Challenges and perspectives of direct antivirals for the treatment of hepatitis C virus infection

Journal of Hepatology
Challenges and perspectives of direct antivirals for the treatment of hepatitis C virus infection

JohannesVermehren, James S. Park, Ira Jacobson, StefanZeuzem

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhep.2018.07.002

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Abstract

Treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has been revolutionized with the development of direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs). Eight to twelve weeks of all-oral, once-daily treatments is now the standard of care and viral eradication can be achieved in >95% across different patient populations. Despite these advances, several unresolved issues remain, including treatment of HCV genotype 3, chronic kidney disease, and in patients in whom DAA therapy has failed. Glecaprevir/pibrentasvir (GLE/PIB) and sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir (SOF/VEL/VOX) are the most recently approved DAA regimens. Given the overwhelming success of modern DAA-based therapies, GLE/PIB and SOF/VEL/VOX are also likely to represent the last DAAs to be approved. Both are pangenotypic, once-daily, all-oral DAA combinations that have the potential to close the gaps in the current DAA treatment portfolio. Here, we review the challenges associated with current DAAs and how these two regimens may be implemented in existing treatment algorithms.

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Of Special Interest
Commentary
Hepatitis C Management Simplification From Test to Cure:A Framework for Primary Care Providers
SOF/VEL or GLE/PIB), both highly tolerated and effective for all genotypes.

Sofosbuvir and Ledipasvir is Associated with High Sustained Virologic Response and Improvement of Health-Related Quality of Life in East Asian Patients with Hepatitis C Virus Infection
In summary, our data clearly show the superiority of IFN-free RBV-free LDV/SOF in East Asian patients with chronic HCV genotype 1 infection. The advantages of that regimen are related not only to its high efficacy and excellent tolerability but also to significantly better quality of life during treatment and after achieving SVR. These data provide evidences up porting the comprehensive benefit of LDV/SOF for eligible patients which should inform all stakeholders, including providers, payers, and policy makers in East Asian countries

Absolute Insurer Denial of Direct-Acting Antiviral Therapy for Hepatitis C: A National Specialty Pharmacy Cohort Study

Absolute denials of DAA regimens by insurers in the U.S. have remained high & increased over time, regardless of type of insurance.