Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C with Viral-Suppression linked to Restoration of Innate-Immune Responses with Induction-Therapy with n-IFN-beta followed by Simeprevir

Abstract

Complications associated with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection may be prevented by viral eradication. Response rates with direct-acting antivirals regimens are generally lower in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients who have failed to respond to previous interferon (IFN) treatments. HCV persistence in the host results from in efficient innate and adaptive immune responses. The resolution of a HCV infection may restore impairments in innate and adaptive immunities. Our previous study suggested that induction treatment with natural (n)-IFN-beta followed by maintenance treatment with n-IFN-alpha restored innate immune responses, as indicated by the significant increase of IL-12, and IL-15 and significant decrease of CXCL-8. Persistent virologic clearance and the restoration of innate immune responses with Simeprevir plus Pegylated (Peg) - IFN-alpha/ribavirin (RBV) were more likely to result in a sustained virologic response (SVR). On the basis of these findings, we conducted to treat a CHC patient with genotype 1b, a high viral load, a prior null response to IFN treatments and chronic active hepatitis with advanced fibrosis using induction therapy with n-IFN-beta followed by Simeprevir plus Peg- IFN-alpha-2b/RBV. This is the first case of difficult-to-treat CHC with genotype 1b, a high viral load, null response to previous IFN treatment and advanced hepatic fibrosis that was successfully treated with induction therapy using n-IFN-beta, which induced the viral clearance of serum HCV RNA, followed by Simeprevir plus Peg-IFN-alpha-2b/RBV. Persistent viral clearance linked to restoration of innate immune responses and SVR were achieved 12 weeks after cessation of the treatment without virologic breakthrough or relapse and sustained biochemical response. Anemia and thrombocytopenia were managed without discontinuation of the treatment. Induction therapy with n-IFN-beta followed by Simeprevir plus Peg-IFN-alpha-2b/RBV was tolerated well and only mild adverse effects were noted. It also effectively eradicated HCV infection in a difficult-to-treat CHC patient with advanced fibrosis.