Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:
- Discuss the current understanding of the mechanisms of action of interferon and ribavirin in chronic HCV infection, including pegylated interferon, consensus interferon, and novel interferons (excluding standard interferon)
- Identify factors associated with response and nonresponse to peginterferon and ribavirin
- Using knowledge about mechanisms of response, apply a management strategy that might improve response in a difficult-to-treat patient
- Identify 2 key time points and markers for assessing and evaluating response to HCV treatment
Topics covered include:
- Introduction
- Type I Interferon and the Immune Response to HCV infection
- HCV Resistance to Interferon
- Molecular Mechanisms of Viral Interference
- Fixed Host Factors and Interferon Nonresponse in HCV Infection
- Modifiable Host Factors and Interferon Nonresponse in HCV Infection
- Overcoming Barriers to Interferon Nonresponse in HCV Infection
- The Anti-HCV Actions of Ribavirin
- Using Viral Kinetics in Clinical Practice to Assess Interferon and Ribavirin Responsiveness
- Conclusion
Abstract