Abstract
BackgroundTriple therapy including Telaprevir or Boceprevir still represents in many European countries the standard of care for patients with Hepatitis C Virus genotype 1 infection. The number of patients who received this treatment resulted generally lower than expected. We investigated, among naïve patients, number and characteristics of treatment candidates who were started on triple or dual therapy in comparison to those who were deferred.Patients and Methods621 naïve treatment candidates were prospectively evaluated at each center. Factors associated with decision to defer or treat with dual or triple therapy were investigated by univariate and multivariate analyses. Rates of Sustained Virological Response and safety profile were analysed.ResultsOf candidates to treatment, 33% did not received it. It was mostly due to high risk of Interferon-induced decompensation. Of 397 patients who were started on treatment, 266 (67%) received triple, 131 dual. Among patient receiving treatment, unfavorable IL28B, severe liver damage and higher albumin were independently associated with the physician decision to administer triple therapy. Sustained Virological Response after dual therapy was 66.4%, after triple 73.7% (p = 0.14). 142 patients received Telaprevir. The choice of Telaprevir-based therapy was associated with higher Body Mass Index and advanced liver disease. Sustained Virological Response rates were 71.1% after Telaprevir and 76.6% after Boceprevir.ConclusionsIndividualizing treatment with available regimens allows to maximize Sustained Virological Response and to reduce the number of patients who remain untreated. High proportion of patients with severe liver damage urgently need Interferon free treatment.
Highlights
Worldwide HCV infection affects more than 180 million people [1]
Unfavorable IL28B, severe liver damage and higher albumin were independently associated with the physician decision to administer triple therapy
Despite anticipated esteems of high numbers of candidates, patients treated with triple therapy (TT) including Telaprevir (TVR) or Boceprevir (BOC), yet representing the standard of care for HCV genotype 1 in many European countries, ranges from 44% to 49% of the expected numbers [4,5]
Summary
Worldwide HCV infection affects more than 180 million people [1]. In Italy, it is estimated that more than 1.4 million of people carry the virus [2]. Despite anticipated esteems of high numbers of candidates, patients treated with triple therapy (TT) including Telaprevir (TVR) or Boceprevir (BOC), yet representing the standard of care for HCV genotype 1 in many European countries, ranges from 44% to 49% of the expected numbers [4,5]. In Europe, in a single center study, half of treatment candidates were not started because of safety concerns [5] Both EU and US studies refer to a mixed population of prior treatment failures and naıve patients [4,5,6]. Triple therapy including Telaprevir or Boceprevir still represents in many European countries the standard of care for patients with Hepatitis C Virus genotype 1 infection. Among naıve patients, number and characteristics of treatment candidates who were started on triple or dual therapy in comparison to those who were deferred
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
