Long-term effects of interferon-based therapy for chronic hepatitis C

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Oncology. 2007;72 Suppl 1:16-23. Epub 2007 Dec 13.Related Articles,

Long-term effects of interferon-based therapy for chronic hepatitis C.

Yu ML, Huang CF, Dai CY, Huang JF, Chuang WL.

Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical

University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

Hepatitis C virus infection frequently causes chronic liver disease leading to

cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and has become the main indication

for liver transplantation. Interferon (IFN)-based therapy has been used in the

treatment of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) for viral clearance. Several earlier

studies showed long-term beneficial effects of IFN monotherapy in reducing the

progression of cirrhosis, hindering HCC development, and prolonging survival

among both sustained virological responders and nonresponders. However, the

benefits of preventing disease progression in CHC patients without sustained

virological response (SVR) no longer existed over a longer observation period.

Both IFN monotherapy and IFN-ribavirin combination therapy were shown to reduce

significantly the complications of liver disease, in terms of development of

cirrhosis, HCC and liver-related mortality. The significance disappeared after

response to antiviral treatment was taken into account. The benefits were

obtained mainly from successful antiviral treatment but were not related to the

antiviral regimens, suggesting that the magnitude of this preventive effect

could increase through the significant improvement of SVR rate by using a more

effective regimen, such as interferon-ribavirin or peginterferon-ribavirin

combination therapy. Nevertheless, about one-third of patients remain resistant

to the current recommended antiviral regimens. More effective treatment is

needed for the population. Copyright 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel.

PMID: 18087178 [PubMed - in process]

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difference.

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[Guest guest]

Oncology. 2007;72 Suppl 1:16-23. Epub 2007 Dec 13.Related Articles,

Long-term effects of interferon-based therapy for chronic hepatitis C.

Yu ML, Huang CF, Dai CY, Huang JF, Chuang WL.

Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical

University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

Hepatitis C virus infection frequently causes chronic liver disease leading to

cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and has become the main indication

for liver transplantation. Interferon (IFN)-based therapy has been used in the

treatment of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) for viral clearance. Several earlier

studies showed long-term beneficial effects of IFN monotherapy in reducing the

progression of cirrhosis, hindering HCC development, and prolonging survival

among both sustained virological responders and nonresponders. However, the

benefits of preventing disease progression in CHC patients without sustained

virological response (SVR) no longer existed over a longer observation period.

Both IFN monotherapy and IFN-ribavirin combination therapy were shown to reduce

significantly the complications of liver disease, in terms of development of

cirrhosis, HCC and liver-related mortality. The significance disappeared after

response to antiviral treatment was taken into account. The benefits were

obtained mainly from successful antiviral treatment but were not related to the

antiviral regimens, suggesting that the magnitude of this preventive effect

could increase through the significant improvement of SVR rate by using a more

effective regimen, such as interferon-ribavirin or peginterferon-ribavirin

combination therapy. Nevertheless, about one-third of patients remain resistant

to the current recommended antiviral regimens. More effective treatment is

needed for the population. Copyright 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel.

PMID: 18087178 [PubMed - in process]

_________________________________________________________________

i’m is proud to present Cause Effect, a series about real people making a

difference.

http://im.live.com/Messenger/IM/MTV/?source=text_Cause_Effect