An early prognosis for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C patients with pegylated interferon-α2b plus ribavirin: Monitoring analysis by the serum HCV core antigen values

Abstract

The capability of an early prognosis for the treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C (CH-C) patients with genotype 1b and high viral loads with Pegylated Interferon-α2b plus Ribavirin was evaluated by the levels of serum HCV core antigens. Serum samples were drawn before the treatment, 3 days or 1, 2, 4, and 12 weeks after the treatment. Out of 45 cases with CH-C, 36 cases (80%) and 9 cases (20%) were early virological response (EVR) and non-early virological response (NEVR), respectvery.
The serum levels of core antigen in EVR were significantly lower than those in NEVR from the third day to the 12^th week after the treatment. The levels of core antigen less than 1000fmol/L in the second week could predict a better prognosis in the 12^th week. The measurement of serum HCV core antigen was useful for the early prognosis of the treatment in CH-C patients with genotype 1b and high viral loads with Pegylated Interferon-α2b plus Ribavirin.