Extended-therapy duration for chronic hepatitis C, genotype 1: The long and the short of it

Figure 1 Relationship between hepatitis C viremia and sustained virologic response with pegylated interferon alpha-2a and ribavirin therapy[19]. The later the virus becomes undetectable on therapy, the less likely it will be ultimately cleared. Data are from retrospective analysis[19] of a registration trial for peginterferon alpha-2a plus ribavirin involving over 1000 chronic, treatment-naive hepatitis C-infected patients[8]. Neg: Undetectable RNA; > 2 log: At least a 2 log₁₀ decrease in viral RNA compared to pre-treatment value; < 2 log: Less than a 2 log₁₀ decrease in viral RNA compared to pre-treatment value.

Figure 2 Virologic responses of slow-responders to 48 wk vs 72 wk of therapy. Treatment extension may improve chance of SVR by lessening the chance of relapse. Slow-responders to standard duration therapy (48 wk) may see relapse after an end-of-treatment response is achieved; those receiving extended duration therapy (72 wk) are not as apt to relapse after treatment is completed.