Management of hepatitis C in patients with chronic kidney disease

Safety and efficacy of grazoprevir/elbasvir in the treatment of acute hepatitis C in hemodialysis patients

Treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection with direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) in hemodialysis patients requires extensive consideration. At present, studies regarding DAAs for acute HCV infection in such patients are limited. The present study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of grazoprevir (GZR) plus elbasvir (EBR) treatment in acute hepatitis C (AHC) patients undergoing hemodialysis. Patients undergoing hemodialysis who had a nosocomial acute HCV infection were enrolled. All patients received GZR 100 mg/EBR 50 mg once daily for 12 weeks and were followed up for 12 weeks. Serum alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total bilirubin (TBIL), and HCV RNA levels were monitored during treatment and follow-up periods. Sustained virologic response at 12 weeks after treatment cessation and treatment-emergent adverse events (AEs) were assessed. A total of 68 AHC patients were enrolled. All patients were infected with HCV genotype 1b and achieved SVR12. Decreasing ALT, AST, and TBIL were observed over time in the first 4 weeks and became steady thereafter. Forty-eight (70.59%) patients reported at least one AEs. The most common AEs were fatigue, headache, and nausea. Two AHC patients discontinued treatment due to serious but drug-unrelated AEs. In conclusion, GZR/EBR has a high efficacy and safety profile in hemodialysis-dependent patients with genotype 1b AHC.

Epidemiological and Clinical Factors Associated with Spontaneous Clearance of Hepatitis C Virus

BACKGROUND The risk of chronicity is high after acute hepatitis C. The infection remains limited and spontaneously resolves in an average of 30% of subjects. Such subjects are considered recovered and do not require any medical care. This study aims to evaluate the epidemiological and clinical factors associated with spontaneous viral clearance. METHODS We conducted a descriptive retrospective study on patients' files managed for a positive hepatitis C serology who benefited from the research of serum viral RNA by molecular biology. RESULTS The study collected 429 usable files. The mean age of the patients was 50.21 years, and the sex ratio was 0.98. Spontaneous viral clearance was estimated at 17.2%. The univariate analysis showed that clearance was significantly greater in subjects under the age of 50 years, patients without type 2 diabetes, patients co-infected with hepatitis B virus, patients with transfusion, and those diagnosed fortuitously. Multivariate analysis confirmed the relationship between diabetes and the circumstances of the diagnosis. The relationship in the case of hepatitis B co-infection was very close to the statistical significance level (p=0.055). CONCLUSION The presence of hepatitis B co-infection in patients with positive hepatitis C serology predicts a high probability of having spontaneous clearance. However, advanced age and the existence of a history of blood transfusion, type 2 diabetes or suggestive signs of liver damage are associated with persistent viremia.

Updated Pathway to Micro-elimination of Hepatitis C Virus in the Hemodialysis Population

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection continues to be transmitted to hemodialysis (HD) patients within HD facilities globally. The goal of the World Health Organization to micro-eliminate HCV infection from the HD population by the year 2030 is not on target to be achieved. Obstacles to eliminate HCV in HD settings remain daunting due to a complex system created by a confluence of guidelines, legislation, regulation, and economics. HCV prevalence remains high and seroconversion continues among the HD patient population globally as a result of the HD procedure. Preventive strategies that effectively prevent HCV transmission, treatment-as-prevention, and rapid referral to treatment balanced with kidney transplant candidacy should be added to the current universal precautions approach. A safer system must be designed before HCV transmission can be halted and eliminated from the HD population.

Hepatitis C in Hemodialysis Units: diagnosis and therapeutic approach

According to data from the last census of the Brazilian Society of Nephrology (SBN), the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in Brazilian hemodialysis units (HU) is 3.3%, about three times higher than what is reported for the Brazilian general population. Often, professionals working in HU are faced with clinical situations that require rapid HCV diagnosis in order to avoid horizontal transmission within the units. On the other hand, thanks to the development of new antiviral drugs, the cure of patients with HCV, both in the general population and in patients with chronic kidney disease and the disease eradication, appear to be very feasible objectives to be achieved in the near future . In this scenario, SBN and the Brazilian Society of Hepatology present in this review article a proposal to approach HCV within HUs.

Full-dose sofosbuvir plus low-dose ribavirin for hepatitis C virus genotype 2-infected patients on hemodialysis

BACKGROUND/AIMS

New direct-acting antivirals have shown surprising success in the treatment of hepatitis C, not only in the general population, but also in difficult-to-treat cohorts. However, there is still limited data regarding direct-acting antivirals, including sofosbuvir (SOF), in the context of hemodialysis. The aim of this study was to investigate the safety and outcome of administering full-dose SOF (400 mg/day) plus low-dose ribavirin (RBV, 100 to 200 mg/day) in hemodialysis patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 2 (GT2) infection.

METHODS

Patients with chronic HCV GT2 infection and end-stage renal disease on maintenance hemodialysis treated with full-dose SOF plus low-dose RBV were retrospectively identified from a database of patients with HCV GT2 who were treated in Konkuk University Chungju Hospital between February 2017 and February 2018. Medical records were reviewed for demographics, medical history, laboratory data, and radiologic and electrocardiographic findings.

RESULTS

All nine patients completed a full course of 12 weeks of treatment with a full-dose SOF plus low-dose RBV regimen. Two had compensated cirrhosis. Seven patients were treatment-naïve, and two had a relapse following previous interferon-based therapy. All patients had a sustained viral response at 12 weeks post-treatment. There was no discontinuation of treatment because of side effects.

CONCLUSION

In hemodialysis patients with HCV GT2 infection, the full-dose SOF plus low-dose RBV regimen appears to be safe and well tolerated, and yields high rates of sustained virologic response.

Safety and efficacy of direct-acting antivirals for chronic hepatitis C in patients with chronic kidney disease

BACKGROUND

This is a real-world evidence study that aims to analyze the efficacy, tolerability and safety profile of paritaprevir/ombitasvir/ritonavir and dasabuvir, in patients with renal impairment.

METHODS

We conducted an observational prospective study, on 232 patients with chronic kidney disease, undergoing treatment with paritaprevir/ombitasvir/ritonavir and dasabuvir, for chronic hepatitis C infection - genotype 1b. Renal and liver function were assessed at the beginning of therapy, monthly during treatment and three months after therapy completion.

RESULTS

All patients achieved sustained virologic response. Common side effects were nausea, fatigue and headache. Close monitoring of tacrolimus blood levels and dose reduction was required in kidney transplant recipients.

CONCLUSIONS

HCV therapy in the setting of renal dysfunction has always been a challenging topic. Direct-acting antivirals have shown promising effects, demonstrating good tolerance and efficacy in patients with HCV infection and renal impairment. Sustained virologic response within our study population was 100%.

Impact on mortality of being seropositive for hepatitis C virus antibodies among blood donors in Brazil: A twenty-year study

Introduction

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major health problem associated with considerable risk of mortality in different regions of the world. The purpose of this study was to investigate the contribution of HCV infection on all-cause and liver-related mortality, in a large cohort of blood donors in Brazil.

Methods

This is a retrospective cohort study of blood donors from 1994 to 2013, at Fundação Pró-Sangue—Hemocentro de São Paulo (FPS). This cohort included 2,892 and 5,784 HCV antibody seropositive and seronegative donors, respectively. Records from the FPS database and the Mortality Information System (SIM: a national database in Brazil) were linked through a probabilistic record linkage (RL). Mortality outcomes were defined based on ICD-10 (10th International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems) codes listed as the cause of death on the death certificate. Hazard ratios (HRs) were estimated for outcomes using Cox multiple regression models.

Results

When all causes of death were considered, RL identified 209 deaths (7.2%) among seropositive blood donors and 190 (3.3%) among seronegative blood donors. Donors seropositive for HCV infection had a 2.5 times higher risk of death due to all causes (95% CI: 1.76–2.62; p<0.001). When only liver-related causes of death were considered, RL identified 73 deaths among seropositive blood donors and only 6 among seronegative blood donors. Donors seropositive for HCV infection had a 23.4 times higher risk of death due to liver related causes (95% CI: 10.2–53.9; p<0.001). Donors seropositive for HCV had a 29.5 (95%CI: 3.9–221.7), 2.8 (95% CI: 1.4–5.5) and a 1.9 (95% CI: 1.2–3.0) times higher risk of death due to hepatocellular carcinoma, infection or trauma, respectively, compared to seronegative donors.

Conclusions

All-cause and liver-related mortality rate was increased among blood donors seropositive for HCV compared with the mortality rate among seronegative blood donors. Our data confirms HCV as a relevant cause of death in Brazil and also suggest that interventions directed at following patients even after access to specific drug treatment are urgent and necessary.

Anti-hepatitis C virus therapy in chronic kidney disease patients improves long-term renal and patient survivals

BACKGROUND

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a documented risk factor for chronic kidney disease (CKD) and progression to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). However, to date there are no reports on the long-term hard endpoints (ESRD and death) of anti-HCV therapy [interferon-based therapy (IBT) or new direct-acting antivirals] in CKD patients. Direct-acting antivirals are not available in Taiwan's single-payer national health insurance database currently released for research. Therefore, we hypothesized that a retrospective analysis of the long-term outcomes of IBT in CKD patients will serve as a proxy for direct-acting antivirals to increase our understanding of progression to ESRD following HCV infection.

AIM

To evaluate the long-term outcomes (ESRD and death) of anti-HCV therapy, especially IBT, in HCV-infected patients with stage 1-5 CKD.

METHODS

We analyzed 93894 Taiwanese adults diagnosed with CKD and without HBV infection. Of these, 4.9% were infected with HCV. Of the 4582 HCV-infected CKD patients, 482 (10.5%) received IBT (treated cohort). They were matched 1:4 with 1928 untreated HCV-infected CKD patients (untreated cohort) by propensity scores and year, which further matched 1:2 by propensity scores with 3856 CKD patients without HCV infection (uninfected cohort). All participants were followed until the occurrence of ESRD, death, or the end of 2012. The association between HCV infection, IBT use, and risks of ESRD and death was analyzed using competing risk analysis.

RESULTS

Taking the uninfected cohort as a reference, the adjusted hazard ratios for ESRD, after adjusting for competing mortality, were 0.34 (0.14-0.84, P = 0.019) and 1.28 (1.03-1.60, P = 0.029) in the treated and untreated cohorts, respectively. The treated cohort had a 29% (0.54-0.92, P = 0.011) decrease in mortality compared to the untreated cohort, in which the mortality was 31% (1.18-1.45, P < 0.001) higher than in the uninfected cohort. The reduced risks of ESRD (0.14, 0.03-0.58, P = 0.007) and death (0.57, 0.41-0.79, P = 0.001) were greatest in HCV-infected CKD patients who received at least 4 mo of IBT, which accounted for 74% of the treated cohort.

CONCLUSION

Adequate anti-HCV therapy in CKD patients improves long-term renal and patient survival.

Hepatitis C disease burden and strategies for elimination by 2030 in Brazil. A mathematical modeling approach

Introduction and aim

Hepatitis C is a key challenge to public health in Brazil. The objective of this paper was to describe the Brazilian strategy for hepatitis C to meet the 2030 elimination goal proposed by World Health Organization (WHO).

Methods

A mathematical modeling approach was used to estimate the current HCV-infected Brazilian population, and to evaluate the relative costs of two different scenarios to address HCV disease burden in Brazil: (1) if no further changes are made to the HCV treatment program in Brazil; (2) where the WHO targets for 2030 elimination are met through diagnosis and treatment efforts peaking before 2024.

Results

An anti-HCV prevalence of 0.53% was calculated for the total population. It was estimated that the number of HCV-RNA+ individuals in Brazil in 2017 was 632,000 (0.31% of the population). Scale-up of treatment and diagnosis over time will be necessary in order to achieve WHO targets beginning in 2018. Direct costs (diagnostic, treatment and healthcare costs) are projected to increase significantly during the scale-up of treatment and diagnosis in the initial years of the intervention scenario, but then fall below the base case on an annual basis by 2025–2036, once HCV is eliminated, due to health sectors savings from the prevention of HCV liver-related morbidity and mortality.

Conclusion

Achieving the WHO targets is technically feasible in Brazil with a scale-up of treatment and diagnosis over time, beginning in 2018. However, elimination of hepatitis C requires policy changes to substantially scale-up prevention, screening and treatment of HCV, together with public health advocacy to raise awareness among affected populations and healthcare providers.

Treatment and management options for the hepatitis C virus infected kidney transplant candidate

A substantial body of literature has unequivocally established that prevalent hepatitis C virus infection in chronic kidney disease (CKD), end stage renal disease (ESRD) and kidney transplant recipients is associated with a negative impact on patient survival. As a consequence of remarkable work that explained the details of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) genome, a class of drugs referred to as the direct-acting antiviral (DAA) agents were developed that targeted specific key sites in viral replication. Large clinical trials in the HCV-infected general population followed soon after that demonstrated cure rates exceeding 95%. Treatment paradigms have been further refined and expanded to populations of patients that were initially excluded from the large pivotal trials. This includes the CKD and ESRD patients for whom there are now safe and effective DAAs available as well. In this context, the focus of decision making has shifted from initially demonstrating safety and efficacy to now identifying which patient should receive therapy and at what point in their CKD/ESRD journey. The specific issue of timing of treatment is particularly relevant to the HCV-infected ESRD patient who is being considered for kidney transplantation. The option of treating with DAAs prior to the transplant or alternatively delaying therapy and treating in the posttransplant period will be influenced by several factors, including patient preference, the extent of liver injury, the availability of a living or deceased donor, and more recently the option of transplanting a kidney from HCV-positive donor. The latter has been associated with the advantage of shortened waiting times and expansion of the organ donor pool. The optimal timing and choice of therapy will be the result of a decision that has been individualized for each patient as a consequence of a process of clear communication involving the patient, primary care physician, nephrologist, gastroenterologist (GI)/hepatologist, and local transplant center.

Efficacy and Safety of Daclatasvir and Asunaprevir in Patients with Hepatitis C Virus Genotype 1b Infection on Hemodialysis

Background/Aims

We evaluated the efficacy and safety of daclatasvir (DCV) and asunaprevir (ASV) in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection on hemodialysis.

Methods;

We performed a single-arm, multicenter prospective study. Twenty-one chronic hemodialysis patients with HCV infection were prospectively enrolled from February 2016 to April 2017. We evaluated the virological responses at weeks 4, 12, and 24 (end of treatment [EOT]) and the sustained virological response at 12 weeks after the EOT (SVR12). The tolerability and safety of the drugs were also assessed.

Results

None of the 20 patients had the NS5A resistance-associated variant (NS5A RAV), and one patient was indeterminate for the NS5A RAV. Seventeen patients (80%) completed the 24 weeks of treatment with DCV and ASV. Four patients discontinued the study prior to week 12. In an intention-to-treat analysis, the SVR12 was 76.1%. In a per-protocol analysis, patients who completed DCV and ASV treatment achieved an SVR12 of 100%. DCV and ASV were well tolerated by the majority of patients. Three patients discontinued treatment due to adverse events (AEs) including dizziness, dyspnea, and neutropenia. The patient with indeterminate NS5A RAV showed viral breakthrough and discontinued treatment.

Conclusions

DCV and ASV combination therapy in chronic hemodialysis patients with HCV infection achieved a high SVR12 rate with few AEs. To maximize the SVR12 rate, it is important to identify candidates by baseline RAV testing. Close monitoring of the safety and tolerability of DCV and ASV may be necessary in HCV-infected patients on hemodialysis. (ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT02580474).

Efficacy of daclatasvir plus asunaprevir in patients with hepatitis C virus infection undergoing and not undergoing hemodialysis

AIM

To evaluate the virologic responses and clinical course of daclatasvir plus asunaprevir treatment in non-hemodialysis (non-HD) and hemodialysis (HD) patients infected with genotype 1 hepatitis C virus (HCV).

METHODS

A total of 1113 non-HD patients and 67 HD patients were assessed. To evaluate pretreatment factors contributing to sustained virological response at 12 weeks (SVR12), univariate and multivariate analyses were carried out. To adjust for differences in patient background, propensity score matching was undertaken.

RESULTS

The overall SVR12 rates were 91.6% in non-HD patients and 95.5% in HD patients. Compared with non-HD patients, HD patients were younger, were more likely to be male, were less likely to have received interferon-based pretreatment, had a lower viral load, and had lower levels of alanine transaminase, hemoglobin, and α-fetoprotein. Multivariate analysis revealed that viral load, α-fetoprotein, L31 substitution negative, and Y93 substitution negative were independent predictive factors for SVR12 in non-HD patients. The proportion of patients with undetectable HCV-RNA during the initial 4 weeks was significantly higher in HD patients than in non-HD patients. The SVR12 rate was clearly higher in HD patients than in non-HD patients, although the difference was not statistically significant. After propensity score matching to adjust for viral load, α-fetoprotein, L31 substitution, and Y93 substitution, these trends disappeared.

CONCLUSIONS

For treatment of HCV genotype 1 infection, daclatasvir plus asunaprevir is useful not only in non-HD patients but also in HD patients. Viral load, α-fetoprotein levels, L31 substitution, and Y93 substitution influence treatment course and outcome.

Efficacy and safety of ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir combination therapy for genotype 1b chronic hepatitis C patients complicated with chronic kidney disease

AIM

The aim of this study was to clarify the effects and safety of ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir (OBT/PTV/r) therapy in genotype 1b chronic hepatitis C patients with non-dialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD).

METHODS

This retrospective, multicenter study of 12-week OBT/PTV/r therapy included genotype 1b patients with non-dialysis CKD. Chronic kidney disease was defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60 mL/min/1.73 m² . Virologic responses and treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) in patients with CKD were compared with those in patients without CKD.

RESULTS

Two hundred and thirty-five patients with a median age of 67 years (range, 27-89 years) were enrolled, consisting of 181 patients without CKD and 54 patients with CKD. Overall, the rates of rapid virologic response (RVR), end of treatment response (ETR), and sustained virologic response (SVR) were 78.7%, 98.7%, and 98.7%, respectively. Among the 181 non-CKD patients, the rates were 77.3% (140/181), 98.9% (179/181), and 98.9% (179/181), respectively. Among the 54 CKD patients, the rates were 83.3% (45/54), 98.1% (53/54), and 98.1% (53/54), respectively. There were no significant differences in the virologic response rates between the two groups (P = 0.449 for RVR, 0.545 for ETR, and 0.545 for SVR). In the CKD group, the eGFR level did not significantly change throughout the treatment period. There was no significant difference in the incidence of TEAEs or treatment discontinuation due to TEAEs between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

The present study showed that the effects and safety of OBV/PTV/r therapy in genotype 1b chronic hepatitis C patients with non-dialysis CKD were not inferior to those in patients without CKD.

Performance of point of care assays for hepatitis B and C viruses in chronic kidney disease patients

AIMS

Point of care testing (POCT) has been used for hepatitis B and C diagnosis in general population, but little is known about the influence of clinical conditions in the accuracy of these assays. This study aims to evaluate the performance of POCTs for detection of hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibodies to Hepatitis C Virus (anti-HCV) in Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) patients.

METHODS

A total of 286 subjects were included in this study. HBsAg and anti-HCV were detected using commercial EIAs and four POCTs: HBsAg (WAMA Imuno-Rápido HBsAg and VIKIA HBsAg) and anti-HCV (DOLES HCV teste rápido and WAMA Imuno-Rápido anti-HCV) in serum and whole blood.

RESULTS

Using EIA, HBsAg and anti-HCV prevalence was 4.5% and 16.1% in CKD patients. HBsAg and anti-HCV POCTs had sensitivities from 92.3% to 100% and 84.8% to 89.1% while specificities were 99.3% to 100% and 99.2% to 99.6%, respectively. POCT using serum samples performed well compared with whole blood samples and true positive samples of POCTs had high optical density to cut-off (OD/CO) values compared with EIA.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates good performance of HBsAg and anti-HCV POCTs in CKD patients, especially in serum samples indicating low interference of this disease in the performance of these assays. POCTs could be an important tool for HBV and HCV screening in high-risk populations.

Transplantation Opportunities of Hepatitis C Virus-Seropositive Patients on the Kidney Waiting List

OBJECTIVE

Besides severe organ shortage, hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is an important obstacle for kidney transplantation because of long waiting times on deceased kidney donor waiting lists. We aimed to evaluate calling number of candidates according to HCV serology.

METHOD

A total of 404 adults on the deceased donor waiting list invited for cadaveric transplantation was evaluated. Demographic data, waiting time, calling number for transplantation, and viral serology were obtained during the 6-year period.

RESULTS

Mean waiting duration and calling number of all patients were 42.7 ± 34 months and 1.56 ± 4.37 times, respectively. Twenty-six candidates had chronic HCV infection and 12 of 26 were HCV RNA-positive. Mean waiting duration and calling number in anti-HCV-positive candidates were significantly higher compared with anti-HCV-negative candidates (85.3 ± 38.8 vs 39.8 ± 31.6 months, and 10.8 ± 10.3 vs 0.92 ± 2.6 times, respectively; P < .001). Mean waiting duration and total calling number in HCV-RNA-positive candidates were significantly higher than in HCV-RNA-negative ones (107.5 ± 7.5 vs 66.2 ± 44.8 months; P = .018; 15 ± 9.7 vs 7.3 ± 9.8 times, respectively; P = .026).

CONCLUSIONS

Chronic HCV infection is an important issue leading to longer waiting time on the list. Our observation showed that waiting durations of anti-HCV-positive candidates were longer than that of negative patients, although they had more frequent opportunity for transplantation.

Management of hepatitis C viral infection in chronic kidney disease patients on hemodialysis in the era of direct-acting antivirals

The advent of novel, direct-acting antiviral (DAA) regimens for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has revolutionized its treatment by producing a sustained virologic response of more than 95% with few side effects and no comorbidities in the general population. Until recently, ideal DAA regimens have not been available to patients with severe renal impairment and end-stage renal disease because there are limited data on the pharmacokinetics, safety, and efficacy of treatment in this unique population. In a hemodialysis context, identifying patients in need of treatment and preventing HCV transmission may also be a matter of concern. Recently published studies suggest that a combination of paritaprevir/ ritonavir/ombitasvir and dasabuvir, elbasvir/grazoprevir, or glecaprevir/pibrentasvir successfully treats HCV infection in chronic kidney disease stage 4 or 5 patients with or without hemodialysis.

A systematic review and meta-analysis: Does hepatitis C virus infection predispose to the development of chronic kidney disease?

We aimed to meta-analytically assess the predisposition of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection to the occurrence and severity of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Two authors independently searched articles and abstracted information. Odds ratio (OR) or hazard ratio (HR) along with 95% confidence interval (CI) was converged separately in 12 longitudinal (1,972,044 subjects) and 15 cross-sectional (937,607 subjects) studies. Overall effect estimate was remarkably significant in longitudinal studies (HR, 95% CI, P: 1.45, 1.23-1.71, < 0.001), in contrast to that in cross-sectional studies (OR, 95% CI, P: 1.25, 0.90-1.73, 0.188), with obvious heterogeneity (I² > 95%). HCV infection was also associated with an 1.54-fold (95% CI, P: 1.27-1.87, < 0.001) increased risk of having prevalent proteinuria. In longitudinal studies with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 60, < 30 and < 15 ml/min/1.73m², the corresponding HR was 1.39 (95% CI, P: 1.14-1.69, 0.001), 1.79 (0.91-3.51, 0.091) and 2.30 (1.26-4.19, 0.007). Further grouping the longitudinal studies by median follow-up time at 5 years revealed that the effect estimate was reinforced in long-term studies (HR, 95% CI, P: 1.86, 1.19-2.89, 0.006; I²=98.1%) relative to that in short-term studies (1.21, 1.03-1.43, 0.024; 92.0%). In conclusion, our findings demonstrate the significant risk of experiencing incident CKD after HCV infection, with the lower eGFR and longer HCV exposure time entailing a greater risk.

Daclatasvir and asunaprevir for genotype 1b chronic hepatitis C patients with chronic kidney disease

AIM

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of daclatasvir and asunaprevir combined therapy in genotype 1b chronic hepatitis C patients with non-dialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD).

METHODS

In a multicenter collaborative study, 249 patients received 60 mg daclatasvir (NS5A inhibitor) once a day and 100 mg of asunaprevir (NS3/4A protease inhibitor) twice a day for 24 weeks between September 2014 and September 2015 and were subjected to this analysis. Virological response and adverse events in non-dialysis patients with CKD (stage 3-5, excluding 5D: dialysis), which was defined as estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.73 m² , were compared with those in patients without CKD.

RESULTS

Overall, the rates of rapid viral response, end-of-treatment response, and sustained virological response (SVR) were 76.7%, 91.2%, and 86.3%, respectively. Among 55 patients with CKD, the rapid viral response, end-of-treatment response, and SVR rates were 76.4%, 87.3%, and 83.6%, respectively. Among 194 patients without CKD, they were 76.8, 92.3, and 87.1%, respectively. There were no significant differences in the virological response rates between the two groups (P = 0.999, 0.282, and 0.509, respectively). The baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate did not affect the achievement of SVR. The incidence of adverse events in patients with and without CKD were 21.8% and 13.9%, respectively (not significant, P = 0.142).

CONCLUSION

The efficacy and safety of daclatasvir and asunaprevir combined therapy in genotype 1b chronic hepatitis C patients with non-dialysis CKD are not inferior to those in patients without CKD.

Dual Organ Duel: The Hepatorenal Axis

Recent developments in our understanding of the pathogenesis of kidney disease in the setting of liver failure have highlighted that kidney injury, rather than occurring in isolation, is a marker of systemic disease and poor prognosis. The differential diagnosis of kidney disease associated with liver failure is broader than formerly described and new biopsy data, along with better acute kidney injury classification tools, have increased appreciation for distinct pathophysiological mechanisms. Evidence suggests that acute kidney injury contributes to worsening hepatic failure by directly injuring hepatic cells and by imposing restrictions on therapeutic strategies for portal hypertension. Furthermore, kidney injury limits the use of various therapeutic agents and increases their toxicity due to altered pharmacodynamics. A greater appreciation of CKD in this population is also overdue because management decisions are affected and increased vigilance may avoid further kidney injury. A multidisciplinary approach to kidney injury in the setting of liver failure will enable targeted therapeutic strategies that are safe and effective and serve to guide further research, while limiting clinical potential for harm. Finally, new hepatitis C antiviral therapies promise to change the landscape of liver failure, and a discussion of kidney risk factors and antiviral therapy of patients with kidney disease and hepatitis C is worthwhile.

Hepatitis C virus infection in maintenance hemodialysis patients: recommendations for diagnostics and treatment

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is highly prevalent among patients treated with maintenance hemodialysis and is an important cause of morbidity and mortality. It is necessary to determine the HCV genotype and the viral load to monitor the clinical and laboratory features and to establish an optimal antiviral treatment strategy. Antiviral treatments are presented with a standard interferon-based regimen and new direct-acting antiviral agents. The advent of direct-acting antivirals has improved the efficacy and safety of HCV treatment for most patients, even in difficult-to-treat populations such as patients on hemodialysis. HCV treatment with direct-acting antivirals in hemodialysis patients is highly effective, with viral eradication rates similar to those seen in patients without chronic kidney disease and with acceptable adverse event profiles.

The occurrence of autoantibodies in patients with chronic HCV infection, including patients dialyzed and after kidney transplantation

Introduction

There are reports suggesting that hepatitis C virus (HCV) may stimulate the autoimmune process. Studies have been undertaken to evaluate the occurrence and type of autoantibodies in HCV-infected patients with and without immunosuppression. Results were analyzed according to HCV genotype, intensity of inflammation and liver fibrosis stage.

Material and methods

The study included 105 patients chronically infected with HCV, including 25 with immunological suppression administered for kidney disease or kidney transplantation. Blood samples were tested by immunoblotting for the presence of AMA-M2, SLA/LP, LKM-1, LC1, anti-F-actin, anti-desmin, anti-myosin, anti-gp210 and anti-sp100 autoantibodies, and ANA. All the patients were scored for autoimmune hepatitis.

Results

Autoantibodies were detected in 32.5% of patients without immunosuppression and in 16% with immunosuppression. Single types of autoantibodies were identified in 26% of patients. The most frequent ones were ANA (19%) and AMA-M2 (5.7%). The presence of antibodies in patients with genotype 1 was significantly higher in comparison to their occurrence in genotype 3. Autoimmune hepatitis was not diagnosed in any of the patients. Immunoglobulin G level was significantly higher in patients with detectable autoantibodies, compared to patients without antibodies (1.89 vs. 1.28 g/dl, p < 0.001). No correlation between fibrosis stage or intensity of inflammatory state and the frequency of antibodies was found.

Conclusions

The antibodies are significantly more frequent in patients without immunosuppression and in patients infected with genotype 1 than genotype 3. The presence of these autoantibodies is not associated with the development of autoimmune hepatitis. Higher level of immunoglobulin G in the serum correlates with the presence of autoantibodies.

Direct-acting antivirals for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C in patients with chronic kidney disease

All-oral, direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) have significantly improved the efficacy and safety of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) treatment but their effectiveness and safety among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains poorly understood. Our aim was to assess the efficacy and safety of DAAs for treatment of CKD patients. The National Library of Medicine through PubMed was searched for studies evaluating the efficacy of DAAs for the treatment of patients with CKD stages 4 or 5, as defined by the Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative guidelines [i.e. glomerular filtration rate (GFR) 15-29 ml/min per 1.73 m² and GFR <15 ml/min per 1.73 m², respectively, or hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis]. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and relevant cohort studies were included if they were published in English and included sustained viral response after 12 weeks (SVR12) as a primary or secondary endpoint. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, eight studies (one RCT and seven cohort studies) following 350 patients were selected. For patients with CKD stage 4 or 5, ± hemodialysis, the overwhelming majority of DAA regimens were well-tolerated and resulted in SVR12 rates of 90-100%. Most studies were small, with the exception of one RCT evaluating elbasvir and grazoprevir. Overall, treatment of CHC in patients with CKD is highly effective with SVR12 rates similar to those seen in patients without CKD and with acceptable adverse event profiles. In patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype (GT) 1a, 1b or 4 and Stage 4 or 5 CKD, the best evidence available is for the use of elbasvir and grazoprevir. This combination as well as the combination of paritaprevir/ritonavir/ombitasvir/dasabuvir for HCV GT-1b are recommended. More studies are needed to assess efficacy and adverse effects of DAAs and their impact on CKD patients and to fully elucidate the effect of curing CHC on the natural history and sequelae of renal disease in CHC patients with CKD.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms near IL28B gene and response to treatment of chronic hepatitis C in hemodialysis patients

BACKGROUND

It has been shown that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) near the interleukin 28B (IL28B) gene were associated with sustained virological response following standard antivirological treatment of chronic hepatitis C.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to evaluate the association between SNPs near the IL28B gene and response to the treatment of chronic hepatitis C in hemodialysis patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study group included 24 hemodialysis patients with chronic hepatitis C routinely treated with pegylated interferon α-2 a. HCV genotype 1 was the cause of chronic hepatitis C in all study participants. Sustained virological response was determined by an assay with a sensitivity of 20 IU/mL, 6 months after completion of the antivirological treatment. The genotyping of the three most widely studied IL28B gene polymorphisms (rs12979860, rs8099917, and rs12980275) was performed in all study participants.

RESULTS

Sustained virological response was achieved in 50% of the treated patients. The treatment response was significantly associated with the CC genotype of rs12979860, TT genotype of rs8099917, and AA genotype of rs12980275 (p = 0.003, p = 0.009, and p = 0.012, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

The three most widely studied SNPs near the IL28B gene were associated with sustained virological response following antivirological treatment of chronic hepatitis C in hemodialysis patients.