Direct-acting antivirals failed to reduce the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma occurrence in hepatitis C virus associated cirrhosis: A real-world study

BACKGROUND Direct-acting antivirals(DAAs)revolutionized the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus(HCV)-associated disease achieving high rates of sustained virological response(SVR).However,whether DAAs can reduce the occurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)in patients with HCV-associated cirrhosis who are at high risk have not been concluded.AIM To investigate the effect of DAAs on the occurrence of HCC in patients with HCVassociated cirrhosis after achieving SVR.METHODS Of 427 inpatients with HCV-associated cirrhosis were enrolled in Tianjin Second People's Hospital from January 2014 to April 2020.118 patients weren’t received antiviral treatment with any reasons named non-antiviral treatment group,and 236 patients obtained from the 309 DAAs treatment patients according to the propensity score matching named DAAs treatment group.Demographic information and laboratory data were collected from baseline and the following up.Kaplan-Meier curve and Log-Rank test were used to compare the incidence and cumulative incidence of HCC between the two groups.Cox proportional risk regression was used to re-evaluate the risk factors for HCC.RESULTS HCC incidence was 4.68/100PY(95%CI,3.09-6.81)in the DAAs treatment group,while it was 3.00/100PY(95%CI,1.50-5.37)in the non-antiviral treatment group,and the relative risk was 1.82(95%CI,0.93-3.53,P>0.05).The incidence of HCC at 12,24,36 and 48 months was 3.39%,6.36%,8.47%and 10.17%in the DAAs treatment group,and it was 0%,0%,3.39%and 9.32%in the non-antiviral treatment group,respectively.Age>58[hazard ratio(HR)=1.089;95%CI,1.033-1.147;P=0.002]and liver stiffness measurement>27.85 kPa(HR=1.043;95%CI,1.022-1.065;P=0.000)were risk factors for HCC in all patients(n=427),and DAAs treatment didn’t show protective efficacy.CONCLUSION DAAs treatment seems failed to reduce the incidence of HCC occurrence in HCV-associated cirrhosis in 48 months,and even increased the incidence of HCC in 36 months.

Unraveling the Impact of Direct-Acting Antivirals on Hepatitis-Linked Cirrhosis: A Comprehensive Analysis of Fibrosis, Child Score, and Disease Progression

The treatment of hepatitis C has undergone a significant boom since the advent of direct acting antivirals (DAA). Indeed, the interferon-ribavirin combination that has been used to treat hepatitis C has a virological response in only 45% of cases with significant side effects. The advent of direct-acting antivirals has changed the prognosis of cirrhotic patients with hepatitis C. DAAs have ensured a sustained viral response in the majority of patients. Our work aims to see the evolution of hepatitis C patients at the cirrhosis stage under DAA. We conducted a retrospective study over 15 years (January 2009, January 2024) including all patients with post-viral cirrhosis C, whom we divided into two groups: group A, cirrhotic patients who received ribavirin and interferon, and group B, patients on DAA. From January 2009 to January 2024, we conducted a study of 182 patients with viral hepatitis C, including 102 cirrhotic patients. The mean age was 55 years. 66% of patients were initially treated with the ribavirin interferon combination, while 34% received direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). Since the introduction of DAAs, the most commonly used regimens have been sofosbuvir/daclatasvir with or without ribavirin and sofosbuvir/ledipasvir with or without ribavirin. Group A achieved sustained virological response (SVR) in 60% of cases, with notable side effects. In Group B, SVR was 98.18%, with improved tolerability and fewer side effects than previous treatments. Fifteen patients developed hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), with a significantly lower mortality rate in those treated with DAAs compared with pegylated dual therapy (p: 0.001).

Vitamin D supplementation improves sustained virologic response in chronic hepatitis C (genotype 1)-nave patients

AIM: To determine whether adding vitamin D, a potent immunomodulator, improves the hepatitis C virus (HCV) response to antiviral therapy. METHODS: Seventy-two consecutive patients with chronic HCV genotype 1 were randomized into two groups: the treatment group (n = 36, 50% male, mean age 47 ± 11 years) received Peg-α-2b interferon (1.5 μg/kg per week) plus ribavirin (1000-1200 mg/d) together with vitamin D3 (2000 IU/d, target serum level > 32 ng/mL), and the control group (n = 36, 60% male, mean age 49 ± 7 years) received identical therapy without vitamin D. HCV-RNA was assessed by realtime polymerase chain reaction (sensitivity, 10 IU/mL). The sustained virologic response (SVR) was defined as undetectable HCV-RNA at 24 wk post-treatment. RESULTS: Clinical characteristics were similar in both groups. The treatment group had a higher mean bodymass index (27 ± 4 kg/m2 vs 24 ± 3 kg/m2, P < 0.01), viral load (50% vs 42%, P < 0.01), and fibrosis score (> F2: 42% vs 19%, P < 0.001) than the controls. At week 4, 16 (44%) treated patients and 6 (17%) controls were HCV-RNA negative (P < 0.001). At week 12, 34 (94%) treated patients and 17 (48%) controls were HCV-RNA negative (P < 0.001). At 24 wk post-treatment (SVR), 31 (86%) treated patients and 15 (42%) controls were HCV-RNA negative (P < 0.001). Viral load, advanced fibrosis and vitamin D supplementation were strongly and independently associated with SVR (multivariate analysis). Adverse events were mild and typical of Peg-α-2b/ribavirin. CONCLUSION: Adding vitamin D to conventional Peg-α-2b/ribavirin therapy for treatment-na■ve patients with chronic HCV genotype 1 infection significantly improves the viral response.

Hepatic steatosis as a possible risk factor for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma after eradication of hepatitis C virus with antiviral therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C

AIM: To elucidate risk factors contributing to the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) among patients with sustained viral response (SVR) after interferon (IFN) treatment and to examine whether HCV-RNA still remained in the liver of SVR patients who developed HCC. METHODS: Two-hundred and sixty-six patients, who achieved SVR, were enrolled in this study. We retrospectively reviewed clinical, viral and histological features of the patients, and examined whether the development of HCC depends on several clinical variables using Kaplan-Meier Method. RT-PCR was used to seek HCV-RNA in 3 out of 7 patients in whom liver tissue was available for molecular analysis. RESULTS: Among the enrolled 266 patients with SVR, HCC developed in 7 patients (7/266; 2.6%). We failed to detect HCV-RNA both in cancer and non-cancerous liver tissue in all three patients. The cumulative incidence for HCC was significantly different depending on hepatic fibrosis (F3-4) (P = 0.0028), hepatic steatosis (Grade 2-3) (P = 0.0002) and age (≥ 55) (P = 0.021) at the pre-interferon treatment. CONCLUSION: The current study demonstrated that age, hepatic fibrosis, and hepatic steatosis at pre- interferon treatment might be risk factors for developing HCC after SVR.

Successful antiviral therapy is associated with a decrease of serum prohepcidin in chronic hepatitis C

AIM: To assess serum concentrations of prohepcidin in chronic hepatitis C individuals and evaluate their associations with disease activity and efficacy of pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN)/ribavirin (RBV) therapy. METHODS: Prohepcidin was measured in sera of 53 chronic hepatitis C patients. Concentrations of prohepcidin and other iron metabolism markers were analyzed at 9 time points before, during and after the end of antiviral therapy. RESULTS: In hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1-infected individuals, a gradual decrease of prohepcidin during antiviral therapy was observed in responders (88.8 ± 14.7 ng/mL before therapy vs 60.6 ± 0.3 ng/mL in the 48th wk, P = 0.04). In contrast, no decrease was observed in non-responders. A similar association was observed in HCV genotype 3a individuals, with a statistically significant decline in serum prohepcidin only in the responder group (99.5 ± 5.2 ng/mL at baseline vs 72.7 ± 6.1 ng/mL in the 24th wk, P = 0.01). Moreover, HCVRNA at week 12 of therapy was positively correlated with baseline (R = 0.63, P < 0.005) and week 12 (R = 0.60, P = 0.01) serum prohepcidin concentrations in HCV genotype 1 infection. CONCLUSION: Successful PEG-IFN/RBV therapy results in a decline of serum prohepcidin concentration in chronic hepatitis C, which may suggest a direct effect of HCV on iron metabolism at the prohormonal level of hepcidin.

Impact of IL28B gene polymorphisms rs8099917 and rs12980275 on response to pegylated interferon-α/ribavirin therapy in chronic hepatitis C genotype 4 patients

Host genetic factors may predict the outcome and treatment response in hepatitis C virus（HCV）infection.One of these factors is the single nucleotide polymorphisms of the interleukin 28B（IL28B）gene.We sought to evaluate the outcome of pegylated interferon and ribavirin therapy in association with IL-28B rs8099917 and rsl2980275 in patients infected with HCV genotype 4.A total of 180 patients with chronic hepatitis C were selected from Egyptians who have received combined therapy with pegylated interferon and ribavirin for 6 months and their response was evaluated after follow-up at 0,6,12,24 and 48 weeks from the beginning of the therapy.Blood samples were collected from responders and non-responders.Genomic DNA was extracted from whole blood and genotyping was carried out by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism（PCR-RFLP）.Our results showed that TT genotype of rs8099917 was associated with higher sustained viral response（SVR）rates and G allele represented a risk factor for failure of response（OR=3.7,CI=1.8：7.64）while rs12980275 was not significantly associated with SVR in genotype 4 Egyptian patients.The determination of 1L-28B SNPs may be useful in enhancing correct prediction of SVR achievement in treating this group of genotype 4 patients.

Retrospective study of the associations between hepatitis C virus infection and metabolic factors

AIMTo evaluate the bidirectional association between metabolic syndrome (MS) components and antiviral treatment response for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. METHODSThis retrospective cohort study included 119 HCV + patients treated with pegylated-interferon-α and ribavirin. Metabolic characteristics and laboratory data were collected from medical records. Differences in baseline clinical and demographic risk factors between responders and non-responders were assessed using independent samples t-tests or χ2 tests. The effects of sustained viral response (SVR) to antiviral treatment on de novo impairments in MS components, including impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), were assessed using univariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis, while the effect of MS components on SVR was assessed using univariable logistic regression analysis. RESULTSOf the 119 patients, 80 (67%) developed SVR over the average 54 ± 13 mo follow-up. The cumulative risks for de novo T2DM and IFG were 5.07- (95%CI: 1.261-20.4, P = 0.022) and 3.87-fold higher (95%CI: 1.484-10.15, P = 0.006), respectively for non-responders than responders, when adjusted for the baseline risk factors age, sex, HCV genotype, high viral load, and steatosis. Post-treatment triglyceride levels were significantly lower in non-responders than in responders (OR = 0.27; 95%CI: 0.069-0.962, P = 0.044). Age and HCV genotype 3 were significantly different between responders and non-responders, and MS components were not significantly associated with SVR. Steatosis tended to attenuate SVR (OR = 0.596; 95%CI: 0.331-1.073, P = 0.08). CONCLUSIONSVR was associated with lower de novo T2DM and IFG incidence and higher triglyceride levels. Patients infected with HCV should undergo T2DM screening and antidiabetic treatment.

Eight-week ledipasvir/sofosbuvir in non-cirrhotic, treatment-na?ve hepatitis C genotype-1 patients with hepatitis C virus-RNA < 6 million: Single center, real world effectiveness and safety

AIM To evaluate sustained viral response(SVR) of 8-wk ledipasvir/sofosbuvir therapy among non-cirrhotic, genotype-1 hepatitis C virus(HCV) patients with RNA < 6 million IU/m L.METHODS We performed a retrospective cohort study to examine SVR rates, predictors of treatment failure and safety analysis of 8-wk ledipasvir/sofosbuvir(LDV/SOF) therapy among non-cirrhotic, genotype 1 HCV patients with viral load < 6 million IU/m L. Primary outcome was an achievement of SVR at 12 wk after treatment. Secondary outcomes were identifying predictors of treatment failure and adverse events during treatment.RESULTS Total 736 patients: 55% males, 51% Caucasians and 65% were genotype 1a. Non-cirrhotic state of 53% was determined by clinical judgment(imaging, AST, platelet count) and 47% had documented liver fibrosis testing(biopsy, vibration-controlled transient elastography, serum biomarkers). Overall SVR12 was 96%. No difference in SVR12 was seen between patients whose non-cirrhotic state was determined by clinical judgment and patients who had fibrosis testing. Age groups, gender, ethnicity and genotype 1 subtype did not predict SVR. Non-cirrhotic state determined by clinical judgment based on simple, non-invasive tests were not associated with lower SVR [OR = 1.02, 95%CI: 0.48-2.17, P = 0.962]. The AUROC for hepatitis C RNA viral load was 0.734(P < 0.001, 95%CI: 0.66-0.82). HCV RNA 2.2 million IU/m L was identified as the cutoff value with sensitivity 73% and specificity 64%. HCV RNA < 2.2 million IU/m L was associated with significantly higher SVR 98% with OR = 0.22(95%CI: 0.1-0.49, P < 0.001) compared to SVR 92% in HCV RNA ≥ 2.2 million IU/m L. No death or morbidities were reported.CONCLUSION Our outcomes validate safety and effectiveness of 8-wk LDV/SOF therapy in non-cirrhotic, untreated HCV genotype 1 patients with HCV RNA < 6 million IU/m L.

Eligibility of persons who inject drugs for treatment of hepatitis C virus infection

In this decade, an increase is expected in end-stageliver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma, most commonly caused by hepatitis C virus(HCV) infection.Although people who inject drugs(PWID) are the ma-jor source for HCV infection, they were excluded fromantiviral treatments until recently. Nowadays there isincontrovertible evidence in favor of treating these patients, and substitution therapy and active substanceuse are no longer contraindications for antiviral treatment. The viral clearance in PWID after HCV antiviraltreatment with interferon or pegylated interferon combined with ribavirin is comparable to the viral clearancein non-substance users. Furthermore, multidisciplinary approaches to delivering treatment to PWID are advised, and their treatment should be considered on anindividualized basis. To prevent the spread of HCV inthe PWID community, recent active PWID are eligiblefor treatment in combination with needle exchange programs and substitution therapy. As the rate of HCV reinfection is low after HCV antiviral treatment, there is no need to withhold HCV treatment due to concerns about reinfection alone. Despite the advances in treatment efficacies and data supporting their success, HCV assessment of PWID and initiation of antiviral treatment remains low. However, the proportion of PWID assessed and treated for HCV is increasing, which can be further enhanced by understanding the barriers to and facilitators of HCV care. Removing stigmatization and implementing peer support and group treatment strategies, in conjunction with greater involvement by nurse educators/practitioners, will promote greater treatment seeking and adherence by PWID. Moreover, screening can be facilitated by noninvasive methods for detecting HCV antibodies and assessing liver fibrosis stages. Recently, HCV clearance has become a major endpoint in the war against drugs for the Global Commission on Drug Policy. This review highlights the most recent evidence concerning HCV infection and treatment strategies in PWID.

Response rates to direct antiviral agents among hepatitis C virus infected patients who develop hepatocellular carcinoma following direct antiviral agents treatment

Aim:Patients with chronic hepatitis C virus(HCV)infection who develop hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)soon after treatment with direct antiviral agents(DAA)may have been harboring hitherto hidden tumors.If this were true,they should have a lower sustained viral response(SVR)rate,since active HCC hampers DAA efficacy.We aimed to verify this hypothesis.Methods:We included all patients who attended an HCV clinic,provided that they:(1)had no previous history of HCC;(2)had received at least one DAA dose;and(3)had been followed-up clinically and ultrasonographically for at least six months after concluding DAA.Results:The study population included n=789 patients(55%males,median age 62 years).A median of 9.3 months(8.8-11.9)after concluding DAA,n=19(2.4%)patients were discovered to harbor HCC.In comparison to all others,patients with HCC were more commonly male(84%vs.54%,P=0.009),obese(47%vs.17%,P=0.002),and cirrhotic(95%vs.35%,P<0.001)and had less commonly achieved an SVR(68%vs.98%,P<0.001).Moreover,they had a trend for being less commonly treatment na?ve(58%vs.67%,P=0.051).Based on multivariate analysis, ;the independent predictors of HCC were male sex(P=0.031),cirrhosis(P=0.004),obesity(P=0.006),and failure to achieve an SVR(P<0.001).Conclusion:Lack of achieving SVR is a strong independent predictor of development of HCC early after treatment of hepatitis C with DAA.Treatment failure should further alert clinicians to the possibility of this dreadful complication.

A randomized trial of a 4- vs 12-week daily interferon dose regimen combined with ribavirin in treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C

BACKGROUND: Standard combination-therapy of ribavi- rin with alternate day interferon (IFN) in patients with chronic hepatitis C ( CHC) has been reported to achieve 30%-55% sustained viral response. Early reduction of viral load by daily dosage of IFN could enhance viral clearance. However, the duration of daily dosage protocol and the likely side-effects have not been well studied. We compared the efficacy and safety of a 4- vs 12-week daily IFN dosage in patients with CHC. METHODS: Fifty-nine, histologically proven CHC patients having ALT levels >1.5 ×ULN were divided randomly into 2 groups, group I was given IFN 3 MIU daily for 4 weeks, followed by tiw up to 12 months and group was given IFN 3 MIU daily for 12 weeks, followed by tiw up to 12 months. Ribavirin was given in a dose of 800-1200 mg/d for 12 months. RESULTS: Fifty-two of the 59 patients (group group completed the study. The pretreatment vari- ables and the prevalence of HCV genotype 1 were compara- ble between the groups. Nine patients (29%) in group and 6 (25%) in group had stage 3, 4 fibrosis. At the end of 4, 12, 24 and 52 weeks, HCV RNA negativity was ob- served in 27%, 54%, 65% and 71% in group I and 38%, 54%, 71% and 75% in group respectively (P =ns). Four of the eight (50%) patients with genotype 1 and 30 (69.8%) of 43 patients with genotype non-1 responded to therapy (P =ns). Sustained viral response was achieved in 61% and 71% in groups respectively. None of the variables predicted non-response precisely. No serious adverse effects were observed and they were comparable between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Daily IFN dosage with ribavirin is safe and can achieve response in up to 65% patients. Since the effica- cy of a 4-week daily dosage of IFN is comparable to a 12- week schedule, we recommend the former regimen.

Sarcoidosis and chronic hepatitis C:A case report

Several case reports deal with the relationship between hepatitis C virus （HCV） infection and pulmonary or he- patic sarcoidosis. Most publications describe interferon m-induced sarcoidosis. However, HCV infection per se is also suggested to cause sarcoqdosis. The present case report describes a case of biopsy-verified lung and liver sarcoidosis and HCV infection, and the out- come of antiviral therapy. In March 2009, a 25-year-old man presented with moderately elevated liver enzymes without any clinical symptoms. The patient was posi- tive for HCV antibodies and HCV RNA of genotype lb. Four months later the patient became dyspnoic and pulmonary sarcoidosis was diagnosed by lung biopsy and radiography. A short course of corticosteroid treat- ment relieved symptoms. Three months later, liver biopsy showed noncaseating granulomas consisting of epithelioid histiocytes and giant cells with a small amount of peripheral lymphocyte infiltration, without any signs of fibrosis. Chronic HCV infection with co- existence of pulmonary and hepatic sarcoidosis was diagnosed. Antiviral therapy with peginterferon ~ and ribavirin at standard doses was started, which lasted 48 wk, and sustained viral response was achieved. A second liver biopsy showed disappearance of granulo- mas and chest radiography revealed normalization of mediastinal and perihilar glands. The hypothesis that HCV infection perse may have triggered systemic sar- coidosis was proposed. Successful treatment of HCV infection led to continuous remission of pulmonary and hepatic sarcoidosis. Further studies are required to un- derstand the relationship between systemic sarcoidosis and HCV infection.

Distinctive magnetic resonance imaging findings of hepatocellular carcinoma after hepatitis C virus eradication with direct-acting antivirals

Aim:The aim of the present study was to evaluate the characteristics of the magnetic resonance imaging features of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)that developed early after the eradication of hepatitis C virus(HCV)by direct-acting antiviral(DAA)treatment.Methods:This study included 26 patients who achieved sustained viral response with DAA and developed HCC thereafter within one year(DAA-SVR HCC).The radiologic characteristics of these patients were evaluated by contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging,including diffusion-weighted imaging(DWI)and T2-weighted imaging(T2WI).For comparison,80 HCC patients with positive HCV RNA(HCV-positive HCC)were included.Among 42 patients where tumor biopsy was available,histological grade and radiologic findings were compared.Results:The rates of high intensity on DWI and T2WI were significantly higher in DAA-SVR HCC compared to HCV-positive HCC(DWI:100%vs.67.5%,P<0.001T2WI:92.6%vs.67.5%,P=0.01).HCC with high intensity on DWI or T2WI was more likely to have moderately or poorly differentiated HCC compared to well-differentiated HCC(DWI:69.7%vs.30.3%,P=0.02;T2WI:66.7%vs.27.3%,P=0.03).Conclusion:High intensity on DWI and hyperintensity on T2WI were distinctive features of HCC that developed within one year after the end of DAA treatment.

Effectiveness of Ledipasvir/Sofosbuvir with / without Ribavarin in Liver Transplant Recipients with Hepatitis C

Background and Aims:Recurrent infection of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in liver transplant (LT) recipients is universal and associated with significant morbidity and mortality.Methods:We retrospectively evaluated the safety and efficacy of ledipasvir/sofosbuvir with and without ribavirin in LT recipients with recurrent genotype 1 hepatitis C.Results:Eighty-five LT recipients were treated for recurrent HCV with ledipasvir/sofosbuvirwith and without ribavirin for 12 or 24 weeks.The mean (± standard deviation [SD]) time from LT to treatment initiation was 68 (±71) months.The mean (± SD) age of the cohort was 63 (±8.6) years old.Most recipients were male (70%).Baseline alanine transaminase,total bilirubin,and HCV ribonucleic acid (RNA) values (± SD) were 76.8 (±126)mg/dL,0.8 (±1.3) U/L,and 8,010,421.9 (±12,420,985)IU/mL,respectively.Five of 43 recipients who were treated with ribavirin required drug cessation due to side effects,with 4 of those being anemia complications.No recipient discontinued the ledipasvir/sofosbuvir.Eighty-one percent of recipients had undetectable viral levels at 4 weeks after starting therapy,and all recipients had complete viral suppression at the end of therapy.The sustained viral response at 12 weeks after completion of therapy was 94%.Conclusion:Ledipasvir and sofosbuvir with and without ribavirin therapy is an effective and well-tolerated interferon-free treatment for recurrent HCV infection after LT.Anemia is not uncommon in LT recipients receiving ribavirin.

Real world experience with Pegylated Interferon and ribavirin in Hepatitis C Genotype 1 population with favourable IL28B polymorphism

Background and aim:Conventional hepatitis C treatment using pegylated interferon(PEG-IFN)and ribavirin is associated with significant side effects.IL28B polymorphism can predict response to treatment,with CC genotype having a better response.ITPA gene deficiency protects against clinically significant anaemia induced by treatment.The purpose of this study was to determine IL28B polymorphismand ITPA variation among hepatitis C genotype 1 patients who have undergone therapy with PEG-IFN and ribavirin and their association with sustained viral response(SVR).Methods:All hepatitis C genotype 1 patients who had been treated with PEG-IFN and ribavirin over the past 10 years were identified by available medical records and were contacted by letter of invitation to participate in the study.Blood samples for IL28B and ITPA genotyping were obtained.Medical records were reviewed for verification of treatment response,development of anaemia and if treatment reduction was required during the treatment.Results:A total of 61 patients with hepatitis C genotype 1 were treated with PEG-IFN and ribavirin,of whom 42 agreed to participate in the study.Mean age was 45.6±12.9 years at time of treatment,and 83.3%of patients weremales.Thirty-three(78.6%)had IL28B CC genotype,of whom 25(75.8%)obtained SVR compared with only 3 of 9(33.3%)non C/C genotype patients who achieved SVR(P=0.041).Eleven(26.1%)patients had ITPA AC genotype,and 30(71.4%)had CC genotype.There was no statistically significant difference between ITPA AC and CC genotypes in predicting clinically significant anaemia(45.5%vs 63.3%,P=0.302).Even among patients who developed anaemia,70.8%stillmanaged to achieve SVR.Treatment reduction also had no impact on SVR.Conclusion:Hepatitis C genotype 1 patients should be informed of the response rate for treatment with PEG-IFN and ribavirin in a population with favourable IL28B genotype before consideration of newer therapeutic options.