Quantitative HCV RNA testing was performed before starting treatment (week 0), at week 4, 12, and 24, and at the end of treatment, and 24 weeks after completion of treatment using a commercially available real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR kit. The primary efficacy end-point was achievement of SVR defined as undetectable HCV RNA at the end of a 24-week untreated follow-up period. The percentage of patients with undetectable HCV RNA (<500 copies/mL) at week 4 (RVR), and 12 were secondary efficacy endpoints.