The efficacy of virological response in treatment-naïve patients with chronic hepatitis C treated by NS3-4A protease inhibitor (telaprevir), pegylated interferon and ribavirin for 12 weeks

Abstract

We investigated the efficacy of the triple treatment with telaprevir, pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) and ribavirin for 12 weeks in treatment-naive patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1b and high baseline viral loads. All of 10 cases became HCV-RNA negative during treatment. SVR rate attained to a high rate, 70% (7/10). Especially, SVR rate of females over 50 years old attained 100% (3/3). HCV RNA was lost from serum rapidly in patients infected with HCV-1b in high viral loads, and SVR rate of the triple treatment for 12weeks was high. Our results suggested that triple treatment with telaprevir, PEG-IFN and ribavirin could improve the efficacy in treatment-naïve patients. © 2010 The Japan Society of Hepatology.