Predictive factors for interferon and ribavirin combination therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C.
OBJECTIVE
To confirm the predictive factors for interferon (IFN)-alpha and ribavirin combination therapy for chronic hepatitis patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1b.


METHODS
HCV RNA from 50 patients infected with HCV genotype 1b was studied by cloning and sequencing of interferon sensitivity determining region (ISDR), PKR-eIF2alpha phosphorylation homology domain (PePHD). Patients were treated with IFN-alpha and ribavirin for 6 mo and grouped by effectiveness of the therapy. A variety of factors were analyzed.


RESULTS
Our data showed that age, HCV RNA titer, and ISDR type could be used as the predictive factors for combined IFN-alpha and ribavirin efficacy. Characteristically, mutations in PePHD appeared only when the combination therapy was effective. Other factors, such as sex and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level, were not related to its efficacy. Adjusting for age and HCV RNA titer indicated that the ISDR type was the most potent predictive factor.


CONCLUSIONS
HCV RNA ISDR type is an important factor for predicting efficacy of IFN-alpha and ribavirin combination therapy in Korean patients.
Yoon
Joonho
J
Department of Biochemistry and Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Wonju College of Medicine, Yonsei University, 162 Ilsandong, Wonju, Gangwondo 220-701, Republic of Korea.
Lee
Jong In
JI
Baik
Soon Koo
SK
Lee
Kwang Ho
KH
Sohn
Joon Hyung
JH
Lee
Hyean Woo
HW
Namkung
Jun
J
Chang
Sei Jin
SJ
Choi
Jong Whan
JW
Kim
Hyun Won
HW
Yeh
Byung-Il
BI
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008099:Liver / Q000201:enzymology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009154:Mutation; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics*; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D012367:RNA, Viral; D012254:Ribavirin; D000410:Alanine Transaminase