EARLY HCV RNA VALUES AFTER INTERFERON PREDICT RESPONSE

The aim of this study is to determine in patients infected with hepati tis C virus (HCV) whether early HCV RNA measurements at 48 hr followin g standard doses of interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) (3 million IU) would predict response during six months of therapy. Twenty-three patients w ith HCV were treated with IFN-alpha 3 million IU three times a week an d HCV RNA levels were quantified by branched-chain (b-)DNA analysis at baseline and 24 and 48 hr following IFN-alpha and at one, three, and six months. Mean baseline HCV RNA levels significantly declined from 6 .0 +/- 1.6 Meq/ml at baseline to 2.4 +/- 0.7 Meq/ml 24 hr after IFN-al pha. However, HCV RNA values increased to 4.3 +/- 1.1 Meq/ml by 48 hr, Mean HCV RNA values at one and six months were not significantly lowe r than 48-hr values. In six patients in whom HCV RNA was negative by b DNA at 48 hr, three were negative by polymerase chain reaction at six months. Of the 17 patients who were positive by bDNA at 48 hr, all wer e positive at one and three months; and in the nine of nine who contin ued therapy for six months, there was no further decrease in HCV RNA l evels. In patients receiving standard doses of IFN-alpha (3 million IU ), serum RNA values 48 hr after the first injection predict long-term response.