IDWeek 2016: New Triple DAA Combo Cures 96%-99% of People with Genotype 1-6 Hepatitis C

A new 3-drug regimen of sofosbuvir, velpatasvir, and voxilaprevir, taken without ribavirin for 8 weeks, produced sustained virological response in 96% of previously untreated patients with all hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes, while a 12-week course cured 99% of treatment-experienced patients, researchers reported at the recent IDWeek meeting in New Orleans. Response rates dropped off, however, when treatment was shortened to 6 weeks.

Response-Guided DAA Triple Regimen May Cure Hepatitis C in as Little as 3 Weeks

Response-guided therapy using 3 direct-acting antivirals without ribavirin cured a majority of easier-to-treat genotype 1b hepatitis C patients in just 3 weeks, according to results from a small pilot study published in the October 2016 edition of The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology.

HIV Glasgow: Generic Hepatitis C Drugs Purchased Online Produce High Cure Rates

Use of generic versions of direct-acting antivirals for hepatitis C resulted in very high cure rates for people who obtained the products through 3 buyers’ clubs, indicating that the generic products are effective, according to a set of poster presentations at the International Congress on Drug Therapy in HIV Infection (HIV Glasgow) last week. People who purchased generic drugs were cured at a cost of around US$700-$900 in Southeast Asia and Eastern Europe, Andrew Hill of St. Stephen’s AIDS Trust reported.

HIV Coinfection Not a Risk Factor for Liver Fibrosis Progression in People with Hepatitis C

HIV coinfection is not associated with accelerated progression of liver fibrosis in people with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, according to U.S. research published in the October 15 edition of the Journal of Infectious Diseases. Factors linked with fibrosis progression were low fibrosis stage at baseline and flares in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels.

Over 1 Million People Have Been Treated with New Hepatitis Drugs, But Cost Remains a Barrier

More than 1 million people have now received hepatitis C treatment using the new highly effective and well-tolerated direct-acting antiviral agents despite their high cost, according to a report released this week by the World Health Organization. The Global Report on Access to Hepatitis C Treatment: Focus on Overcoming Barriers is available online.

Coverage of 5th International Symposium on Hepatitis Care in Substance Users (INHSU 2016)

HIVandHepatitis.com coverage of the 5th International Symposium on Hepatitis Care in Substance Users (INHSU 2016), September 7-9 in Oslo, Norway.

Highlights include hepatitis C treatment for people who inject drugs and people in prison, extra-hepatic manifestations of hepatitis C, and development of an HCV vaccine.

INHSU 2016 coverage listing

INHSU 2016 website

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New Triple Combo Cures Most DAA-Experienced and Hard-to-Treat Hepatitis C Patients Without Ribavirin

An investigational 3-drug coformulation from Gilead Sciences produced sustained virological response (SVR) in 95% to 97% of hard-to-treat hepatitis C patients in the Phase 3 POLARIS trials, including people who were previously treated with direct-acting antivirals and those with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 3 and compensated cirrhosis, according to a recent company announcement. Gilead plans to request Food and Drug Administration approval of the new combination by the end of the year.

EASL Paris: AbbVie 3D Regimen for 8 Weeks Cures Almost All HCV Genotype 1b Patients

AbbVie's paritaprevir-based 3D regimen taken for just 8 weeks without ribavirin led to sustained virological response in 98% of easier-to-treat non-cirrhotic patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1b, according to findings from the GARNET study, presented last week at the EASL special conference New Perspectives in Hepatitis C Virus Infection - The Roadmap for Cure in Paris.