Interferon-α in Chronic Hepatitis C
Authors: Savino Bruno
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1998)

Letters1 June 1998Interferon-α in Chronic Hepatitis CSavino Bruno, MD, Mauro Borzio, MD, and Pier Maria Battezzati, MDSavino Bruno, MDSchool of Medicine Ospedale S. Paolo; 20142 Milan, ItalySearch for more papers by this author, Mauro Borzio, MDSchool of Medicine Ospedale S. Paolo; 20142 Milan, ItalySearch for more papers by this author, and Pier Maria Battezzati, MDSchool of Medicine Ospedale S. Paolo; 20142 Milan, ItalySearch for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-128-11-199806010-00020 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail TO THE EDITOR:Marcellin and colleagues' study [1] suggests that patients with chronic hepatitis C showing sustained response to interferon-α have a low risk for development of hepatocellular carcinoma. We are following a cohort of 23 long-term responders (5 with cirrhosis) who received interferon-α2a in a randomized clinical trial [2] and were observed for a mean (±SD) of 77 ± 20 months (range, 50 to 114 months) after discontinuation of treatment. Sustained response was defined as persistently normal alanine aminotransferase levels at monthly determinations during the first 12 months after discontinuation of interferon-α2a and every 3 months afterward. Hepatitis C ...References1. Marcellin P, Boyer N, Gervais A, Martinot M, Pouteau M, Castelnau C, et al. Long-term histologic improvement and loss of detectable intrahepatic HCV RNA in patients with chronic hepatitis C and sustained response to interferon-α therapy. Ann Intern Med. 1997; 127:875-81. Google Scholar2. Battezzati PM, Podda M, Bruno S, Zuin M, Crosignani A, Camisasca M, et al. Factors predicting early response to treatment with recombinant interferon α-2a in chronic non A, non B hepatitis. Preliminary report of a long-term trial. Ital J Gastroenterol. 1992; 24:481-4. Google Scholar3. Manzin A, Bagnarelli P, Menzo S, Giostra F, Brugia M, Francesconi R, et al. Quantitation of hepatitis C virus genome molecules in plasma samples. J Clin Microbiol. 1994; 32:1939-44. Google Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: Savino Bruno, MD; Mauro Borzio, MD; Pier Maria Battezzati, MDAffiliations: School of Medicine Ospedale S. Paolo; 20142 Milan, Italy PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited bySustained virological response to interferon-α is associated with improved outcome in HCV-related cirrhosis: A retrospective studyInterferon for preventing and treating hepatocellular carcinoma associated with the hepatitis B and C virusesLong-term beneficial effects in sustained responders to interferon-alfa therapy for chronic hepatitis CEFFECT OF INTERFERON THERAPY ON THE NATURAL HISTORY OF HEPATITIS C VIRUS-RELATED CIRRHOSIS AND HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA 1 June 1998Volume 128, Issue 11Page: 956KeywordsChronic hepatitis CCirrhosisHepatitis C virusHepatocellular carcinomaLesionsLiverPolymerase chain reactionRNAUltrasound imaging ePublished: 15 August 2000 Issue Published: 1 June 1998 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 1998 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF downloadLoading ...