Factors contributing to rapid virological response to triple therapy with peginterferon alfa-2b, ribavarin and telaprevir in chronic hepatitis C patients infected with genotype1b: Multicenter trial

Abstract

Rapid virological response (RVR) is very important in achieving sustained virological response (SVR) to triple therapy with peginterferon alfa-2b, ribavirin and telaprevir for chronic hepatitis C. To analyze baseline factors associated with RVR, 128 Japanese patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype1b were subjected to this study. By univariate analysis, prior treatment response (naïve or relapse), high platelet count, low AST level, low viral load contributed significantly to RVR. By multivariate analysis, prior treatment (naïve or relapse) and low viral load were significant independent factors. Further investigation is required to clarify whether these factors may contribute to SVR and develop novel individualized treatment algorithm.