Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C.
- Author:
Yun Jung CHANG
1
;
Kwan Soo BYUN
Author Information
1. Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. kwsbyun@unitel.co.kr
- Publication Type:Review ; English Abstract
- Keywords:
Chronic hepatitis C;
Treatment;
Pegylated interferon;
Ribavirin
- MeSH:
Drug Therapy, Combination;
English Abstract;
Hepatitis C, Chronic/*drug therapy;
Humans;
Interferon Alfa-2a/administration & dosage;
Interferon Alfa-2b/administration & dosage;
Polyethylene Glycols/administration & dosage;
Ribavirin/administration & dosage
- From:The Korean Journal of Gastroenterology
2004;44(6):301-307
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Chronic infection with HCV represents second most common cause of end-stage liver diseases and hepatocellular carcinoma in Korea. The introduction of new agents and regimens for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C, such as pegylated forms of interferon-alpha (Peg-IFN) and combination with oral ribavirin has resulted in substantial improvement in sustained virologic response (SVR) rates. SVR rate of Peg-IFN and ribavirin combination therapy can be 40-46% of individuals infected with genotype 1 and approximately 75-85% with genotype 2 and 3. Peg-IFN/ribavirin combination therapy represents current standard therapy of chronic hepatitis C. This article reviews the treatment objectives, outcomes, optimal regimens, efficacy and predictors of response, monitoring during treatment, adverse events, retreatment of persons who failed to respond to previous treatments, and treatment of special patient groups in chronic hepatitis C.
