Application of interferon response-related gene array to the antiviral treatment outcome in chronic hepatitis C.

Background/aims: It has been known that viral factors such as genotype and viral load have a major influence on the outcome of antiviral treatment. Nevertheless, researchers have become increasingly aware that host genetic factors can modulate the response to antiviral treatment. The underlying mechanisms for the varying virologic response rates to IFNalpha-based antiviral therapy are unknown.