•
Prior
relapsers had a significantly higher SVR rate (58.5%) than prior non-responders
(13%).
•
Rapid
(week 4) and early (week 12) virological response had high negative predictive
values for SVR (94% and 97%, respectively).
•
However,
positive predictive values were relatively low (52% and 49%, respectively).
•
In
a multivariate analysis, predictors of SVR were:
- relapse after prior
interferon plus ribavirin (vs non-response); - non-1 genotype; - mild or
moderate fibrosis - baseline HCV viral load < 2 million copies/mL.
Conclusion
In
conclusion, the authors wrote, "Relapsers to interferon plus ribavirin therapy,
and non-responders with genotype non-1 and mild or moderate fibrosis, achieved
a relatively high SVR rate following retreatment with peginterferon plus ribavirin.
Early viral kinetics had a high negative predictive value of SVR."
Service
d'Hepatologie and INSERM CRB3, Hopital Beaujon, AP-HP, Universite Paris VII, Clichy,
France.
04/06/07
Reference R
Moucari, M-P Ripault, V Ouls, and others. High predictive value of early viral
kinetics in retreatment with peginterferon and ribavirin of chronic hepatitis
C patients non-responders to standard combination therapy. Journal of Hepatology
46(4): 596-604. April 2007.
