Biochemical and virological response (by PCR) to interferon therapy in chronic hepatitis C

Interferon-alpha has been established for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus infection. However, the complete responding rate is not higher than 20-25%. Our study was carried out on sixty patients with chronic HCV infection with the following criteria: elevated serum ALT levels, positive antibodies to HCV (by second generation ELISA and RIBA tests) and positive HCV in serum by PCR. All patients had negative tests for hepatitis B virus and liver histopathological findings consistent with chronic hepatitis +/- cirrhosis. Patients were treated with 3 Mu interferon-alpha thrice weekly for 6 months. The results showed response in 14 out of the 60 patients (23.3%) with normalization of the ALT levels within 2-3 months of IFN therapy. Complete response (CR) was present in 6/14 (42.9%) of the responders with negative PCR in serum up to 6 months after stoppage of therapy. Response with relapse (unsustained response) was noticed in 8/14 (57.1%) of the responders with elevation of ALT level 2 months after stoppage of treatment. Forty six patients 46/60 (76.7%) were non-responders (NR) with significant elevation of ALT level and positive PCR in serum all through the course of treatment. The response in cirrhotic patients was significantly lower than in noncirrhotic cases. In conclusion, prolonged treatment courses should be further evaluated in controlled studies.