Understanding HCV Nonresponse and Identifying Candidates for Retreatment

Faculty:

Mitchell L. Shiffman, MD

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:

• Specify standard definitions of response and nonresponse to hepatitis C virus therapy
• Discuss factors associated with nonresponse to hepatitis C virus therapy
• Report criteria that may help to identify nonresponders who are good candidates for retreatment
• Summarize data from studies of different retreatment strategies
• Describe appropriate virologic goals of therapy for nonresponders undergoing retreatment

Topics covered include:

• Introduction
• Defining the Patterns of Virologic Response and Nonresponse
• Rapid Virologic Response
• Achieving Undetectable HCV RNA After Week 4 and Slow Virologic Response
• Early Virologic Response and Nonresponse Virologic Patterns
• Breakthrough and Relapse
• Identifying Candidates for Retreatment: Null Response
• Identifying Candidates for Retreatment: Partial Virologic Response
• Identifying Candidates for Retreatment: Noncompliance, Medication Errors and Dose Reduction
• Identifying Candidates for Retreatment: Failure to Recognize That Virologic Response Has Occurred
• Identifying Candidates for Retreatment: Insufficient Treatment Duration
• Conclusions
• Summary of Clinical Implications