Extended peginterferon plus ribavirin treatment for 72 weeks versus standard peginterferon plus ribavirin treatment for 48 weeks in chronic hepatitis C genotype 1 infected slow-responder adult patients.

The standard length of peginterferon plus ribavirin treatment for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1 infected patients is 48 weeks. However, the number of patients demonstrating a sustained virological response is not high. In order to improve sustained virological response, extending the length of the treatment period has been suggested.