Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) is a serious medical problem necessitating more effective treatment. This study investigated the hypothesis that an induction approach with nIFN-beta for 24 weeks followed by PEG-IFN-alpha+ribavirin (standard of care: SOC) for 48 weeks (novel combination treatment: NCT) would increase the initial virologic response rate and restore innate and adaptive immune responses ...

BACKGROUND & AIMS Improved therapeutic options for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are needed for patients who are poor candidates for treatment with current regimens due to anticipated intolerability or low likelihood of response. METHODS In this open-label, phase 2a study of Japanese patients with chronic HCV genotype 1b infection, 21 null responders (<2 log₁₀ HCV RNA reduction af...

he rapid development of new Tantiviral drugs for hepatitis C (HCV) and the availability of interferon (IFN)-free and soon ribavirin-free treatment regimens of 12 weeks duration with sustained virologic response (SVR) rates of >90% has stimulated predictions that HCV will be eradicated. This commentary discusses the impact of these new treatments in different regions of the world and the barrier...

Methods We identified a cohort of IDUs receiving care at the Pender Community Health Centre on Vancouver’s Downtown East Side. Potential subjects were identified as either never having been infected with HCV (noninfected arm), having spontaneously cleared the virus (spontaneous arm), or having achieved a sustained virologic response on antiviral treatment (SVR arm). A questionnaire to identify ...

background il-33 is a novel member of the il-1 family, which has been shown to play an important role in t helper 2 (th2)-associated immune responses. recent studies have suggested a possible role for il-33 in the pathogenesis of liver damage during acute and chronic hepatitis; furthermore, il-33 may be involved in the development and progression of liver fibrosis. objectives to evaluate serum ...

Abbreviations: CHC, chronic hepatitis C; CYP, cytochrome P450; HCV, hepatitis C virus; IL, interleukin; Peg, pegylated interferon alfa; RBV, ribavirin; SVR, sustained virologic response; VDRs, vitamin D receptors; Th, helper T cell; 25(OH)D, 25-hydroxyvitamin D; 1,25(OH)D, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D Corresponding author: Tae Yeob Kim Department of Internal Medicine, Hanyang University Guri Hospita...

AIM To investigate peg-interferon (peg-IFN) and ribavirin (RBV) therapy in Myanmar and to predict sustained virologic response (SVR). METHODS This single-center, open-label, study was conducted in Myanmar between 2009 and 2014. A total of 288 patients infected with HCV genotypes 1, 2, 3 and 6 were treated with peg-IFN alpha-2a (180 μg/wk) or alpha-2b (50 to 100 μg as a weight-based dose) and ...

Molecular tests that detect and/or quantify HCV RNA are important in the diagnosis and management of patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) undergoing anti-viral therapy. The primary goal of anti-HCV therapy is to achieve a sustained virologic response (SVR) defined as "undetectable" Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) RNA in the serum or plasma at 12 to 24 weeks following the end of treatment.

BACKGROUND The role of interleukin 28B (IL-28B) polymorphisms played in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has been gradually explicit, especially in HCV genotype 1, 2 and 3. However, no confirmative conclusion was acquired in genotype 4 HCV patients. Thus we conducted this meta-analysis. METHODS We searched the commonly used databases both in English and Chinese. Meta-analysis was performed i...

Abbreviations: FCH, fibrosing cholestatic hepatitis; HAV, hepatitis A virus; HBIG, hepatitis B immunoglobulin; HBV, hepatitis B virus; HCC, hepatocellular carcinoma; HCV, hepatitis C virus; HCV-R, HCV recurrence; HDV, hepatitis D virus; HEV, hepatitis E virus; HVPG, hepatic venous pressure gradient; IgM, immunoglobulin M; LADR, low accelerated dose regimen; LAM, lamivudine; IFNa , interferon al...