Current status of the use of growth factors and other adjuvant medications in patients receiving peginterferon and ribavirin.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the most common chronic infection in the United States, affecting almost 3.9 million Americans. The most effective treatment for chronic HCV infection is combination antiviral therapy with peginterferon and ribavirin. However, combination therapy is also associated with significant adverse effects and is contraindicated in certain patient populations. Hematological adverse effects are common and are a frequent cause of dose reduction and interruption or discontinuation of therapy. Currently there are no approved treatments for the hematological adverse events associated with HCV therapy. However, emerging data suggest that utilization of hematopoietic growth factors can provide a useful adjunct to treatment and optimize sustained virologic response rates.