Hepatitis C Treatment Outcomes
Hepatitis C is curable for most people with modern direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy. [1] A cure is generally defined as sustained virologic response (SVR), meaning HCV RNA becomes undetectable after treatment and remains undetectable on follow-up. [2]
What “Cure” Means for Hepatitis C
SVR is assessed after treatment completion using sensitive HCV RNA testing. [2] SVR is considered a virologic cure of hepatitis C infection. [3]
Expected Cure Rates With Modern Direct-Acting Antivirals
DAA therapy cures more than 95% of people with hepatitis C. [1] DAAs can cure more than 95% of persons with hepatitis C infection. [1]
Treatment Approach That Makes Cure Likely
Curative DAA treatment is recommended for essentially everyone with hepatitis C. [2] DAA treatment is oral and typically administered over a short course of therapy (commonly 8–12 weeks). [1]
Follow-Up After Achieving Virologic Cure
Patients with undetectable serum HCV RNA for at least 12 weeks after treatment completion are deemed to have achieved SVR (ie, cure). [3] Ongoing liver-related follow-up depends on baseline liver disease severity, including whether cirrhosis was present. [3]
When Hepatitis C Is Not “Cured” Yet
If HCV RNA remains detectable after treatment completion, SVR is not achieved. [2] Relapse can occur when HCV RNA becomes detectable again after therapy ends, which indicates failure to achieve cure. [4]