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How to optimize current treatment of genotype 2 hepatitis C virus infection
Author(s) -
Marciano Sebastián,
Gadano Adrián C.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
liver international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.873
H-Index - 110
eISSN - 1478-3231
pISSN - 1478-3223
DOI - 10.1111/liv.12399
Subject(s) - ribavirin , medicine , dosing , hepatitis c virus , pegylated interferon , genotype , hepatitis c , interferon , virology , virus , intensive care medicine , biology , gene , biochemistry
The standard of care ( SOC ) for hepatitis C virus ( HCV ) genotype 2 is pegylated interferon ( PEG ‐ IFN ) plus ribavirin ( RBV ). Even though most patients can be cured with this therapy after 24 weeks, tailoring treatment can improve its safety and efficacy in special populations. Thus, shortening treatment together with a weight‐based RBV dosing approach has been considered satisfactory in patients with positive predictors of response. With the development of the direct antiviral agents ( DAA s), shorter, better tolerated and more efficient treatments for HCV genotype 2 will become available, including interferon‐free regimens. Until these new treatments are released, the decision to treat patients with HCV genotype 2 with currently approved drugs or to wait for future options must be made, taking into account the stage of fibrosis.