Extended-therapy duration for chronic hepatitis C, genotype 1: The long and the short of it

Figure 1 Relationship between hepatitis C viremia and sustained virologic response with pegylated interferon alpha-2a and ribavirin therapy[19]. The later the virus becomes undetectable on therapy, the less likely it will be ultimately cleared. Data are from retrospective analysis[19] of a registration trial for peginterferon alpha-2a plus ribavirin involving over 1000 chronic, treatment-naive hepatitis C-infected patients[8]. Neg: Undetectable RNA; > 2 log: At least a 2 log₁₀ decrease in viral RNA compared to pre-treatment value; < 2 log: Less than a 2 log₁₀ decrease in viral RNA compared to pre-treatment value.