SVR12 is higher than SVR24 in treatment-naïve hepatitis C genotype 1 patients treated with peginterferon plus ribavirin

A time-to-event analysis describing virologic response in patients with chronic hepatitis C infection

The objective of this project was to describe longitudinal change in chronic hepatitis C virologic reponse using time-to-event (TTE) analysis and to identify patient characteristics that determine the dynamics of this change. We compiled demographic, clinical, and genetic data from 715 chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients treated with pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) alfa-2a and ribavirin. TTE modelling described the time between antiviral treatment initiation and the first observation of undetectable HCV RNA. A lognormal TTE model was selected to describe time to first undetectable HCV RNA. The identified predictors of prolonged time to achieve undetectable HCV RNA include HCV genotype 1, low pre-treatment ALT level, older age, or with elevated baseline haemoglobin level. In conclusion, a cohort of patients with low probability of achieving SVR can be identified. This project identifies patients with a low risk of responding to PEG-IFN alfa-2a and ribavirin combination.

Impact of hepatitis C virus genotype-4 eradication following direct acting antivirals on liver stiffness measurement

Background

Liver fibrosis is the most important prognostic factor in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients, and Egypt shows the highest worldwide HCV prevalence with genotype-4 pre-dominance. The aim of this study was to investigate the degree of liver stiffness measurement (LSM) improvement after successful HCV eradication.

Patients and methods

The study included 84 chronic HCV Egyptian patients, and was conducted at Qena University Hospital from November 1, 2015 till October 31, 2016. LSM was obtained by FibroScan® before starting direct acting antiviral (DAA) treatment and after achieving sustained virologic response-24 (SVR-24). Based on baseline LSM, patients were stratified into F0–F1, F2, F3 and F4 groups (METAVIR). LSM and laboratory data after achieving SVR-24 was compared with that before starting therapy in each fibrosis group (F0-F4), p-value <0.05 was statistically significant.

Results

Following DAA treatment, 80 patients achieved SVR-24; of these, 50 were males (62.5%), mean age: 54.2±7.6 years, and mean body mass index: 28.6±2.2 kg/m². Mean baseline LSM dropped from 15.6±10.8 to 12.1±8.7 kPa post-SVR; the maximum change of −5.8 occurred in F4 versus −2.79, −1.28 and +0.08 in F3, F2 and F0–F1 respectively (p<0.0001). At baseline, 41 patients were in the F4 group; only 16 (39%) regressed to non-cirrhotic range (<12.5 kPa), while 25 (61%) were still cirrhotic despite achieving SVR-24 (p<0.0001). Patients who achieved LSM improvement (n=64) have had significantly higher baseline aspartate transferase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT). Also, those patients showed significant improvement in AST, AST/platelets ratio index (APRI) and fibrosis-4 index (Fib-4) after achieving SVR; 91% showed AST improvement (p=0.01) and APRI improvement (p=0.01) and 81% showed Fib-4 improvement (p=0.04). Females, diabetics, patients with S3 steatosis and patients older than 50 years showed less LSM improvements than their counterparts. Baseline LSM ≥9 kPa, bilirubin ≥1 mg/dl, ALT ≥36 U/L and AST ≥31 U/L were significant predictors for LSM improvement.

Conclusion

Successful HCV genotype-4 eradication results in significant LSM improvement; the best improvement occurs in F4 patients. But as the majority of cirrhotics are still at risk for liver decompensation and hepatocellular carcinoma development despite achieving SVR-24, early detection and treatment are highly recommended.

American Gastroenterological Association Institute Clinical Practice Update-Expert Review: Care of Patients Who Have Achieved a Sustained Virologic Response After Antiviral Therapy for Chronic Hepatitis C Infection

Chronic hepatitis C virus infection is well-recognized as a common blood-borne infection with global public health impact affecting 3 to 5 million persons in the United States and more than 170 million persons worldwide. Chronic hepatitis C virus infection is associated with significant morbidity and mortality due to complications of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Current therapies with all-oral direct-acting antiviral agents are associated with high rates of sustained virologic response (SVR), generally exceeding 90%. SVR is associated with a reduced risk of liver cirrhosis, hepatic decompensation, need for liver transplantation, and both liver-related and all-cause mortality. However, a subset of patients who achieve SVR will remain at long-term risk for progression to cirrhosis, liver failure, hepatocellular carcinoma, and liver-related mortality. Limited evidence is available to guide clinicians on which post-SVR patients should be monitored vs discharged, how to monitor and with which tests, how frequently should monitoring occur, and for how long. In this clinical practice update, available evidence and expert opinion are used to generate best practice recommendations on the care of patients with chronic hepatitis C virus who have achieved SVR.

Virologic Cure of Hepatitis C: Impact on Hepatic Fibrosis and Patient Outcomes

Treatment with direct-acting antiviral agents has revolutionized the approach to hepatitis C. We are now able to obtain high sustained virological response (SVR) rates, even in the historically difficult-to-treat patient populations. SVR translates into improved clinical outcomes, particularly overall and liver-related mortality, and benefits are more striking in patients with cirrhosis. A 2.5- to 5-fold risk reduction in the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma and improvement in complications derived from portal hypertension have been reported as well. It is hypothesized that the benefits from SVR occur largely due to regression of fibrosis, which arises from the halt on the fibrogenic stimuli and activation of extracellular matrix reabsorption signals. Non-invasive markers of fibrosis are being utilized to assess regression, but it is still unclear how accurate they are in this clinical scenario. Interventions aiming to improve liver wellness and screening for cirrhosis-related complications should continue to be the norm after SVR.

Progress in antiviral treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus genotype 1 infection

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1 infection is difficult to treat, and the efficacy of peginterferon-α (PEG-IFN-α) and ribavirin (RBV) combination therapy is not very satisfactory. In recent years, direct-acting antiviral drugs (DAAs) have been developed and licensed for the treatment of HCV infection. The first-generation DAAs are NS3/4 polymerase inhibitors, which are often used in combination with PEG-IFN-α and RBV. Subsequently, some IFN-free regimens of NS5A inhibitors and NS5B polymerase inhibitors have shown promising results. Harvoni and VIEKIRA PAK have been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration. These regimens have excellent response rates, short-duration and minimal toxicities and will bring hope to patients who are difficult to cure or with contraindications to the use of RBV or PEG-IFN-α.

A comparative study of variants of pegylated interferon alpha in treatment of chronic HCV patients

HCV infection presents a vast burden in the regions of high prevalence such as Egypt, where most HCV isolates are genotype 4b. Combined treatment of three variants of pegylated interferon and ribavirin is still the standard of care in Egypt. However, no conclusive data confirming their efficacy are available. Here, 60 chronic HCV patients were randomized for ribavirin plus Peg Intron (PEG-IFNα-2b), Pegasys (PEG-IFNα-2a) or Reiveron Retard (PEG-IFNα-2a). Serum interferon and antibody (Ab) levels were measured, and responses and costs were compared. Serum interferon levels were higher in Pegasys group (1625.1 ng/mL) followed by Reiveron Retard (1076.5 ng/mL), and Peg Intron group (857.72 ng/mL). Moreover, Ab levels were the lowest in Reiveron Retard group (318.4 ng/mL), followed by Peg Intron (439.93 ng/mL), and Pegasys cases (610.83 ng/mL). The best 24-week response rates were detected in the Pegasys group (73.3%), followed by Peg Intron (66.67%), and Reiveron Retard (40%). Treatment with both Pegasys and Peg Intron were most cost-effective. Furthermore, Pegasys was superior in both 6-month response and serum interferon, despite having higher Ab levels (more antigenicity). Our data have notable clinical implications and suggest that Pegasys may be a superior choice of interferon therapy for chronic HCV under low socioeconomic conditions.

Network meta-analysis of direct-acting antivirals in combination with peginterferon-ribavirin for previously untreated patients with hepatitis C genotype 1 infection

AIM

To conduct a network meta-analysis (NMA) to determine the comparative efficacy, as measured by sustained virological response (SVR), between boceprevir (BOC), telaprevir (TEL), faldaprevir (FAL), simeprevir (SIM) and sofosbuvir (SOF) in combination with peginterferon-ribavirin (PR) against a control of PR.

DESIGN

A literature search was conducted to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) including adult patients with hepatitis C virus genotype 1 who were naive to any prior therapy. RCTs assessing standard duration therapy (SDT) or response-guided therapy (RGT) BOC, TEL, FAL, SIM or SOF in combination with PR against a control of PR were eligible for inclusion. All RCTs must have provided SVR at either 12 or 24 weeks post-therapy cessation.

RESULTS

We included nine RCTs. All direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) were found to perform better than PR. Additionally, SDT FAL was found to be better than the 240 mg RGT FAL regimen with the PR lead-in. A sensitivity analysis excluding RCTs with only SVR at 12 weeks was consistent with the results of the primary analysis. A sensitivity analysis removing an RCT assessing SIM that reported SVR of >60% in the PR control group additionally found that RGT SIM was superior to the 240 mg RGT FAL regimen with the PR lead-in.

DISCUSSION

Our analyses indicate that SDT and RGT regimens of DAAs plus PR do not differ greatly in terms of SVR among treatment-naive hepatitis C genotype 1 patients. More advanced Bayesian network meta-analyses are likely needed to incorporate a comprehensive evidence base, expanding beyond randomized clinical trials.