Treatment strategies for hepatitis C: making the best of limited options.
Data from two recent major trials suggest that several changes in clinical practice would benefit hepatitis C patients, including viral genotyping to more accurately determine the duration of therapy, and timely RNA measurement to predict treatment response. Although the combination of interferon alfa-2b and ribavirin therapy has proved superior to interferon alone, the success of interferon-based therapies in eradicating hepatitis C is limited, and the quest for new strategies and treatments continues.
McHutchison
J G
JG
Liver Transplantation Program, Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation, La Jolla, Calif., USA.
Younossi
Z
Z
D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007372:Interferons / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D012254:Ribavirin; D007372:Interferons