HCV clearance after direct-acting antivirals in patients with cirrhosis by stages of liver impairment: The ITAL-C network study.

Background: Sustained virological response (SVR12) rates at 12 weeks after treatment for HCV-infected patients with decompensated cirrhosis are used when referring to those with moderate functional impairment, while few data are available for those with more severe impairment. The use of the cirrhosis staging system proposed by D'Amico might provide new insights on timing for antiviral therapy.

Methods: We investigated efficacy (SVR12), safety, and post-treatment variations in clinical and laboratory parameters in 2612 patients with advanced fibrosis (n=575) or cirrhosis (n=2037).

Hepatitis C and immigration: a multicentre study.

This retrospective multicentre study aims to evaluate the clinical and epidemiological features of HCV infection in a cohort of immigrants in Italy. Tests were carried out on 194 HCV positive subjects, who represented 5.7% of the participants at baseline screening: the virological (viral load, genotype) and biochemical appearance of their infection was determined, and the disease was staged by histological examination in the patients who had indicated their willingness.

Individualized treatment of genotype 1 naïve patients: an Italian multicenter field practice experience.

Background: Triple therapy including Telaprevir or Boceprevir still represents in many European countries the standard of care for patients with Hepatitis C Virus genotype 1 infection. The number of patients who received this treatment resulted generally lower than expected. We investigated, among naïve patients, number and characteristics of treatment candidates who were started on triple or dual therapy in comparison to those who were deferred.

Interleukin-28B genetic variants in untreated Italian HCV-infected patients: a multicentre study.

Background & Aims: Different prevalence of favourable IL28BCC genotype have been reported in studies performed in different countries around the world. Data on distribution of IL28B genotypes in healthy Italian subjects are lacking.

Methods: Studies on prospectively collected untreated chronic HCV-infected Italian patients led to conflicting results.

Individualized treatment with combination of Peg-interferon alpha 2b and ribavirin in patients infected with HCV genotype 3.

Background & Aims: The benefit of individualizing treatment for patients with genotype 3 HCV infection on the basis of viral clearance at week 4 (wk4-R) has not been firmly established.

Methods: Four hundred and fourteen patients received Peg-interferon alpha-2b plus 1000-1200 mg of ribavirin daily according with body weight > or <75 kg. Patients were randomized to standard 24 weeks (Std24) or to a 12 or 36 weeks variable treatment duration (Var12/36).

An IL28B polymorphism determines treatment response of hepatitis C virus genotype 2 or 3 patients who do not achieve a rapid virologic response.

Background & Aims: Polymorphisms in the region of the interleukin (IL)-28B gene on chromosome 19 have been associated with peginterferon-alfa-induced clearance of genotype 1 hepatitis C virus (HCV); there are no data for patients with genotype 2 or 3 HCV. We evaluated the effects of IL-28B polymorphisms on response to treatment with peginterferon and ribavirin in a well-characterized cohort of genotype 2/3 patients.

Methods: DNA was analyzed from 268 patients (Caucasian: genotype 2, 213; genotype 3, 55).

Determinants of relapse after a short (12 weeks) course of antiviral therapy and re-treatment efficacy of a prolonged course in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus genotype 2 or 3 infection.

Unlabelled: In hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes 2 and 3 patients, the high rate of relapse after 12 to 16 weeks of antiviral therapy is the main concern for shortening treatment duration. This study was undertaken to delineate predictors of relapse after short treatment in patients with undetectable HCV RNA at treatment week 4 (RVR), and to report in RVR patients with relapse the sustained virological response (SVR) after a second 24-week course of therapy. RVR patients received pegylated interferon (Peg-IFN) alfa-2b (1.

Individualized treatment duration for hepatitis C genotype 1 patients: A randomized controlled trial.

Unlabelled: It was hypothesized that in hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1 patients, variable treatment duration individualized by first undetectable HCV RNA is as effective as standard 48-week treatment. Patients (n = 696) received peginterferon alfa-2a, 180 mg/week, or peginterferon alfa-2b, 1.5 mg/kg/week, plus ribavirin, 1000-1200 mg/day, for 48 weeks (standard, n = 237) or for 24, 48, or 72 weeks if HCV-RNA-negative at weeks 4, 8, or 12, respectively (variable, n = 459).

Peginterferon alfa-2b and ribavirin for 12 vs. 24 weeks in HCV genotype 2 or 3.

Background: We hypothesized that in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 2 or 3 in whom HCV RNA is not detectable after 4 weeks of therapy, 12 weeks of treatment is as effective as 24 weeks.

Methods: A total of 283 patients were randomly assigned to a standard 24-week regimen of peginterferon alfa-2b at a dose of 1.0 mug per kilogram weekly plus ribavirin at a dose of 1000 mg or 1200 mg daily, on the basis of body weight.

High doses of interferon in combination with ribavirin are more effective than the standard regimen in patients with HCV genotype 1 chronic hepatitis.

Background/aims: The aim of the present, open-labelled, controlled study was to determine whether 5 MU of interferon (IFN) alpha 2b combined with a standard dose of ribavirin might increase the rate of viral clearance in all patients with chronic HCV hepatitis or at least in those with an unfavourable genotype.

Methods: A total of 298 previously untreated patients with chronic hepatitis C were randomized to 5 or 3 MU of interferon alpha 2b 3 times per week with 1000-1200 mg of ribavirin daily (148 and 150 patients, respectively). Patients were treated for 12 months and observed for 6 months posttreatment.