Fas Antigen Expression on Hepatocytes Predicts the Short- and Long-term Response to Interferon Therapy in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C

Abstract

Background: Interaction between Fas antigen on hepatocytes and Fas ligand on cytotoxic T cells induces apoptosis, a major mechanism of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-induced hepatocyte injury. We investigated the usefulness of Fas expression on hepatocytes as a predictor of short- and long-term response to interferon (IFN) therapy in 72 patients with chronic hepatitis C. Methods:

• Chronic Hepatitis C Fas Antigen Hepatitis C Virus Hepatocytes Interferon-ALPHA-TWO-B