In patients treated with IFN or combination therapy, we found very good correlation between decrease and negativation of Ag and viral load: 2 log IU/ml decline after M1 of interferon was significantly correlated with the negativation of HCV Ag and SR. Thirty-eight/41 of SR had a RNA load decrease !/2 log IU/ml and 39/ 41 had a negativation of HCV Ag after M1.