[Chronic hepatitis C--therapeutic modalities for interferon failure]

Abstract

Treatment with alpha-interferon-monotherapy for chronic hepatitis C is rather unsatisfactory. After a 6-12-months course of interferon three times 3 MU weekly, only a minority of 10-25% of interferon-naive patients have a sustained response with normalisation of ALT and elimination of viremia. The majority of patients does not respond or relapses shortly after treatment. In these patients an individual risk factor profile should be worked out based on evaluation of known factors predictive for response which may aid in the therapeutic decision concerning indication and type of a second line treatment. This review on current therapeutic options for second line treatment focuses on interferon-retreatment and combination therapy with ribavirin and amantadine.