How to optimize HCV therapy in genotype 1 patients: predictors of response.

The advent of triple therapy (TT) with first-generation protease inhibitors boceprevir (BOC) and telaprevir (TVR) in addition to pegylated interferon and ribavirin (PEG-IFN/RBV) has resulted in a significant improvement in the sustained virological response (SVR) rate and potentially in life years gained compared to dual therapy (DT), when treating naïve or treatment-experienced patients with genotype 1 (G1) chronic hepatitis C (CHC). This benefit is partly offset by the increased complexity of treatment, and the increased costs and risks of therapy, making it necessary to optimize the indications for TT. Naïve patients with mild fibrosis and the IL28B CC polymorphism and/or with a rapid virological response (RVR) to DT can still benefit from DT, while TT is preferable in all others. Phase 3 trials have clearly shown that a 1 log10 decrease in HCVRNA after 4 weeks of DT associated with a favourable IL28B genotype and a low stage of fibrosis, and a pattern of previous response to DT in ...