Real-world treatment outcome with protease inhibitor direct-acting antiviral in advanced hepatitis C cirrhosis: a REAL-C study

Real-world experience with direct-acting antiviral therapy in HCV-infected patients with cirrhosis and esophageal varices

BACKGROUND

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection affects 50 million people worldwide with around 242,000 deaths annually, mainly due to complications such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Portal hypertension (PH) caused by cirrhosis leads to severe consequences, including esophageal varices (EV). This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment in patients with and without EV.

METHODS

This retrospective analysis involved consecutive HCV-infected adults undergoing DAA therapy at 22 Polish hepatology centers from July 1, 2015, to December 31, 2022. Patients with cirrhosis were categorized based on the presence of EV diagnosed by gastroscopy. Treatment effectiveness was measured by sustained virologic response (SVR), with safety outcomes monitored for 12 weeks post-treatment.

RESULTS

A population of 3393 HCV-infected patients with cirrhosis was divided into groups with (A, n = 976) and without (B, n = 2417) EV. Group A showed a significantly higher prevalence of comorbidities and concomitant medications. Genotype (GT)1b infections predominated in both groups, and GT3 infections were more common in the EV group. Group A exhibited more severe liver disease, and higher rates of decompensation, HCC, and HBV co-infection. SVR was significantly higher in group B (91.5% vs. 96.3%, p < 0.0001). Male gender, GT3, EV presence, and Child-Pugh grade B were identified as independent negative SVR predictors. Group A had a worse safety profile, with notably higher adverse event incidence and mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

DAA therapies are highly effective and well tolerated in patients with cirrhosis, but EV presence predicts poorer virologic responses.

Pharmacologic Treatment of Portal Hypertension

Portal hypertension is the key mechanism driving the transition from compensated to decompensated cirrhosis. In this review, the authors described the pathophysiology of portal hypertension in cirrhosis and the rationale of pharmacologic treatment of portal hypertension. We discussed both etiologic and nonetiologic treatment of portal hypertension and the specific clinical scenarios how nonselective beta-blocker can be used in patients with cirrhosis. Finally, the authors summarized the evidence for emerging alternatives for portal hypertension in patients with cirrhosis.

Cutting-edge pharmacotherapy for hepatitis C virus infection: a comprehensive review

INTRODUCTION

Pharmacotherapy against hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has tremendously improved since the advent of interferon (IFN)-free direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). Additionally, fixed-dose pangenotypic DAAs, which are safe, potent, easy for use, and can cover a wide spectrum of patients, have been recommended by professional guidelines for DAA-naïve and DAA-experienced patients with HCV.

AREAS COVERED

We review the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and potential drug-drug interactions (DDIs) of fixed-dose pangenotypic DAA regimens, including glecaprevir/pibrentasvir (GLE/PIB), sofosbuvir/velpatasvir (SOF/VEL), and sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir (SOF/VEL/VOX). Additionally, we summarize the efficacy and safety of these regimens in clinical trials as well as real-world studies for treating different populations. Lastly, we discuss unmet medical needs in managing HCV in the era of fixed-dose pangenotypic DAAs.

EXPERT OPINION

Protease inhibitors (PIs), including GLE and VOX, are prone to have more frequent DDIs, compared to the non-structural (NS) 5A and 5B inhibitors. These regimens are generally well tolerated and can be applied to different populations, except for the contraindicated use of PI-containing DAA regimens in decompensated cirrhosis. Using the first-line GLE/PIB and SOF/VEL can eradicate HCV in more than 95% of DAA-naïve patients across different populations. The viral cure usually exceeds 95% when using the rescue SOF/VEL/VOX regimen for prior DAA failures.

Global epidemiology, natural history, maternal-to-child transmission, and treatment with DAA of pregnant women with HCV: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Pregnant women with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection represent a special population in which treatment access remains limited despite its increasing prevalence. A reliable estimate of the burden and clinical outcomes of pregnant women with HCV infection is crucial for HCV elimination. We aimed to determine the prevalence, maternal-to-child transmission (MTCT), maternal and fetal complication rates, and direct acting antivirals (DAA) treatment outcomes of chronic HCV infection in pregnant women.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science from inception until March 1, 2024, for studies reporting on the prevalence, MTCT, complications of HCV infection, and treatment outcomes of DAA in pregnant women. Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. We performed subgroup analysis based on 9 variables to explore the source of heterogeneity in HCV prevalence. The PROSPERO registration number is CRD42024500023.

FINDINGS

From a total of 311,905,738 pregnant women from 333 studies, the pooled global seroprevalence of HCV in pregnant women was 2.6% (95% CI: 2.0-3.2, I 2 = 100%) which increased in patients with intravenous drug use and HIV. Majority of the HCV cases in pregnant women (75%) are diagnosed through universal screening. The pooled MTCT rate was 9.0% (95% CI: 6.6-11.7, I 2 = 79%), which was higher with HIV co-infection (OR: 3.1, 95% CI: 2.1-4.6, I 2 = 10%), but was not influenced by the mode of delivery or breastfeeding. Pregnant women with HCV infection had more maternal complications, including intrahepatic cholestasis, preterm delivery, and antepartum hemorrhage. Neonates of mothers with HCV had higher odds of being small for gestational age. The pooled rate of sustained virologic response (SVR12) among the 74 women treated with DAA during pregnancy was 98.4%, with no serious adverse events reported.

INTERPRETATION

HCV prevalence in pregnant women varies by geographic region and patient population, while MTCT occurs in almost one in ten viremic mothers. The incidence of both maternal and neonatal complications is significantly higher in patients with HCV infection. Limited data suggest that DAA are safe in pregnant women with HCV infection.

FUNDING

None.

Real-world Effectiveness and Tolerability of Interferon-free Direct-acting Antiviral for 15,849 Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C: A Multinational Cohort Study

Background and Aims

As practice patterns and hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes (GT) vary geographically, a global real-world study from both East and West covering all GTs can help inform practice policy toward the 2030 HCV elimination goal. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness and tolerability of DAA treatment in routine clinical practice in a multinational cohort for patients infected with all HCV GTs, focusing on GT3 and GT6.

Methods

We analyzed the sustained virological response (SVR12) of 15,849 chronic hepatitis C patients from 39 Real-World Evidence from the Asia Liver Consortium for HCV clinical sites in Asia Pacific, North America, and Europe between 07/01/2014-07/01/2021.

Results

The mean age was 62±13 years, with 49.6% male. The demographic breakdown was 91.1% Asian (52.9% Japanese, 25.7% Chinese/Taiwanese, 5.4% Korean, 3.3% Malaysian, and 2.9% Vietnamese), 6.4% White, 1.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 1% Black/African-American. Additionally, 34.8% had cirrhosis, 8.6% had hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and 24.9% were treatment-experienced (20.7% with interferon, 4.3% with direct-acting antivirals). The largest group was GT1 (10,246 [64.6%]), followed by GT2 (3,686 [23.2%]), GT3 (1,151 [7.2%]), GT6 (457 [2.8%]), GT4 (47 [0.3%]), GT5 (1 [0.006%]), and untyped GTs (261 [1.6%]). The overall SVR12 was 96.9%, with rates over 95% for GT1/2/3/6 but 91.5% for GT4. SVR12 for GT3 was 95.1% overall, 98.2% for GT3a, and 94.0% for GT3b. SVR12 was 98.3% overall for GT6, lower for patients with cirrhosis and treatment-experienced (TE) (93.8%) but ≥97.5% for treatment-naive patients regardless of cirrhosis status. On multivariable analysis, advanced age, prior treatment failure, cirrhosis, active HCC, and GT3/4 were independent predictors of lower SVR12, while being Asian was a significant predictor of achieving SVR12.

Conclusions

In this diverse multinational real-world cohort of patients with various GTs, the overall cure rate was 96.9%, despite large numbers of patients with cirrhosis, HCC, TE, and GT3/6. SVR12 for GT3/6 with cirrhosis and TE was lower but still excellent (>91%).

Real-World Efficacy and Safety of Universal 8-Week Glecaprevir/Pibrentasvir for Treatment-Naïve Patients from a Nationwide HCV Registry in Taiwan

INTRODUCTION

Eight-week glecaprevir/pibrentasvir (GLE/PIB) is indicated for treatment-naïve (TN) patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC), with or without compensated cirrhosis. Given that the Taiwanese government is committed to eliminating hepatitis C virus (HCV) by 2025, this study aimed to measure real-world evidence for TN patients using 8-week GLE/PIB in the Taiwan HCV Registry (TACR).

METHODS

The data of patients with CHC treated with 8-week GLE/PIB were retrieved from TACR, a nationwide registry program organized by the Taiwan Association for the Study of the Liver (TASL). Treatment efficacy, defined as a sustained virologic response at posttreatment week 12 (SVR12), was assessed in the modified intention-to-treat (mITT) population, which excluded patients who were lost to follow-up or lacked SVR12 data. The safety profile of the ITT population was assessed.

RESULTS

A total of 7246 (6897 without cirrhosis; 349 with cirrhosis) patients received at least one dose of GLE/PIB (ITT), 7204 of whom had SVR12 data available (mITT). The overall SVR12 rate was 98.9% (7122/7204) among all patients, 98.9% (6780/6856) and 98.3% (342/348) among patients without and with cirrhosis, respectively. For the selected subgroups, which included patients with genotype 3 infection, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, people who injected drugs, and those with human immunodeficiency virus coinfection, the SVR12 rates were 95.1% (272/286), 98.9% (1084/1096), 99.0% (1171/1183), 97.4% (566/581), and 96.1% (248/258), respectively. Overall, 14.1% (1021/7246) of the patients experienced adverse events (AEs). Twenty-two patients (0.3%) experienced serious AEs, and 15 events (0.2%) resulted in permanent drug discontinuation. Only one event was considered treatment drug related.

CONCLUSION

Eight-week GLE/PIB therapy was effective and well tolerated in all TN patients, regardless of cirrhosis status.

Revolutionizing hepatitis C treatment: next-gen direct-acting antivirals

INTRODUCTION

With the introduction of highly effective and safe therapies with next-generation direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), that act without interferon, hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection remains the only treatable chronic infectious disease.

AREAS COVERED

The review aims to provide an overview of the therapy revolution with a description of specific DAAs, their mechanisms of action, a summary of the safety and efficacy of specific regimens, and a discussion of populations requiring special therapeutic approaches.

EXPERT OPINION

DAAs are highly effective, safe, and easy to use. However, challenges such as access to health services and loss of patients from the cascade of care, especially in groups disproportionately affected by HCV infection, such as substance abusers, make it difficult to achieve the WHO's goal of HCV elimination. The proposed strategy to combat these difficulties involves a one-step approach to diagnosing and treating the infection, the availability of long-lasting forms of medication, and the development of an effective vaccine. The aforementioned opportunities are all the more important as the world is facing an opioid epidemic that is translating into an increase in HCV prevalence. This phenomenon is of greatest concern in women of childbearing age and in those already pregnant due to treatment limitations.

SASLT guidelines: Update in treatment of hepatitis C virus infection, 2024

ABSTRACT

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has been a major global health concern, with a significant impact on public health. In recent years, there have been remarkable advancements in our understanding of HCV and the development of novel therapeutic agents. The Saudi Society for the Study of Liver Disease and Transplantation formed a working group to develop HCV practice guidelines in Saudi Arabia. The methodology used to create these guidelines involved a comprehensive review of available evidence, local data, and major international practice guidelines regarding HCV management. This updated guideline encompasses critical aspects of HCV care, including screening and diagnosis, assessing the severity of liver disease, and treatment strategies. The aim of this updated guideline is to assist healthcare providers in the management of HCV in Saudi Arabia. It summarizes the latest local studies on HCV epidemiology, significant changes in virus prevalence, and the importance of universal screening, particularly among high-risk populations. Moreover, it discusses the promising potential for HCV elimination as a public health threat by 2030, driven by effective treatment and comprehensive prevention strategies. This guideline also highlights evolving recommendations for advancing disease management, including the treatment of HCV patients with decompensated cirrhosis, treatment of those who have previously failed treatment with the newer medications, management in the context of liver transplantation and hepatocellular carcinoma, and treatment for special populations.