Prolonged Negative HCV-RNA Status Led to a Good Outcome in Chronic Hepatitis C Patients with Genotype 1b and Super-High Viral Load.

Objective: We examined whether a sustained negative HCV-RNA status for 48 weeks affects the outcome in patients with genotype 1b and super-high viral load, and also investigated whether the outcome is affected by the induction therapy of twice-daily pre-administrated interferon (IFN)-β. Methods: 78 eligible patients were divided into four groups. 40 were patients assigned to the short treatment protocol. 13 patients received 3 MU IFN-β twice daily for 2 weeks followed by IFN-α_2b+ribavirin for 22 weeks (β-induction group: group 1). 27 patients received IFN-α_2b+ribavirin for 24 weeks (standard combination group: group 2). 38 patients were assigned to the maintenance treatment protocol. All of the 13 in the β-induction group (group 3) and 21 of 25 patients in the standard combination group (group 4) who were negative HCV-RNA PCR at week 24 had IFN monotherapy to maintain a negative HCV-RNA result for 48 weeks. Results: An HCV-RNA-negative status at week 24 was observed in 96% (25/26) of groups 1 and 3 versus in 79% (41/52) of groups 2 and 4 (p < 0.01). The sustained virological response (SVR) was 38% (5/13) in group 1 and 11% (3/27) in group 2 (p < 0.05). In the maintenance treatment, SVR was observed in 46% (6/13) of group 3 and 32% (8/25) of group 4 (NS). Conclusions: A sustained negative HCV-RNA status for 48 weeks might be associated with viral elimination in patients with genotype 1 and super-high viral load. Copyright © 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]