Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C Infection: Update of the Recommendations from Scientific Leader’s Meeting-28th July 2011-Tehran, IR Iran

Abstract

Hepatitis C remains as an important health problem worldwide. Hepatitis C treatment, especially among patients infected with HCV genotype 1 who are considered difficult to treat, is a high priority for health policy-makers. PegInterferon alfa instead of Interferon and ribavirin combination therapy has been accepted as the standard treatment regimen for hepatitis C patients; however, only 50% of patients infected with HCV genotype 1 achieve a sustained virological response. Published data from various clinical trials of protease inhibitors suggest that new therapeutic regimens may increase the chances of a successful response in patients infected with HCV genotype 1. Triple therapy that includes boceprevir has been shown to result in high rates of sustained virological response in both naive and experienced patients with HCV genotype 1 infection. In this review, we have summarized the results obtained with this new regimen and have attempted to provide a guideline for the treatment of patients in Iran, with emphasis on cost and the occurrence of adverse events.