When the investigators broke it out by genotype, however, they found that while the addition of ribavirin did not significantly change either RVR or SVR24 rates among patients with genotype 1 or 3 infections, 60% of patients with genotype 2 or 3 infections on PEG-IFN monotherapy had a 60% SVR24,, whereas those on PEG-IFN/RBV had a 94% SVR24. indicating a significant benefit to adding RBV (P = .016). The RVR rates were not significantly different in these patients, however.
There were no significant differences in either the total number or severity of adverse events among the various genotypes. In 10% of all cases a ribavirin dose reduction was required, and interferon dose reductions were required in 6% of cases.
Toxicities required stopping HCV therapy in 17 patients (6%).
"We saw high sustained virologic response rates if you treat hepatitis C early on, when it’s still acute, compared to when the disease is left to a chronic course in HIV patients," said Dr. Boesecke
Dr. Sulkowski’s study was supported by Vertex Pharmaceuticals. He is a consultant to the company and has received grant and research support from it. Dr. Boesecke’s study was supported by the European AIDS Treatment Network. He reported no conflict of interest.