Browsing by Subject "interferon-alfa"

Hepatitis C affects about 160 million individuals worldwide. Chronic HCV infection can lead to various degrees of liver diseases varying from minimal histologic changes to extensive fibrosis and cirrhosis as well as hepatocellular carcinoma. A sustained virologic response (SVR) is the primary goal of HCV treatment as it is associated with decreased risk of morbidity and mortality. The study aimed to assess results of response guided therapy with pegylated interferon α (PegINFα) and ribavirin in HCV infected patients in different genotypes. Overall 611 patients (80%) achieved SVR and 151 patients (20%) did not. We observed the highest SVR rates in genotype 2 and 3 patients although treatment results were quite high in other genotypes as well. In genotypes 2 and 3 the results are excellent with PegINFα + ribavirin, but new drugs are needed in genotype 1, especially in genotype 1b. Based on the treatment response and the low cost, PegINFα + ribavirin combination therapy should still be considered as a cost-effective treatment option for these genotypes.