Most studies of chronic hepatitis C treatment have focused on individuals with HCV genotypes 1 or 4 (for whom standard therapy lasts 48 weeks), or genotypes 2 or 3 (usually treated for 24 weeks). Much less is known about treatment of HCV genotype 6, which is mainly seen in Southeast Asia and China. As reported in the May 2008 American Journal of Gastroenterology, M.H. Nguyen and colleagues conducted a retrospective analysis of 190 Asian-Americans in Northern California diagnosed with HCV genotype 6 between 2001 and 2004. A subgroup of 66 previously untreated individuals completed 24 or 48 weeks of treatment with conventional or pegylated interferon plus ribavirin. Among participants treated for 24 weeks, conventional and pegylated interferon produced statistically similar SVR rates (52% vs. 39%). However, among participants who received pegylated interferon plus ribavirin, those treated for 48 weeks were significantly more likely to achieve SVR than those treated for 24 weeks (75% vs. 39%). Based on these findings, the researchers concluded that, “Treatment-eligible patients with HCV genotype 6 should be treated with a full course of 48 weeks as tolerated.”

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