Initial treatment for chronic hepatitis C: current therapies and their optimal dosing and duration.
The main treatment goal in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is the prevention of progressive hepatic fibrosis by eradicating serum and intrahepatic virus. The current standard of care in previously untreated patients with chronic hepatitis C is combination therapy with pegylated interferon alfa and ribavirin. The duration of therapy and the dose of ribavirin should be determined according to the patient's HCV genotype. Adherence to the full dose of therapy for the prescribed treatment duration enhances the likelihood of sustained virologic response. Early virologic response is a good predictor of eventual sustained response for patients with HCV genotype 1 infection. Despite important gains in treating chronic hepatitis C, many treatment challenges remain.
Patel
Keyur
K
Duke Clinical Research Institute and Division of Gastroenterology, Duke University Medical Center, P.O. Box 17969, Durham, NC 27715, USA.
McHutchison
John G
JG
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000465:Algorithms; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004337:Drug Carriers; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005838:Genotype; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000628:therapy* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D010349:Patient Compliance; D018579:Patient Selection; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013997:Time Factors
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D004337:Drug Carriers; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D012367:RNA, Viral; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D012254:Ribavirin; C417083:peginterferon alfa-2b; C100416:peginterferon alfa-2a