6533b86ffe1ef96bd12ce951

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Treatment of chronic hepatitis C

Georg Hess

subject

medicine.medical_specialtyHepatologybusiness.industryTreatment outcomeInterferon-alphaHepacivirusVirus ReplicationProgressive liver diseaseHepatitis CAsymptomaticGastroenterologyTreatment OutcomeViral replicationChronic hepatitisInterferonInternal medicineChronic DiseaseImmunologyHumansMedicineViral diseaseMillion Unitsmedicine.symptombusinessmedicine.drug

description

alpha-Interferon given subcutaneously at doses between 1-3 million units leads to responses in about 50% of patients suffering from chronic hepatitis C. A 24-week treatment is frequently (approx. 50%) followed by relapses reducing the percentage of lasting responders to approx. 20%. The patients who relapse are sensitive to retreatment with interferon-alpha. A better understanding of HCV replication and of the interferon action in this viral disease might help to further improve treatment schedules. Side effects of interferon were frequently mild and readily reversible after cessation of treatment. At present interferon treatment should not be recommended in asymptomatic patients or individuals with slowly progressive liver disease.

yearjournalcountryeditionlanguage
1991-01-01Journal of Hepatology
https://doi.org/10.1016/0168-8278(91)91715-s