HCV treatment is less effective for African Americans than Caucasians. This is partly—but not completely—explained by genetics: researchers recently identified a gene that is liked with response to pegylated interferon based treatment, called IL-28B (see "How is it diagnosed, and what tests are used?" for more information on IL-28B).

For African Americans living with HCV starting treatment for the first time, adding a hepatitis C protease inhibitor to pegylated interferon and ribavirin is very effective. In clinical trials, adding Victrelis increased cure rates from 23 percent to 42 to 53 percent; Incivek boosted increased cure rates from 25 percent to 60 to 67 percent.