Peginterferon and Ribavirin for Difficult-to-Treat HCV: Is More Better?

Data from a pilot study suggest that higher doses of peginterferon and ribavirin for chronic HCV infection leads to lower relapse rates in difficult-to-treat cases.

Sustained virologic response (SVR) is achieved in only 50% of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-positive patients undergoing pegylated interferon (peginterferon) and ribavirin therapy. Factors such as infection with genotype 1 HCV, high viral load, and obesity significantly reduce SVR rates. This industry-sponsored, randomized, double-blind pilot study evaluated the efficacy of higher doses of peginterferon and ribavirin compared with standard therapy in patients with genotype 1 HCV, high viral load (>800,000 IU/mL), and weight >85 kg.

A total of 188 treatment-naive patients were randomized to four treatment regimens:

Group A: Peginterferon alfa-2a (180 μg weekly) plus ribavirin (1200 mg daily)
Group B: Peginterferon alfa-2a (180 μg weekly) plus ribavir…

Reviewing Author

Atif Zaman, MD, MPH

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose

Atif Zaman, MD, MPH

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose

Peginterferon and Ribavirin for Difficult-to-Treat HCV: Is More Better?

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Reviewing Author