Real-World Virologic Response Rates and Prediction of Outcomes with Peginterferon Alfa-2a/Ribavirin in Hungarian HCV Genotype 1 Patients

Abstract

Aim: Dual peginterferon/ribavirin therapy remains a viable option for patients with chronic hepatitis C, because of the high cost of Direct-acting Antiviral Agents (DAA). We assessed real-life practice and treatment outcomes in Hungarian treatment-naive HCV genotype 1-infected patients who received peginterferon alfa-2a/ ribavirin treatment. Methods: This analysis of patients enrolled in Hungary as part of a large, multinational cohort study (PROPHESYS) included treatment-naive patients with HCV genotype 1 mono-infection who were prescribed peginterferon alfa-2a plus ribavirin. Results: Of 654 patients included in the analysis, 68% completed ≥ 80% of the planned duration of treatment (93% and 87% received ≥ 80% of the planned doses of peginterferon alfa-2a and ribavirin, respectively) and 23% stopped treatment prematurely because of the insufficient virologic response. Virologic response rates (HCV RNA < 50 IU/mL) were 20.3%, 55.2%, and 63.3% by Week 4, 12, and at the end of treatment (EOT), respectively, and a sustained virologic response 24 weeks post-treatment (SVR24) was achieved in 45.9% of patients. In patients with a virologic response at EOT, the relapse rate was 27.4%. SVR24 rates were 63% in patients who received ≥ 80% of the planned treatment and 55% in patients with lower exposure. Treatment was prolonged to ≥ 72 weeks in 51 patients with HCV RNA ≥ 50 IU/mL at Week 12, and < 50 IU/mL at Week 24, among whom the SVR24 rate was 35%. Conclusion: This analysis shows that SVR24 rates achieved in randomized trials can be reproduced in real-world settings by maintaining high rates of adherence and compliance with responseguided therapy.