Chronic Hepatitis C
Conditions
Keywords
HCV infection, genotype 1a, genotype 1 b
Brief summary
Sustained virological response (SVR) to antiviral therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C genotype 1 according to subtype (1a vs.1b) has not been extensively investigated. This observational study was carried out on a large group of naïve HCV patients to evaluate difference, if any, between HCV genotype 1 subtype 1a and 1b on the response to treatment with peginterferon (Peg-IFN) plus ribavirin.
Detailed description
Despite the challenging perspective of the new antiviral drugs directly acting on hepatitis C viral replication such as protease and polymerase inhibitors, nowadays the standard treatment in genotype 1-chronic hepatitis C (CHC) is the combination of peghylated interferon (PEG-IFN) and ribavirin for 48 weeks. It has been extensively shown that patients infected with HCV genotype 1 have a lower rate of viral response than those infected with genotype 2 and 3. In large randomized multinational trials, sustained virological response (SVR) of around 50% has been obtained with peginterferon α2a plus ribavirin in the more difficult to treat subgroup of patients infected with HCV genotype 1. Furthermore, advanced fibrosis is a predictive factor of non response to antiviral treatment in genotype 1 virus \[5-7\]. Very few studies have evaluated SVR difference, if any, between subtypes 1a and 1b. We have carried out an observational study on a large cohort of HCV naïve patients to evaluate the influence of HCV subtypes 1 on the response to treatment with Peg-INF plus ribavirin.
Interventions
None listed
Sponsors
Study design
Eligibility
Inclusion criteria
* eligible subjects were naïve infected with HCV genotype 1 virus meeting the internationally recognised criteria for treatment (elevation of aminotransferases, inflammation and or fibrosis at liver biopsy).
Exclusion criteria
* infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or hepatitis B virus (HBV) * alcohol intake greater than 20 gr daily * the presence of active drug abuse, chronic systemic disease, psychiatric disorders, autoimmune disease, pregnancy or lactation.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| The primary end point was sustained undetectable serum HCVRNA 24 weeks after treatment cessation (SVR). | 24 weeks after treatment cessation | The primary end point was sustained undetectable serum HCVRNA 24 weeks after treatment cessation (Sustained virological response). |
Countries
Italy