DURATION OF HCV INFECTION AS A PREDICTOR OF NONRESPONSE TO INTERFERON

Duration of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a key feature in dete rmining responsiveness to interferon (IFN). Studies assessing its valu e as a predictive factor in chronic HCV infection show that a long dur ation of infection reduces the likelihood of a sustained response to I FN (defined as ALT normalization and clearance of serum HCV-RNA). The effect of HCV infection duration is independent of the presence of cir rhosis and level of HCV viremia. Meta-analysis of IFN trials in acute HCV infection shows an obvious effect of the drug on long-term ALT nor malization and HCV-RNA clearance. Treatment of HCV infection during th e acute or early chronic phase could therefore maximize therapeutic ef fectiveness.