Ledipasvir/Sofosbuvir administration achieves very high rate of viral clearance in patients with HCV genotype 1 infection without cirrhosis, regardless of ribavirin co-administration or length of treatment

Real-World Efficacy and Safety of Pangenotypic Direct-Acting Antivirals Against Hepatitis C Virus Infection

BACKGROUND

Advances in the development of Direct-Acting Antivirals (DAAs), particularly pangenotypic drugs, have led to a high rate of hepatitis C virus (HCV) eradication. Notably, real- world studies have confirmed the efficacy and safety of pangenotypic DAA combinations reported in registration trials. The aim of this study was to review the treatment recommendations, and the efficacy and safety data of anti-HCV pangenotypic drugs reported in registration clinical trials and in recent real-life cohort studies.

METHODS

We reviewed the efficacy and safety data of pangenotypic anti-HCV drug combinations reported in original articles and in online conference abstracts.

RESULTS

Current pangenotypic drug combinations resulted in very high rates of sustained virologic response and few adverse reactions in real-life settings. SVR12 rates in real-life studies ranged from 90-100% depending on the pangenotypic combination, the HCV genotype and the stage of liver disease. Most adverse reactions reported in real-life settings were mild in intensity and rarely led to treatment discontinuation. These results are in accordance with those of clinical trials.

CONCLUSION

Pangenotypic DAAs result in very high rates of sustained virologic responses and are well tolerated. However, they are contraindicated in patients with decompensated cirrhosis or advanced chronic kidney disease who failed previous DDA-based treatment. Further research is required to customize treatment to "unpackage" current DAA combinations and to develop generic drugs against HCV.

Combination ledipasvir-sofosbuvir for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus infection: a review and clinical perspective

Chronic hepatitis C treatment has continued to evolve, and interferon-free, oral treatment with direct-acting antiviral agents is the current standard of care. Recently, a new treatment, which is a combination of two direct-acting antiviral agents, ledipasvir 90 mg (anti-NS5A) and sofosbuvir 400 mg (anti-NS5B), has been approved in the US and the European Union for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C viral infection. In Phase III trials among chronic hepatitis C virus genotype 1 monoinfected (treatment-naïve, treatment-experienced, and with advanced liver disease or posttransplant) patients and HIV-hepatitis C virus coinfected patients, the ledipasvir-sofosbuvir fixed-dose combination is associated with a higher rate of sustained virologic response at 12 weeks after therapy has ceased. According to preliminary data, the ledipasvir-sofosbuvir combination also may be effective against hepatitis C genotype 4 virus infection. The ledipasvir-sofosbuvir combination taken orally is generally well-tolerated. Moreover, the combination treatment may suppress the effect of predictive factors of chronic hepatitis C that have historically been known to be associated with treatment failure. Thus, the fixed-dose single-tablet combination of ledipasvir-sofosbuvir offers a new era for the effective treatment of a variety of patients suffering from chronic hepatitis C virus infection.

Efficacy and Safety of Ribavirin with Sofosbuvir Plus Ledipasvir in Patients with Genotype 1 Hepatitis C: A Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Sofosbuvir and ledipasvir with or without ribavirin (RBV) regimens (SLR vs. SL) have exhibited promising results for the treatment of patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1 infection.

AIM

To comprehensively compare the efficacy and safety of the SL and SLR regimen for the treatment of chronic HCV genotype 1 infections.

METHODS

The Cochrane Library, PubMed, Web of Science, and EMBASE databases were searched. Only RCTs that compared the efficacy and safety of SL or SLR regimen for the treatment of chronic HCV genotype 1 infection were included. The primary outcome measures were the sustained virological response weeks 12 (SVR12) post-treatment and adverse events (AEs).

RESULTS

Seven studies comprising 2601 patients were included. Compared with the SL regimen, SLR yielded a similar probability of having an SVR12 (RR 1.002, 95 % CI 0.998, 1.017, P = 0.780). Based on subgroup analyses, the addition of RBV to the 8-week SL regimen improved the SVR12 rate. However, the SLR regimen for 12 or 24 weeks did not show a superior SVR12 rate regardless of treatment history and the presence or absence of cirrhosis. The pooled incidence of AEs was higher in patients that received the SLR treatment regimen (RR 1.140, 95 % CI 1.095, 1.187, P = 0.000).

CONCLUSIONS

The 12-week or 24-week SL regimen with a low incidence of AEs is as effective and well tolerated as the SLR regimen for the treatment of patients with chronic HCV genotype 1 infection.

Beclabuvir for the treatment of hepatitis C

INTRODUCTION

About 185,000,000 people worldwide are chronically infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). Currently, the most successful HCV infection antiviral therapies reduce the chance of progression towards the advanced phases of the hepatopathy (liver cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma and death). Recently, however, several new direct-acting antivirals against HCV are available or are in an advanced phase of clinical development.

AREAS COVERED

This review focuses on beclabuvir , an allosteric non-nucleotide inhibitor of HCV polymerase. The article covers its pharmacokinetics, mechanism of action, in addition to its tolerability and safety profile as well as its resistance pattern.

EXPERT OPINION

The pharmacokinetic, efficacy and tolerability profile of beclabuvir, as well as its barrier to resistance, are very favorable. In particular, the combination of beclabuvir with asunaprevir and daclatasvir achieves very high rates of viral eradication (about 90%) in patients infected with HCV genotype 1, which is the most common genotype worldwide. Therefore, beclabuvir represents a powerful weapon against HCV infection and has to be considered an optimal option in tailored IFN-free combinations.