Histologic Changes and Noninvasive Assessment in Hepatitis C Patients Treated with Peginterferon Alpha-2a and Ribavirin

Inclusion Criteria: * Male and female subjects ≥20 years of age * Subjects with positive anti-HCV Ab in sera * Subjects with detectable HCV RNA by quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (\> 50 IU/mL) * Subjects without receiving any previous antiviral treatment * Subjects undergoing radiologic studies (liver ultrasonography (USG), CT or MRI) to exclude the presence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) within the last 1 year before enrolment * All fertile males with partners of childbearing age and females must be using reliable contraception during the study and for 3 months after treatment completion * Written informed consent should be obtained from all subjects. Exclusion Criteria: * History of any interferon (IFN)-based therapy before enrolment * Positive test at screening for anti-hepatitis A virus (HAV) immunoglobulin M (IgM) Ab, HBsAg, anti-hepatitis D virus (HDV) Ab or anti- HIV Ab * Histologically confirmed liver cirrhosis (F4 of fibrosis stage) * If subjects have compromised liver function (Child-Pugh score \>6) * Signs or symptoms of hepatocellular carcinoma within the last 1 year before enrolment * History or other evidence of a medical condition associated with chronic liver disease other than viral hepatitis (e.g., hemochromatosis, autoimmune hepatitis, metabolic liver disease, alcoholic liver disease, toxin exposures, thalassemia) * Women with ongoing pregnancy or who are breast feeding * Male partner of potentially pregnant women * Neutrophil count \<1,500 cells/mm3 or platelet count \<75,000 cells/mm3 at screening * Hemoglobin \<11 g/dL for females and \<12 g/dL for men at screening * Serum creatinine level \>1.5 times the upper limit of normal at screening * Evidence of immunosuppressive therapy * History of severe psychiatric disease, especially depression.(Severe psychiatric disease is defined as major depression or psychosis, suicidal attempt, hospitalization for psychiatric disease, or a period of disability due to a psychiatric disease)