Earlier loss of hepatitis C virus RNA in interferon therapy can predict a long-term response in chronic hepatitis C

ABSTRACT To distinguish responders from non‐responders early in interferon (IFN) treatment would be beneficial in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Those patients unlikely to respond would be spared the cost and hazard of prolonged treatment. Forty‐three chronic hepatitis C patients who had received IFN‐α therapy (6–9 MU; six times weekly for 2 weeks followed by thrice weekly for 22 additional weeks) were randomly enrolled into the present study. Serially obtained sera were retrospectively tested for HCV‐RNA by reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (AmplicorTM HCV) with a low limit detection of approximately 102 copies/mL. Genotypes were determined by type‐specific primers. Sixteen subjects were defined as sustained responders (SR), who showed sustained loss of viraemia with normalized alanine aminotransferase values for at least 6 months of follow‐up after completion of therapy. The other 27 subjects were non‐responders (NR), whose viraemia persisted during follow‐up. Pretreatment serum HCV‐RNA levels (P< 0.0001) and the genotype (P