Previously treated with an HCV regimen containing an NS3/4A protease inhibitor Chronic Hepatitis C Genotype 1
Chronic Hepatitis C Genotype 1 Previously Treated with an HCV Regimen Containing an NS3/4A Protease Inhibitor
Chronic hepatitis C genotype 1 affects more than three million people in the United States and is the most common genotype of the virus. It is caused by the hepatitis C virus, which damages the liver cells and is transmitted through contact with contaminated body fluids.
People infected with chronic hepatitis C genotype 1 virus can develop cirrhosis and suffer from long-term liver damage. In the past, treatment for chronic hepatitis C genotype 1 was limited to a combination of pegylated interferon and ribavirin, which had relatively low cure rates. While newer regimens, such as the current “triple-therapy” regimens using direct-acting antivirals, have cured more than 90 percent of chronic hepatitis C genotype 1 patients, people who have previously been treated with standard therapies have had a lower likelihood of successful treatment.
Recently, several studies have explored the efficacy of regimens using an NS3/4A protease inhibitor (PI) for chronic hepatitis C genotype 1 patients who are HCV treatment-experienced. The hope for these patients is that they can be cured with a single-pill regimen and shorter duration of treatment. This prospect is especially attractive to those who were not able to be cured using the previous standard of care.
Studies on Chronic Hepatitis C Genotype 1 Treated with an NS3/4A PI
One study, published in The Annals of Internal Medicine, evaluated the efficacy of a regimen containing grazoprevir/elbasvir (G/E) and an NS3/4A protease inhibitor, velpatasvir (G/E/V). The study included 126 patients with chronic hepatitis C genotype 1 who had received a previous regimen containing a protease inhibitor, but not grazoprevir/elbasvir. Patients were given the G/E/V regimen for 12 weeks, and 92.1 percent of the patients achieved a sustained virologic response, meaning they were cured of the virus.
The results of the study suggest that the G/E/V regimen is safe and effective for treatment of this population of patients. This regimen is well-tolerated and has a low risk of severe side effects, making it particularly attractive to treatment-experienced patients. This study and others show the potential benefit of the combination of G/E/V in treating chronic hepatitis C genotype 1.
Conclusion
The combination of grazoprevir/elbasvir and velpatasvir is an effective regimen for people infected with chronic hepatitis C genotype 1 who have already been treated with a previous regimen containing an NS3/4A protease inhibitor. The results of several studies indicate that this regimen can achieve high rates of SVR with short treatment durations and low risk of adverse effects. It is a promising treatment option for patients who might not have been cured using standard therapies.
