doi:10.1016/S1995-7645(14)60193-0 Effect of interferon plus ribavirin therapy on hepatitis C virus genotype 3 patients from Pakistan：Treatment response, side effects and future prospective

ABSTRACT

More than10 million people are suffering from hepatitisC virus(HCV) inPakistan.The available treatment option is a combination of interferon and ribavirin.Treatment response is linked with several factors and also induces a number of side effects.We searched inPubmed,PakMedi Net andGoogleScholar for the articles presenting the effect of interferon plus ribavirin therapy onHCV patients fromPakistan, their side effects and future prospects.The major prevalent HCV genotype inPakistan is3.Conventional interferon alpha plus ribavirin showed sustained virological response of54%-64% while pegylated interferon alpha plus ribavirin showed sustained virological response of58%-75%.IL-28BCC genotype is linked with better sustained virological response.Studies on patients withHCV genotype3 infections showed no correlation between treatment response and interferon sensitivity determining region mutations.Interferon therapy is linked with a number of side effects like thyroid dysfuncton, haematological disorders, weight loss, gastrointestinal tractside effects and neuropsychiatric side effects.Unusual side effects of clubbing of fingers and seizures were also observedin a couple of patients.Interferon alpha plus ribavirin therapy showed better response rate inHCV genotype3 patients fromPakistan with number of side effects.A couple of interferon free therapies are light of hope for the patients living withHCV.