PREDICTIVE FACTORS FOR EFFICACY OF INTERFERON THERAPY IN CHRONIC HEPATITIS TYPE-C

Background/Aims: It has recently become possible to quantify HCV-RNA i n serum and to analyze the HCV-RNA genotype. In this study, we investi gated the relationship among the response to interferon therapy, the H CV-RNA concentration, genotype and histological findings of the liver. Patients and Methods: Sixty-three patients with chronic hepatitis typ e C received interferon alfa therapy for 24 weeks. The HCV-RNA concent ration in serum was measured semiquantitatively with reverse transcrip t semi-nested polymerase chain reaction and classified as negative to +3. HCV-RNA genotype was analyzed using a mixture of four type specifi c primers. Results: HCV-RNA concentration was significantly higher in patients with genotype II and CAH2B than genotype III, CPH and CAH2A ( p<0.05). At 24 weeks after the end of interferon therapy, HCV-RNA in s erum disappeared in 24 of 63 patients (38%). Strong resistance to the therapy was noted in patients with both genotype II and a high concent ration of HCV-RNA in serum (the efficacy was only 7%). Therapy efficac y decreased with the severity of liver histological findings, reaching only 20% in those with CAH2B. Conclusion:Both the concentration and g enotype of HCV-RNA seem to be important factors in, determining the ef ficacy of interferon therapy.