Hepatitis C treatment relapse

DOCTOR'S VIEWS ARCHIVE

Topic: Hepatitis C, June 2000

Dr. Lee:
I have had patients who I considered as having relapses after treatment with the Interferon, what in your view constitutes a relapse?

Dr. Edward Block:
The goal of treatment in Hepatitis C is to eradicate the virus upon completion of treatment. Eradication of the Hepatitis C virus is defined as disappearance of Hepatitis C RNA (HCV RNA) test from the blood. Unfortunately, in some patients, this virus can be detectable again in the blood six months or later following treatment. These patients are referred to as relapsers.

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