FIG. 1.

Kinetics of serum HCV RNA (IU/ml), core antigen (pg/ml), and ALT (IU/ml) in patients treated with alpha interferon and ribavirin. Patients A and B were sustained responders as they normalized ALT and cleared HCV RNA during treatment and remained in remission for 1 year after therapy discontinuation. Patients C through E were defined as relapsers since they normalized ALT and transiently cleared HCV RNA while on treatment but returned to pretreatment features after stopping antivirals. Patients F and G were defined as nonresponders since they never normalized ALT and never cleared HCV RNA during treatment by qualitative PCR. Qualitative PCR data (+ or −) are indicated at the top of each panel. Patients B, C, D, and G received standard alpha 2b interferon, whereas patients A, E, and F received 12-kDa-pegylated alpha 2b interferon. Arrows indicate treatment discontinuation.