Telaprevir with peginterferon/ribavirin for retreatment of null responders with advanced fibrosis post-orthotopic liver transplant

Efficacy and safety of partial splenic embolization for hypersplenism in pre- and post-liver transplant patients: A 16-year comparative analysis

PURPOSE

To report the effect of partial splenic embolization (PSE) on hematological indices and the procedure's safety in pre- and post-liver transplant (LT) patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A single-center retrospective study evaluating all patients who underwent PSE over a 16-year period was performed. Inclusion criteria were splenomegaly confirmed by imaging and at least one of the following cytopenias: hemoglobin ≤10 g/dL, WBC count ≤1500 μL^-1, or platelet count ≤100,000 μL^-1. 38 of 102 patients (37%) met criteria (24 pre- and 14 post-LT) for a total of 40 PSEs.

RESULTS

No effect was seen on median hemoglobin beyond 2 weeks post-PSE. There was a significant and sustained increase in median WBC counts (from 3400 μL^-1 to 5400 μL^-1 at 2 years) and platelet count (from 65,000 μL^-1 to 117,000 μL^-1 at 3.5 years). In 6 out of 40 PSEs (15%) a major complication occurred which included pleural effusion, ascites, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, pneumonia, and inferior vena cava thrombus. Similar efficacy was observed in pre- and post-LT cohorts, with a trend toward higher complication rate in pre-LT patients.

CONCLUSIONS

PSE is efficacious in increasing WBC count out to 2 years and platelet count out to 3.5 years in patients with hypersplenism. Efficacy and safety appeared independent of pre- or post-LT status. The intervention is associated with major complications and special care should be taken when selecting patients for PSE.

Pharmacokinetics of Tacrolimus and Cyclosporine in Liver Transplant Recipients Receiving 3 Direct-Acting Antivirals as Treatment for Hepatitis C Infection

BACKGROUND

Interactions between tacrolimus and cyclosporine (CSA) and the 3 direct-acting antiviral regimen (3D) of ombitasvir, paritaprevir/ritonavir, and dasabuvir necessitate a priori dose adjustments for the immunosuppressants to achieve desired levels. Modeling and simulations based on data in healthy subjects predicted that tacrolimus 0.5 mg every 7 days or 0.2 mg every 3 days, and CSA at one-fifth the total daily dose administered once daily, would achieve desired trough concentrations (Ctrough) during 3D treatment. The success of these dosing recommendations was evaluated by analyzing pharmacokinetic data from liver transplant recipients in the CORAL-I study.

METHODS

A population pharmacokinetic model was developed using tacrolimus dosing and Ctrough data before and during 3D treatment (n = 29). The model was used to simulate various tacrolimus dosing regimens and predict tacrolimus concentration-time profiles during 3D treatment. CSA Ctrough data before and during 3D treatment (n = 5) were also summarized.

RESULTS

A one-compartment model with first-order absorption adequately described tacrolimus pharmacokinetic profiles during the first 4 weeks of 3D treatment. Estimated tacrolimus Ctrough values (median; interquartile range) before and during 3D treatment were comparable (5.7 ng/mL; 4.9-6.5 ng/mL versus 5.2 ng/mL; 4.2-6.3 ng/mL, respectively). Based on simulations, in a patient with a starting Ctrough of 6 ng/mL, 0.5 mg tacrolimus every 7 or 14 days or 0.2 mg tacrolimus every 3 days will result in Ctrough levels of 6-9 ng/mL, 4-6 ng/mL, and 6-10 ng/mL, respectively, during 3D treatment. For CSA, Ctrough values (median; interquartile range) before and during 3D treatment were comparable (126 ng/mL; 94-140 ng/mL versus 104 ng/mL; 82-140 ng/mL).

CONCLUSIONS

Observed data for tacrolimus and CSA in liver transplant recipients confirm that the recommended dosing strategies are valid and therapeutic levels of immunosuppression can be maintained during 3D treatment.

Efficacy and safety of simeprevir and sofosbuvir with and without ribavirin in subjects with recurrent genotype 1 hepatitis C postorthotopic liver transplant: the randomized GALAXY study

This prospective, randomized, phase 2 study in subjects with recurrent hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1 postorthotopic liver transplant evaluated once-daily simeprevir 150 mg + sofosbuvir 400 mg, with and without ribavirin 1000 mg. Primary endpoint was proportion of subjects with week 12 sustained virologic response (SVR12). Thirty-three subjects without cirrhosis were randomized 1:1:1 into three arms (stratified by genotype/subtype and Q80K): Arm 1, simeprevir + sofosbuvir + ribavirin, 12 weeks; Arm 2, simeprevir + sofosbuvir, 12 weeks; Arm 3, simeprevir + sofosbuvir, 24 weeks; 13 additional subjects (two with cirrhosis, 11 without cirrhosis) entered Arm 3. All 46 subjects received at least one dose of study drug; median age, 60 years; 73.9% male; 80.4% White; 71.7% genotype/subtype 1a [12 (36.4%) of these had Q80K]; median 4.5 years post-transplant. Among randomized subjects, SVR12 was achieved by 81.8% in Arm 1, 100% in Arm 2, and 93.9% in Arm 3; two subjects did not achieve SVR12: one viral relapse (follow-up week 4; Arm 1) and one missing follow-up week 12 data. In total, five subjects had a serious adverse event, considered unrelated to treatment per investigator. Simeprevir exposure was increased relative to the nontransplant setting, but not considered clinically relevant. Simeprevir + sofosbuvir treatment, with or without ribavirin, was efficacious and well tolerated (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02165189).

Twice-Daily Telaprevir for Posttransplant Genotype 1 Hepatitis C Virus: A Prospective Safety, Efficacy, and Pharmacokinetics Study

OBJECTIVES

Our objective was to determine the safety, efficacy, and pharmacokinetics of telaprevir plus pegylated interferon alfa 2a and ribavirin for chronic, posttransplant genotype 1 hepatitis C virus infection.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A prospective, single-arm, multicenter, open-label, phase 2b study was conducted at 22 North American sites to assess the safety, efficacy, and pharmacokinetics of pegylated interferon alfa 2a, ribavirin, and twice daily telaprevir in liver transplant recipients with recurrent, chronic hepatitis C without cirrhosis. Baseline liver biopsies were read by a central pathologist. There were planned safety reviews after a sentinel cohort reached treatment weeks 4 and 16. Serial pharmacokinetic sampling was performed for calcineurin inhibitors, telaprevir, and ribavirin.

RESULTS

Sixty-one patients were enrolled and received ≥ 1 dose of study medication; 37 (61%) achieved sustained virologic response. Thirteen of 18 treatment-naive patients (72%), 10 of 11 patients with no or minimal fibrosis (91%), 13 of 15 patients (87%) with interleukin 28B genotype CC, and 36 of 45 patients (80%) with either undetectable or unquantifiable hepatitis C virus RNA at treatment week 4 achieved sustained virologic response. Nine patients (15%) had ≥ 1 drug-related serious adverse event and 7 (11%) discontinued all study drugs due to an adverse event. There were no deaths or acute cellular rejection episodes. During telaprevir treatment, median doses of tacrolimus and cyclosporine were 0.5 mg weekly and 25 mg daily. Target exposures were achieved for telaprevir with twice daily dosing and for ribavirin with reduced initial dosing.

CONCLUSIONS

Telaprevir combination therapy for posttransplant hepatitis C virus infection yielded superior efficacy than historical controls. Adverse events were similar to, but exceeded, those in immunocompetent patients. Calcineurin inhibitor dosing levels were substantially reduced with telaprevir.

Outcome of liver transplantation in patients with hereditary bleeding disorders: a single centre UK experience

INTRODUCTION

Patients with hereditary bleeding disorders who have developed end-stage liver disease as a consequence of hepatitis C infection (HCV) acquired from factor concentrates prior to the introduction of viral inactivation continue to be referred for liver transplantation.

METHODS

A retrospective review of case notes and electronic records was performed on all patients with bleeding disorders who have undergone liver transplantation at the University Hospital Birmingham (UHB).

RESULTS

Between 1990 and 2014, 35 liver transplants have been performed in 33 patients with hereditary bleeding disorders. The indication for transplantation was mainly end-stage liver disease secondary to HCV. Five patients had human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) co-infection. No excess mortality due to bleeding occurred in the peri or postoperative period. Median overall survival post transplant is 9.7 years. Overall survival rates at 1, 3 and 5 years are 90%, 72% and 64% respectively. The predominant cause of mortality was liver failure secondary to either recurrent HCV or recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The median overall survival in patients with HIV co-infection is shorter than in those with mono-infection but this is not statistically significant. Patients with a pre-existing HCC had a statistically significant shorter survival (2.4 years vs. 13.6 years, P = 0.007).

CONCLUSION

Liver transplantation has become an accepted treatment option for patients with hereditary bleeding disorders and HCV associated end-stage liver disease with survival rates similar to non-bleeding disorder patients.

Telaprevir- and Boceprevir-based Triple Therapy for Hepatitis C in Liver Transplant Recipients With Advanced Recurrent Disease: A Multicenter Study

BACKGROUND

Antiviral treatment with sustained virologic response (SVR) improves survival in liver transplant (LT) recipients, and is especially relevant to patients with advanced recurrent hepatitis C virus (HCV). We assessed the safety and efficacy of protease inhibitor-based triple therapy in patients with recurrent advanced fibrosis and cholestatic hepatitis.

METHODS

The LT recipients with genotype 1 HCV and advanced fibrosis (F3-4/4) or cholestatic hepatitis treated with telaprevir- or boceprevir-based triple therapy at 6 centers (CRUSH-C consortium) were retrospectively assessed. The primary endpoints were SVR at 12 weeks (SVR12) and safety.

RESULTS

Forty-five patients with advanced fibrosis and 9 with cholestatic hepatitis (74% men, 57% genotype 1a, 63% previous nonresponders) were included. SVR12 occurred in 51% with advanced fibrosis and 44% with cholestatic hepatitis. Extended rapid virologic response was highly predictive of SVR12. Hispanic ethnicity (odds ratio, 0.16; P = 0.03), previous null/partial response (0.24; P = 0.02), IL28B genotype CC (7.0; P = 0.02), albumin (3.87; P = 0.03), platelet count (1.01; P = 0.02), and steroid use (0.21; P = 0.03) were associated with SVR12. Six (11%) patients died, and hepatic decompensation occurred in 22% with advanced fibrosis and 33% with cholestatic hepatitis. Albumin (0.02; P = 0.001), encephalopathy (12.0; P = 0.04) and Hispanic ethnicity (odds ratio, 6.17; P = 0.01) were associated with death or decompensation.

CONCLUSIONS

For LT recipients with recurrent advanced HCV and at greatest need of cure, protease inhibitor-based triple therapy achieved approximately 50% SVR12. However, there is significant risk of serious adverse events, arguing for earlier intervention. The availability of treatments with better efficacy and safety is of particular importance for posttransplant patients with advanced disease.

Multicenter experience using simeprevir and sofosbuvir with or without ribavirin to treat hepatitis C genotype 1 after liver transplant

Treatment with an all-oral interferon-free antiviral regimen using simeprevir and sofosbuvir with or without ribavirin (RBV) for 12 weeks resulted in high sustained virologic response (SVR) rates along with minimal adverse events in non-liver transplant (LT) patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1 infection. This is the first multicenter report on the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of this regimen in LT recipients. A total of 123 patients (76% male, 74% white, 60% genotype 1a, 30% METAVIR F3-F4, 4% decompensation, 11% cholestatic recurrence, 7% had kidney transplant, and 82% previously failed pegylated interferon/RBV-based regimens) received treatment and were followed for a median of 30 weeks (range 12-53 weeks). The median time from LT to treatment was 32 months (range 2-317 months). Tacrolimus was the primary immunosuppression in 91% of patients. Minimal immunosuppression dose adjustments were required. An SVR 12 weeks after treatment completion (SVR12) was achieved in 90% of patients (95% confidence interval 84%-96%). In patients with genotype 1a infection, the SVR12 rate was significantly lower in those with METAVIR F3-F4 (71%) compared to those with F0-F2 (91%). Half of the patients achieved undetected HCV RNA at treatment week 4, and their SVR12 rate was significantly higher (96%) compared to those with detectable HCV RNA (83%). Treatment was very well tolerated with mild degrees of adverse events, except for one death possibly due to drug-induced lung injury. In the 25 patients who received RBV, 72% developed anemia requiring intervention.

CONCLUSION

An all-oral interferon-free antiviral regimen using simeprevir and sofosbuvir with or without RBV for 12 weeks was very well tolerated and resulted in excellent SVR12 rates in LT recipients with HCV genotype 1 infection.

Pharmacokinetics and dose recommendations for cyclosporine and tacrolimus when coadministered with ABT-450, ombitasvir, and dasabuvir

ABT-450, ombitasvir, and dasabuvir are direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) that have been developed for combination treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Because these DAAs have metabolic and transporter profiles that overlap with cyclosporine and tacrolimus disposition, there is potential for drug interactions. Two Phase 1 studies assessed effects of ABT-450 (150 mg coadministered with ritonavir 100 mg once daily), ombitasvir (25 mg once daily), and dasabuvir (400 mg twice daily) on the pharmacokinetics, safety, and tolerability of a single dose of cyclosporine (30 mg) or tacrolimus (2 mg) in healthy volunteers (N = 12 per study). In the presence of steady-state concentrations of all 3 DAAs, dose-normalized cyclosporine concentration at 24 hours (C₂₄), and area under the concentration-time curve from time 0 to infinity (AUC(∞)) were 15.8-fold and 5.8-fold, respectively, and dose-normalized tacrolimus C₂₄ and AUC(∞) were 17-fold and 57-fold, respectively, of either agent alone. Cyclosporine and tacrolimus half-lives increased from 7 to 25 h and 32 to 232 h, respectively. There were no major safety or tolerability issues in these studies. The results suggest that cyclosporine and tacrolimus doses and dosing frequency should be reduced in HCV-infected posttransplant patients being treated with this 3-DAA regimen.

Use of simeprevir following pre-emptive pegylated interferon/ribavirin treatment for recurrent hepatitis C in living donor liver transplant recipients: a 12-week pilot study

BACKGROUND

The management of recurrent hepatitis C following liver transplantation remains a challenge.

METHODS

We prospectively investigated the efficacy and safety of simeprevir in combination with pegylated interferon and ribavirin in five patients undergoing living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) with recurrent hepatitis due to hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1b.

RESULTS

As the immunosuppressive regimen, four received cyclosporine A (CsA) and one received tacrolimus (FK); no dose adjustment was made prior to the introduction of simeprevir, but the dose was accordingly modified afterwards. All five patients completed the intended 12-week treatment course without significant adverse events greater than grade 2, and no episodes of rejection were detected during the study period. The trough levels of CsA and FK were stably maintained. At week 12, HCV-RNA was not detectable in three of the five patients, whereas the HCV titer of the other two patients, including one with Q80L and V170I mutations at the HCV NS3 position, was at the lower level of quantification (1.2 log10 IU/ml).

CONCLUSIONS

Based on this pilot study, simeprevir-based triple therapy is safe and somewhat effective within the first 12 weeks in LDLT recipients with HCV recurrence. Further studies are warranted to obtain robust conclusions.