3 New HCV Article Summaries

[Guest guest]

Larger Viral Decline during Hepatitis C Treatment in HIV/HCV Coinfected People

with Favorable IL28B Pattern

SUMMARY› HIV/HCV coinfected patients with the C/C IL28B gene pattern experience

larger decreases in hepatitis C virus (HCV) levels during the first phase of

viral decline after starting treatment with pegylated interferon plus ribavirin,

and were more likely to achieve virological response, researchers reported in

the December 19, 2010 advance online edition of the Journal of Acquired Immune

Deficiency Syndromes. A similar effect was seen for second-phase viral decline

in people with HCV genotype 1, but not genotype 3.

Anemia during Hepatitis C Treatment Predicts Sustained Response to Pegylated

Interferon/ribavirin

SUMMARY› Hepatitis C patients who develop anemia during treatment with pegylated

interferon plus ribavirin are more likely to achieve a sustained virological

response (SVR), according to data from the IDEAL trial published in the November

2010 issue of Gastroenterology. Both ribavirin dose reduction -- which did not

decrease SVR -- and medications that stimulate red blood cell production may be

used to manage anemia and help people stay on treatment, the study authors

concluded.

Pharmasset Starts Trial of HCV Polymerase Inhibitor PSI-7977 without Interferon

SUMMARY› Pharmasset, Inc. announced last month that it has started an

exploratory trial to test its experimental hepatitis C virus (HCV) polymerase

inhibitor PSI-7977 in combination regimens with ribavirin and varying durations

of pegylated interferon alfa-2a (Pegasys). Participants in one arm will receive

an all-oral regimen with no ribavirinHIVandHepatitis.com

HCV Main Section

[Guest guest]

Larger Viral Decline during Hepatitis C Treatment in HIV/HCV Coinfected People

with Favorable IL28B Pattern

SUMMARY› HIV/HCV coinfected patients with the C/C IL28B gene pattern experience

larger decreases in hepatitis C virus (HCV) levels during the first phase of

viral decline after starting treatment with pegylated interferon plus ribavirin,

and were more likely to achieve virological response, researchers reported in

the December 19, 2010 advance online edition of the Journal of Acquired Immune

Deficiency Syndromes. A similar effect was seen for second-phase viral decline

in people with HCV genotype 1, but not genotype 3.

Anemia during Hepatitis C Treatment Predicts Sustained Response to Pegylated

Interferon/ribavirin

SUMMARY› Hepatitis C patients who develop anemia during treatment with pegylated

interferon plus ribavirin are more likely to achieve a sustained virological

response (SVR), according to data from the IDEAL trial published in the November

2010 issue of Gastroenterology. Both ribavirin dose reduction -- which did not

decrease SVR -- and medications that stimulate red blood cell production may be

used to manage anemia and help people stay on treatment, the study authors

concluded.

Pharmasset Starts Trial of HCV Polymerase Inhibitor PSI-7977 without Interferon

SUMMARY› Pharmasset, Inc. announced last month that it has started an

exploratory trial to test its experimental hepatitis C virus (HCV) polymerase

inhibitor PSI-7977 in combination regimens with ribavirin and varying durations

of pegylated interferon alfa-2a (Pegasys). Participants in one arm will receive

an all-oral regimen with no ribavirinHIVandHepatitis.com

HCV Main Section