HCV-RNA Decline Research Articles

EP08.01-088 Direct Acting Antivirals (DAA) and Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (ICIs) Therapy in Patients with Lung Cancer and Hepatitis C

Patients with cancer and viral hepatitis have usually been excluded from many clinical trials with ICIs. Therefore, the clinical impact of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in these patients has been poorly explored. DAA agents lead to a viral clearance of HCV in more than 90% of cases, and preclinical data correlated the decline of HCV-RNA at 14 days from the start of DAA therapy with the virological outcome (i.e. the sustained virological response [SVR], defined as undetectable HCV-RNA at 12 [SVR12] or 24 [SVR24] weeks from the end of the DAA therapy).

Resistant-Associated Substitutions Do Not Affect HCV RNA and HCV Core Antigen Clearance During Direct-Acting Antiviral Agent Treatment in a Real-World Setting.

BackgroundSince oral direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) became available, the global hepatitis C treatment situation has undergone tremendous changes. However there are still many issues worthy of attention in treatment.MethodsWe selected 53 HCV-infected patients who were treated and followed up in the Peking University First Hospital from December 2017 to January 2021 to detect the RASs in HCV. Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze HCV RNA and HCV cAg, the Fisher exact test and chi-square test was used to compare the effects of RASs on the rate of decline of HCV RNA and HCV core antigen (cAg) during DAA treatment.ResultsThe RASs and its prevalence on the NS3 are mainly Y56F 2.56% (1/39), Q80K 23.08% (9/39), S122G 71.79% (28/39), and V170I 38.46% (15/39). On the NS5A were R30Q 10.53% (4/38), P32A 5.26% (2/38), P58S 2.63% (1/39), and Y93H 21.05% (8/38). On NS5B were C316N 71.05% (27/38), C451H 2.63% (1/38), and I585C 2.63% (1/38). There was no significant correlation between the RASs (Y93H, V179I, Q80K, S122G, C316N) and HCV genotype (p > 0.05). The baseline serum HCV RNA and HCV cAg had a significant medium-degree correlation (r = 0.601, p = 0.002). After 1 week of DAA treatment was weak correlation (r = 0.413, p = 0.032). Q80K, S122G, V170I, Y93H, and C316N had no effect on the clearance of HCV RNA and HCV cAg within the first week of DAA treatment (p>0.05).ConclusionThe HCV genotype may have a limited impact on the presence of the five RASs (Y93H, V179I, Q80K, S122G, and C316N) as shown in this study. HCV RNA and HCV cAg have a correlation, especially at baseline is the highest; the appearance of some RASs has no effect on DAA treatment in most chronic hepatitis C patients.

The Impact of IL28B Gene Polymorphisms on Drug Responses

The Impact of IL28B Gene Polymorphisms on Drug Responses

A randomized, proof-of-concept clinical trial on repurposing chlorcyclizine for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C

Background & aimsChlorcyclizine HCl (CCZ) is a piperazine-class antihistamine with anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) activity in vitro and in vivo. In a first-in-humans study for HCV, we evaluated the antiviral effects and safety of CCZ±ribavirin (RBV), characterized pharmacokinetic (PK) and viral kinetic (VK) patterns, and provide insights into CCZs mode of action against HCV. MethodsChronic HCV patients were randomized to CCZ (75 mg twice daily) or CCZ+weight-based RBV (1000/1200 mg daily) for 28 days. Therapy started with a loading dose of CCZ 150 mg ± RBV. Serial assessments of safety, liver tests, PK and VK markers were obtained. Results24 HCV patients were treated; 54% male, median age 56 years, median HCV RNA 6.30 log IU/ml, without baseline differences between groups. At the end of therapy, subjects treated with CCZ monotherapy did not show any significant or sustained reduction in viremia (p = 0.69), whereas 7/12 (58%) subjects treated with CCZ+RBV had a >3-fold decline in HCV RNA. Subjects who responded demonstrated monophasic (n = 2), biphasic (n = 2) and triphasic (n = 3) VK responses. Contrary to historical RBV monotherapy response, CCZ+RBV demonstrated a continued viral decline suggesting a possible synergistic effect of CCZ+RBV. Mathematical modeling predicts a median effectiveness of CCZ+RBV in blocking viral production (ε) of 59% (Interquartile range, IQR: 50%) and blocking infection (η) of 78% (IQR: 23%). Adverse events (AEs) were mild-moderate without treatment discontinuations for AEs. ConclusionsIn this human pilot study, CCZ demonstrated some anti-HCV effects, mostly in combination with RBV. More potent CCZ derivatives with optimal PK features may be more suitable for future therapeutic development. ClinicalTrials.gov number: NCT02118012.

Direct acting antiviral agent for Chinese patients with chronic hepatitis C genotype 1b infection——a real world experience

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of direct-acting antiviral agents (DAA) treatment in Chinese chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients with genotype (GT) 1b HCV infection in a real world setting. Methods The consecutive GT1b CHC Chinese patients treated with sofosbuvir (SOF) plus daclatasvir (DCV) (n=62) or SOF plus ledipasvir (LDV) (n=171) were enrolled from July 2014 to December 2016 at 302 Military Hospital of China. The treatment duration for all the patients was 12 weeks. All the clinical parameters were measured at baseline and then 4-weekly till 12 weeks after the end-of-treatment (EOT). Baseline clinical characteristics, treatment efficacy, safety and tolerance were compared. Serum HCV RNA concentration was detected by means of COBAS TaqMan assay with a lower detection limit of 15 IU/mL, and liver stiffness was measured using FibroScan®. Sustained virologic response (SVR) was defined as HCV RNA under the lower limit of quantification 12 weeks after EOT (SVR12). Students′ t-test, pearson χ2 test, Spearman rank correlation analysis and Fisher exact test were used for comparison between groups when appropriate. Results Among 233 patients, 173 cases had baseline HCV RNA level ≥6.0 lg IU/mL and 97 cases hade liver stiffness measurement (LSM)≥17.5 kPa. The baseline liver inflamation, liver fibrosis, and HCV RNA load of patients in the two groups were not significantly different (all P>0.05). The HCV RNA of all the 233 patients was undetectable at the end of 12-week treatment, while 2 patients relapsed after 12 weeks of EOT with the overall SVR12 of 99.1%. HCV RNA decline was significantly faster in patients with lower LSM than those with higher LSM (ρ=0.233, P=0.001), and SVR12 was higher in those with lower LSM. In terms of other clinical characteristics of SOF+ DCV and SOF+ LVD groups, alanine transaminase declined from (68.0±60.1) and (70.1±56.1) U/L to (21.1±10.9) U/L and (15.3±9.5) U/L, respectively, total bilirubin declined from (21.3±17.3) and (18.2±14.0) μmol/L to (13.2±6.7) and (10.2±4.6) μmol/L, respectively, AFP declined from 19.6 (10.6, 62.3) and 15.0 (12.0, 25.0) μg/L to 6.5(4.5, 18.7) and 7.8(5.3, 15.4) μg/L, respectively, LSM declined from 17.6 (8.9, 25.4) and 15.7 (7.8, 23.9) kPa to 13.9(6.5, 21.4) and 9.1(5.6, 19.9) kPa, respectively, serum album elevated form (37.5±5.8) and (38.7±5.5) g/L to (41.3±4.7) and (42.8±5.1) g/L, respectively, platelet elevated from (120.9±78.2) ×109/L and (136.6±65.8)×109/L to (139.5±71.8)×109/L and (149.7±71.4)×109/L, respectively. Reports of adverse events were low in both groups. Conclusions Both SOF+ DCV and SOF/LDV therapy are highly effective with >98% of SVR12 and reduce LSM value significantly with good safety for CHC GT1b Chinese patients. Key words: Hepatitis C, chronic; Treatment; Direct-acting antiviral agents

I-105 Advances in HCV-associated hepatocellular carcinoma

Over the past two decades, the incidence of HCC has more than tripled in the United States, and this alarming trend is due primarily, if not exclusively, to HCV infection. However, the role of HCV in hepatocarcinogenesis is still unknown. Whether HCV elicits liver cancer indirectly through chronic inflammation and fibrosis, or directly through the expression of viral proteins in a manner analogous to other human oncogenic viruses, remains to be established. In particular, there is limited information on the level of HCV replication within malignant hepatocytes and the molecular interactions between virus and tumor. We found a significant decrease in HCV RNA in the tumor compared to surrounding non-tumorous tissues, whereas no differences were observed in multiple areas of control non-HCC cirrhotic livers. Diminished HCV replication was not associated with changes in miR-122 expression. Tracking of individual variants demonstrated changes in viral population between tumorous and non-tumorous areas, the extent of which correlated with the decline in HCV RNA, suggesting HCV compartmentalization within the tumor. In contrast, compartmentalization was not observed between non-tumorous areas and serum, nor in controls between different areas of the cirrhotic liver or between liver and serum. Our findings indicate that HCV replication within the tumor is restricted, with viral compartmentalization suggesting segregation of specific viral variants in malignant hepatocytes. Our results provide new insights for understanding the role of HCV in HCC and may give new impetus to investigate whether malignant hepatocytes express or more likely have lost expression of factors that restrict viral replication.

Short article: Viral dynamics among hepatitis C virus chronic infected patients during direct-acting antiviral agents therapy: impact for monitoring and optimizing treatment duration.

Direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) have provided an ultimate treatment duration of 12 weeks for most hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients. The opportunity to reduce treatment duration to 6 or 8 weeks is being evaluated. Here, the HCV viral dynamics at short times during HCV therapies and its implications for monitoring and optimizing treatment duration have been assessed. HCV chronic infected patients who began HCV therapy (March 2014 to June 2015) at a reference hospital of the Northwest of Spain were selected. HCV-RNA was quantified at different short time points during HCV therapy using Abbott RealTime HCV assay. Epidemiological, clinical, and virological data were recorded. Eleven HCV-infected patients were included; 90.9% had cirrhosis (>12.5 kPa) and 72.7% were treatment-experienced. HCV genotype 1b was the most prevalent (72.7%). All of the combinations were pegylated interferon-free and all included ribavirin. The median HCV-RNA (log IU/ml) at baseline was 5.8 (5.4-6.1); the decline between baseline and day 3, weeks 4, 8, and 12 was 3.2, 4.8, 5.1, and 5.6, respectively. Fewer than 50% of patients achieved undetectable viral load at weeks 4 and 8; however, all patients achieved a sustained virologic response at 12 weeks. Rapid and high HCV-RNA decline was observed among HCV-infected patients under DAA-based regimens, especially for those without cirrhosis. Despite low rates of patients with undetectable HCV-RNA at weeks 4 and 8, all achieved a sustained virologic response at 12 weeks. These findings suggest that the time points to monitor HCV-RNA during DAA therapies and the treatment duration need to be optimized.

Viability of pegIFNα-RBV for CHC in the direct acting antiviral era: a practical algorithm between efficacy and cost containment

The classical pegylated interferon α (peg-IFNα) and ribavirin (RBV) treatment of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) is progressively being replaced by new direct acting antivirals, whose costs remain a major barrier to widespread use. Using baseline data and viral kinetics, we developed a predictive algorithm to allocate to DAA patients who are not going to respond to peg-IFNα/RBV. This prospective study evaluated 205 CHC patients treated with peg-IFNα/RBV. HCVRNA kinetics during the initial 3 days of therapy and baseline variables including age, genotype, fibrosis and ALTs were used to construct a prediction rule in terms of sustained virological response (SVR). One hundred and twenty-one patients achieved an SVR (59%). Variables independently associated with SVR were HCVRNA, ALT, glycaemia, viral genotype, and fibrosis. The decline of viremia from baseline to 48/72 h was significantly different in SVR compared to non-SVR patients (2.2 vs. 0.65 log10 IU/mL; p < 0.001), and was influenced by viral genotype, levels of ALT, stage of fibrosis and IL28B polymorphism. In genotype 1, HCVRNA decline <0.8 logs had a negative predictive value of 90%, and in genotype 2, HCVRNA decline >1.2 logs had a positive predictive value of 92%. A combination of HCVRNA kinetics and a score based on pre-treatment parameters was highly accurate in predicting SVR in most patients. Outcome of peg-IFNα/RBV treatment may be predicted combining evaluation of baseline variables and HCVRNA kinetics. This allows to individualize treatment, reserving newer and more expensive DAAs to CHC patients who are in most need of them.

Addition of boceprevir to PEG-interferon/ribavirin in HIV-HCV-Genotype-1-coinfected, treatment-experienced patients: efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics data from the ANRS HC27 study

Background: Scarce data exist on the efficacy and safety of the PEGylated-interferon/ribavirin/boceprevir regimen in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients who failed to respond to PEGylated-interferon/ribavirin treatment.Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of this drug regimen and the impact of the addition of boceprevir(BOC) on atazanavir (ATV) or raltegravir (RAL) pharmacokinetic parameters in a subgroup of patients.Methods: In this single-arm phase 2 trial, HIV-1/HCV-genotype-1-coinfected patients received PEGylated-interferonα2b (1.5 μg/kg/week)+ ribavirin (800–1400 mg/day) alone until W4 and with BOC(800 mgTID) until W48. Based on virologic response at W8, the three drugs were stopped or PEGylated-interferon/ribavirin was continued alone until W72. The primary endpoint was SVR at W24 off-therapy (SVR24). Results: 64 patients were included. SVR24 was achieved in 53% of patients (CI90%: 43–63%) and in 90% of previous relapsers. In univariate analysis, SVR24 was associated with response to previous HCV treatment, HCV-1b subtype, HCV-RNA decline, ribavirin-Ctrough at W4, and HCV-RNA at W8 but not to fibrosis score, IL28B genotype, or boceprevir-Ctrough at W8. In multivariate analysis, SVR24 remained associated with response to previous HCV treatment [non-responders versus null responders: OR = 5.0(1.3–20.0); relapsers vs. null responders: OR = 28.8(4.9–169.5)]. HCV treatment was discontinued for adverse events in 17% of patients. A 51% decrease in ATV/r-AUC0–8 h (p < 0.01) and a 57% increase in RAL-AUC0–8 h (p < 0.01) were observed, although atazanavir/r or raltegravir did not affect BOC-AUC0–8 h significantly. The ATV mean Cthrough fell from 763.8 ng/mL (CI 95%: 230.3–1297.3) without BOC to 507.7 ng/mL (CI 95%: 164–851.4) with BOC.Conclusions: Boceprevir-based regimen demonstrated a high SVR24 rate in treatment-experienced HIV-HCV genotype-1-coinfected relapsers.

Protease inhibitors partially overcome the interferon nonresponse phenotype in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

The outcome of triple therapy with protease inhibitors (PI) depends on the intrinsic response to interferon. Interferon-stimulated gene (ISG) expression differs by cell type in the liver and is a strong predictor of interferon responsiveness. Patients who respond well to interferon have low/absent ISG expression in hepatocytes but significant ISG expression in macrophages. Nonresponders (NRs) show the opposite pattern. We aimed to determine the association between cell-type-specific ISG staining and treatment outcome with PI-based triple therapy. Liver biopsy tissue from consecutive patients treated with boceprevir or telaprevir with peginterferon and ribavirin was stained for myxovirus A (MxA). Staining was scored 0-3 in macrophages (M-MxA) and hepatocytes (H-MxA), and IL28B genotyping was performed. Of 56 patients included 41 achieved SVR (73%) (sustained virological response), 2 (4%) relapsed, 10 (18%) were NRs, and 3 (5%) were lost to follow-up. Median M-MxA staining was stronger and H-MxA staining was weaker in patients who achieved SVR. MxA staining correlated with IL28B genotype and with the HCV RNA decline during lead-in phase. However, unlike with dual therapy, the negative predictive value (NPV) of absent or weak M-MxA staining was poor (42%), while the positive predictive value improved (93%). Although by multivariable logistic regression M-MxA staining was significantly associated with SVR (OR 4.35, 1.32-14.28, P = 0.012), the predictive ability was inadequate to withhold therapy. The interaction between macrophages and hepatocytes plays a critical role in interferon responsiveness; however, the addition of a PI at least partially overcomes the interferon nonresponse phenotype making the predictive ability of ISG staining less clinically useful.

High-Dose Ribavirin Enhances Early Virological Response in Hepatitis C Genotype 1-Infected Patients.

The aim of the study was to investigate whether patients with a previous nonresponse to standard of care treatment with ribavirin dosed according to body weight would respond to a high individualized dose of concentration-monitored ribavirin. Previous nonresponders to standard of care treatment with peginterferon (peg-IFN) and ribavirin were included. Ribavirin was dosed aiming at a plasma concentration of >15 μmol/L. The initial ribavirin dose was calculated from a formula based on renal function and body weight. Erythropoietin treatment was started 2 weeks before antiviral therapy. Twenty patients (16 men and 4 women) with a mean age of 52 years were included. Sixty percent had advanced fibrosis. Eighty percent of patients achieved an early viral response, and 60% were negative for hepatitis C virus ribonucleic acid (HCV RNA) at treatment week 24. High-dose ribavirin resulted in a significantly increased HCV RNA drop at week 12 (mean: 3.13 versus 2.05 IU/mL; P < 0.001). Nine patients were negative for HCV RNA at the end of treatment, and 1 achieved sustained viral response. The final steady-state daily dose of ribavirin varied from 1400 to 4400 mg. Hemoglobin levels decreased during treatment, mean Hb 163, 134, and 110 g/L at week 0, 4, and 12, respectively. Two patients received blood transfusions. No other severe adverse events were recorded. An individualized high ribavirin dose resulted in a more pronounced early viral HCV RNA decline than a standard-dose ribavirin scheme. This regime is safe provided that close monitoring of anemia is undertaken and that treatment with erythropoietin is given.

Modelling hepatitis C therapy--predicting effects of treatment.

Mathematically modelling changes in HCV RNA levels measured in patients who receive antiviral therapy has yielded many insights into the pathogenesis and effects of treatment on the virus. By determining how rapidly HCV is cleared when viral replication is interrupted by a therapy, one can deduce how rapidly the virus is produced in patients before treatment. This knowledge, coupled with estimates of the HCV mutation rate, enables one to estimate the frequency with which drug resistant variants arise. Modelling HCV also permits the deduction of the effectiveness of an antiviral agent at blocking HCV replication from the magnitude of the initial viral decline. One can also estimate the lifespan of an HCV-infected cell from the slope of the subsequent viral decline and determine the duration of therapy needed to cure infection. The original understanding of HCV RNA decline under interferon-based therapies obtained by modelling needed to be revised in order to interpret the HCV RNA decline kinetics seen when using direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs). There also exist unresolved issues involving understanding therapies with combinations of DAAs, such as the presence of detectable HCV RNA at the end of therapy in patients who nonetheless have a sustained virologic response.

Modelling the interaction between danoprevir and mericitabine in the treatment of chronic HCV infection.

Modelling HCV RNA decline kinetics under therapy has proven useful for characterizing treatment effectiveness. Here we model HCV viral kinetics (VK) in 72 patients given a combination of danoprevir, a protease inhibitor, and mericitabine, a nucleoside polymerase inhibitor, for 14 days in the INFORM-1 trial. A biphasic VK model with time-varying danoprevir and mericitabine effectiveness and Bliss independence for characterizing the interaction between both drugs provided the best fit to the VK data. The average final antiviral effectiveness of the drug combination varied between 0.998 for 100 mg three times daily of danoprevir and 500 mg twice daily of mericitabine and 0.9998 for 600 mg twice daily of danoprevir and 1,000 mg twice daily of mericitabine. Using the individual parameters estimated from the VK data collected over 2 weeks, we were not able to reproduce the low sustained virological response rates obtained in a more recent study where patients were treated with a combination of mericitabine and ritonavir-boosted danoprevir for 24 weeks. This suggests that drug-resistant viruses emerge after 2 weeks of treatment and that longer studies are necessary to provide accurate predictions of longer treatment outcomes.

P0858 : Early HCV RNA decline by baseline characteristics in HCV infected patients receiving sofosbuvir-based treatment: An Italian single center experience

P0858 : Early HCV RNA decline by baseline characteristics in HCV infected patients receiving sofosbuvir-based treatment: An Italian single center experience

Safety and efficacy of boceprevir/peginterferon/ribavirin for HCV G1 compensated cirrhotics: Meta-analysis of 5 trials

HCV-infected cirrhotics may urgently need therapy but are often under-represented in clinical trials resulting in limited data to guide their management. We performed a meta-analysis of well-compensated cirrhotic patients from five Phase 3 trials. Patients received P/R (peginterferon/ribavirin; 4 weeks) followed by BOC (boceprevir)/P/R or P/R for 24, 32, or 44 weeks. Sustained virologic response (SVR) rates were calculated by Metavir score. Multivariate logistic regression (MLR) models identified baseline and on-treatment predictors of SVR. Safety was evaluated by adverse-event (AE) reporting and laboratory monitoring. Pooled meta-estimates for SVR rates (95% confidence interval) in 212 F4 (cirrhotic) patients were 55% (43, 66) with BOC/P/R vs.17% (0, 41) with P/R. MLR identified 4 predictors of SVR in F3/F4 patients: undetectable HCV-RNA at treatment week (TW) 8; ⩾ 1 log10 decline in HCV-RNA from baseline at TW4; male; and baseline HCV-RNA ⩽ 800,000 IU/ml. SVR rate was 89% (65/73) in F4 patients who were HCV-RNA undetectable at TW8. No F3 (0/5) or F4 (0/17) patients with <3 log10 decline and detectable HCV-RNA at TW8 achieved SVR. Anemia and diarrhea occurred more frequently in cirrhotic than non-cirrhotic patients. Serious AEs, discontinuations due to an AE, interventions to manage anemia, infections, and thrombocytopenia occurred more frequently in cirrhotics with BOC/P/R than P/R. Potential hepatic decompensation and/or sepsis were identified in 2 P/R and 3 BOC/P/R recipients. BOC/P/R appears to have a generally favorable benefit-risk profile in compensated cirrhotic patients. SVR rates were particularly high in cirrhotic patients with undetectable HCV-RNA at TW8.

P1203 EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF TELAPREVIR-BASED TRIPLE THERAPY IN HIV/HCV COINFECTED VERSUS HCV MONOINFECTED PATIENTS: A MATCHED-COHORT STUDY

studied the correlation between the kinetics of HCVcAg and HCV-RNA decline and their diagnostic performances for prediction of sustained virological response (SVR). Methods: 125 genotype 1 CHC pts (78.4% males; 78.4% 1b; 62.4% naive; 59.2% F3–F4), treated with PeginterferonRibavirin (P/R) were tested at 0–2–4–7–14–21–28–84 days during therapy for HCV-RNA (Cobas, Roche) and HCVcAg (ARCHITECT, Abbott). Results: HCVcAg and HCV-RNA serum levels strongly correlated at baseline and during therapy (p < 0.001). Their baseline levels were not influenced by sex, age, subtype, IL28B, basal ALT and steatosis. Overall 54 (43.2%) pts had SVR, 25 (20%) of them with a rapid virologic response (RVR: HCV-RNA <25 IU/mL at day 28). The diagnostic performances in predicting SVR of RVR and of undetectable HCVcAg at different time points are reported in the table.

Analysis of Hepatitis C Viral Kinetics during Administration of Two Nucleotide Analogues: Sofosbuvir (Gs-7977) and Gs-0938

Sofosbuvir (GS-7977) and GS-0938 are nucleotide analogue HCV polymerase inhibitors, with sofosbuvir being a pyrimidine and GS-0938 being a purine. Mathematical modelling has provided important insights for characterizing HCV RNA decline and for estimating the in vivo effectiveness of single direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs); however it has not been used to characterize viral kinetics with combination DAA therapy. We evaluated the antiviral activity of sofosbuvir and GS-0938 given alone and in combination for 14 days in 32 HCV genotype 1 treatment-naive patients (P2938-0212; NUCLEAR study). Viral load declined rapidly in a biphasic manner in all subjects and could be well fitted by assuming that both drugs had a similar and additive level of effectiveness in reducing viral production equal to 99.96%, on average. The model predicted that this level of effectiveness was not reached until 0.6 and 2 days for GS-0938 and sofosbuvir, respectively, and likely represents the time needed to accumulate intracellular triphosphates. Subsequently, both drugs led to a rapid second phase of viral decline with a mean rate of 0.35 d(-1). No effect of IL28B-polymorphism was found on viral kinetic parameters. Both sofosbuvir and GS-0938 are highly effective at blocking viral production from HCV-infected cells. Both drugs led to a rapid and consistent second phase viral decline and exhibited no breakthroughs or other signs of resistance. From a kinetics perspective, because both drugs were of the same class there was little benefit in combining them, suggesting that future DAA combinations should consider utilizing drugs with different modes of action.

Patterns of viral load decline with telaprevir-based therapy in patients with genotype 1 chronic HCV infection

BackgroundTelaprevir-based therapy is associated with rapid decline in HCV RNA, enabling the application of early futility rules. ObjectivesTo familiarize physicians with this paradigm, a comprehensive analysis of the most frequent HCV viral load profiles observed during treatment with telaprevir/Peg-IFN/RBV in Phase III trials is provided. DesignHCV RNA profiles were analyzed from 320 HCV genotype 1 treatment-naïve patients enrolled in the ADVANCE study, and 225 prior Peg-IFN/RBV treatment-experienced patients enrolled in the REALIZE study. Patients received 12 weeks of telaprevir with either 24 or 48 weeks of Peg-IFN alfa-2a/RBV. Patients with missing SVR assessments during follow-up, detectable HCV RNA at end of treatment but who did not have viral breakthrough (vBT), or with early vBT who discontinued telaprevir before time of failure were excluded. ResultsAll analyzed patients experienced a rapid decline in HCV RNA (>2.0 log10) by Day 14, irrespective of baseline characteristics and/or prior response to Peg-IFN/RBV (relapse, partial response and null response). Subsequently, HCV RNA continued to decline to undetectable levels in most patients. These patients went on to have one of the following outcomes: sustained virologic response, late vBT (after Week 12, i.e. during the Peg-IFN/RBV phase), or relapse. In the small subset of patients with early vBT or meeting a futility rule before Week 12, HCV RNA usually never became undetectable and/or increased rapidly after reaching the nadir. ConclusionsHCV RNA profiles with telaprevir/Peg-IFN/RBV are different from those with Peg-IFN/RBV alone. It is important that clinicians understand these HCV RNA profiles and monitor patient viral load in order to apply futility rules correctly.

Boceprevir for chronic HCV genotype 1 infection in patients with prior treatment failure to peginterferon/ribavirin, including prior null response

Boceprevir with peginterferon/ribavirin (BOC/PR) leads to significantly higher sustained virological response (SVR) rates in patients with chronic hepatitis C and partial response or relapse after prior treatment with peginterferon/ribavirin. We studied the efficacy of BOC/PR in patients with prior treatment failure, including those with a null response (<2-log10 decline in HCV RNA), to peginterferon/ribavirin. Patients in the control arms of boceprevir Phase 2/3 studies who did not achieve SVR were re-treated with BOC/PR for up to 44 weeks. Patients enrolling >2 weeks after end-of-treatment in the prior study received PR for 4 weeks before adding boceprevir. Of 168 patients enrolled, four discontinued from the PR lead-in and 164 received BOC/PR. Baseline viral load was >800,000 IU/ml in 77% of patients; 62% had HCV genotype 1a, and 10% were cirrhotic. In the ITT analysis (all 168 patients), SVR was achieved in 20 (38%) of 52 patients with prior null response, 57 (67%) of 85 with prior partial response, and 27 (93%) of 29 with prior relapse. In the mITT analysis (164 BOC/PR-treated patients), SVR rates were 41% (20/49), 67% (57/85), and 96% (27/28), respectively. SVR was achieved by 48% of patients with <1-log10 decline in HCV-RNA after lead-in and 76% of those with ⩾ 1-log10 decline or undetectable HCV-RNA after lead-in. The most common adverse events were anemia (49%), fatigue (48%), and dysgeusia (35%); 8% of patients discontinued due to adverse events. Re-treatment with BOC/PR improved SVR rates in all patient subgroups, including those with prior null response.

Pretreatment Predictive Factors for Hepatitis C Therapy Outcome: Relevance of Anti-E1E2 Antibodies Compared to Ip-10 and Il28B Genotypes

Unique serum anti-E1E2 antibodies were shown to be associated with spontaneous recovery or predictive of sustained virological response (SVR) in patients with chronic hepatitis C receiving pegylated interferon/ribavirin (PEG-IFN/RBV) therapy. The objectives were to establish the relationship between pretreatment anti-E1E2 titres and HCV RNA kinetics during PEG-IFN/RBV therapy, and to examine whether the combined determination of interleukin (IL)28B rs12979860 and rs8099917, pretreatment inducible protein (IP)-10 levels and/or anti-E1E2 improved the prediction of SVR. Sera from 26 treatment-naive consecutive HCV patients treated with PEG-IFN/RBV for 48 weeks were analysed. Serum anti-E1E2 titres and pretreatment IP-10 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The IL28B variants were determined using genotyping real-time polymerase chain reaction method. Viral decline was measured at weeks (W) 4 and 12 and SVR assessed 6 months after the end of therapy. Baseline anti-E1E2 titres were correlated with HCV RNA decline at W4 and W12 and were highly predictive of SVR with 100% of patients negative for anti-E1E2 failing to achieve SVR. Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses indicate that the best prediction of SVR (AUC 0.990) was obtained with the combination of anti-E1E2 and IP-10 levels. Predictive values were better than those obtained with IP-10 alone or in combination with IL28B variants. Pretreatment serum anti-E1E2 response predicts HCV RNA clearance kinetics and treatment outcome. The combination of anti-E1E2 and IP-10 significantly improved the prediction of treatment response. This warrants further investigation and validation on larger cohorts of patients in the context of new therapeutic strategies.