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Comparison of Two Interferon Alfa Treatment Regimens Characterized by an Early Virological Response in Patients With Chronic Hepatitis C

Objective:We investigated the efficacy of an interferon regimen characterized by an early virological response in patients with chronic hepatitis C and evaluated whether the patient's virological status during therapy would be useful for predicting a complete response.Methods:We treated 62 patients with chronic hepatitis C with 6 million units (MU) of human lymphoblastoid interferon daily for 4 wk. The serum HCV RNA was assayed at week 2 by the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. HCV RNA-negative patients (group A) received 6 MU of interferon three times weekly for an additional 22 wk (total dose, 564 MU). HCV RNA-positive patients were randomly assigned to group B-1, which received the same regimen as group A, or to group B-2, which received 6 MU of interferon daily for 4 wk followed by 6 MU three times weekly for 18 wk (total dose, 660 MU).Results:Complete responses were achieved by 19 (63.3%) of 30 group A patients, compared with one (6.3%) of 16 group B-1 patients and none of 16 group B-2 patients. The virological response at week 2 and the pretreatment serum HCV RNA level were independent significant predictors of a complete response.Conclusion:Patients who were still HCV RNA-positive at week 2 were unlikely to achieve a complete response after interferon therapy. An increase in the total dose of interferon failed to yield further benefit in these patients.