HCV genotype 6 respond better to interferon-based therapy vs genotype 1

HCV genotype 6 respond better to interferon-based therapy vs genotype 1

The latest issue of Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics investigates epidemiology of hepatitis C genotype 6 and its management.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 6 is common among patients from Southeast Asia and the surrounding regions, where HCV prevalence is also high.

HCV genotype 6 has great genetic diversity and different response to antiviral therapy compared with the more commonly known genotype 1.

Dr Nguyen and colleagues from California, USA provided a systematic review of the current literature on the epidemiology, classification and treatment of HCV genotype 6.
The prevalence of HCV genotype 6 is estimated to be as high as 50% in some regions
Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics

A search using PubMed for ‘hepatitis C’ AND ‘genotype 6’ produced a total of 47 articles, of which 33 articles were found to be relevant and included in this review.

Additional articles were identified using the reference lists of these 33 primary articles.

The research team found that the prevalence of HCV genotype 6 is estimated to be as high as 50% in some regions of Southeast Asia with demonstrated significance among intravenous drug users, and thalassemia major patients.

Although previous line probe assays may have misclassified HCV genotype 6 as genotype 1, newer line probe assays can more accurately and reliably determine HCV genotype.

The team observed that patients infected with HCV genotype 6 respond better to interferon-based therapy compared with those infected with genotype 1, although patient baseline clinical characteristics and side effect profiles are similar between HCV genotype 6 and other HCV genotypes.

Dr Nguyen's team concludes, "Future studies should seek to clarify issues regarding early predictors for treatment response in patients with HCV genotype 6, and the impact of ethnic and genotypic factors to treatment response in HCV genotype 6 patients."

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2011; 34: 286–296
14 July 2011