Treatment of chronic hepatitis C: comparative virologic response rates among the different interferons.

End-treatment and sustained virologic response rates are similar in large, comparative controlled trials which have compared the standard dosing regimens of interferon alpha-2b to interferon alpha-nl and consensus interferon, as well as to virologic response rates recently reported with interferon alpha-2b monotherapy for 24 weeks. For patients who have responded and relapsed after an initial course of alpha interferon, retreatment with consensus interferon for 48 weeks demonstrates a high sustained virologic response rate, similar to that reported with interferon alpha-2b combined with ribavirin for 24 weeks. Based on available pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data, pegylation of interferon alpha-2a shows promise in demonstrating high sustained serum levels and 2',5' OAS activity. Preliminary data from a Phase II clinical trial of a 48-week treatment in naive patients demonstrates end-treatment and sustained virologic response rates similar to that seen with interferon alpha-2b combined with ribavirin for 48 weeks.