ACCELERATE Study - A Study of PEGASYS (Peginterferon Alfa-2a (40KD)) in Combination With COPEGUS (Ribavirin) in Interferon-Naive Patients With Chronic Hepatitis C (CHC) Infection.

• Virological response [ Time Frame: End of treatment (ie week 16 or week 24) ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
• Virological response [ Time Frame: 12 weeks post-treatment (ie week 28 or week 36) ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
• AEs, laboratory parameters, vital signs. [ Time Frame: Throughout study ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

This study will evaluate the efficacy and safety of different durations of treatment with PEGASYS combined with ribavirin in patients with CHC genotype 2 or 3 infection who have never previously received interferon (IFN) therapy. The anticipated time on study treatment is 3-12 months and the target sample size is 500+ individuals.

• Drug: peginterferon alfa-2a [Pegasys]
  180 micrograms sc weekly for 16 weeks
• Drug: peginterferon alfa-2a [Pegasys]
  180 micrograms sc weekly for 24 weeks
• Drug: Copegus
  400mg po bid for 16 weeks
• Drug: Copegus
  400mg po bid for 24 weeks

• Experimental: 1
  Interventions:

  • Drug: peginterferon alfa-2a [Pegasys]
  • Drug: Copegus
• Experimental: 2
  Interventions:

  • Drug: peginterferon alfa-2a [Pegasys]
  • Drug: Copegus

Inclusion Criteria:

• patients >=18 years of age;
• CHC infection (genotype 2 or 3);
• 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.

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;
• previous treatment with an IFN, pegylated IFN, ribavirin, viramidine, levovirin, or amantadine.