Telaprevir- and boceprevir-based tritherapies in real practice for F3-F4 pretreated hepatitis C virus patients.

Aim: To assess, in a routine practice setting, the sustained virologic response (SVR) to telaprevir (TPV) or boceprevir (BOC) in hepatitis C virus (HCV) null-responders or relapsers with severe liver fibrosis.

Methods: One hundred twenty-five patients were treated prospectively for 48 wk with TPV or BOC + pegylated-interferon (peg-INF) α2a + ribavirin (PR) according to standard treatment schedules without randomization. These patients were treated in routine practice settings in 10 public or private health care centers, and the data were prospectively collected.

Influence of HCV genotype 1 subtypes on the virus response to PEG interferon alpha-2a plus ribavirin therapy.

New factors that influence the viral response in HCV non-genotype 2/3 patients must be identified in order to optimize anti-HCV treatment. This multicenter prospective study evaluates the influence of HCV variability and pharmacological parameters on the virological response of these patients to pegylated interferon α2a (peg-IFN-α2a: 180 µg/week) and ribavirin (RBV; 800-1,200 mg/day) for 48 weeks. HCV subtypes were identified by sequencing the NS5B region.

Non-invasive assessment of liver fibrosis progression in hepatitis C patients retreated for 96 weeks with antiviral therapy: a randomized study.

Background: The efficacy of a maintenance therapy in non-responder patients with chronic hepatitis C has been essentially evaluated by histological semiquantitative scores.

Aim: The aim was to evaluate the efficiency of 2 years of treatment with peginterferon alpha-2a vs alpha-tocopherol in these patients by histology, morphometry and blood markers of fibrosis.

Method: Hundred and five HCV patients with a Metavir fibrosis score > or = 2 were randomized to receive peginterferon alpha-2a 180 microg/week (PEG) (n=55) or alpha-tocopherol (TOCO) 1000 mg/day (n=50) for 96 weeks.

Safety and efficacy of combination therapy with peginterferon alfa-2a (40kD) and ribavirin in the outpatient setting: prospective analysis of 197 patients with chronic hepatitis C viral infection.

Objectives: Combination therapy using peginterferon alfa-2a (40 kD) plus ribavirin achieves viral eradication in nearly 60% of patients with chronic hepatitis C viral infection. However, because of the numerous side effects, use of the combination regimen might be restricted for patients consulting private practitioners specialized in hepatogastroenterology.

Patients And Method: Conducted in this specific context, this prospective clinical trial investigated the safety and efficacy of combination therapy in 197 patients.

Effect of ribavirin in genotype 1 patients with hepatitis C responding to pegylated interferon alfa-2a plus ribavirin.

Background & Aims: Pegylated interferon alfa-ribavirin combination is the standard treatment for chronic hepatitis C, but the mechanisms by which ribavirin enhances the rate of sustained hepatitis C virus (HCV) eradication remain unknown. We aimed to investigate the role of ribavirin in HCV clearance during therapy and to evaluate the consequences of ribavirin discontinuation in patients infected with genotype 1 hepatitis C who cleared HCV RNA at week 24.

Methods: A total of 516 patients were treated with pegylated interferon alfa-2a, 180 microg/wk, plus ribavirin, 800 mg/day.