Predictive factors for efficacy of interferon therapy in chronic hepatitis type C
Ishibashi, K.; Kashiwagi, T.; Ito, A.; Tanaka, Y.; Nagata, T.; Tamaki, J.; Azuma, M.; Kishida, Y.; Yoshida, A.; Hikiji, A.Y.
Hepato-Gastroenterology 42(5): 535-541
1995
ISSN/ISBN: 0172-6390 PMID: 8751211 Document Number: 443012
Background/Aims: It has recently become possible to quantify HCV-RNA in serum and to analyze the HCV-RNA genotype. In this study, we investigated the relationship among the response to interferon therapy, the HCV-RNA concentration, genotype and histological findings of the liver. Patients and Methods: Sixty-three patients with chronic hepatitis type C received interferon alfa therapy for 24 weeks. The HCV-RNA concentration in serum was measured semiquantitatively with reverse transcript semi-nested polymerase chain reaction and classified as negative to +3. HCV-RNA genotype was analyzed using a mixture of four type specific primers. Results: HCV-RNA concentration was significantly higher in patients with genotype II and CAH2B than genotype III, CPH and CAH2A (p lt 0. 05). At 24 weeks after the end of interferon therapy, HCV-RNA in serum disappeared in 24 of 63 patients (38%). Strong resistance to the therapy was noted in patients with both genotype II and a high concentration of HCV-RNA in serum (the efficacy was only 7%). Therapy efficacy decreased with the severity of liver histological findings, reaching only 20% in those with CAH2B. Conclusion: Both the concentration and genotype of HCV-RNA seem to be important factors in determining the efficacy of interferon therapy.