Antiviral effect of interferon in patients with chronic hepatitis C who were treated with short term (4-6 weeks) interferon

• Published in: Kanzo Vol. 32; no. 3; pp. 243 - 249
• Main Authors: AKAHANE, Yoshihiro, OKADA, Shunichi, MIYAZAKI, Yoshiki, AINOTA, Takao, NAITO, Shigeko, SUZUKI, Hiroshi, SODEYAMA, Takeshi, NAKANO, Yoshiyuki, KIYOSAWA, Kendo, FURUTA, Seiichi, TSUDA, Fumio, OKAMOTO, Hiroaki
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: The Japan Society of Hepatology 1991
• Subjects: HCV RNA; two-stage PCR
• ISSN: 0451-4203; 1881-3593
• DOI: 10.2957/kanzo.32.243

We have assayed HCV RNA levels, anti-CP-9 and anti-C100-3 in serial serum samples from 12 patients with chronic hepatitis C who were treated with short term (4-6 weeks) interfelon. In six patients, serum ALT levels fell to normal and remained in normal range after termination of treatment (effective group). The ALT levels did not improve in other six patients (non-effective group). Serum HCV RNA decreased markedly in all patients belonged to both groups at the end of treatment. In effective group. HCV RNA in serum sustained (-) or (+) after stopping interferon, but HCV RNA in serum returned gradually or rapidly to pre-treatment levels ( - ) in non-effective group. These observations suggest that interferon seems to suppress HCV RNA in serum and interferon treatment may improve natural course of chronic hepatitis C.