A new study on recurring hepatitis C in patients who underwent a liver transplant found that better results were achieved when using a combination of pegylated interferon (a longer-acting form of the drug) and the antiviral drug ribavirin than standard interferon and ribavirin. In addition, failure to respond to the therapy early on was useful in predicting whether it would ultimately succeed.

Liver disease caused by hepatitis C is the most common indication for liver transplants in the U.S. and Europe, but recurrence 5 to 10 years after undergoing a transplant is a persistent problem. Antiviral agents have not been as effective in transplant patients compared to those who have not had a transplant. To date, pegylated interferon combined with ribavirin is far more effective that pegylated interferon by itself or standard interferon combined with ribavirin.However, the effectiveness of this combination has not been well studied in transplant patients.