This 4 arm study is designed for patients with CHC who have not responded to peginterferon alfa-2b (12KD)/ribavirin combination therapy. In these patients, the effects of lengthening the duration of treatment, as well as including an initial 12-week period of high-dose PEGASYS (360 micrograms sc), are compared with the standard combination therapy of PEGASYS (180 micrograms sc) and ribavirin (1000-1200mg po). The anticipated time on study treatment is 1-2 years and the target sample size is 500+ individuals.
Inclusion Criteria: * adult patients \>=18 years of age; * CHC infection; * liver biopsy (in \<24 calendar months of first dose), with results consistent with CHC infection; * use of 2 forms of contraception during study and 6 months after the study in both men and women; * Lack of response to previous treatment with peginterferon alfa-2b (12KD)/ribavirin combination therapy given for \>=12 weeks. Exclusion Criteria: * women who are pregnant or breastfeeding; * male partners of women who are pregnant; * conditions associated with decompensated liver disease; * other forms of liver disease, including liver cancer; * human immunodeficiency virus infection.
están designados en este estudio
de ser asignado al grupo placebo