Meta‐analysis: the outcome of anti‐viral therapy in HCV genotype 2 and genotype 3 infected patients with chronic hepatitis

Abstract

Background Anti‐viral therapy seems more successful in HCV genotype 2 than genotype 3‐infected patients. Aim To report sustained virological response (SVR) rates for HCV‐2 and HCV‐3 infection. Methods Meta‐analyses were carried out on SVR data on 2275 patients treated for 24 weeks in eight individual trials and on 968 patients with rapid virological response (RVR) treated for 12–16 weeks or 24 weeks in four studies. Results After 24 weeks of therapy, SVR rates were 74% and 68%, respectively, for HCV‐2 and HCV‐3 genotype patients. Among high viraemics, SVR rate in HCV‐2 infection (75%) differed from the 58% value in HCV‐3 infection. Among low viraemic patients, respective rates were 79% and 75%. In RVR patients treated for 12–16 or 24 weeks, SVR rates in HCV‐2 infection were 83% and 84%, respectively, and in HCV‐3 infection 84% and 86%. In patients without RVR treated for 24 weeks, SVR was higher in HCV‐2, with a 17.8% weighted difference. Conclusions Twenty‐four weeks of therapy should remain standard duration for HCV‐2 and low viraemic HCV‐3 patients. In RVR patients, HCV‐3 patients respond to short‐treatment as well as HCV‐2 patients, irrespective of basal viraemia. Patients without RVR may need longer treatment than the recommended 24 weeks.