Abstract |
As treatment for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has advanced over the past decade, efforts have evolved to retreat patients who did not achieve a sustained virologic response to previous antiviral regimens. Retreating nonresponders to interferon alfa monotherapy with a combination of interferon and ribavirin yields a sustained virologic response in 9% to 32% of patients, whereas retreatment with peginterferon alfa plus ribavirin yields a sustained virologic response in up to 30% to 40% of patients. Sustained virologic response is more likely in retreated patients with HCV genotype 2 or 3, low serum HCV RNA levels, and lack of response to prior interferon monotherapy. Retreatment of nonresponders to interferon- ribavirin combination therapy is associated with lower response rates (< or = 20%). Despite treatment advances, the efficacy of current antiviral regimens for nonresponders remains inadequate. The next few years will see more-targeted antiviral regimens for these patients and therapies focused on slowing the progression of liver disease rather than viral eradication.
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Authors | Marten Duncan, Zobair Younossi |
Journal | Cleveland Clinic journal of medicine
(Cleve Clin J Med)
Vol. 70 Suppl 4
Pg. S21-6
(Sep 2003)
ISSN: 0891-1150 [Print] United States |
PMID | 14558642
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)
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Chemical References |
- Antiviral Agents
- Ribavirin
- Interferons
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Topics |
- Antiviral Agents
(therapeutic use)
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular
(diagnosis, prevention & control)
- Disease Progression
- Drug Resistance, Viral
- Drug Therapy, Combination
- Genotype
- Hepacivirus
(drug effects, genetics)
- Hepatitis C, Chronic
(drug therapy)
- Humans
- Interferons
(therapeutic use)
- Liver Neoplasms
(diagnosis, prevention & control)
- Recurrence
- Retreatment
- Ribavirin
(therapeutic use)
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