What are the goals of therapy for hepatitis C virus?
The ultimate goals of antiviral therapy are to eliminate HCV, improve or normalize the liver tests and histology (microscopic appearance), prevent progression to cirrhosis and liver cancer, prolong survival, and improve the quality of life. As already indicated, only a sustained virologic response provides the possibility of achieving all of the ultimate goals, since most patients who have an SVR will remain in remission indefinitely. The rest of the patients (non-responders, partial responders and relapsers) may show improvement in blood tests with or without relief of symptoms. What are the therapy options for previously untreated patients with chronic hepatitis C? For previously untreated patients without reasons to be excluded from treatment, the optimal treatment is combined treatment with pegylated interferon and ribavirin (Rebetol, Copegus). Patients who have reasons not to receive ribavirin may be treated solely with pegylated interferon. Older preparations of interferon are le