Peginterferon and ribavirin treatment in African American and Caucasian American patients with hepatitis C genotype 1.

Background & Aims: Compared with Caucasian Americans (CA), African Americans (AA) with chronic hepatitis C are less likely to respond to interferon-based antiviral therapy.

Methods: In a multicenter treatment trial, 196 AA and 205 CA treatment-naive patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1 infection were treated with peginterferon alfa-2a (180 microg/wk) and ribavirin (1000-1200 mg/day) for up to 48 weeks. The primary end point was sustained virologic response (SVR).