HCV RNA load, higher rate of HCV subtype-2 and lower score of liver fibrosis when compared with those with NR. The IFN therapy in patients who have not cleared HCV and showed normal ALT retards progression of fibrosis and reduces the incidence of cirrhosis and HCC.
Nakamura
I
I
Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Jichi Medical School.
Imawari
M
M
D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000517:prevention & control; D002353:Carrier State / Q000821:virology*; D016174:Hepacivirus; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D007372:Interferons / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control; D011379:Prognosis
D007372:Interferons