Konaboy
03-17-2006, 06:06 PM
My doctor gave me this info because I was thinking of stopping taking the pegysis due to the constant headakes. I have HCV genotype 2a. The text below is taken from an online document availble at the following link....
All co-infection trials showed much better virological response rates for HCV genotypes 2 and 3. Most interestingly, in most randomized trial treatment duration for all patients, irrespective of genotype, was 48 weeks. In APRICOT the end-of-treatment response rate for genotype 2 or 3 patients was 64% and the sustained virological response rate was 62%. This overall low relapse rate for genotypes 2 and 3 suggests that prolonged treatment periods for this particular genotype are needed in HIV/HCV-co-infected patients in order to avoid later relapse. Indeed, pilot studies in which HIV/HCV-co-infected individuals with genotype 2 and 3 had been treated for only 24 weeks, reported relapse rates of almost 50% (19, 20). In the meantime the first results from a randomized Italian study evaluating efficacy and safety of 28 versus 48 weeks of PegIFN/RBV combination treatment in HIV/HCV co-infected individuals with genotype 2 or 3 infection have been presented, showing lower relapse rates among patients receiving 48 weeks versus 28 weeks of combination therapy (11% versus 40% in the per protocol analysis) (21). In order to optimize treatment outcome, consensus guidelines have recently been developed (11). Table 4 summarizes some of the main treatment guidelines for hepatitis C in HIV co-infection from the European consensus conference.
http://www.iatec.com/documents/UPDATEIATECdec2005_def.pdf
All co-infection trials showed much better virological response rates for HCV genotypes 2 and 3. Most interestingly, in most randomized trial treatment duration for all patients, irrespective of genotype, was 48 weeks. In APRICOT the end-of-treatment response rate for genotype 2 or 3 patients was 64% and the sustained virological response rate was 62%. This overall low relapse rate for genotypes 2 and 3 suggests that prolonged treatment periods for this particular genotype are needed in HIV/HCV-co-infected patients in order to avoid later relapse. Indeed, pilot studies in which HIV/HCV-co-infected individuals with genotype 2 and 3 had been treated for only 24 weeks, reported relapse rates of almost 50% (19, 20). In the meantime the first results from a randomized Italian study evaluating efficacy and safety of 28 versus 48 weeks of PegIFN/RBV combination treatment in HIV/HCV co-infected individuals with genotype 2 or 3 infection have been presented, showing lower relapse rates among patients receiving 48 weeks versus 28 weeks of combination therapy (11% versus 40% in the per protocol analysis) (21). In order to optimize treatment outcome, consensus guidelines have recently been developed (11). Table 4 summarizes some of the main treatment guidelines for hepatitis C in HIV co-infection from the European consensus conference.
http://www.iatec.com/documents/UPDATEIATECdec2005_def.pdf