CP-065 Effectiveness in genotypes 1B, 1A in patients with hepatitis C virus infection treated with telaprevir-based treatment

Background Hepatitis C virus genotype 1a (HCV-1a) is a predictor of poor response to peginterferon-ribavirin treatment, which has been associated with a lower resistance barrier, compared to HCV genotype 1b (HCV-1b). Variations in the human IL28B genotypes CC, CT or TT have also been associated with a person’s response to treatment for hepatitis C. Studies have shown that people with the CC variation respond better to treatment with pegylated-interferon and ribavirin than those with the CT or TT variations.; Purpose To assess the differences in effectiveness between HCV-1a and HCV-1b in patients with HCV treated with telaprevir-based treatment. Materials and methods Retrospective study of patients treated with peginterferon-ribavirin-telaprevir. Demographic and pathological data, response at 4 and 12 weeks (HCV-RNA Results Of 79 patients (57 male), 59.5% were infected with HCV-1b, 59.5% presented fibrosis F3-F4 and 70.9% were pretreated (mainly relapsers 58.9%). Of those with HCV-1a 57.7% had the CT variant of the IL28 genotype, 26.9% CC and 15.4% TT and in those with HCV-1b 71.1% had the CT variant, 15.6% CC and 13.3% TT. There were significant differences in age: a median age of 50 (34–66) in HCV-1a-infected patients and 57 (42–76) in HCV-1b (p = 0.002). Of patients with HCV-1a 68% were monoinfected and 32% had both variants. Of patients with HCV-1b 96.3% were HCV monoinfected and 3.7% were coinfected. 34.2% discontinued treatment. No statistical difference was found in response at 4, 12, 24, 36 and 48 weeks of treatment and SVR12, but there was a trend towards a lower SVR12 in HCV-1b (75% vs. 100% in HCV-1a). No significant differences were found in cutaneous rash or anaemia (haemoglobin level Conclusions The sustained virological response (SVR12) rates in HCV-1a group are better than in HCV-1b, not worse, which might be attributed to a higher frequency of genotype CC and a lower frequency of CT in people infected with it than in those infected with HCV-1b. Further studies are required because of the small sample size and more data of sustained virological response are needed. No conflict of interest.