Peginterferon and ribavirin treatment for hepatitis C virus infection

World J Gastroenterol. 2011 Jan 28;17(4):419-32. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v17.i4.419.

Abstract

Pegylated interferon α (IFNα) in combination with ribavirin is currently recommended as a standard-of-care treatment for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. This combination therapy has drastically improved the rate of sustained virological response, specifically in difficult-to-treat patients. Recently, individualized treatment, such as response-guided therapy, is being developed based on host-, HCV- and treatment-related factors. Furthermore, modified regimens with currently available medications, novel modified IFNα and ribavirin or combinations with specifically targeted antiviral therapy for HCV agents, are currently being investigated. The purpose of this review is to address some issues and epoch-making topics in the treatment of chronic HCV infection, and to discuss more optimal and highly individualized therapeutic strategies for HCV-infected patients.

Keywords: Chronic hepatitis C virus infection; Difficult-to-treat patient; Individualized treatment; Pegylated interferon α; Response-guided therapy; Ribavirin; Specifically targeted antiviral therapy for hepatitis C virus.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Disease Progression
  • Genotype
  • Hepacivirus / genetics
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / drug therapy*
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / pathology
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha / therapeutic use*
  • Liver Cirrhosis / drug therapy
  • Liver Cirrhosis / pathology
  • Liver Cirrhosis / physiopathology
  • Polyethylene Glycols / therapeutic use*
  • RNA, Viral
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Ribavirin / analogs & derivatives
  • Ribavirin / therapeutic use*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha
  • RNA, Viral
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • Ribavirin
  • peginterferon alfa-2b
  • peginterferon alfa-2a