We retrospectively conducted ten-year follow-up study in 148 patients with hepatitis C patients treated with interferon (IFN). Complete responder (CR), defined as clearance of HCV RNA and normalization of serum ALT levels at six months after IFN therapy, had remained negative serum HCV RNA levels throughout observation period and albumin, ZTT and platelet counts significantly improved, Cumulative incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was higher and cumulative survival rate was lower in partial responder (PR), defined as no clearance of HCV RNA and decrease in serum ALT levels compared with prestudy levels to a level less than twice the upper normal limit at six months after IFN therapy, and non-responder (NR), defined as no clearance of HCV RNA and or decrease in serum ALT levels compared with the prestudy levels after IFN therapy, than CR. When IFN was repeatedly administered, histological improvement and decrease of cumulative incidence of development of HCC could be expected even in PR and NR after initial IFN therapy, resulting in better life expectancy.
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