Sunday, April 30, 2017

Penn team eradicates hepatitis C in 10 patients following lifesaving transplants from infected donors

A transplant and a cure: Penn team eradicates hepatitis C in 10 patients following lifesaving transplants from infected donors

Penn study results point to potential for hundreds more transplants each year

University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
CHICAGO -- Ten patients at Penn Medicine have been cured of the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) following lifesaving kidney transplants from deceased donors who were infected with the disease. The findings point to new strategies for increasing the supply of organs for the nation's more than 97,000 patients who are awaiting kidney transplants - often for as many as five or more years.

In 2016, Penn Medicine launched an innovative clinical trial to test the effect of transplanting kidneys from donors with HCV into patients currently on the kidney transplant waitlist who do not have the virus, and who opt in to receive these otherwise unused organs. Recipients were then treated with an antiviral therapy in an effort to cure the virus. Early data from the study were presented today by David S. Goldberg, MD, MSCE, an assistant professor of Medicine and Epidemiology in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, at the 2017 American Transplant Congress in Chicago, and were simultaneously published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

"We started this trial in the hopes that, if successful, we could open up an entirely new pool of donor organs, and effectively transplant hundreds, if not thousands, more patients who are awaiting a lifesaving organ," Goldberg said. "Historically, Hepatitis C-infected kidneys were often discarded, and were thought to be damaged or too 'high-risk.' Our pilot data demonstrate the ability to cure the contracted virus following transplantation in this patient population. If future studies are successful, this may be a viable option for patients who may otherwise never see a transplant."

Goldberg, who co-led the study with Peter Reese, MD, MSCE, an assistant professor of Medicine and Epidemiology at Penn and chair of the Ethics Committee for the United Network of Organ Sharing (UNOS), approached and enrolled participants who relied on dialysis treatments to stand in for their damaged kidneys. Participants were between 40 and 65 years of age and had been waiting for a transplant for at least a year and a half. A three-step process of education and consent was used during pre-enrollment to ensure patients, and their loved ones were provided with a comprehensive understanding of the risks. Once enrolled, and as organs became available, the team performed HCV donor genotyping during the allocation process, selecting only kidneys that were considered "high quality."

In the first phase of the study, to date, 10 patients have received transplants using the protocol. On average, patients received a transplant 58 days after enrolling in the trial--some in as quickly as 11 days, while others waited for over 100 days. At three days after surgery, patients were tested for HCV, and all 10 tested positive for the disease. Next, the participants were treated with the standard 12-week course of elbasvir/grazoprevir, commonly known as Zepatier, a recently-approved and highly effective oral medication prescribed to eradicate HCV. All 10 patients have been cured of their contracted HCV.

"For so long, HCV was a virus with a very negative stigma associated with it, especially among physicians. So it was interesting to see that patients were quick to jump at the chance to get this transplant, despite the possibility that they could get Hepatitis C permanently," Reese said. "Going into the study, we knew it was a possibility that some or all of the patients would contract HCV, and that they could have the disease for the rest of their lives if we were unsuccessful. But for these patients, getting off of dialysis and getting back to their normal lives was very much worth the risk."

Following the early positive results, the research team was granted an extension of their study, which will allow them to transplant and treat an additional 10 patients--20 patients in total.

The research team is designing a new clinical trial that will study this same approach in patients who are heart transplant recipients, and in the future they hope to examine the efficacy of this approach in liver and lung transplants. Researchers note there is a need for longer and larger trials to continue evaluating the effectiveness of HCV-positive to HCV-negative transplantation followed by antiviral therapy in a broader population.

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Additional Penn Medicine experts involved in this study span disciplines including infectious diseases, transplantation surgery, gastroenterology, hepatology, and pathology and laboratory medicine, including Deirdre Sawinski, Roy Bloom, Raj Reddy, Emily Blumberg, Jennifer Trofe-Clark, Vivianna Van Deerlin, Midhat Farooqi, Peter Abt, Matthew Levine, Paige Porrett, Susanna Nazarian, Ali Naji, Maureen McCauley, and Anna Sicilia. The study is supported by a research grant from the Merck Investigator Initiated Studies Program, and Merck supplied the antiviral drugs used in the study.

Penn Medicine is one of the world's leading academic medical centers, dedicated to the related missions of medical education, biomedical research, and excellence in patient care. Penn Medicine consists of the Raymond and Ruth Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania (founded in 1765 as the nation's first medical school) and the University of Pennsylvania Health System, which together form a $6.7 billion enterprise.

The Perelman School of Medicine has been ranked among the top five medical schools in the United States for the past 20 years, according to U.S. News & World Report's survey of research-oriented medical schools. The School is consistently among the nation's top recipients of funding from the National Institutes of Health, with $392 million awarded in the 2016 fiscal year.

The University of Pennsylvania Health System's patient care facilities include: The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and Penn Presbyterian Medical Center -- which are recognized as one of the nation's top "Honor Roll" hospitals by U.S. News & World Report -- Chester County Hospital; Lancaster General Health; Penn Wissahickon Hospice; and Pennsylvania Hospital -- the nation's first hospital, founded in 1751. Additional affiliated inpatient care facilities and services throughout the Philadelphia region include Good Shepherd Penn Partners, a partnership between Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network and Penn Medicine.

Penn Medicine is committed to improving lives and health through a variety of community-based programs and activities. In fiscal year 2016, Penn Medicine provided $393 million to benefit our community.

Saturday, April 29, 2017

Practice update for managing patients cured of HCV infection

AGA Institute releases practice update for managing patients cured of HCV infection
Direct-acting antiviral (DAA) regimens for chronic HCV infection achieve high rates of SVR and have replaced interferon (IFN) in many countries. The current definition of SVR is undetectability of HCV RNA at 12 weeks after treatment (SVR12). Patients who achieve an SVR have a less than 1% risk of relapse and are considered cured.

Patients cured of HCV may experience reductions in the risk for death and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), as well as regression of liver changes including fibrosis or cirrhosis, but may still have higher rates of HCV-related complications than the general population. Patients who have already developed liver damage at the time of achieving SVR may be particularly at risk for future complications.
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Full Text
Gastroenterology
May 2017 Volume 152, Issue 6, Pages 1578–1587
Online
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American Gastroenterological Association Institute Clinical Practice Update—Expert Review: Care of Patients Who Have Achieved a Sustained Virologic Response After Antiviral Therapy for Chronic Hepatitis C Infection
Chronic hepatitis C virus infection is well-recognized as a common blood-borne infection with global public health impact affecting 3 to 5 million persons in the United States and more than 170 million persons worldwide. Chronic hepatitis C virus infection is associated with significant morbidity and mortality due to complications of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Current therapies with all-oral direct-acting antiviral agents are associated with high rates of sustained virologic response (SVR), generally exceeding 90%. SVR is associated with a reduced risk of liver cirrhosis, hepatic decompensation, need for liver transplantation, and both liver-related and all-cause mortality.

However, a subset of patients who achieve SVR will remain at long-term risk for progression to cirrhosis, liver failure, hepatocellular carcinoma, and liver-related mortality. Limited evidence is available to guide clinicians on which post-SVR patients should be monitored vs discharged, how to monitor and with which tests, how frequently should monitoring occur, and for how long. In this clinical practice update, available evidence and expert opinion are used to generate best practice recommendations on the care of patients with chronic hepatitis C virus who have achieved SVR.

The battle against hepatitis C virus (HCV) has culminated in remarkably high rates of sustained virologic response (SVR) conferred by 6 currently approved interferon (IFN)-free direct-acting antiviral (DAA) regimens against genotypes 1−6 HCV.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 In the many countries where these regimens are available, the use of IFN has essentially ceased. Follow-up studies and cumulative experience have affirmed that, as with earlier IFN-based therapy, SVR is tantamount to virologic cure. Fewer than 1% of patients relapse after SVR, defined during the years of IFN therapy as HCV RNA undetectability 24 weeks, and more recently as 12 weeks, after completion of treatment (SVR12).7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13

With the increasingly frequent opportunity to celebrate virologic cure with patients comes the corresponding need to advise them about whether, when, and for how long ongoing care for liver disease is needed. Therefore, it is critical to identify the ongoing risks for the individual patient and the measures needed to mitigate those risks. Numerous studies in patients cured of HCV by IFN-based therapy have demonstrated reductions in all-cause mortality, liver-related mortality, need for liver transplantation, variceal bleeding, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC),14, 15, 16 as well as a reduction in mortality from extrahepatic complications.17 Regression of fibrosis and even cirrhosis has been documented, as has been demonstrated in other liver diseases when the underlying cause has been controlled.18, 19, 20, 21 Nevertheless, reduction in risk is still potentially relative rather than absolute, and ongoing surveillance and intervention may be required in some patients to reduce complications arising from liver damage that has already accrued by the time SVR has been attained. Of greatest concern is the ongoing risk of HCC in patients with pre-existing advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis. In this article, the considerations surrounding the care of patients who have achieved SVR will be discussed, and proposed recommendations will be presented
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Friday, April 28, 2017

Making every liver count - advances in ex vivo liver perfusion research in the CNTRP April 26, 2017 | The Canadian Liver Foundation


Making every liver count - advances in ex vivo liver perfusion research in the CNTRP
April 26, 2017
The Canadian Liver Foundation

Across the country,  there are hundreds of people on waiting lists hoping that today is the day they’ll get the call  that a matching liver is available. Despite this overwhelming demand however, each year, an estimated 20 percent of available donor livers must be refused for transplant because they are damaged in some way. To those on the waiting list, those livers could be the difference between life and death. 

Thanks to research by the Canadian National Transplant Research Program (CNTRP) supported by the Canadian Liver Foundation, it may soon be possible for these livers that would have been discarded to be made viable for transplant. Using a machine called the OrganOx metra®, donor livers can be maintained at body temperature with blood pumping through them allowing doctors the opportunity to test and repair them as needed. This technology has already been effective in prolonging the time a liver can be kept functioning outside the body before transplantation.  

 “When you keep a liver on ice, we have no way of knowing how it will work,” says Dr. Shapiro, senior-scientist at the University of Alberta and leader of CNTRP’s research into ex vivo organ protection and repair. “You’re rolling the dice and hoping that once the blood flow is restored that it will function as it should. A liver can survive in cold storage for six to ten hours before it starts falling apart but in the OrganOx metra®, we can keep it viable for up to 24 hours before transplantation.”  

Dr. James Shapiro is now working with teams in both Edmonton and Toronto to test the OrganOx metra® on ‘high risk’ livers to determine how well they function and whether they can be repaired. Livers may be considered to be ‘high risk’ if they are very fatty, have been on ice too long, are infected with hepatitis B or C viruses,  or have been deprived of oxygen for an extended period so that liver cells are beginning to die.
 
“Whatever is making a liver ineligible for transplant, we may have the prescription,” says Dr. Shapiro. “The OrganOx metra® gives us the time and the opportunity to treat the liver --- whether that means purging fat cells, eliminating a virus or stopping liver cell death. It is our hope that one day we may be able to use almost any liver no matter what its condition so we could save more lives.”
 
Currently, there are only two OrganOx metra® machines in Canada but one day this technology may be in place in every transplant centre. 

“This technology will change the future,” says Dr. Shapiro. “If we can rehabilitate livers and keep them functioning for longer outside the body, we could potentially use every available organ and even share organs around the world.”

The OrganOx metra® represents just one area of CNTRP research. Teams are also investigating how to: protect patients from viral infections post-transplant;  encourage the body to accept a new organ without anti-rejection drugs;  increase the numbers of organ donors; prevent early rejection of transplanted organs; and improve outcomes for pediatric transplants. To donate to support transplant research, click here.  


Photos:
Bottom left -- Sewing in the new liver preserved with the OrganOx metra® ex vivo normothermic storage system

Triple combination cures most hepatitis C patients with prior DAA treatment failure

Triple combination cures most hepatitis C patients with prior DAA treatment failure
Liz Highleyman
Produced in collaboration with hivandhepatitis.com
Published: 28 April 2017

Almost all people with genotype 1 hepatitis C who were previously unsuccessfully treated with a course of interferon-free direct-acting antiviral therapy achieved sustained response when retreated with a three-drug combination being developed by Merck, researchers reported at the International Liver Congress last week in Amsterdam.

Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) have revolutionised the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, with cure rates approaching 100% for most groups of patients. But better options are still needed for people who do not respond to a first attempt at interferon-free therapy and may have drug-resistant virus.
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Meeting Updates
Updates On This Blog

Hep C 5-minute videos - Summary Of The International Liver Congress™ (ILC) 2017
On this page of the blog visitors are provided with an index of links pointing to comprehensive coverage of the meeting.  Start by viewing a short video series over at Practice Point presented by Dr. Tran, highlights include clinical studies on new antiviral therapy, data on drug toxicity/adverse events, drug interactions, and strategies for HCV management. On May 1, ViralEd will launch: The Advances in Chronic Hepatitis C: Management and Treatment, a comprehensive program featuring HCV experts reviewing and discussing the most important studies on chronic hepatitis C presented at EASL 2017. Other videos include EASL press conference, and opening ceremony.

Coverage
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FDA Approves New Drug to Treat Hepatocellular Carcinoma, the Most Common Form of Liver Cancer

FDA Approves New Drug to Treat Hepatocellular Carcinoma, the Most Common Form of Liver Cancer

UCLA research played a key role in the development of regorafenib
Developed by Bayer, Regorafenib (brand name Stivarga)
Article ID: 673758
Released: 27-Apr-2017 3:05 PM EDT
Source Newsroom: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Health Sciences

Newswise — The U.S. Food & Drug Administration today approved a new drug to treat people with hepatocellular carcinoma, the most common form of liver cancer. The drug, regorafenib, is the first and only therapy approved by the FDA in over a decade to show significant improvement in survival for patients with the disease after standard treatments have failed.

The research that led to the approval was conducted at UCLA and 21 other sites in the U.S., Europe and Asia. UCLA was the leader of the U.S. arm of the international collaboration, and the clinical studies were led by Dr. Richard Finn, an associate professor of medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine and Director of the Signal Transduction and Therapeutics Program at UCLA’s Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center.

"When liver cancer progresses to advanced stages, a cure is no longer possible," Finn said. "Traditional treatments can help slow and control the disease for a short period of time, but eventually tumor growth will continue. Today’s approval of regorafenib is a major clinical advancement for patients when initial therapies are no longer working."

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounts for three quarters of liver cancers in the U.S. and is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. An estimated 40,000 Americans will be diagnosed with liver cancer in 2017, and more than 28,000 will die from the disease.

In the early and intermediate stages of the disease, doctors can treat patients only in the affected area of the liver with surgery, transplantation or traditional drug treatments such as chemotherapy. However, as the cancer progresses and localized treatments do not work, some people may be candidates for systemic therapies, Finn said

Ten years ago, the drug sorafenib was approved by the FDA as the first systemic therapy for people with advanced HCC. Today’s approval of regorafenib provides a second option—and encouraging new hope—for people whose liver cancer has progressed on prior traditional and systemic treatments.

In the two-year study, the drug was tested in 567 people with HCC in a phase III clinical trial (named RESORCE). Finn and colleagues divided the patients randomly into two groups, one receiving regorafenib (374 recipients) and the other receiving placebo (193 recipients).

Developed by Bayer, Regorafenib (brand name Stivarga) was shown to extend overall survival by 10.6 months compared to 7.8 months for those receiving placebo. This represents an average improvement in survival of 3.1 months in those taking regorafenib, and a 37 percent reduction in risk of death. Patients receiving the drug did experience side effects such as hypertension and fatigue, but they were generally manageable

While fewer Americans are developing and dying from many types of cancer, liver cancer rates have more than tripled since 1980 according to the American Cancer Society. The risk factors for the disease include heavy alcohol use and obesity, as well as common liver diseases like hepatitis B or C, and cirrhosis. The prevalence of these conditions and a general lack of awareness of risk factors may be contributing to the rise in liver cancer rates, Finn said.

Because of our diverse population, Los Angeles County has one of the largest liver cancer populations in the United States. The Pfleger Liver Cancer Center at UCLA has a multi-disciplinary team of specialists committed to offering patients the best available treatments and access to practice-changing clinical trials such as RESORCE.

Further researching is ongoing to explore combinations of regorafenib with other therapies, and help develop new treatment approaches for people with liver cancer and who may not benefit from the sequence of regorafenib and sorafenib.

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FDA approves Bayer's Stivarga to treat most common liver cancer

FDA approves Bayer's Stivarga to treat most common liver cancer

FDA approves Bayer's Stivarga to treat most common liver cancer
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said on Thursday it has approved Bayer AG's drug Stivarga to treat liver cancer, the first such approval in nearly a decade.

Stivarga is already approved to treat colorectal cancer in patients who have previously been treated with other therapies. Bayer may now also market it for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common form of liver cancer.

About 40,710 people will be diagnosed with liver cancers in 2017 and about 28,920 will die of the diseases, according to the National Cancer Institute.


"This is the first time patients with HCC have had an FDA-approved treatment that can be used if their cancer has stopped responding to initial treatment with sorafenib," Dr. Richard Pazdur, head of the FDA's cancer division, said in a statement.
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China FDA Approves Daklinza® (daclatasvir) in Combination with Sunvepra® (asunaprevir) for Chronic Hepatitis C

Fox News
China Approves Bristol-Myers Squibb's Dual-Drug Hepatitis C Treatment

Press Release
China FDA Approves Country’s First All-Oral Regimen for Chronic Hepatitis C, Daklinza® (daclatasvir) in Combination with Sunvepra® (asunaprevir)

Daklinza and Sunvepra combination approved for genotype 1b, the most common chronic hepatitis C (HCV) genotype in China; combination has a 91-99% cure rate
 
Daklinza also approved in China for use in combination with other agents, including sofosbuvir, for HCV genotypes 1-6

PRINCETON, N.J.--()--Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY) announced today that the China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) has approved a direct-acting antiviral regimen comprised of Daklinza® (daclatasvir) and Sunvepra® (asunaprevir), for the treatment of treatment-naive or -experienced patients, with or without compensated cirrhosis, infected with genotype 1b chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV). This is China’s first all-oral, interferon- and ribavirin-free HCV treatment regimen. In addition, Daklinza has been approved in China for combination use with other agents, including sofosbuvir, for adult patients with HCV genotypes 1-6 infection. This is the only all-oral pan-genotypic regimen recommended by China’s HCV Prevention and Treatment Guideline. Daklinza must not be administered as monotherapy. Sofosbuvir is under review by the CFDA, and is not currently licensed in China.

In more than 60 countries, Daklinza is approved as part of a regimen with either Sunvepra or sofosbuvir. In China, Daklinza-based regimens provide a shorter treatment duration (12 or 24 weeks) compared to 48 weeks of treatment with previously approved regimens. The Daklinza and Sunvepra regimen is already approved by regulatory authorities in multiple countries across the Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Eastern Europe regions. Sunvepra is not approved in the United States.
“The burden of HCV in China is extremely high, and now for the first time, we have an all-oral treatment option in the combination of Daklinza and Sunvepra, which is a significant step forward for patients and doctors alike,” said Hui Zhuang, a professor at the Beijing University Medical School and a member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering. “This new option helps to address many of the unmet needs for our HCV genotype 1b patients, and is also included in the latest edition of China’s HCV Prevention and Treatment Guideline.”
  
The approval is based primarily upon results of the first completed Phase 3 036 trial of the Daklinza and Sunvepra regimen for HCV among Chinese patients, which was published in the November 2016 issue of the Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology. In the trial, 91% (145/159) of genotype 1b patients who had been previously interferon-ineligible or interferon-intolerant achieved sustained virologic response (“SVR”, or cure) at post-treatment week 24. The cure rate was higher, at 99%, in patients without baseline NS5A resistance-associated variants (RAVs; L31M or Y93H; n=137/139).
As detailed in the published Phase 3 trial, one death (0.6%), five on-treatment serious adverse events (3%), and three grade 4 laboratory abnormalities (2%) occurred on-treatment; none were considered related to study drugs. Two patients (1%) discontinued due to adverse events (AEs). The most common grade 1–4 on-treatment AEs (>5% of patients) were platelet count decrease (14, 9%), upper respiratory tract infection (13, 8%), ALT increase (a diagnostic indication of liver disease or damage) (11, 7%), neutrophil count decrease (11, 7%), monocyte (large white blood cell) count decrease (10, 6%), white blood cell count decrease (10, 6%), thrombocytopenia (decrease in the number of platelets in the blood) (10, 6%), and pruritus (itchiness) (9, 6%); most were mild or moderate in intensity. Treatment was generally well-tolerated regardless of cirrhosis status.
  
“We are proud to build on our legacy, infrastructure and experience in treating viral hepatitis throughout Asia by bringing Daklinza-based regimens to patients in China,” said Murdo Gordon, executive vice president and chief commercial officer, Bristol-Myers Squibb. “Beginning with our efforts to treat chronic hepatitis B, Bristol-Myers Squibb has been committed to combating viral hepatitis in China for over a decade.”

HCV represents a significant public health burden in China and is now the fourth most commonly reported infectious disease countrywide, with an estimated 10 million people currently living with the disease. Until now, standard of care in China has been interferon- and ribavirin-containing regimens which have left some patient groups with unmet needs. The cure rate for interferon- and ribavirin- containing regimens varies in a number of recent Chinese studies. In CCgenos, a real-world observation study, the cure rate for interferon- and ribavirin- containing regimens among GT-1b naïve patients is 62.4%.
  
Karl Lintel, MD, President of Bristol-Myers Squibb (China) Investment Co. Ltd and the Sino-American Shanghai Squibb Pharmaceutical Co., commented, “Today’s approval of Daklinza and Sunvepra is great news for patients in China, as we continue the global fight against chronic hepatitis C. This milestone is testament to our ongoing collaboration with multiple stakeholders, and aligning with government policies to provide continuing support to HCV patients at the community level.”
Bristol-Myers Squibb is committed to working with stakeholders to seek timely reimbursement for Daklinza and Sunvepra at the national and provincial levels, to ensure patients have access to these important products.
  
About the 036 Clinical Trial
In the multi-center Asian study, interferon-ineligible and -intolerant patients with genotype 1b infection received Daklinza 60 mg tablets once-daily plus Sunvepra 100 mg soft capsules twice-daily for 24 weeks. Of the 159 patients enrolled, 127 were from mainland China. The primary endpoint was SVR at post-treatment Week 24 (SVR24).
In the overall study population, the SVR24 was 91% (145/159) and was similarly high in cirrhotic patients (47/52, 90%). SVR24 rates were higher (137/139) [99%]) in patients without baseline NS5A RAVs (L31M or Y93H), and lower in patients with baseline NS5A RAVs (8/19 [42%]).
Prevalence of baseline NS5A RAVs was 12% (19/159) overall, and 8% in mainland China patients (10/127). HCV NS5A RAVs exist naturally (albeit in lower prevalence vs wildtype) and can emerge after virologic response failure. Screening for the presence of specific NS5A mutations can help physicians determine the most suitable patients for treatment by identifying those most likely to achieve cure with an NS5A-containing regimen.
Data from other studies conducted outside of China investigating Daklinza in combination with sofosbuvir were also considered as part of the approval.
  
About the 114 Clinical Trial  
In a multi-center study, treatment-naive patients with genotype 1b infection received Daklinza 60 mg tablets once-daily plus Sunvepra 100 mg soft capsule twice-daily for 24 weeks. Of the total 206 patients, 161 were from mainland China. Patients were randomized 3:1 into two treatment arms: an immediate Daklinza and Sunvepra treatment group (n=155) or a placebo-deferred Daklinza and Sunvepra treatment group (n=52). The primary endpoint was SVR at post-treatment Week 12 (SVR12) in the immediate treatment arm, for comparison with the historical SVR rate achieved with pegIFN/RBV (70%).
  
The SVR12 rate was 92% in treatment-naive patients with HCV genotype 1b infection in the immediate treatment arm. Baseline NS5A-L31 or Y93H polymorphisms were present in 11% (17/154) of these patients. The SVR12 rate was 96% (132/137) in patients without these baseline polymorphisms; 89% (17/19) with cirrhosis, 97% (115/118) without cirrhosis.
Discontinuations due to AEs were infrequent (1%). The most common AEs (any grade, ≥5%) in the overall population were ALT increase, upper respiratory tract infection, hypertension, AST elevation, INR elevation, blood bilirubin elevation, and fatigue.
  
Bristol-Myers Squibb’s Leadership in Viral Hepatitis
Bristol-Myers Squibb’s heritage in virology in China began with Baraclude® (entecavir), a market-leading oral treatment for patients suffering with chronic hepatitis B virus (CHBV). Baraclude is indicated in China for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus infection in adults with evidence of active viral replication and either evidence of persistent elevations in serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) or histologically active disease. Since its approval in China in 2005, Bristol-Myers Squibb has worked to not only provide access to Baraclude, but also to coordinate with government, local hospitals and physicians, and NGOs to raise the standard of care and improve the quality of life and survival of patients with HBV. In China, more than 1 million patients have been treated with Baraclude, and Asia has accounted for more than two-thirds of all Baraclude prescriptions.
Since 2002, the Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation also has been leading efforts at the community level in Asia in HBV and HCV awareness, destigmatization, prevention, and care through the Delivering Hope program. The multi-pronged program includes a variety of disease education and vaccination efforts, including prevention of the most common means of transmission, from mother to child. It also includes capacity building, and training in partnership with local NGOs, governments and healthcare workers. In China alone, more than 8 million people at high risk of hepatitis infection across 28 provinces have benefitted from these programs over the past decade. The Foundation has committed more than $9.6 million (U.S.) in grants to a diverse group of organizations for programs targeting specific populations.
  
About Daclatasvir
Daclatasvir, marketed as Daklinza, is a NS5A replication complex inhibitor which targets the NS5A protein by directly disrupting its normal function. The NS5A protein plays essential roles in the HCV viral life cycle, including viral RNA replication and virion (viral particle) assembly. Daklinza is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use with sofosbuvir, with or without ribavirin, for the treatment of patients with HCV genotype 1 or genotype 3 infection. Sustained virologic response (SVR12) rates are reduced in HCV genotype 3-infected patients with cirrhosis receiving Daklinza in combination with sofosbuvir for 12 weeks. Daklinza is approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for patients with HCV genotypes 1, 3, or 4.
Test all patients for evidence of current or prior hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection before initiating treatment with Daklinza. HBV reactivation has been reported in HCV/HBV coinfected patients who were undergoing or had completed treatment with HCV direct acting antivirals and were not receiving HBV antiviral therapy. Some cases have resulted in fulminant hepatitis, hepatic failure, and death. Monitor HCV/HBV coinfected patients for hepatitis flare or HBV reactivation during HCV treatment and post-treatment follow-up. Initiate appropriate management for HBV infection as clinically indicated. Please see full Important Safety Information below for more details.  

About Asunaprevir  
Asunaprevir, marketed as Sunvepra, is an NS3 protease inhibitor, an agent that binds to the NS3 protein of the HCV virus to block its activity. The NS3/4A protease plays an essential role in the assembly of the viral replication complex. Sunvepra is approved in 17 countries around the world, including in the Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Eastern Europe regions; Sunvepra is not approved in the United States. Sunvepra is approved as part of a regimen with Daklinza for the treatment of HCV genotype 1b infection in adult patients. For patients receiving Sunvepra-containing regimens, frequent monitoring of liver enzymes (alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST)) and bilirubin is required until completion of therapy.

Bristol-Myers Squibb in HCV  
Bristol-Myers Squibb is focused on helping to eradicate hepatitis C around the world, with a primary emphasis on difficult-to-treat patients, including those millions in countries where population-based HCV solutions remain a high unmet need.
In July 2014, Japan became the first country in the world to approve the use of a daclatasvir-based regimen for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C. Since then, daclatasvir-based regimens have been approved in more than 60 countries across North, Central and South America, Europe, the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific region.
  
U.S. Indication and Important Safety Information - Daklinza™ (daclatasvir)
INDICATIONS
Daklinza™ (daclatasvir) is indicated for use with sofosbuvir, with or without ribavirin, for the treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1 or genotype 3 infection.
Limitations of Use:
  • Sustained virologic response (SVR12) rates are reduced in HCV genotype 3-infected patients with cirrhosis receiving Daklinza in combination with sofosbuvir for 12 weeks.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
WARNING: RISK OF HEPATITIS B VIRUS REACTIVATION IN PATIENTS COINFECTED WITH HCV AND HBV
  • Test all patients for evidence of current or prior hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection before initiating treatment with Daklinza. HBV reactivation has been reported in HCV/HBV coinfected patients who were undergoing or had completed treatment with HCV direct acting antivirals and were not receiving HBV antiviral therapy. Some cases have resulted in fulminant hepatitis, hepatic failure, and death. Monitor HCV/HBV coinfected patients for hepatitis flare or HBV reactivation during HCV treatment and post-treatment follow-up. Initiate appropriate management for HBV infection as clinically indicated.
CONTRAINDICATIONS
  • When used in combination with other agents, the contraindications applicable to those agents are applicable to the combination regimen; refer to the respective prescribing information.
  • Drugs contraindicated with Daklinza: strong inducers of CYP3A that may lead to loss of efficacy of Daklinza include, but are not limited to: phenytoin, carbamazepine, rifampin, St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum).
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
  • Risk of Hepatitis B Virus Reactivation in Patients Coinfected with HCV and HBV (additional information): HBV reactivation has also been reported in patients receiving certain immunosuppressant or chemotherapeutic agents; the risk of HBV reactivation may be increased in these patients.
  • Risk of Adverse Reactions or Loss of Virologic Response Due to Drug Interactions: Coadministration of Daklinza and other drugs may result in known or potentially significant drug interactions. Interactions may include the loss of therapeutic effect of Daklinza and possible development of resistance, dosage adjustments for other agents or Daklinza, possible clinically significant adverse events from greater exposure for the other agents or Daklinza.
  • Serious Symptomatic Bradycardia When Coadministered with Sofosbuvir and Amiodarone: Post-marketing cases of symptomatic bradycardia and cases requiring pacemaker intervention have been reported when amiodarone is coadministered with sofosbuvir in combination with another direct-acting antiviral, including Daklinza. A fatal cardiac arrest was reported with ledipasvir/sofosbuvir.
    • Coadministration of amiodarone with Daklinza in combination with sofosbuvir is not recommended. For patients taking amiodarone who have no alternative treatment options, patients should undergo cardiac monitoring, as outlined in Section 5.3 of the prescribing information.
    • Patients also taking beta blockers or those with underlying cardiac comorbidities and/or advanced liver disease may be at increased risk for symptomatic bradycardia with coadministration of amiodarone.
    • Bradycardia generally resolved after discontinuation of HCV treatment.
  • Risks Associated with Ribavirin Combination Treatment: If ribavirin is used as part of the regimen, the warnings and precautions for ribavirin, particularly the pregnancy avoidance warning, apply. See the ribavirin full prescribing information for complete information.
ADVERSE REACTIONS
  • In clinical trials (ALLY 2, 3) with the Daklinza and sofosbuvir regimen, the most common adverse reactions (≥5%) were, respectively: headache (8%, 14%), fatigue (15%, 14%), nausea (9%, 8%), diarrhea (7%, 5%).
  • In clinical trials (ALLY 1) with Daklinza, in combination with sofosbuvir and ribavirin, the most common adverse reactions (≥5%) were, in the cirrhosis cohort and the post-liver transplantation cohort, respectively: headache (12%, 30%), anemia (20%, 19%), fatigue (15%, 17%), nausea (15%, 6%), rash (8%, 2%), diarrhea (3%, 6%), insomnia (3%, 6%), dizziness (0, 6%), somnolence (5%, 0).
DRUG INTERACTIONS
  • CYP3A: Daklinza is a substrate. Moderate or strong inducers may decrease plasma levels and effect of Daklinza. Strong inhibitors (e.g., clarithromycin, itraconazole, ketoconazole, ritonavir) may increase plasma levels of Daklinza.
  • P-gp, OATP 1B1 and 1B3, and BCRP: Daklinza is an inhibitor, and may increase exposure to substrates, potentially increasing or prolonging their adverse effect.
See Sections 4, 7, and 12.3 of the Daklinza Full Prescribing Information for additional established and other potentially significant drug interactions and related dose modification recommendations. Refer to the prescribing information for other agents in the regimen for drug interaction information.
DAKLINZA IN PREGNANCY
  • No adequate human data are available to determine whether or not Daklinza poses a risk to pregnancy outcomes. Animal studies of Daklinza at exposure above the recommended human dose have shown maternal and embryofetal toxicity.
  • If Daklinza and sofosbuvir are administered with ribavirin, the information for ribavirin with regard to pregnancy testing, contraception, and infertility also applies to this combination regimen. Refer to the ribavirin prescribing information.
LACTATION
  • It is not known whether Daklinza is present in human milk, affects human milk production, or has effects on the breastfed infant. Daklinza was present in the milk of lactating rats. The development and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for Daklinza and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed child from Daklinza or from the underlying condition.
  • When Daklinza is administered with ribavirin, the nursing mothers’ information for ribavirin also applies to this combination regimen. Refer to the nursing mothers’ information in the ribavirin prescribing information.
Please see Full Prescribing Information, including Boxed WARNING here.
U.S. Indication and Important Safety Information - BARACLUDE® (entecavir):
INDICATION
BARACLUDE (entecavir) is indicated for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in adults and pediatric patients 2 years of age or older with evidence of active viral replication and either evidence of persistent elevations in serum aminotransferases (ALT or AST) or histologically active disease.
The following points should be considered when initiating therapy with BARACLUDE:
  • In adult patients, this indication is based on clinical trial data in nucleoside-inhibitor treatment-naïve and lamivudine-resistant subjects with HBeAg-positive and HBeAgnegative HBV infection and compensated liver disease and a more limited number of subjects with decompensated liver disease.
  • In pediatric patients 2 years of age and older, this indication is based on clinical trial data in nucleoside-inhibitor-treatment-naïve and in a limited number of lamivudine experienced subjects with HBeAg-positive chronic HBV infection and compensated liver disease.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
WARNINGS: SEVERE ACUTE EXACERBATIONS OF HEPATITIS B, PATIENTS CO-INFECTED WITH HIV AND HBV, and LACTIC ACIDOSIS AND HEPATOMEGALY
  • Severe acute exacerbations of hepatitis B have been reported in patients who have discontinued anti-hepatitis B therapy, including entecavir. Hepatic function should be monitored closely with both clinical and laboratory follow-up for at least several months in patients who discontinue anti-hepatitis B therapy. If appropriate, initiation of anti-hepatitis B therapy may be warranted.
  • Limited clinical experience suggests there is a potential for the development of resistance to HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors if BARACLUDE is used to treat chronic HBV infection in patients with HIV infection that is not being treated. Therapy with BARACLUDE is not recommended for HIV/HBV co-infected patients who are not also receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).
  • Lactic acidosis and severe hepatomegaly with steatosis, including fatal cases, have been reported with the use of nucleoside analogues, alone or in combination with antiretrovirals.
Warnings and Precautions
  • Before initiating BARACLUDE therapy, HIV antibody testing should be offered to all patients. BARACLUDE has not been studied as a treatment for HIV infection and is not recommended for this use.
  • Lactic acidosis with BARACLUDE use has been reported, often in association with hepatic decompensation, other serious medical conditions, or drug exposures. Patients with decompensated liver disease may be at higher risk for lactic acidosis. BARACLUDE should be suspended in any patient who develops clinical or laboratory findings suggestive of lactic acidosis or pronounced hepatotoxicity.
Adverse Reactions
  • In clinical trials in patients with compensated liver disease, the most common (≥3%) adverse reactions of any severity with at least a possible relation to study drug for BARACLUDE-treated subjects were headache, fatigue, dizziness, and nausea. In these trials, the most common adverse reactions of moderate to severe intensity (grades 2-4) were diarrhea, dyspepsia, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, headache, dizziness, somnolence, and insomnia.
  • In the decompensated liver disease trial, the most common adverse reactions of any severity among patients treated with BARACLUDE, regardless of causality, included: peripheral edema (16%), ascites (15%), pyrexia (14%), hepatic encephalopathy (10%), and upper respiratory infection (10%). In this trial, 18% (18/102) of BARACLUDE patients and 20% (18/89) of adefovir patients died during the first 48 weeks of therapy. The majority of those deaths were due to liver related causes.
Drug Interactions
  • BARACLUDE (entecavir) is primarily eliminated by the kidneys; therefore coadministration of BARACLUDE with drugs that reduce renal function or compete for active tubular secretion may increase serum concentrations of either entecavir or the coadministered drug. Patients should be monitored closely when receiving BARACLUDE with other renally-eliminated drugs.
Pregnancy and Nursing Mothers
  • There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of BARACLUDE in pregnant women. BARACLUDE should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
  • There are no studies on the effect of BARACLUDE on transmission of HBV from mother to infant. Therefore, appropriate interventions should be used to prevent neonatal acquisition of HBV.
  • It is not known whether BARACLUDE is excreted into human milk; however, many drugs are excreted into breast milk. Due to the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants from BARACLUDE, risks and benefits should be considered when deciding whether to discontinue breast-feeding or discontinue BARACLUDE in nursing women.
Pediatric Use
  • The adverse reactions observed in pediatric patients who received treatment with BARACLUDE were consistent with those observed in clinical trials of BARACLUDE in adults. Adverse drug reactions reported in greater than 1% of pediatric patients included abdominal pain, rash events, poor palatability (“product taste abnormal”), nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting.
  • Due to limited data, in lamivudine-experienced pediatric patients, Baraclude should be used only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the child. Consideration should be given to the impact of BARACLUDE on future treatment options.
Renal Impairment
  • Dosage adjustment of BARACLUDE is recommended for patients with a creatinine clearance <50 mL/min, including those on hemodialysis or continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. There is insufficient data to recommend specific dosage adjustments of BARACLUDE in pediatric patients with renal impairment, however dosage adjustments similar to those for adults should be considered.
Liver Transplant Recipients
Renal function must be carefully monitored both before and during treatment with BARACLUDE in a liver transplant recipient who has received or is receiving an immunosuppressant that may affect renal function, such as cyclosporine or tacrolimus.
  
Duration of Therapy
  • The optimal duration of treatment with BARACLUDE for patients with chronic HBV infection and the relationship between treatment and long-term outcomes such as cirrhosis and hepatocellularcarcinoma are unknown.
Additional Information
BARACLUDE is not a cure for HBV. Patients should be advised that treatment with BARACLUDE has not been shown to reduce the risk of transmission of HBV to others through sexual contact or blood contamination.
  
Please click here for the BARACLUDE full prescribing information, including Boxed WARNINGS.
  
About Bristol-Myers Squibb
Bristol-Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. For more information about Bristol-Myers Squibb, visit us at BMS.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube and Facebook.
  
Bristol-Myers Squibb Forward Looking Statement
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding the research, development and commercialization of pharmaceutical products. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and involve inherent risks and uncertainties, including factors that could delay, divert or change any of them, and could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from current expectations. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Forward-looking statements in this press release should be evaluated together with the many uncertainties that affect Bristol-Myers Squibb's business, particularly those identified in the cautionary factors discussion in Bristol-Myers Squibb's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and our Current Reports on Form 8-K. Bristol-Myers Squibb undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Thursday, April 27, 2017

Live webcast - Summit for the Elimination of Hepatitis

Summit for the Elimination of Hepatitis

Live webcast:
Summit for hepatitis C and hepatitis B Elimination as Public Health Threats in United States



Webcast Access
The broadcast will start at 9:00 AM EST on both Thursday, April 27th and Friday, April 28th.
The links will be available 30 minutes prior to the webcast.
For non-captioned broadcasting, use the following link: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/VWBXKBR8af4
For captioned broadcasting, use the following link: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/eSsrrwp9qKQ

The Summit for the Elimination of Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C as Public Health Threats in the United States 

CALL TO ACTION

Overview
In the face of recent developments in hepatitis C treatment, enhanced global solidarity for hepatitis B and hepatitis C elimination goals through the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recently-released Global Health Sector Strategy on Viral Hepatitis (2016-2021), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and its partners commissioned the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine to convene an expert committee on the topic. The committee worked in two phases. In the first report, released in April, 2016, it was determined that hepatitis B and C could be eliminated as public health problems in the United States. The second report, identifies new opportunities for preventing transmission and recommends action steps that will help ensure people are tested, treated, and/or cured of viral hepatitis, eliminating these infections as public health threats for the nation. The CDC Foundation will convene a public meeting for various stakeholders to discuss the report and their roles in implementing the committee’s recommendations.


Wednesday, April 26, 2017

Q&A: First U.S. state-by-state analysis of hepatitis C cases

Media Coverage
Q&A: First U.S. state-by-state analysis of hepatitis C cases
By Jon Cohen
Apr. 26, 2017 , 12:00 PM
In the infectious disease world, the liver-damaging hepatitis C virus (HCV) long has lived in the shadows of killers such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. But curative—and expensive—HCV drugs that have come to market over the past 5 years have focused new attention on the deadly disease.

Now, for the first time, researchers have mapped its U.S. prevalence state-by-state. They hope their model ultimately will help improve targeting of efforts to screen for the virus and treat the more than 3 million people in the country who are living with the infection.
Estimation of State-Level Prevalence of Hepatitis C Virus Infection, US States and District of Columbia, 2010
Eli S. Rosenberg Eric W. Hall Patrick S. Sullivan Travis H. Sanchez Kimberly A. Workowski John W. Ward Deborah HoltzmanClin Infect Dis cix202.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/cix202
Published: 26 April 2017

Full Text

Abstract
Background.
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is the most common chronic blood-borne infection in the United States and a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Previous analyses of the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) indicated approximately 3.6 million noninstitutionalized persons with antibody to HCV (anti-HCV). However, state-level prevalence remains less understood and cannot be estimated reliably from NHANES alone.
Methods.
We used 3 publicly available government data sources to estimate anti-HCV prevalence in each US state among noninstitutionalized persons aged ≥18 years. A small-area estimation model combined indirect standardization of NHANES-based prevalence with logistic regression modeling of mortality data, listing acute or chronic HCV infection as a cause of death, from the National Vital Statistics System during 1999–2012. Model results were combined with US Census population sizes to estimate total number and prevalence of persons with antibody to HCV in 2010.
Results.
National anti-HCV prevalence was 1.67% (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.53–1.90), or 3 911 800 (95% CI, 3 589 400– 4 447 500) adults in 2010. State-specific prevalence ranged from 0.71% (Illinois) to 3.34% (Oklahoma). The West census region had the highest region-specific prevalence (2.14% [95% CI, 1.96–2.48]); 10 of 13 states had rates above the national average. The South had the highest number of persons with anti-HCV (n = 1561600 [95% CI, 1 427 700–1 768 900]). The Midwest had the lowest region-specific prevalence (1.14% [95% CI, 1.04%–1.30%]).
Conclusions.
States in the US West and South have been most impacted by hepatitis C. Estimates of HCV infection burden are essential to guide policy and programs to optimally prevent, detect, and cure infection.
Continue to full text article

International Liver Transplantation Society Consensus Statement on Hepatitis C Management in Liver Transplant Candidates

International Liver Transplantation Society Consensus Statement on Hepatitis C Management in Liver Transplant Candidates
Terrault, Norah A. MD, MPH1; McCaughan, Geoff W. MD, BS, PhD2; Curry, Michael P. MD3; Gane, Edward MD4; Fagiuoli, Stefano MD5; Fung, James Y. Y. MD6; Agarwal, Kosh MD7; Lilly, Les MD8; Strasser, Simone I. MBBS, MD9; Brown, Kimberly A. MD10; Gadano, Adrian MD11; Kwo, Paul Y. MD12; Burra, Patrizia MD13; Samuel, Didier MD14; Charlton, Michael MD15; Pessoa, Mario G. MD16; Berenguer, Marina MD17

Transplantation: May 2017 - Volume 101 - Issue 5 - p 945–955
doi: 10.1097/TP.0000000000001708

An expert panel from ILTS reviews the approach to management of HCV in the transplant recipient in the era of direct-acting anti-virals. Considerations range from preemption of recurrence to the treatment of fibrosing cholestatic hepatitis

Article

Full Text Articles
I highly suggest you follow Henry E. Chang on Twitter if you are interested in reading full text articles about the treatment and management of hepatitis C. A link to the above consensus statement was provided by Henry E. Chang.

Factors that predict HCV vertical transmission - Mother to Child Transmission

Factors that predict HCV vertical transmission
The latest issue of  Liver International investigates what factors should be optimized using data mining computational analysis to predict HCV vertical transmission. Neonates born to hepatitis C virus (HCV)-positive mothers are usually not screened for HCV. 

Unscreened children may act as active sources for social HCV transmission, and factors contributing for vertical HCV transmitting still remained controversial and needed optimization. 

Dr Abd Elrazek and colleagues from Egypt investigated the factors contributing for vertical HCV transmission in Egypt, which has the highest HCV prevalence worldwide.

The researchers prospectively followed the neonates born to HCV-positive mother in the child-bearing period, to identify mother-to-child transmission factors from 2015 to 2016. 

HCV vertical transmission was identified in 18% of neonates Liver International Data mining computational analysis was used to quantify the findings. The team found that among 3000 randomized pregnant women, prevalence of HCV was 2%.  HCV vertical transmission was identified in 18% of neonates. 

The researchers identfied that only high viral load at 975.000 IU was the predictor risk for mother-to-child transmission.

Dr Elrazek's team concluded, "Hepatitis C virus in pregnancy has substantial risk for vertical HCV transmission." "High viral load in HCV-positive women increases the risk of HCV transmission to neonates."

"Screening pregnant women during early stage of pregnancy, and optimizing the HCV viral load in HCV-positive women might prevent vertical HCV transmission to neonates.
GastroHep

"Liver International
Volume 37, Issue 4
April 2017
Pages 529–533
Prediction of HCV vertical transmission: what factors should be optimized using data mining computational analysis
Authors Abd Elrazek, Mohamed Amer, Bahaa El-Hawary, Altaher Salah, Akshaya S. Bhagavathula, M. Alboraie, Samy Saab First published: 16 June 2016Full publication history DOI: 10.1111/liv.13146

Abstract
Background & Aims
Neonates born to hepatitis C virus (HCV)-positive mothers are usually not screened for HCV. Unscreened children may act as active sources for social HCV transmission, and factors contributing for vertical HCV transmitting still remained controversial and needed optimization. We aimed to investigate the factors contributing for vertical HCV transmission in Egypt; the highest HCV prevalence worldwide.

Methods
We prospectively followed the neonates born to HCV-positive mother in the child-bearing period, to identify mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) factors from January 2015 to March 2016. Data mining computational analysis was used to quantify the findings.

Results
Among 3000 randomized pregnant women, prevalence of HCV was 46/3000 (1.53%). HCV vertical transmission was identified in eight neonates (17.39%). Only high viral load identified at 975.000 IU was the predictor risk for MTCT.

Conclusions
Hepatitis C virus in pregnancy has substantial risk for vertical HCV transmission: High viral load in HCV-positive women increases the risk of HCV transmission to neonates. Screening pregnant women during early stage of pregnancy and optimizing the HCV viral load in HCV-positive women might prevent vertical HCV transmission to neonates.

HCV Viral Load test can detect active infection from a finger-stick sample

Point-of-care hep C test developed
By LabOnline Staff
Monday, 24 April, 2017
A research team led by UNSW’s Kirby Institute has evaluated a new test that enables diagnosis of hepatitis C infection in a single visit, with promising results. Their study has been published in The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology.

The researchers conducted the first evaluation of the Xpert HCV Viral Load test, manufactured by molecular diagnostics company Cepheid — a point-of-care hepatitis C virus test that can detect active infection from a finger-stick sample of blood. They established that the test demonstrated good sensitivity and specificity in blood tests collected by finger-stick in participants attending drug health and homelessness services in Australia.

“This test represents a major advance over point-of-care antibody-based tests, which only indicate previous exposure to the virus but cannot detect whether you are actively infected,” said Associate Professor Jason Grebely from The Kirby Institute. “We really need to scale up testing for active hepatitis C infection in order to enhance diagnosis, get people linked to appropriate care and provide highly curative treatment with direct-acting antivirals to prevent advanced liver disease and onward transmission of the virus.”

Importantly, new point-of-care platforms enable detection of hepatitis C virus and diagnosis of active infection in a single visit, rather than having to come back for a second visit to obtain test results. As noted by Associate Professor Grebely, “Requiring people to come back for a second appointment to receive their results can present significant barriers, especially for people living in remote areas and for vulnerable and marginalised populations… who are the people we need to reach the most in order to eliminate hepatitis C.”

The finger-stick test is not yet registered in Australia, but international clinical trials are underway to evaluate this point-of-care assay as a diagnostic test for the detection of active HCV infection.

Read more: Point-of-care hep C test developed

Abstract
Evaluation of the Xpert HCV Viral Load point-of-care assay from venepuncture-collected and finger-stick capillary whole-blood samples: a cohort
study
Dr Jason Grebely, PhD Francois M J Lamoury, EiCNAM, Behzad Hajarizadeh, PhD, Yasmin Mowat, BSc, Alison D Marshall, MA, Sahar Bajis, MIPH, Philippa Marks, MPH, Janaki Amin, PhD, Julie Smith, RN, Michael Edwards, MBBS, Carla Gorton, MPH, Nadine Ezard, PhD, David Persing, PhD, Marika Kleman, PhD, Philip Cunningham, PhD, Beth Catlett, BSc, Prof Gregory J Dore, PhD, Tanya L Applegate, PhD on behalf of the LiveRLife Study Group

Published: 21 April 2017
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S2468-1253(17)30075-4

Summary
Background
Point-of-care hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA testing offers an advantage over antibody testing (which only indicates previous exposure), enabling diagnosis of active infection in a single visit. In this study, we evaluated the performance of the Xpert HCV Viral Load assay with venepuncture and finger-stick capillary whole-blood samples.

Methods
Plasma and finger-stick capillary whole-blood samples were collected from participants in an observational cohort enrolled at five sites in Australia (three drug and alcohol clinics, one homelessness service, and one needle and syringe programme). We compared the sensitivity and specificity of the Xpert HCV Viral Load test for HCV RNA detection by venepuncture and finger-stick collection with the Abbott RealTime HCV Viral Load assay (gold standard).

Findings
Of 210 participants enrolled between Feb 8, 2016, and July 27, 2016, 150 participants had viral load testing results for the three assays tested. HCV RNA was detected in 45 (30% [95% CI 23–38]) of 150 participants based on Abbott RealTime. Sensitivity of the Xpert HCV Viral Load assay for HCV RNA detection in plasma collected by venepuncture was 100·0% (95% CI 92·0–100·0) and specificity was 99·1% (95% CI 94·9–100·0). Sensitivity of the Xpert HCV Viral Load assay for HCV RNA detection in samples collected by finger-stick was 95·5% (95% CI 84·5–99·4) and specificity was 98·1% (95% CI 93·4–99·8). No adverse events caused by the index test or the reference standard were observed

Implications
The Xpert HCV Viral Load test can detect active infection from a finger-stick sample, which represents an advance over antibody-based tests that only indicate past or previous exposure.

Funding
National Health and Medical Research Council (Australia), Cepheid, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District (Australia), and Merck Sharp & Dohme (Australia).
Lancet

Xpert HCV Viral Load Test Can Detect Active Hepatitis C Infection From Fingerstick
Posted on April 25, 2017
Jason Grebely PhD
Associate Professor
Senior Research Fellow (UNSW)
Viral Hepatitis Clinical Research Program

MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: Globally, testing and diagnosis of hepatitis C virus infection remain low. Although point of care tests for HCV infection exist, but many of these tests only measure HCV antibodies (previous exposure), not HCV RNA (active infection). Given that 25% of individuals spontaneously clear HCV infection, efforts to enhance diagnosis of chronic HCV infection and improve the HCV care cascade requires enhanced uptake of HCV RNA testing.
We conducted the first evaluation of the Xpert HCV Viral Load test (manufactured by Cepheid) – a point-of-care hepatitis C virus test that can detect active infection – from a finger-stick sample of blood. We established that there is good sensitivity and specificity of the Xpert HCV Viral Load point-of-care test using blood samples collected by finger-stick in participants attending drug health and homelessness services in Australia.

MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?
Response: This test represents a major advance over point of care antibody-based tests, which only indicate previous exposure to the virus but cannot detect whether you are actively infected. This new point of care platform enables detection of hepatitis C virus and diagnosis of active infection in a single visit, rather than having to come back for a second visit to obtain test results. Data have shown that on-site HCV testing with integrated care improves linkage to HCV care.
We really need to scale up testing for active hepatitis C infection in order to enhance diagnosis, get people linked to appropriate care, and provided highly curative treatment with direct-acting antivirals to prevent advanced liver disease and onward transmission of the virus.

MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?
Response: Further validation studies are needed to further evaluate the performance of this assay in different settings and populations (eg, patients given DAA therapy, those with a sustained virological response, or those with HIV/HCV co-infection). Also, future research should evaluate the effectiveness of integrating point of care testing into interventions to enhance linkage to HCV care and treatment.

Disclosures: JG is a consultant and adviser and has received research grants from AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Cepheid, Gilead Sciences, and Merck/MSD.

MedicalResearch.com: Thank you for your contribution to the MedicalResearch.com community.
Interview Source

Tuesday, April 25, 2017

Achillion Presents Mixed Trial Results – May, Hep C “Awareness Month”


By Mitchell Young
New Haven: Achillion Pharmaceuticals [Nasdaq: ACHN] presented data on its three drug combination to treat Hepatitis C, at The International Liver Congress in Amsterdam in late April, just a week before the national kick-off of Hep C Awareness Month.
Jansen is financially responsible for all clinical trials and they initiated the Phase II clinical trial, last May of 300 participants of the drug combination, simeprevirodalasvir and AL-335.
Jansen previously developed simeprevir and odalasvir, but required Achilion’s A-335 to achieve the effectiveness needed to cure Hep C.
The clinical results presented could be described as really good and really not so good....
 Continue reading