title: Peginterferon and ribavirin treatment for hepatitis C virus infection.
abstract: Pegylated interferon α (IFNα) in combination with ribavirin is currently recommended as a standard-of-care treatment for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. This combination therapy has drastically improved the rate of sustained virological response, specifically in difficult-to-treat patients. Recently, individualized treatment, such as response-guided therapy, is being developed based on host-, HCV- and treatment-related factors. Furthermore, modified regimens with currently available medications, novel modified IFNα and ribavirin or combinations with specifically targeted antiviral therapy for HCV agents, are currently being investigated. The purpose of this review is to address some issues and epoch-making topics in the treatment of chronic HCV infection, and to discuss more optimal and highly individualized therapeutic strategies for HCV-infected patients.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Clinical Medicine and Research, Jikei University School of Medicine, 163-1 Kashiwa-shita, Kashiwa, Chiba, Japan. atsubo@jikei.ac.jp
authors.forename: Akihito
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tsubota
authors.forename: Kiyotaka
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fujise
authors.forename: Yoshihisa
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Namiki
authors.forename: Norio
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tada
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005838:Genotype; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012367:RNA, Viral; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; 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