Hep C gen1 with low viral load and rapid virologic response to peg/riba obviates a protease inhibitor
mallani said
Jul 29, 2013
Hi Jill,
It's good to remind ourselves that Peg and Riba are very effective drugs. The article does not say what a 'low' viral load is, and also does not give any SVR percentages. It is also obvious that these patients (non-cirrhotic, Rx naive) are not in urgent need of treatment. It is interesting that only 24 weeks of Peg and Riba were used. Before the protease inhibitors, 48 weeks of Peg and Riba was SOC. In the group of patients studied, I wonder whether there would be a higher SVR rate if 48 weeks was used instead of 24?? Thanks for the link.
Cinnamon Girl said
Jul 29, 2013
Hepatitis C genotype 1 virus with low viral load and rapid virologic response to peginterferon/ribavirin obviates a protease inhibitor
Given the high side-effect profile of the current HCV protease combination therapy, it is good to know that there are some genotype 1 patients who can be cured without including an HCV protease inhibitor. This study compared treatment with PEG/RBV to PEG/RBV plus a protease inhibitor (boceprevir). The results were similar between the two groups if the study participants achieved a rapid virological response - RVR (4 weeks of PEG/RBV). Good news for some people who should be treated now rather than waiting for newer therapies that will also include PEG/RBV.
Hi Jill,
It's good to remind ourselves that Peg and Riba are very effective drugs. The article does not say what a 'low' viral load is, and also does not give any SVR percentages. It is also obvious that these patients (non-cirrhotic, Rx naive) are not in urgent need of treatment. It is interesting that only 24 weeks of Peg and Riba were used. Before the protease inhibitors, 48 weeks of Peg and Riba was SOC. In the group of patients studied, I wonder whether there would be a higher SVR rate if 48 weeks was used instead of 24?? Thanks for the link.
Hepatitis C genotype 1 virus with low viral load and rapid virologic response to peginterferon/ribavirin obviates a protease inhibitor
Given the high side-effect profile of the current HCV protease combination therapy, it is good to know that there are some genotype 1 patients who can be cured without including an HCV protease inhibitor. This study compared treatment with PEG/RBV to PEG/RBV plus a protease inhibitor (boceprevir). The results were similar between the two groups if the study participants achieved a rapid virological response - RVR (4 weeks of PEG/RBV). Good news for some people who should be treated now rather than waiting for newer therapies that will also include PEG/RBV.
Full article...
http://hcvadvocate.blogspot.ca/2013/07/hepatitis-c-genotype-1-virus-with-low.html