[Sequential monitoring of various HCV-related markers in chronic hepatitis C with interferon treatment]

Interferon (IFN) which is a powerful antiviral cytokine is capable to cure approximately 40% of patients with chronic hepatitis C. We should like to know in detail whether IFN is operating enough to improve chronic hepatitis C during IFN treatment. Therefore it was evaluated what kind of HCV related markers were important to monitor the clinical course. We discussed HCV-RNA (RT-PCR, DNA probe assay) and some antibodies to HCV including our new IgM antibody to a HCV core peptide, cp14 (amino acid 5-40 of the core protein). HCV-RNA assayed by RT-PCR was considered best to monitor the therapeutic effect of IFN on chronic hepatitis C. However, as it is still not in general, IgM anti-cp14 might be an alternative in monitoring the response to IFN in patients with chronic hepatitis C.