Pegylated Interferon‐α‐2a plus Ribavirin for Treatment‐Naive Asian Patients with Hepatitis C Virus Genotype 1 Infection: A Multicenter, Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

In treatment-naive Asian patients with HCV-1 infection, 48 weeks of pegylated IFN-alpha-2a plus ribavirin therapy is associated with a higher SVR rate, compared with 24 weeks of such therapy. Patients with a baseline serum HCV RNA level <800,000 IU/mL and who have achieved an RVR can receive a 24-week course of therapy without compromising the SVR rates; however, those who have not achieved an RVR but who have achieved a complete early virologic response should receive a 48-week course of therapy.