Long-Term Effects of Interferon-Based Therapy for Chronic Hepatitis C

Vol. 72, Suppl. 1, 2007

Free Abstract Article (Fulltext) Article (PDF 201 KB)

Recent Progress in Hepatocellular Carcinoma 2007.
Editor(s): Hino, O. (Tokyo), Kudo, M. (Osaka)

Paper

Long-Term Effects of Interferon-Based Therapy for Chronic Hepatitis C
Ming-Lung Yu^{a, b, c}, Chung-Feng Huang^{a, c}, Chia-Yen Dai^{a, d, e}, Jee-Fu Huang^{a, d, f}, Wan-Long Chuang^{a, b}

^aHepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital,
^bHepatobiliary Division, Faculty of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University,
^cDepartment of Prevention Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital,
^dGraduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University,
^eDepartment of Occupational Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, and
^fDepartment of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Municipal Hsiaokang Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan

Address of Corresponding Author

Oncology 2007;72 (Suppl. 1):16-23 (DOI: 10.1159/000111703)

Key Words

Interferon
Ribavirin
Cirrhosis
Hepatocellular carcinoma
Survival
Hepatitis C virus

Abstract

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.

Author Contacts

Wan-Long Chuang, MD, PhD
Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine
Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital
No. 100, Tzyou 1st Road, Kaohsiung 807 (Taiwan)
Tel. +886 7 312 1101, ext. 7475, Fax +886 7 323 4553, E-Mail fish6069@gmail.com

Article Information

Published online: December 13, 2007
Number of Print Pages : 8
Number of Figures : 0, Number of Tables : 1, Number of References : 50

Medline Abstract (ID 18087178)

Download Citation

For non-native English speakers and international authors who would like assistance with their writing before submission, we suggest American Journal Experts for their scientific editing service.