Author/Authors :
K Kanai، نويسنده , , M Kako، نويسنده , , T Aikawa، نويسنده , , T Kumada، نويسنده , , T Kawasaki، نويسنده , , T Hatahara، نويسنده , , Y Oka، نويسنده , , M Mizokami، نويسنده , , T Sakai، نويسنده , , K Iwata، نويسنده , , H Okamoto، نويسنده , , M Mayumi، نويسنده , , S Mishiro، نويسنده ,
Abstract :
Sustained non-viraemia is prerequisite for a virological cure of hepatitis C virus (HCV) disease. We monitored serum HCV RNA in our patients during interferon therapy and for 6 months of follow-up. The rate of sustained responders (RNA-negative at the end of follow-up) differed significantly by whether or not RNA became sero-negative within 24 weeks of the initiation of therapy (71% vs 7%); and also by whether or not the RNA-seronegativity lasted for 12 weeks during therapy (88% vs 11%). Thus, by monitoring viraemia in individual patients, we can tailor the duration of therapy and minimize waste of interferon.
