SHORT-COURSE TREATMENT OF CHRONIC HEPATITIS-C WITH INTERFERON-BETA - ANALYSIS OF FACTORS INFLUENCING RESPONSIVENESS TO THE THERAPY

Ninety-three Japanese chronic hepatitis C patients treated with natural beta interferon (IFN-beta) in a 6-week protocol were investigated retrospectively for factors affecting responsiveness to the therapy. Normalization of serum ALT levels was found in patients with a decrease in serum HCV RNA titer. These patients (responders) had a significantly lower pre-treatment level of HCV RNA than others. Patients without such response (non-responders) were characterized by higher age, advanced liver histology, and higher frequency of type II (or 1b) HCV genotype. Of the four factors, HCV RNA titer, age, histology, and genotype, the most significant factor to differentiate between responders and non-responders was the pre-treatment level of HCV RNA. Our study did not clearly associate HCV genotype III (or 2a) with responders, although the results suggested that patients with genotype III have relatively lower HCV RNA titer and milder liver histology than those infected with genotype II.