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HCV treatment length for genotype 2b: is 6 months OK with pegylated interferon?

I understood that research showed an interferon 3x a week & ribivarin treatment for 24 weeks had the best sustained response for genotype 2b. Is there any research to show that pegylated interferon once a week & ribivarin has the same success rate with 24 weeks of treatment. What would you recommend as a course of treatment for genotype 2b patients with low viral lode ( 65,000) and (stage 1-2 biopsy) and no complicating health factors.
Thanks --C.

Dr. Chung writes--

Good question.

The current clinical trial did not examine 24 weeks for genotype 2 and 3, however, we can probably infer from the rebetron trials that 6 months of PEG + ribavirin would very likely suffice with sustained response rates better than the 65% seen with rebetron. Thus I would likely wait for PEG + ribavirin and treat for 6 months. RC

Dr. Rodriguez writes--

Theres no data on Head to Head: Pegasys or Peg.Intron and RVB for 24 vs. 48 weeks. The data is of over 85% sustained response after 48 weeks. We assume that the relapsers after week 24 will be low but not 0. Your low viral load is an aditional good prognostic factor. MR