Initial treatment for chronic hepatitis C: current therapies and their optimal dosing and duration.
The main treatment goal in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is the prevention of progressive hepatic fibrosis by eradicating serum and intrahepatic virus. The current standard of care in previously untreated patients with chronic hepatitis C is combination therapy with pegylated interferon alfa and ribavirin. The duration of therapy and the dose of ribavirin should be determined according to the patient's HCV genotype. Adherence to the full dose of therapy for the prescribed treatment duration enhances the likelihood of sustained virologic response. Early virologic response is a good predictor of eventual sustained response for patients with HCV genotype 1 infection. Despite important gains in treating chronic hepatitis C, many treatment challenges remain.
Duke Scholars
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Related Subject Headings
- Time Factors
- Ribavirin
- Recombinant Proteins
- Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
- RNA, Viral
- Prospective Studies
- Prognosis
- Polyethylene Glycols
- Patient Selection
- Patient Compliance
Citation
Published In
DOI
ISSN
Publication Date
Volume
Start / End Page
Location
Related Subject Headings
- Time Factors
- Ribavirin
- Recombinant Proteins
- Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
- RNA, Viral
- Prospective Studies
- Prognosis
- Polyethylene Glycols
- Patient Selection
- Patient Compliance