title: How to optimize current treatment of genotype 2 hepatitis C virus infection.
abstract: The standard of care (SOC) for hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 2 is pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) plus ribavirin (RBV). Even though most patients can be cured with this therapy after 24 weeks, tailoring treatment can improve its safety and efficacy in special populations. Thus, shortening treatment together with a weight-based RBV dosing approach has been considered satisfactory in patients with positive predictors of response. With the development of the direct antiviral agents (DAAs), shorter, better tolerated and more efficient treatments for HCV genotype 2 will become available, including interferon-free regimens. Until these new treatments are released, the decision to treat patients with HCV genotype 2 with currently approved drugs or to wait for future options must be made, taking into account the stage of fibrosis.
authors.affiliation: Liver Unit, Hospital Italiano, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: Sebastián
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Marciano
authors.forename: Adrián C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Gadano
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D005838:Genotype; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D059039:Standard of Care / Q000639:trends; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D012254:Ribavirin; C100416:peginterferon alfa-2a
keywords: cirrhosis; direct antiviral agents; pegylated interferon; predictors of treatment response; ribavirin; treatment duration