Optimizing the current therapy for chronic hepatitis C virus: peginterferon and ribavirin dosing and the utility of growth factors.
Achieving a sustained virologic response depends on the patient achieving three sequential independent milestones: virologic response, maintaining this response throughout treatment, and not relapsing after treatment has been completed. The ability to achieve these milestones depends on the doses of interferon/peginterferon and ribavirin used and on whether treatment with these medications is adjusted, interrupted, or prematurely discontinued in response to adverse events. This review discusses strategies to optimize peginterferon and ribavirin dosing and the impact that growth factors may have on the ability to achieve a sustained virologic response.
Shiffman
Mitchell L
ML
Hepatology Section, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, Richmond, VA 23298, USA. mshiffma@vcu.edu <mshiffma@vcu.edu>
D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004337:Drug Carriers; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D004337:Drug Carriers; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D012254:Ribavirin; C100416:peginterferon alfa-2a