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Peginterferon, Ribavirin and Anti-viral Triple Therapy

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Chronic Hepatitis C Virus

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Abstract

Several clinical trials have now demonstrated that when patients with chronic HCV genotype 1 are treated with the combination of a protease inhibitor, peginterferon and ribavirin SVR is significantly greater compared to treatment with peginterferon and ribavirin. In treatment naïve patients SVR is increased from approximately 45% to 69–75%. The duration of treatment can be shortened in approximately 60% of the patients. In experienced patients SVR rates are approximately 50%. Two protease inhibitors, telaprevir and boceprevir, have now completed phase 3 clinical trials and should be approved by regulatory bodies in many countries during 2011. These two medications are associated with adverse events over and above those observed with peginterferon and ribavirin including worsening anemia, rash and dysgusia. Numerous other protease and polymerase inhibitors are currently being evaluated in phase 3 clinical trials. The combination of multiple direct acting anti-viral agents along with peginteferon and ribavirin may allow treatment to be shortened in many patients while still achieving high rates of SVR in the future.

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Abbreviations

DAAs:

Direct acting antivirals

SVR:

Sustained virological response

RVR:

Rapid virological response

PEG-IFN:

Pegylated-interferon

RBV:

Ribavirin

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Hepatology, Beaujon Hospital, Pavillon Abrami, 100 bd Gel Leclere, Clichy, 92110, France

    Patrick Marcellin MD, PhD

  2. Service d’Hépatologie, Hôpital Beaujon, Clichy, France

    Nathalie Boyer MD & Tarik Asselah MD, PhD

Authors
  1. Patrick Marcellin MD, PhD
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  2. Nathalie Boyer MD
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  3. Tarik Asselah MD, PhD
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Patrick Marcellin MD, PhD .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Bon Secours Health System, Liver Institute of Virginia, McManus Blvd., Suite 313 12720, Newport News, 23602, Virginia, USA

    Mitchell L. Shiffman

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Marcellin, P., Boyer, N., Asselah, T. (2012). Peginterferon, Ribavirin and Anti-viral Triple Therapy. In: Shiffman, M. (eds) Chronic Hepatitis C Virus. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-1192-5_19

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-1192-5_19

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  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-1192-5

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