[Present status of clinical trials on long-acting IFNs preparations (PEG-IFN alpha 2a, alpha 2b, IFN...

Interferon(IFN) is an essential component of the treatment of chronic HCV infection and at present, it is the most important to improve its efficacy, not only for HCV chronic liver diseases, but also for the prevention of HCV-associated hepatocellular carcinoma. Two long-acting IFN preparations(PEG-IFN alpha 2a and 2b) have been used at present and clinical studies have shown that sustained virologic, biochemical and histological responder rates are significantly higher in PEG-IFN-treated patients with HCV associated chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis comparing with ones treated with conventional IFN. In addition, PEG-IFN treatment in combination with ribavirin seems to be the best for HCV-associated chronic liver diseases.