Korean J Gastroenterol.  2004 Dec;44(6):301-307.

Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C

• Chang YJ
• Byun KS

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.

Keyword

Chronic hepatitis C; Treatment; Pegylated interferon; Ribavirin

MeSH Terms

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