Efficacy and safety of sofosbuvir and daclatasvir for kidney transplantation patients with hepatitis C virus infection

Abstract

Objective To study the efficacy and safety of sofosbuvir and daclatasvir regimens for patients who received kidney transplantation (KT) with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Methods This study enrolled a prospective cohort of consecutive KT patients with HCV infection from March 2016 to January 2018 in the hepatology Department of the Second Hospital of Shandong University. They were given sofosbuvir combined with daclatasvir, with or without ribavirin. The course of treatment was 12 weeks or 24 weeks. Clinical assessment, conventional liver and kidney biochemical parameters, hemoglobin, serum HCV RNA, as well as the types of immunosuppressive drugs and their doses were assessed routinely as follows: at the beginning of treatment; 2, 4, and 8 wk post treatment; at the end of treatment (EOT); and at 12, 24 wk after the therapy was completed. Adverse events and adjustment of anti-rejection drugs were surveilled during the treatment period. Results A total of 13 patients were enrolled. All patients were naive to treatment. Their mean age was 46.84±7.79 years. There were 10 males and 3 females, 3 patients had cirrhosis (1 cases had decompensated cirrhosis), 10 patients had no cirrhosis. They were infected with HCV genotype 1 (6/13 GT1b), genotype 3 (2/13 GT3a) and genotype 6 (3/13 GT6a), and genotype 2 (2/13 GT2a). Twelve patients′ estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was > 30 ml/min per 1.73 m2 at the beginning of treatment, 1 patient′s eGFR was <30 ml/min·1.73 m2; 9 patients received 12 wk therapy, 4 patients received 24 wk therapy. Twelve patients had undetectable viral load by week 4 of treatment. All patients had undetectable HCV viral load at the end of treatment. Sustained virological response (SVR) 12 rate was achieved in 100% (13/13) of the recipients. The basic renal function remained stable during the course of treatment. No serious adverse events were observed during the treatment. Antiviral therapy was not discontinued due to side effects in any patient. Conclusions Sofosbuvir and daclatasvir for treatment of KT patients with HCV infection are highly effective and safe. Key words: Hepatitis C; Sofosbuvir; Daclatasvir; Kidney transplantation; Efficacy