Lack of efficacy of maintenance interferon: Results of the HALT-C trial

Abstract

Introduction: The fi rst antiviral therapy for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C was interferon monotherapy, which was introduced in 1991. Therapy improved in 1998 with the addition of ribavirin, and sustained response rates rose to about 35% to 40%. Further improvements came about with the addition of pegylated interferon and ribavirin; sustained response rates in adherent patients improved to about 50% to 60%. Unfortunately, that leaves 40% to 50% of patients who still fail to respond. When those individuals who are nonresponders have advanced fi brosis, their progression to serious complications of chronic liver disease is problematic and leads to morbidity and premature mortality. Numerous studies have demonstrated that the health care burden from these patients has increased and will continue to increase. This concern about worsening disease in nonresponders has led to attempts to fi nd ways to prevent or retard disease progression in this group of patients.