title: [Treatment of chronic hepatitis C].
abstract: Chronic infection with HCV represents second most common cause of end-stage liver diseases and hepatocellular carcinoma in Korea. The introduction of new agents and regimens for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C, such as pegylated forms of interferon-alpha (Peg-IFN) and combination with oral ribavirin has resulted in substantial improvement in sustained virologic response (SVR) rates. SVR rate of Peg-IFN and ribavirin combination therapy can be 40-46% of individuals infected with genotype 1 and approximately 75-85% with genotype 2 and 3. Peg-IFN/ribavirin combination therapy represents current standard therapy of chronic hepatitis C. This article reviews the treatment objectives, outcomes, optimal regimens, efficacy and predictors of response, monitoring during treatment, adverse events, retreatment of persons who failed to respond to previous treatments, and treatment of special patient groups in chronic hepatitis C.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul 152-703, Korea.
authors.forename: Yun Jung
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Kwan Soo
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Byun
mesh_terms: D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D012254:Ribavirin; C417083:peginterferon alfa-2b; C100416:peginterferon alfa-2a