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Kamal S, Shahzad A, Rehman K, Tariq K, Akash MSH, Imran M, Assiri MA. Therapeutic Intervention of Serine Protease Inhibitors against Hepatitis C Virus. Curr Med Chem 2024; 31:2052-2072. [PMID: 37855348 DOI: 10.2174/0109298673234823230921090431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a globally prevalent and hazardous disorder that is responsible for inducing several persistent and potentially fatal liver diseases. Current treatment strategies offer limited efficacy, often accompanied by severe and debilitating adverse effects. Consequently, there is an urgent and compelling need to develop novel therapeutic interventions that can provide maximum efficacy in combating HCV while minimizing the burden of adverse effects on patients. One promising target against HCV is the NS3-4A serine protease, a complex composed of two HCV-encoded proteins. This non-covalent heterodimer is crucial in the viral life cycle and has become a primary focus for therapeutic interventions. Although peginterferon, combined with ribavirin, is commonly employed for HCV treatment, its efficacy is hampered by significant adverse effects that can profoundly impact patients' quality of life. In recent years, the development of direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) has emerged as a breakthrough in HCV therapy. These agents exhibit remarkable potency against the virus and have demonstrated fewer adverse effects when combined with other DAAs. However, it is important to note that there is a potential for developing resistance to DAAs due to alterations in the amino acid position of the NS3-4A protease. This emphasizes the need for ongoing research to identify strategies that can minimize the emergence of resistance and ensure long-term effectiveness. While the combination of DAAs holds promise for HCV treatment, it is crucial to consider the possibility of drug-drug interactions. These interactions may occur when different DAAs are used concurrently, potentially compromising their therapeutic efficacy. Therefore, carefully evaluating and monitoring potential drug interactions are vital to optimize treatment outcomes. In the pursuit of novel therapeutic interventions for HCV, the field of computational biology and bioinformatics has emerged as a valuable tool. These advanced technologies and methodologies enable the development and design of new drugs and therapeutic agents that exhibit maximum efficacy, reduced risk of resistance, and minimal adverse effects. By leveraging computational approaches, researchers can efficiently screen and optimize potential candidates, accelerating the discovery and development of highly effective treatments for HCV, treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shagufta Kamal
- Department of Biochemistry, Government College University, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Asif Shahzad
- Department of Biochemistry, Government College University, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Kanwal Rehman
- Department of Pharmacy, The Women University, Multan, Pakistan
| | - Komal Tariq
- Department of Biochemistry, Government College University, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | | | - Muhammad Imran
- Research center for Advanced Materials Science (RCAMS), King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed Ali Assiri
- Research center for Advanced Materials Science (RCAMS), King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
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2
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Zhang H, Quadeer AA, McKay MR. Direct-acting antiviral resistance of Hepatitis C virus is promoted by epistasis. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7457. [PMID: 37978179 PMCID: PMC10656532 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42550-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) provide efficacious therapeutic treatments for chronic Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. However, emergence of drug resistance mutations (DRMs) can greatly affect treatment outcomes and impede virological cure. While multiple DRMs have been observed for all currently used DAAs, the evolutionary determinants of such mutations are not currently well understood. Here, by considering DAAs targeting the nonstructural 3 (NS3) protein of HCV, we present results suggesting that epistasis plays an important role in the evolution of DRMs. Employing a sequence-based fitness landscape model whose predictions correlate highly with experimental data, we identify specific DRMs that are associated with strong epistatic interactions, and these are found to be enriched in multiple NS3-specific DAAs. Evolutionary modelling further supports that the identified DRMs involve compensatory mutational interactions that facilitate relatively easy escape from drug-induced selection pressures. Our results indicate that accounting for epistasis is important for designing future HCV NS3-targeting DAAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hang Zhang
- Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ahmed Abdul Quadeer
- Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong SAR, China.
| | - Matthew R McKay
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne, at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
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3
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Miao M, Jing X, De Clercq E, Li G. Danoprevir for the Treatment of Hepatitis C Virus Infection: Design, Development, and Place in Therapy. DRUG DESIGN DEVELOPMENT AND THERAPY 2020; 14:2759-2774. [PMID: 32764876 PMCID: PMC7368560 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s254754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
On June 8, 2018, an NS3/4A protease inhibitor called danoprevir was approved in China to treat the infections of HCV genotype (GT) 1b – the most common HCV genotype worldwide. Based on phase 2 and 3 clinical trials, the 12-week regimen of ritonavir-boosted danoprevir (danoprevir/r) plus peginterferon alpha-2a and ribavirin offered 97.1% (200/206) of sustained virologic response at post-treatment week 12 (SVR12) in treatment-naïve non-cirrhotic patients infected with HCV genotype 1b. Adverse events such as anemia, fatigue, fever, and headache were associated with the inclusion of peginterferon alpha-2a and ribavirin in the danoprevir-based regimen. Moreover, drug resistance to danoprevir could be traced to amino acid substitutions (Q80K/R, R155K, D168A/E/H/N/T/V) near the drug-binding pocket of HCV NS3 protease. Despite its approval, the clinical use of danoprevir is currently limited to its combination with peginterferon alpha-2a and ribavirin, thereby driving its development towards interferon-free, ribavirin-free regimens with improved tolerability and adherence. In the foreseeable future, pan-genotypic direct-acting antivirals with better clinical efficacy and less adverse events will be available to treat HCV infections worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miao Miao
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Clinical Epidemiology, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha 410078, People's Republic of China
| | - Xixi Jing
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Clinical Epidemiology, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha 410078, People's Republic of China
| | - Erik De Clercq
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Guangdi Li
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Clinical Epidemiology, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha 410078, People's Republic of China
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4
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Wei L, Shang J, Ma Y, Xu X, Huang Y, Guan Y, Duan Z, Zhang W, Gao Z, Zhang M, Li J, Jia J, Yang Y, Wen X, Wang M, Jia Z, Ning B, Chen Y, Qi Y, Du J, Jiang J, Tong L, Xie Y, Wu JJ. Efficacy and Safety of 12-week Interferon-based Danoprevir Regimen in Patients with Genotype 1 Chronic Hepatitis C. J Clin Transl Hepatol 2019; 7:221-225. [PMID: 31608213 PMCID: PMC6783684 DOI: 10.14218/jcth.2019.00018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2019] [Revised: 06/12/2019] [Accepted: 06/30/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and Aims: Genotype (GT) 1 remains the predominant hepatitis c virus (HCV) GT in Chinese patients. Over 80% of those Chinese patients harbor the interferon-sensitive CC allele of IFNL4rs12979860, which is favorable for interferon-based treatment regimens. This phase III clinical trial aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the ritonavir-boosted danoprevir plus pegylated-interferon α-2a and ribavirin regimen for 12 weeks in treatment-naïve mainland Chinese patients infected with HCV GT1 without cirrhosis. Methods: One hundred and forty-one treatment-naïve, non-cirrhotic HCV GT1 Chinese patients (age ≥18 years) were enrolled for this single-arm, multicenter, phase III MANASA study (NCT03020082). Patients received a combination of ritonavir-boosted danoprevir (100 mg/100 mg) twice a day plus subcutaneous injection of weekly pegylated-interferon α-2a (180 μg) and oral ribavirin (1000/1200 mg/day body weight <75/≥75 kg) for 12 weeks. The primary end-point was sustained virologic response rate at 12 weeks after the end of treatment. The secondary end-points were safety outcomes, tolerability, virologic response over time and relapse rate. Results: All enrolled patients were HCV GT1-infected, and most among them (97.9%, 123/141) had the HCV GT1b subtype. Single-nucleotide polymorphism test showed that the majority of patients were of the IFNL4 rs12979860 CC genotype (87.2%, 123/141). Overall, 140 patients completed the 12-week treatment, and 97.1% (136/140) patients achieved sustained virologic response at 12 weeks (per protocol population group, 95% confidence interval: 92.9-99.2%). Only drug-related serious adverse event occurred. Most of the adverse events were grade 1 and grade 2 alanine aminotransferase elevation or liver dysfunction. One patient discontinued treatment because of severe head injury in a car accident. Conclusions: The triple regimen of ritonavir-boosted danoprevir plus pegylated-interferon α-2a and ribavirin produced a sustained virologic response rate of 97.1% after 12 weeks treatment in noncirrhotic HCV GT1-infected Chinese patients, and was safe and well tolerated. Trial Registration Clinical-Trials.gov Identifier: NCT03020082.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lai Wei
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Hepatitis C and Immunotherapy for Liver Diseases, Beijing, China
- Correspondence to: Lai Wei, Beijing Key Laboratory of Hepatitis C and Immunotherapy for Liver Diseases, Beijing 100191, China. Tel: +86-1-88326666, Fax: +86-1-68318386, E-mail:
| | - Jia Shang
- People’s Hospital of Henan Province, Henan, China
| | - Yuanji Ma
- West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xiaoyuan Xu
- Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Huang
- Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yujuan Guan
- Guangzhou Eighth People’s Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhongping Duan
- Artificial Liver Center, Beijing YouAn Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | | | - Zhiliang Gao
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Mingxiang Zhang
- The Sixth People’s Hospital of Shenyang, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Jun Li
- People’s Hospital of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jidong Jia
- Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yongfeng Yang
- Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Second Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | | | - Maorong Wang
- Liver Disease Center of PLA, The 81st Hospital of PLA, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhansheng Jia
- Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Bo Ning
- Baoji Central Hospital, Baoji, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yongping Chen
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yue Qi
- The First Hospital Affiliated to Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Jie Du
- The First Hospital of Changsha, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jianning Jiang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Lixin Tong
- The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Yao Xie
- Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jinzi J. Wu
- Ascletis BioScience Co., Ltd., Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
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Abstract
Ascletis has developed danoprevir (Ganovo®), an orally-administered hepatitis C virus NS3 protease inhibitor, as a treatment for hepatitis C. Based on positive results in phase II and phase III trials in patients with hepatitis C, danoprevir, in combination with ritonavir, peginterferon alfa and ribavirin was recently approved for marketing in China for the treatment of treatment-naive patients with non-cirrhotic genotype 1b chronic hepatitis C. This article summarizes the milestones in the development of danoprevir leading to this first approval.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Markham
- Springer, Private Bag 65901, Mairangi Bay, Auckland, 0754, New Zealand
| | - Susan J Keam
- Springer, Private Bag 65901, Mairangi Bay, Auckland, 0754, New Zealand.
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Pecoraro V, Banzi R, Cariani E, Chester J, Villa E, D'Amico R, Bertele' V, Trenti T. New Direct-Acting Antivirals for the Treatment of Patients With Hepatitis C Virus Infection: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials. J Clin Exp Hepatol 2019; 9:522-538. [PMID: 31516269 PMCID: PMC6728536 DOI: 10.1016/j.jceh.2018.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2018] [Accepted: 07/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND New direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) approved for the treatment of patients infected by Hepatitis C virus (HCV) are well tolerated and increase sustained virological response (SVR) rate. We summarize current evidence on the efficacy and safety from comparative randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of DAAs. METHODS We systematically searched MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, CENTRAL, and Lilacs as well as a list of reference literature. We included RCTs comparing DAAs with placebo or active control and reporting response rates and adverse events according to antiviral regimens. Risk ratios (RRs) were pooled as appropriate. We assessed the risk of bias of included studies and graded the quality of evidence according to the GRADE method. RESULTS We included 28 RCTs, enrolling more than 7000 patients. The quality of evidence was generally low. Twelve-week treatment with DAAs in naïve patients significantly increased SVR12 and SVR24 compared with placebo (RR 1.4, 95% CI 1.3-1.6; RR 1.5, 95% CI 1.4-1.6, respectively). This means that for every 1000 patients, 240 or 260 more patients experienced SVR12 or SVR24 if treated with any DAAs. We could not find RCTs assessing progression of liver disease or development of hepatocellular carcinoma. DAAs were not associated with higher incidence of serious adverse events or discontinuation due to adverse events. CONCLUSIONS This systematic review confirms that new DAAs are more effective in inducing SVR than placebo. Outside clinical trials, in real word, HCV cure with DAA regimens occurs in less than 90% of patients, so further comparative evaluations are needed to establish their long-term effects.
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Key Words
- AE, adverse event
- CI, confidence interval
- DAA, direct-acting antiviral agent
- HCC, hepatocellular carcinoma
- HCV, Hepatitis C virus
- NNPIs, nonnucleoside polymerase inhibitors
- NPIs, nucleoside polymerase inhibitors
- PEG-IFN, pegylated interferon
- PrIs, protease inhibitors
- RAVs, resistance-associated variants
- RBV, Ribavirin
- RCT, randomized controlled trial
- RR, risk ratio
- SAEs, serious adverse events
- SE, standard error
- SVR, sustained virological response
- hepatitis C
- liver
- meta-analysis
- outcome research
- systematic review
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Pecoraro
- Unit of Laboratory Medicine, Ospedale Civile Sant'Agostino Estense, Modena, Italy,Center for Drug Regulatory Policies, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milan, Italy,Address for correspondence. Pecoraro Valentina, Unit of Laboratory Medicine, Ospedale Civile Sant'Agostino Estense, Modena, Italy.
| | - Rita Banzi
- Center for Drug Regulatory Policies, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Cariani
- Unit of Laboratory Medicine, Ospedale Civile Sant'Agostino Estense, Modena, Italy
| | - Johanna Chester
- Department of Surgery, Medical, Dentistry and Morphological Sciences, University of Modena e Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Erica Villa
- Department of Gastroenterology – AOU Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Roberto D'Amico
- Cochrane Italy – University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Vittorio Bertele'
- Center for Drug Regulatory Policies, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Tommaso Trenti
- Unit of Laboratory Medicine, Ospedale Civile Sant'Agostino Estense, Modena, Italy
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7
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Burchill MA, Roby JA, Crochet N, Wind-Rotolo M, Stone AE, Edwards MG, Dran RJ, Kriss MS, Gale M, Rosen HR. Rapid reversal of innate immune dysregulation in blood of patients and livers of humanized mice with HCV following DAA therapy. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0186213. [PMID: 29040318 PMCID: PMC5645093 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0186213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2017] [Accepted: 09/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
RESULTS First, in patients receiving two different combinations of DAAs, we found that DAAs induced not only rapid viral clearance, but also a re-setting of antiviral immune responses in the peripheral blood. Specifically, we see a rapid decline in the expression of genes associated with chronic IFN stimulation (IFIT3, USP18, IFIT1) as well as a rapid decline in genes associated with inflammation (IL1β, CXCL10, CXCL11) in the peripheral blood that precedes the complete removal of virus from the blood. Interestingly, this rapid reversal of innate immune activation was not seen in patients who successfully clear chronic HCV infection using IFN-based therapy. Next, using a novel humanized mouse model (Fah-/-RAG2-/-IL2rgnull-FRG), we assessed the changes that occur in the hepatic tissue following DAA treatment. DAA-mediated rapid HCV clearance resulted in blunting of the expression of proinflammatory responses while functionally restoring the RIG-I/MAVS axis in the liver of humanized mice. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, our data demonstrate that the rapid viral clearance following treatment with DAAs results in the rebalancing of innate antiviral response in both the peripheral blood and the liver as well as enhanced antiviral signaling within previously infected hepatocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew A. Burchill
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hepatitis C Center, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Denver (UCD), Aurora, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Justin A. Roby
- Center for Innate Immunity and Immune Disease, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- Department of Immunology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Nanette Crochet
- Center for Innate Immunity and Immune Disease, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- Department of Immunology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Megan Wind-Rotolo
- Bristol-Myers Squibb, Exploratory Clinical and Translational Research, Lawrenceville, New Jersey, United States of America
| | - Amy E. Stone
- Center for Innate Immunity and Immune Disease, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- Department of Immunology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | | | - Rachael J. Dran
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hepatitis C Center, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Denver (UCD), Aurora, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Michael S. Kriss
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hepatitis C Center, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Denver (UCD), Aurora, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Michael Gale
- Center for Innate Immunity and Immune Disease, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- Department of Immunology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Hugo R. Rosen
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hepatitis C Center, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Denver (UCD), Aurora, Colorado, United States of America
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Jakobsen JC, Nielsen EE, Feinberg J, Katakam KK, Fobian K, Hauser G, Poropat G, Djurisic S, Weiss KH, Bjelakovic M, Bjelakovic G, Klingenberg SL, Liu JP, Nikolova D, Koretz RL, Gluud C, Cochrane Hepato‐Biliary Group. Direct-acting antivirals for chronic hepatitis C. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2017; 9:CD012143. [PMID: 28922704 PMCID: PMC6484376 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd012143.pub3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Millions of people worldwide suffer from hepatitis C, which can lead to severe liver disease, liver cancer, and death. Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), e.g. sofosbuvir, are relatively new and expensive interventions for chronic hepatitis C, and preliminary results suggest that DAAs may eradicate hepatitis C virus (HCV) from the blood (sustained virological response). Sustained virological response (SVR) is used by investigators and regulatory agencies as a surrogate outcome for morbidity and mortality, based solely on observational evidence. However, there have been no randomised trials that have validated that usage. OBJECTIVES To assess the benefits and harms of DAAs in people with chronic HCV. SEARCH METHODS We searched for all published and unpublished trials in The Cochrane Hepato-Biliary Group Controlled Trials Register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, Science Citation Index Expanded, LILACS, and BIOSIS; the Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), China Network Knowledge Information (CNKI), the Chinese Science Journal Database (VIP), Google Scholar, The Turning Research into Practice (TRIP) Database, ClinicalTrials.gov, European Medicines Agency (EMA) (www.ema.europa.eu/ema/), WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (www.who.int/ictrp), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (www.fda.gov), and pharmaceutical company sources for ongoing or unpublished trials. Searches were last run in October 2016. SELECTION CRITERIA Randomised clinical trials comparing DAAs versus no intervention or placebo, alone or with co-interventions, in adults with chronic HCV. We included trials irrespective of publication type, publication status, and language. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS We used standard methodological procedures expected by Cochrane. Our primary outcomes were hepatitis C-related morbidity, serious adverse events, and health-related quality of life. Our secondary outcomes were all-cause mortality, ascites, variceal bleeding, hepato-renal syndrome, hepatic encephalopathy, hepatocellular carcinoma, non-serious adverse events (each reported separately), and SVR. We systematically assessed risks of bias, performed Trial Sequential Analysis, and followed an eight-step procedure to assess thresholds for statistical and clinical significance. We evaluated the overall quality of the evidence, using GRADE. MAIN RESULTS We included a total of 138 trials randomising a total of 25,232 participants. The trials were generally short-term trials and designed primarily to assess the effect of treatment on SVR. The trials evaluated 51 different DAAs. Of these, 128 trials employed matching placebo in the control group. All included trials were at high risk of bias. Eighty-four trials involved DAAs on the market or under development (13,466 participants). Fifty-seven trials administered DAAs that were discontinued or withdrawn from the market. Study populations were treatment-naive in 95 trials, had been exposed to treatment in 17 trials, and comprised both treatment-naive and treatment-experienced individuals in 24 trials. The HCV genotypes were genotype 1 (119 trials), genotype 2 (eight trials), genotype 3 (six trials), genotype 4 (nine trials), and genotype 6 (one trial). We identified two ongoing trials.We could not reliably determine the effect of DAAs on the market or under development on our primary outcome of hepatitis C-related morbidity or all-cause mortality. There were no data on hepatitis C-related morbidity and only limited data on mortality from 11 trials (DAA 15/2377 (0.63%) versus control 1/617 (0.16%); OR 3.72, 95% CI 0.53 to 26.18, very low-quality evidence). We did not perform Trial Sequential Analysis on this outcome.There is very low quality evidence that DAAs on the market or under development do not influence serious adverse events (DAA 5.2% versus control 5.6%; OR 0.93, 95% CI 0.75 to 1.15 , 15,817 participants, 43 trials). The Trial Sequential Analysis showed that there was sufficient information to rule out that DAAs reduce the relative risk of a serious adverse event by 20% when compared with placebo. The only DAA that showed a lower risk of serious adverse events when meta-analysed separately was simeprevir (OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.45 to 0.86). However, Trial Sequential Analysis showed that there was not enough information to confirm or reject a relative risk reduction of 20%, and when one trial with an extreme result was excluded, the meta-analysis result showed no evidence of a difference.DAAs on the market or under development may reduce the risk of no SVR from 54.1% in untreated people to 23.8% in people treated with DAA (RR 0.44, 95% CI 0.37 to 0.52, 6886 participants, 32 trials, low quality evidence). Trial Sequential Analysis confirmed this meta-analysis result.Only 1/84 trials on the market or under development assessed the effects of DAAs on health-related quality of life (SF-36 mental score and SF-36 physical score).There was insufficient evidence from trials on withdrawn or discontinued DAAs to determine their effect on hepatitis C-related morbidity and all-cause mortality (OR 0.64, 95% CI 0.23 to 1.79; 5 trials, very low-quality evidence). However, these DAAs seemed to increase the risk of serious adverse events (OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.22 to 1.73; 29 trials, very low-quality evidence). Trial Sequential Analysis confirmed this meta-analysis result.None of the 138 trials provided useful data to assess the effects of DAAs on the remaining secondary outcomes (ascites, variceal bleeding, hepato-renal syndrome, hepatic encephalopathy, and hepatocellular carcinoma). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS The evidence for our main outcomes of interest come from short-term trials, and we are unable to determine the effect of long-term treatment with DAAs. The rates of hepatitis C morbidity and mortality observed in the trials are relatively low and we are uncertain as to how DAAs affect this outcome. Overall, there is very low quality evidence that DAAs on the market or under development do not influence serious adverse events. There is insufficient evidence to judge if DAAs have beneficial or harmful effects on other clinical outcomes for chronic HCV. Simeprevir may have beneficial effects on risk of serious adverse event. In all remaining analyses, we could neither confirm nor reject that DAAs had any clinical effects. DAAs may reduce the number of people with detectable virus in their blood, but we do not have sufficient evidence from randomised trials that enables us to understand how SVR affects long-term clinical outcomes. SVR is still an outcome that needs proper validation in randomised clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janus C Jakobsen
- Copenhagen Trial Unit, Centre for Clinical Intervention Research, Department 7812, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University HospitalThe Cochrane Hepato‐Biliary GroupBlegdamsvej 9CopenhagenSjællandDenmarkDK‐2100
- Holbaek HospitalDepartment of CardiologyHolbaekDenmark4300
| | - Emil Eik Nielsen
- Department 7812, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University HospitalCopenhagen Trial Unit, Centre for Clinical Intervention ResearchBlegdamsvej 9CopenhagenDenmark2100
| | - Joshua Feinberg
- Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University HospitalCopenhagen Trial Unit, Centre for Clinical Intervention Research, Department 7812Blegdamsvej 9CopenhagenDenmark2100
| | - Kiran Kumar Katakam
- Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University HospitalCopenhagen Trial Unit, Centre for Clinical Intervention Research, Department 7812Blegdamsvej 9CopenhagenDenmark2100
| | - Kristina Fobian
- Department 7812, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University HospitalCopenhagen Trial Unit, Centre for Clinical Intervention ResearchBlegdamsvej 9CopenhagenDenmark2100
| | - Goran Hauser
- Clinical Hospital Centre RijekaDepartment of GastroenterologyKresimirova 42RijekaCroatia51 000
| | - Goran Poropat
- Clinical Hospital Centre RijekaDepartment of GastroenterologyKresimirova 42RijekaCroatia51 000
| | - Snezana Djurisic
- Copenhagen Trial Unit, Centre for Clinical Intervention Research, Department 7812, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University HospitalCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Karl Heinz Weiss
- Heidelberg University HospitalInternal Medicine IV: Gastroenterology, Infectious Diseases, ToxicologyIm Neuenheimer Feld 410HeidelbergGermanyD‐69120
| | - Milica Bjelakovic
- University of NisMedical FacultyBoulevard Dr Zorana Djindjica 81NisSerbia18000
| | - Goran Bjelakovic
- Medical Faculty, University of NisDepartment of Internal MedicineZorana Djindjica 81NisSerbia18000
| | - Sarah Louise Klingenberg
- Copenhagen Trial Unit, Centre for Clinical Intervention Research, Department 7812, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University HospitalThe Cochrane Hepato‐Biliary GroupBlegdamsvej 9CopenhagenSjællandDenmarkDK‐2100
| | - Jian Ping Liu
- Beijing University of Chinese MedicineCentre for Evidence‐Based Chinese Medicine11 Bei San Huan Dong Lu, Chaoyang DistrictBeijingChina100029
| | - Dimitrinka Nikolova
- Copenhagen Trial Unit, Centre for Clinical Intervention Research, Department 7812, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University HospitalThe Cochrane Hepato‐Biliary GroupBlegdamsvej 9CopenhagenSjællandDenmarkDK‐2100
| | | | - Christian Gluud
- Copenhagen Trial Unit, Centre for Clinical Intervention Research, Department 7812, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University HospitalThe Cochrane Hepato‐Biliary GroupBlegdamsvej 9CopenhagenSjællandDenmarkDK‐2100
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9
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Jakobsen JC, Nielsen EE, Feinberg J, Katakam KK, Fobian K, Hauser G, Poropat G, Djurisic S, Weiss KH, Bjelakovic M, Bjelakovic G, Klingenberg SL, Liu JP, Nikolova D, Koretz RL, Gluud C. Direct-acting antivirals for chronic hepatitis C. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2017; 9:CD012143. [PMID: 28922704 PMCID: PMC6484383 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd012143.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Millions of people worldwide suffer from hepatitis C, which can lead to severe liver disease, liver cancer, and death. Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), e.g. sofosbuvir, are relatively new and expensive interventions for chronic hepatitis C, and preliminary results suggest that DAAs may eradicate hepatitis C virus (HCV) from the blood (sustained virological response). Sustained virological response (SVR) is used by investigators and regulatory agencies as a surrogate outcome for morbidity and mortality, based solely on observational evidence. However, there have been no randomised trials that have validated that usage. OBJECTIVES To assess the benefits and harms of DAAs in people with chronic HCV. SEARCH METHODS We searched for all published and unpublished trials in The Cochrane Hepato-Biliary Group Controlled Trials Register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, Science Citation Index Expanded, LILACS, and BIOSIS; the Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), China Network Knowledge Information (CNKI), the Chinese Science Journal Database (VIP), Google Scholar, The Turning Research into Practice (TRIP) Database, ClinicalTrials.gov, European Medicines Agency (EMA) (www.ema.europa.eu/ema/), WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (www.who.int/ictrp), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (www.fda.gov), and pharmaceutical company sources for ongoing or unpublished trials. Searches were last run in October 2016. SELECTION CRITERIA Randomised clinical trials comparing DAAs versus no intervention or placebo, alone or with co-interventions, in adults with chronic HCV. We included trials irrespective of publication type, publication status, and language. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS We used standard methodological procedures expected by Cochrane. Our primary outcomes were hepatitis C-related morbidity, serious adverse events, and health-related quality of life. Our secondary outcomes were all-cause mortality, ascites, variceal bleeding, hepato-renal syndrome, hepatic encephalopathy, hepatocellular carcinoma, non-serious adverse events (each reported separately), and SVR. We systematically assessed risks of bias, performed Trial Sequential Analysis, and followed an eight-step procedure to assess thresholds for statistical and clinical significance. We evaluated the overall quality of the evidence, using GRADE. MAIN RESULTS We included a total of 138 trials randomising a total of 25,232 participants. The trials were generally short-term trials and designed primarily to assess the effect of treatment on SVR. The trials evaluated 51 different DAAs. Of these, 128 trials employed matching placebo in the control group. All included trials were at high risk of bias. Eighty-four trials involved DAAs on the market or under development (13,466 participants). Fifty-seven trials administered DAAs that were discontinued or withdrawn from the market. Study populations were treatment-naive in 95 trials, had been exposed to treatment in 17 trials, and comprised both treatment-naive and treatment-experienced individuals in 24 trials. The HCV genotypes were genotype 1 (119 trials), genotype 2 (eight trials), genotype 3 (six trials), genotype 4 (nine trials), and genotype 6 (one trial). We identified two ongoing trials.We could not reliably determine the effect of DAAs on the market or under development on our primary outcome of hepatitis C-related morbidity or all-cause mortality. There were no data on hepatitis C-related morbidity and only limited data on mortality from 11 trials (DAA 15/2377 (0.63%) versus control 1/617 (0.16%); OR 3.72, 95% CI 0.53 to 26.18, very low-quality evidence). We did not perform Trial Sequential Analysis on this outcome.There is very low quality evidence that DAAs on the market or under development do not influence serious adverse events (DAA 5.2% versus control 5.6%; OR 0.93, 95% CI 0.75 to 1.15 , 15,817 participants, 43 trials). The Trial Sequential Analysis showed that there was sufficient information to rule out that DAAs reduce the relative risk of a serious adverse event by 20% when compared with placebo. The only DAA that showed a lower risk of serious adverse events when meta-analysed separately was simeprevir (OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.45 to 0.86). However, Trial Sequential Analysis showed that there was not enough information to confirm or reject a relative risk reduction of 20%, and when one trial with an extreme result was excluded, the meta-analysis result showed no evidence of a difference.DAAs on the market or under development may reduce the risk of no SVR from 54.1% in untreated people to 23.8% in people treated with DAA (RR 0.44, 95% CI 0.37 to 0.52, 6886 participants, 32 trials, low quality evidence). Trial Sequential Analysis confirmed this meta-analysis result.Only 1/84 trials on the market or under development assessed the effects of DAAs on health-related quality of life (SF-36 mental score and SF-36 physical score).There was insufficient evidence from trials on withdrawn or discontinued DAAs to determine their effect on hepatitis C-related morbidity and all-cause mortality (OR 0.64, 95% CI 0.23 to 1.79; 5 trials, very low-quality evidence). However, these DAAs seemed to increase the risk of serious adverse events (OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.22 to 1.73; 29 trials, very low-quality evidence). Trial Sequential Analysis confirmed this meta-analysis result.None of the 138 trials provided useful data to assess the effects of DAAs on the remaining secondary outcomes (ascites, variceal bleeding, hepato-renal syndrome, hepatic encephalopathy, and hepatocellular carcinoma). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS The evidence for our main outcomes of interest come from short-term trials, and we are unable to determine the effect of long-term treatment with DAAs. The rates of hepatitis C morbidity and mortality observed in the trials are relatively low and we are uncertain as to how DAAs affect this outcome. Overall, there is very low quality evidence that DAAs on the market or under development do not influence serious adverse events. There is insufficient evidence to judge if DAAs have beneficial or harmful effects on other clinical outcomes for chronic HCV. Simeprevir may have beneficial effects on risk of serious adverse event. In all remaining analyses, we could neither confirm nor reject that DAAs had any clinical effects. DAAs may reduce the number of people with detectable virus in their blood, but we do not have sufficient evidence from randomised trials that enables us to understand how SVR affects long-term clinical outcomes. SVR is still an outcome that needs proper validation in randomised clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Emil Eik Nielsen
- Department 7812, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University HospitalCopenhagen Trial Unit, Centre for Clinical Intervention ResearchBlegdamsvej 9CopenhagenDenmark2100
| | - Joshua Feinberg
- Department 7812, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University HospitalCopenhagen Trial Unit, Centre for Clinical Intervention ResearchBlegdamsvej 9CopenhagenDenmark2100
| | - Kiran Kumar Katakam
- Copenhagen Trial Unit, Centre for Clinical Intervention Research, Department 7812, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University HospitalBlegdamsvej 9CopenhagenDenmark2100
| | - Kristina Fobian
- Department 7812, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University HospitalCopenhagen Trial Unit, Centre for Clinical Intervention ResearchBlegdamsvej 9CopenhagenDenmark2100
| | - Goran Hauser
- Clinical Hospital Centre RijekaDepartment of GastroenterologyKresimirova 42RijekaCroatia51 000
| | - Goran Poropat
- Clinical Hospital Centre RijekaDepartment of GastroenterologyKresimirova 42RijekaCroatia51 000
| | - Snezana Djurisic
- Copenhagen Trial Unit, Centre for Clinical Intervention Research, Department 7812, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University HospitalBlegdamsvej 9CopenhagenDenmark2100
| | - Karl Heinz Weiss
- Heidelberg University HospitalInternal Medicine IV: Gastroenterology, Infectious Diseases, ToxicologyIm Neuenheimer Feld 410HeidelbergGermanyD‐69120
| | - Milica Bjelakovic
- University of NisMedical FacultyBoulevard Dr Zorana Djindjica 81NisSerbia18000
| | - Goran Bjelakovic
- Medical Faculty, University of NisDepartment of Internal MedicineZorana Djindjica 81NisSerbia18000
| | - Sarah Louise Klingenberg
- Copenhagen Trial Unit, Centre for Clinical Intervention Research, Department 7812, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University HospitalThe Cochrane Hepato‐Biliary GroupBlegdamsvej 9CopenhagenDenmarkDK‐2100
| | - Jian Ping Liu
- Beijing University of Chinese MedicineCentre for Evidence‐Based Chinese Medicine11 Bei San Huan Dong Lu, Chaoyang DistrictBeijingChina100029
| | - Dimitrinka Nikolova
- Copenhagen Trial Unit, Centre for Clinical Intervention Research, Department 7812, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University HospitalThe Cochrane Hepato‐Biliary GroupBlegdamsvej 9CopenhagenDenmarkDK‐2100
| | | | - Christian Gluud
- Copenhagen Trial Unit, Centre for Clinical Intervention Research, Department 7812, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University HospitalThe Cochrane Hepato‐Biliary GroupBlegdamsvej 9CopenhagenDenmarkDK‐2100
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10
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Abstract
Chronic viral hepatitis is a global health threat and financial burden. Hepatitis B and C viruses (HBV and HCV) are the most common causes of chronic viral hepatitis in the United States. Most cases are asymptomatic before adulthood. Research has resulted in effective therapy for HCV and the promise of effective therapies for HBV. For HCV, therapy is pegylated interferon and ribavirin. Clinical trials with effective direct-acting antiviral agents are underway in pediatrics. For HBV, approved agents are alpha-interferon, lamivudine, adefovir, tenofovir, and entecavir. However, treatment seldom results in functional cure and more effective therapies are urgently needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wikrom Karnsakul
- Pediatric Liver Center, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 North Wolfe Street, CMSC 2-117, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
| | - Kathleen B Schwarz
- Professor, Pediatric Liver Center, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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11
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Kao JH, Tung SY, Lee Y, Thongsawat S, Tanwandee T, Sheen IS, Wu JJ, Li H, Brennan BJ, Zhou J, Le Pogam S, Najera I, Thommes JA, Hill G. Ritonavir-boosted danoprevir plus peginterferon alfa-2a and ribavirin in Asian chronic hepatitis C patients with or without cirrhosis. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2016; 31:1757-1765. [PMID: 26992248 DOI: 10.1111/jgh.13374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2015] [Revised: 03/04/2016] [Accepted: 03/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Chronic hepatitis C is an important public health problem in Asia. We evaluated the safety, efficacy, and pharmacokinetics of fixed-dose ritonavir-boosted danoprevir plus peginterferon alfa-2a/ribavirin in treatment-naive Asian patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype (G)1 infection. METHODS Treatment-naive G1 patients in Taiwan, Thailand, and Korea with serum HCV-RNA level ≥ 105 IU/mL received ritonavir-boosted danoprevir 125/100 mg twice daily plus peginterferon alfa-2a/ribavirin for either 12 (noncirrhotic patients: Arm A, n = 34) or 24 weeks (cirrhotic patients: Arm B, n = 27) in this phase II open-label study. Sustained virologic response was defined as HCV-RNA < 25 IU/mL 12 weeks after end of treatment (SVR12). RESULTS Similar SVR12 rates were achieved in Arms A (88.2%; 95% confidence interval, 73.4-95.3%) and B (88.9%; 71.9-96.2%). Most patients had G1b infection, among whom SVR12 rates in Arms A and B were 96.7% and 91.7%, respectively. The overall SVR12 rate was 94.0% in noncirrhotic Taiwanese patients (100% in the subset of G1b patients). No patients withdrew for safety reasons. Three (11%) cirrhotic patients (Arm B) experienced serious adverse events, none of which was considered to be related to treatment. No Grade 3/4 alanine aminotransferase elevations were reported. The pharmacokinetic properties of danoprevir were broadly overlapping in noncirrhotic and cirrhotic patients both on Days 1 and 14. CONCLUSIONS Ritonavir-boosted danoprevir plus peginterferon alfa-2a/ribavirin produced sustained virologic response rates > 90% after 12 weeks' treatment in noncirrhotic and 24 weeks' treatment in cirrhotic Asian patients with G1b infection and was well tolerated. These regimens are well suited to countries where G1b predominates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Horng Kao
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine and Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University and Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Shui-Yi Tung
- Department of Gastroenterology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chia Yi, Taiwan.,Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Younjae Lee
- Pusan Paik Hospital, Inje University, Pusan, Korea
| | | | | | - I-Shyan Sheen
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | | | - Hui Li
- Roche Product Development, Shanghai, China
| | - Barbara J Brennan
- Roche Translational and Clinical Research Center, New York, New York, USA
| | | | | | - Isabel Najera
- Roche Pharma and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - George Hill
- Genentech, South San Francisco, California, USA
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12
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Gane EJ, Rouzier R, Hassanein T, Stedman CA, Mazur W, Kupcova V, Le Pogam S, Eng S, Voulgari A, Morcos PN, Brennan BJ, Scalori A, Thommes J. Ritonavir-boosted danoprevir-based regimens in treatment-naive and prior null responders with HCV genotype 1 or 4 and compensated cirrhosis. Hepatol Int 2016; 10:478-87. [PMID: 26886127 DOI: 10.1007/s12072-015-9699-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2015] [Accepted: 12/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Effective and safe antiviral treatment regimens are needed for patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) and cirrhosis. METHODS An international open-label trial was conducted in CHC patients with genotype (G)1/4 infection, compensated cirrhosis, HCV RNA ≥ 50,000 IU/mL and body mass index 18-35 kg/m(2). Treatment-naive patients (Cohort 1) received a triple therapy regimen [danoprevir/r 100/100 mg twice daily (bid), ribavirin 1000/1200 mg/day and peginterferon alfa-2a 180 µg/week] for 24 weeks. Prior null responders (Cohort 2) received a quadruple therapy regimen (danoprevir/r 100/100 mg bid, mericitabine 1000 mg bid and peginterferon alfa-2a/ribavirin). The primary efficacy outcome was sustained virological response (HCV RNA < limit of quantification, target not detected) at end of the 24-week follow-up period (SVR24). RESULTS In Cohort 1 (n = 23), 73.9 and 65.2 % of patients had a virological response at Weeks 4 and 24, respectively; 39.1 % achieved SVR24 (G1a = 1/13; G1b = 8/9; G4 = 0/1). In Cohort 2 (n = 20), 100 % achieved virological response at Weeks 4 and 24; 65 % achieved SVR24 (G1a = 4/8; G1b = 7/10; G4 = 2/2). Treatment failure was more common in G1a than G1b-infected patients and less common in patients receiving quadruple therapy. Treatment failure was associated with emergence of resistance to danoprevir, but not mericitabine. The safety profile was typical of that associated with peginterferon alfa-2a/ribavirin. No deaths/episodes of hepatic decompensation occurred. CONCLUSIONS Treatment with danoprevir/r-based regimens for 24 weeks is safe and well tolerated in CHC patients with compensated cirrhosis. A quadruple therapy regimen (danoprevir/r, mericitabine, peginterferon alfa/ribavirin) produced high SVR24 rates in prior null responders, particularly among G1b patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward J Gane
- Auckland Clinical Studies, Grafton, New Zealand. .,Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, 1442, New Zealand.
| | - Régine Rouzier
- Centre Cap, Centre Médical Odysséum, Montpellier, France
| | | | - Catherine A Stedman
- Christchurch Clinical Studies and University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Wlodzimierz Mazur
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
| | - Viera Kupcova
- Medical Faculty of Comenius University, Dérer's Hospital, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | | | - Simon Eng
- Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA
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13
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Burchill MA, Golden-Mason L, Wind-Rotolo M, Rosen HR. Memory re-differentiation and reduced lymphocyte activation in chronic HCV-infected patients receiving direct-acting antivirals. J Viral Hepat 2015; 22:983-91. [PMID: 26482547 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.12465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2015] [Accepted: 08/12/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Recently, the treatment of HCV has advanced significantly due to the introduction of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). Studies using interferon (IFN)-containing regimens failed to consistently show restoration of immunologic responses. Therefore, IFN-free DAA formulations provide a unique opportunity to dissect the immunologic effect of HCV cure. This study investigates the restoration of the immune compartment as a consequence of rapid viral clearance in patients successfully treated with DAAs and in the absence of IFN and ribavirin. Here, we evaluate the immunologic changes that occurred following DAA-mediated HCV cure. Peripheral blood from nineteen previously treatment-naïve patients with chronic HCV genotype 1a/1b who received an IFN and ribavirin-free regimen of daclatasvir, asunaprevir and BMS-791325 was evaluated. Immune reconstitution occurs in patients in whom HCV was successfully eradicated via DAA therapy. Restoration of the CD4(+) T-cell compartment in the peripheral blood and a re-differentiation of the T lymphocyte memory compartment resulted in a more effector memory cell population and a reduction in expression in the co-inhibitory molecule TIGIT in bulk T lymphocytes. Furthermore, we observed a partial reversal of the exhausted phenotype in HCV-specific CD8(+) T cells and a dampening of the activation state in peripheral NK cells. Collectively, our data provide the groundwork for dissecting the effect of DAA therapy on the immune system and identifying novel mechanisms by which chronic HCV infection exerts immunosuppressive effects on T cells through the recently described co-inhibitory molecule TIGIT.
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Affiliation(s)
- M A Burchill
- Department of Medicine, Division of GI/Heaptology, University of Colorado-Denver, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - L Golden-Mason
- Department of Medicine, Division of GI/Heaptology, University of Colorado-Denver, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - M Wind-Rotolo
- Bristol-Myers Squibb, Exploratory Clinical and Translational Research, Lawrenceville, NJ, USA
| | - H R Rosen
- Department of Medicine, Division of GI/Heaptology, University of Colorado-Denver, Aurora, CO, USA
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14
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De Clercq E. Development of antiviral drugs for the treatment of hepatitis C at an accelerating pace. Rev Med Virol 2015; 25:254-67. [DOI: 10.1002/rmv.1842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2015] [Revised: 05/04/2015] [Accepted: 05/05/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Erik De Clercq
- Rega Institute for Medical Research; KU Leuven; Leuven Belgium
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15
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Elbaz T, El-Kassas M, Esmat G. New era for management of chronic hepatitis C virus using direct antiviral agents: A review. J Adv Res 2015; 6:301-310. [PMID: 26257927 PMCID: PMC4522579 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2014.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2014] [Revised: 10/31/2014] [Accepted: 11/11/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The pegylated interferon regimen has long been the lone effective management of chronic hepatitis C with modest response. The first appearance of protease inhibitors included boceprevir and telaprevir. However, their efficacy was limited to genotype 1. Recently, direct antiviral agents opened the gate for a real effective management of HCV, certainly after FDA approval of some compounds that further paved the way for the appearance of enormous potent direct antiviral agents that may achieve successful eradication of HCV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamer Elbaz
- Endemic Medicine and Hepatogastroenterology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt
| | - Mohamed El-Kassas
- Hepatology Department, National Hepatology and Tropical Medicine Research Institute, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Gamal Esmat
- Endemic Medicine and Hepatogastroenterology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt
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16
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Papastergiou V, Karatapanis S. Current status and emerging challenges in the treatment of hepatitis C virus genotypes 4 to 6. World J Clin Cases 2015; 3:210-20. [PMID: 25789294 PMCID: PMC4360493 DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v3.i3.210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2014] [Revised: 11/01/2014] [Accepted: 12/29/2014] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes 4, 5 and 6 are mainly present in Africa, the Middle East and Asia and they have been less extensively studied with respect to epidemiology, natural disease history and therapeutic endpoints. Response rates to a 48-wk combined peginterferon/ribavirin treatment range to 40%-69% for HCV 4, 55%-60% for HCV 5 and 60%-90% for HCV 6. Response-guided schedules are recommended to optimize the outcomes of peginterferon/ribavirin treatment in HCV 4 and, in form of preliminary data, for HCV 6, but no data are yet available to support such an individualization of therapy for HCV 5. Recently, the direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) with pan-genotypic activities simeprevir, sofosbuvir and daclatasvir have been recommended in triple regimens with peginterferon/ribavirin for the treatment of HCV genotypes 4 to 6 infections. In the future, DAA-based interferon-free therapies are awaited to drastically improve treatment outcomes in HCV. However, efforts to improve treatment outcomes with peginterferon/ribavirin should continue, as the HCV 4-6 infected population is mainly based in resource-limited settings with restricted access to the costly DAAs.
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17
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Characterization of the Transmembrane Transport and Absolute Bioavailability of the HCV Protease Inhibitor Danoprevir. Clin Pharmacokinet 2014; 54:537-49. [DOI: 10.1007/s40262-014-0222-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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18
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Affiliation(s)
- Stella De Nicola
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico di Milano, Milano, Italy; Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
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19
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Kamal SM. Pharmacogenetics of hepatitis C: transition from interferon-based therapies to direct-acting antiviral agents. Hepat Med 2014; 6:61-77. [PMID: 25114601 PMCID: PMC4075960 DOI: 10.2147/hmer.s41127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has emerged as a major viral pandemic over the past two decades, infecting 170 million individuals, which equates to approximately 3% of the world’s population. The prevalence of HCV varies according to geographic region, being highest in developing countries such as Egypt. HCV has a high tendency to induce chronic progressive liver damage in the form of hepatic fibrosis, cirrhosis, or liver cancer. To date, there is no vaccine against HCV infection. Combination therapy comprising PEGylated interferon-alpha and ribavirin has been the standard of care for patients with chronic hepatitis C for more than a decade. However, many patients still do not respond to therapy or develop adverse events. Recently, direct antiviral agents such as protease inhibitors, polymerase inhibitors, or NS5A inhibitors have been used to augment PEGylated interferon and ribavirin, resulting in better efficacy, better tolerance, and a shorter treatment duration. However, most clinical trials have focused on assessing the efficacy and safety of direct antiviral agents in patients with genotype 1, and the response of other HCV genotypes has not been elucidated. Moreover, the prohibitive costs of such triple therapies will limit their use in patients in developing countries where most of the HCV infection exists. Understanding the host and viral factors associated with viral clearance is necessary for individualizing therapy to maximize sustained virologic response rates, prevent progression to liver disease, and increase the overall benefits of therapy with respect to its costs. Genome wide studies have shown significant associations between a set of polymorphisms in the region of the interleukin-28B (IL28B) gene and natural clearance of HCV infection or after PEGylated interferon-alpha and ribavirin treatment with and without direct antiviral agents. This paper synthesizes the recent advances in the pharmacogenetics of HCV infection in the era of triple therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanaa M Kamal
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hepatology, Gastroenterology and Tropical Medicine, Ain Shams Faculty of Medicine, Cairo, Egypt ; Department of Medicine, Salman Bin Abdul Aziz College of Medicine, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
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20
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Waked I, Doss W, El-Sayed MH, Estes C, Razavi H, Shiha G, Yosry A, Esmat G. The current and future disease burden of chronic hepatitis C virus infection in Egypt. Arab J Gastroenterol 2014; 15:45-52. [PMID: 25097045 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajg.2014.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2014] [Accepted: 04/20/2014] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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