Problems in the treatment of hepatitis C with interferon

A marked increase in the rate of eradication of hepatitis C virus (HCV) has been achieved by the combination of interferon-a2b and ribavirin when comp ared with interferon-a2b alone. However, even with combination therapy, hep atitis persists in more than half of the patients with chronic herpatitis C and progresses to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma with time. What needs to be kept in mind is that, whether by its natural course or by therapy to suppress liver inflammation or by interferon therapy, the rate o f development of hepatocellular carcinoma is reduced if ALT is maintained a t low levels. Attention should therefore be focused on the development of d rugs which enhance the effect of interferon as well as drugs which suppress liver inflammation.