INFLUENCE OF PRETREATMENT LESIONS ON HISTOLOGIC RESPONSE TO INTERFERON THERAPY IN CHRONIC HEPATITIS-C

have assessed the predictive value of the grade of pretreatment liver lesions on histologic response to interferon therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C. In 93 patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HC V) infection who showed an initial response to interferon therapy, HCV RNA load and serum aminotransferase levels together with grade of liv er histologic lesions were assessed at baseline and 6 months after tre atment cessation. Regression of portal and periportal necroinflammatio n was observed only in sustained responders (normalization of aminotra nsferase levels and HCV RNA clearance). Neither short-term response no r the absence of virus was associated with significant histologic chan ges in the liver biopsies. Logistic regression analysis showed that pr etreatment histologic lesion was an independent predictive factor of b iologic response in the histologic regression of lesions 6 months afte r cessation of interferon treatment. In conclusion, a dense inflammato ry necrotic activity is a positive predictor of histologic response in interferon-treated patients with HCV.