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Can Some Genotype 1 Chronic Hepatitis C Patients Benefit from Shorter Interferon-based Treatment?

Carefully selected genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C patients who experience rapid virological response (RVR) by week 4 of treatment with pegylated interferon plus ribavirin may be able to achieve sustained virological response (SVR) with 24 instead of 48 weeks of therapy, according to a meta-analysis reported in the January 2010 Journal of Hepatology. However, the researchers cautioned, overall sustained response rates are significantly lower with shorter treatment, and this strategy should only be considered for individuals with low pre-treatment HCV viral load and an undetectable level at week 4.

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