High success rates for the use of ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir containing regimens in treatment of naïve and experienced chronic hepatitis C genotype 4: Real world results

Genotypes of Hepatitis C Virus and Efficacy of Direct-Acting Antiviral Drugs among Chronic Hepatitis C Patients in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) chronic infection is a major causative factor for several chronic liver diseases, including liver cirrhosis, liver cell failure, and hepatocellular carcinoma. The HCV has seven major genotypes. Genotype 4 is the most prevalent genotype in the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia, followed by genotype 1. The HCV genotype affects the response to different HCV treatments and the progression of liver disease. Currently, combinations of direct-acting antiviral drugs (DAAs) approved for the treatment of HCV achieve high cure rates with minimal adverse effects. Because real-world data from Saudi Arabia about the efficacy of DAAs are still limited, this study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of DAAs in treating patients with chronic hepatitis C and to identify the variables related to a sustained virologic response (SVR) in a real-world setting in Saudi Arabia. This prospective cohort study included 200 Saudi patients with chronic HCV who were 18 years of age or older and had been treated with DAAs at King Abdul-Aziz Specialized Hospital in Taif, Saudi Arabia, between September 2018 and March 2021. The response to treatment was assessed by whether or not an SVR had been achieved at week 12 post treatment (SVR12). An SVR12 was reached in 97.5% of patients. SVR12 rates were comparable for patients of different ages, between men and women, and between patients with and without cirrhosis. In addition, the SVR12 rates did not differ according to the infecting HCV genotype. In this study, the presence of cirrhosis and the patient's gender were independent predictors of who would not reach an SVR12 (known here as the non-SVR12 group) according to the results of univariate and multivariate binary logistic regression analyses based on the determinants of SVR12. In this population of patients with chronic HCV infection, all DAA regimens achieved very high SVR12 rates. The patients' gender and the presence of cirrhosis were independent factors of a poor response.

Three regimens for re-treatment failure of Sofosbuvir-based therapy for chronic hepatitis-C genotype-4: a cohort study

Despite the high sustained virologic response (SVR) rates of direct-acting antiviral (DAAs) therapy, a small number of patients does not eradicate the virus, and these patients represent a challenge. This study aims to compare the outcomes of three second-line regimens for DAAs-experienced patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC). This prospective observational study was conducted at the Damanhur Viral Hepatitis Center from January 2017 to February 2020. We included patients with CHC who did not achieve SVR after the complete course of Sofosbuvir/Daclatasvir±Ribavirin (SOF/DAC±RBV). The primary endpoint was SVR-12 after re-treatment. This study included 360 patients (with a mean age of 51.53±11.38 years). Approximately 51.1% of the patients were males, and 65.5% had liver cirrhosis. All patients of group 1 (45 patients) received SOF/VEL/VOX over 12-weeks; SVR-12 was achieved in 44 patients (97.8%). Group 2 (28 patients) received SOF/DAC/RBV over 24-weeks; (one patient was lost during follow-ups and one patient discontinued treatment due to hepatic decompensation). SVR-12 was achieved in 25 patients (96.2%). Group 3 (287 patients) received SOF/Ombitasvir/Paritaprevir/Ritonavir/RBV) over 12-weeks. Eight patients were lost during follow-ups, and one patient discontinued treatment due to grade 4 adverse events. SVR-12 was achieved in 276 patients (99.3%). There was no difference between the groups regarding their age, gender distribution, baseline viral load or comorbidities. Adverse events (thrombocytopenia, anemia, hyperbilirubinaemia and prolonged INR) were significantly higher in group 3, while group 1 did not experience any. The three studied retreatment regimens can be used for DAAs treatment-experienced patients considering availability. The SOF/VEL/VOX combination had the least adverse events.

Establishing a research production line in real-life settings: the case of Hepatitis C management in a viral hepatitis specialized Egyptian center

Efforts toward eradicating the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) have advanced rapidly, due to the development of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), especially with the appearance of pan-genotypic combinations. Real-world studies, in particular, have verified the efficacy and safety of DAA combinations documented in registration trials. This review documents the results of using DAA combinations in real-life settings in everyday clinical practice in Egypt, the country with the highest prevalence of HCV. The significant number of treated patients in Egypt, which exceeded four million allowed tremendous data about the results of HCV management in real-life settings for different treatment regimens and disease conditions. DAA combinations have resulted in high sustained virologic response rates (SVR12) and few adverse reactions in real-life settings. SVR12 rates ranged from 90% to 100%, depending on the combination of drugs used, the HCV genotype, and the stage of liver disease. Most adverse reactions reported in real-world settings were mild and resulted in treatment discontinuation in only a minority of cases. Data from real-life studies covered most aspects of HCV management that were lacking after initial approval studies. More research is needed to tailor treatment and produce generic HCV combinations to overcome the residual limitations of the currently available DAAs.

Improvement of sexual dysfunction in patients after treatment of hepatitis C virus using directly acting antivirals

OBJECTIVE

The impact on male and female sexual dysfunction of treating hepatitis C virus (HCV) using direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) has not been sufficiently studied. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of HCV clearance with DAAs on sexual dysfunction (SD) in both sexes.

METHODS

In chronic HCV patients who were eligible for DAAs, 100 sexually active men completed the Arabic version of the international index of erectile function questionnaire (IIEF-5), and the same number of sexually active women completed Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), before, at the end of, and 3 months after, treatment for HCV.

RESULT

The mean of the IIEF-5 scores for male patients was 16.29 ±.07 before treatment, 16.88 ± 3.63 3 months after treatment (p < .01), and was significantly higher, at 19.06 ± 3.31 6 months after treatment cessation (p < .01). In female patients, the mean total FSFI score at baseline was 19.22 ± 2.40 and after 3 months of treatment was 21.61 ± 3.45 (p < .01), with a significant increase (25.09 ± 4.52) after 6 months (p < .01). No difference in the improvement of sexual function was reported either after 3 months or at the end of treatment between males and females (p > .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Significant improvement in SD associated with HCV infection in both sexes was recorded following viral clearance using DAAs treatment.

Effectiveness and safety of ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir in treatment of chronic hepatitis C Egyptian hemodialysis patients, case-control study

Background

Prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection in patients with renal diseases is higher compared to the general population. FDA has approved ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ ritonavir for the treatment of patients with severe renal disease. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir with or without ribavirin in treatment of chronic hepatitis C Egyptian hemodialysis patients to compare it with the same treatment result in chronic hepatitis C Egyptian patients with normal renal functions. This case-control study was conducted on one hundred patients with confirmed diagnosis of HCV-positive infection at the Center of National Committee for Control of Viral Hepatitis [NCCVH] at Ain Shams University Hospital. Patients were divided into two groups: group I (control group) with 50 chronic hepatitis C virus patients with normal renal functions and group II (Case Group) with 50 chronic hepatitis C virus hemodialysis patients.

Results

95.1% of prevalent hemodialysis patients achieved sustained virological response (SVR), while 100% of patients with normal kidney functions achieved sustained virological response. Most common side effects were hemoglobin drop, gastrointestinal disturbance, severe fatigue, and itching.

Conclusion

Ombitasvir, paritaprevir, and ritonavir are considered a safe and effective in treatment in HCV infection in patients on regular hemodialysis as in chronic hepatitis C virus infection patients with normal kidney functions.

Effect of treating chronic hepatitis C with direct-acting antivirals on extrahepatic cutaneous manifestations

BACKGROUND

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a disease with a significant global impact, affecting approximately 2%-2.5% of the world’s population. New direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) have been introduced over the past few years with great success in viral eradication. The association of chronic HCV infection with a wide spectrum of cutaneous manifestations has been widely reported in the literature.

AIM

To assess the effect of treating HCV with DAAs on the extrahepatic cutaneous manifestations of HCV.

METHODS

This prospective observational study included 1039 HCV positive Egyptian patients who were eligible to receive DAAs. A total of 30 patients were diagnosed with extrahepatic cutaneous manifestations and fulfilled the inclusion criteria of the study. Of these patients, 6 had classic lichen planus, 8 were diagnosed with psoriasis vulgaris and 16 had pruritus. All patients received DAAs from October 2018 to July 2019 in the form of a three-month course of sofosbuvir/daclatasvir combination. Patients with lichen planus or psoriasis were dermoscopically evaluated before treatment and 6 mo after treatment, while patients with hepatic pruritus were assessed using the 12-Item Pruritus Severity Scale over the same period.

RESULTS

All patients with psoriasis showed significant improvement in all psoriatic plaques, and all patients with hepatic pruritus scored 0 on the 12-Item Pruritus Severity Scale indicating total improvement of pruritus. In addition, four of six patients with lichen planus showed complete improvement.

CONCLUSION

Treatment of HCV with DAAs was significantly effective in improving virus-related extrahepatic cutaneous manifestations.

Emerging from the screening of 57 million citizens and treating 4 million patients: future strategies to eliminate hepatitis C from Egypt

INTRODUCTION

Egypt succeeded in establishing a successful model of care for hepatitis C virus (HCV) management in the country with the highest worldwide disease prevalence. The Egyptian ministry of health announced an optimistic goal of near disease elimination. More steps are still required to achieve such a goal.

AREAS COVERED

This review covers the efforts made in treatment and prevention of HCV by the Egyptian National Committee for the Control of Viral Hepatitis (NCCVH) with emphasis on the extensive screening program that was able to screen more than 57 million citizens, and future strategies implemented to ensure eradicating the virus from the country.

EXPERT OPINION

Despite the great efforts and the proven success in controlling the HCV epidemic in Egypt, some facets of the Egyptian program still need to be upgraded to reach the HCV elimination goal. A significant workload with follow up programs for those who were successfully treated, and treatment failure cases are existing. More enhancement for the currently performed prevention and control measure is missing. Also, we strongly recommend conducting a recent nationwide survey to document the actual infection rates of HCV after all these efforts.