Stephanie Noviello

Peginterferon Alfa-2b or Alfa-2a with Ribavirin for Treatment of Hepatitis C Infection

BACKGROUND Treatment guidelines recommend the use of peginterferon alfa-2b or peginterferon alfa-2a in combination with ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. However, these regimens have not been adequately compared. METHODS At 118 sites, patients who had HCV genotype 1 infection and who had not previously been treated were randomly assigned to undergo 48 weeks of treatment with one of three regimens: peginterferon alfa-2b at a standard dose of 1.5 microg per kilogram of body weight per week or a low dose of 1.0 microg per kilogram per week, plus ribavirin at a dose of 800 to 1400 mg per day, or peginterferon alfa-2a at a dose of 180 microg per week plus ribavirin at a dose of 1000 to 1200 mg per day. We compared the rate of sustained virologic response and the safety and adverse-event profiles between the peginterferon alfa-2b regimens and between the standard-dose peginterferon alfa-2b regimen and the peginterferon alfa-2a regimen. RESULTS Among 3070 patients, rates of sustained virologic response were similar among the regimens: 39.8% with standard-dose peginterferon alfa-2b, 38.0% with low-dose peginterferon alfa-2b, and 40.9% with peginterferon alfa-2a (P=0.20 for standard-dose vs. low-dose peginterferon alfa-2b; P=0.57 for standard-dose peginterferon alfa-2b vs. peginterferon alfa-2a). Estimated differences in response rates were 1.8% (95% confidence interval [CI], -2.3 to 6.0) between standard-dose and low-dose peginterferon alfa-2b and -1.1% (95% CI, -5.3 to 3.0) between standard-dose peginterferon alfa-2b and peginterferon alfa-2a. Relapse rates were 23.5% (95% CI, 19.9 to 27.2) for standard-dose peginterferon alfa-2b, 20.0% (95% CI, 16.4 to 23.6) for low-dose peginterferon alfa-2b, and 31.5% (95% CI, 27.9 to 35.2) for peginterferon alfa-2a. The safety profile was similar among the three groups; serious adverse events were observed in 8.6 to 11.7% of patients. Among the patients with undetectable HCV RNA levels at treatment weeks 4 and 12, a sustained virologic response was achieved in 86.2% and 78.7%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS In patients infected with HCV genotype 1, the rates of sustained virologic response and tolerability did not differ significantly between the two available peginterferon-ribavirin regimens or between the two doses of peginterferon alfa-2b. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00081770.)

Interleukin-28B Polymorphism Improves Viral Kinetics and Is the Strongest Pretreatment Predictor of Sustained Virologic Response in Genotype 1 Hepatitis C Virus

BACKGROUND & AIMS We recently identified a polymorphism upstream of interleukin (IL)-28B to be associated with a 2-fold difference in sustained virologic response (SVR) rates to pegylated interferon-alfa and ribavirin therapy in a large cohort of treatment-naive, adherent patients with chronic hepatitis C virus genotype 1 (HCV-1) infection. We sought to confirm the polymorphisms clinical relevance by intention-to-treat analysis evaluating on-treatment virologic response and SVR. METHODS HCV-1 patients were genotyped as CC, CT, or TT at the polymorphic site, rs12979860. Viral kinetics and rates of rapid virologic response (RVR, week 4), complete early virologic response (week 12), and SVR were compared by IL-28B type in 3 self-reported ethnic groups: Caucasians (n = 1171), African Americans (n = 300), and Hispanics (n = 116). RESULTS In Caucasians, the CC IL-28B type was associated with improved early viral kinetics and greater likelihood of RVR (28% vs 5% and 5%; P < .0001), complete early virologic response (87% vs 38% and 28%; P < .0001), and SVR (69% vs 33% and 27%; P < .0001) compared with CT and TT. A similar association occurred within African Americans and Hispanics. In a multivariable regression model, CC IL-28B type was the strongest pretreatment predictor of SVR (odds ratio, 5.2; 95% confidence interval, 4.1-6.7). RVR was a strong predictor of SVR regardless of IL-28B type. In non-RVR patients, the CC IL-28B type was associated with a higher rate of SVR (Caucasians, 66% vs 31% and 24%; P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS In treatment-naive HCV-1 patients treated with pegylated interferon and ribavirin, a polymorphism upstream of IL-28B is associated with increased on-treatment and sustained virologic response and effectively predicts treatment outcome.

All-oral daclatasvir plus asunaprevir for hepatitis C virus genotype 1b: a multinational, phase 3, multicohort study

BACKGROUND An unmet need exists for interferon-free and ribavirin-free treatments for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. In this study, we assessed all-oral therapy with daclatasvir (NS5A replication complex inhibitor) plus asunaprevir (NS3 protease inhibitor) in patients with genotype 1b infection, including those with high unmet needs or cirrhosis, or both. METHODS We did this phase 3, multicohort study (HALLMARK-DUAL) at 116 sites in 18 countries between May 11, 2012, and Oct 9, 2013. Patients were adults with chronic HCV genotype 1b infection who were treatment-naive; previous non-responders to peginterferon alfa plus ribavirin; or medically ineligible for, previously intolerant of, or ineligible for and intolerant of peginterferon alfa plus ribavirin. Treatment-naive patients were randomly assigned (2:1 ratio) by an interactive voice-response system with a computer-generated random allocation sequence (stratified by cirrhosis status) to receive daclatasvir 60 mg once daily plus asunaprevir 100 mg twice daily or placebo for 12 weeks. Patients and investigator sites were masked to treatment assignment and HCV RNA results to the end of week 12. The treatment-naive group assigned to daclatasvir plus asunaprevir continued open-label treatment to the end of week 24; participants assigned to placebo entered another daclatasvir plus asunaprevir study. Non-responders and ineligible, intolerant, or ineligible and intolerant patients received open-label daclatasvir plus asunaprevir for 24 weeks. The primary endpoint was sustained virological response at post-treatment week 12. Efficacy analyses were restricted to patients given daclatasvir plus asunaprevir. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01581203. FINDINGS This study included 307 treatment-naive patients (205 received daclatasvir plus asunaprevir and 102 received placebo; all randomly assigned patients received the intended treatment), 205 non-responders, and 235 ineligible, intolerant, or ineligible and intolerant patients. Daclatasvir plus asunaprevir provided sustained virological response in 182 (90%, 95% CI 85-94) patients in the treatment-naive cohort, 168 (82%, 77-87) in the non-responder cohort, and 192 (82%, 77-87) in the ineligible, intolerant, or ineligible and intolerant cohort. Serious adverse events occurred in 12 (6%) patients in the treatment-naive group; 11 (5%) non-responders, and 16 (7%) ineligible, intolerant, or ineligible and intolerant patients; adverse events leading to discontinuation (most commonly reversible increases in alanine or aspartate aminotransferase) occurred in six (3%), two (1%), and two (1%) patients, respectively, with no deaths recorded. Grade 3 or 4 laboratory abnormalities were uncommon, with low incidences of aminotransferase increases during the first 12 weeks with daclatasvir plus asunaprevir and placebo in treatment-naive patients (≤2% each). INTERPRETATION Daclatasvir plus asunaprevir provided high sustained virological response rates in treatment-naive, non-responder, and ineligible, intolerant, or ineligible and intolerant patients, and was well tolerated in patients with HCV genotype 1b infection. These results support the use of daclatasvir plus asunaprevir as an all-oral, interferon-free and ribavirin-free treatment option for patients with HCV genotype 1b infection, including those with cirrhosis. FUNDING Bristol-Myers Squibb.

Daclatasvir plus Sofosbuvir for HCV in Patients Coinfected with HIV-1

BACKGROUND The combination of daclatasvir, a hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS5A inhibitor, and the NS5B inhibitor sofosbuvir has shown efficacy in patients with HCV monoinfection. Data are lacking on the efficacy and safety of this combination in patients coinfected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). METHODS This was an open-label study involving 151 patients who had not received HCV treatment and 52 previously treated patients, all of whom were coinfected with HIV-1. Previously untreated patients were randomly assigned in a 2:1 ratio to receive either 12 weeks or 8 weeks of daclatasvir at a standard dose of 60 mg daily (with dose adjustment for concomitant antiretroviral medications) plus 400 mg of sofosbuvir daily. Previously treated patients were assigned to undergo 12 weeks of therapy at the same doses. The primary end point was a sustained virologic response at week 12 after the end of therapy among previously untreated patients with HCV genotype 1 who were treated for 12 weeks. RESULTS Patients had HCV genotypes 1 through 4 (83% with genotype 1), and 14% had compensated cirrhosis; 98% were receiving antiretroviral therapy. Among patients with genotype 1, a sustained virologic response was reported in 96.4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 89.8 to 99.2) who were treated for 12 weeks and in 75.6% (95% CI, 59.7 to 87.6) who were treated for 8 weeks among previously untreated patients and in 97.7% (95% CI, 88.0 to 99.9) who were treated for 12 weeks among previously treated patients. Rates of sustained virologic response across all genotypes were 97.0% (95% CI, 91.6 to 99.4), 76.0% (95% CI, 61.8 to 86.9), and 98.1% (95% CI, 89.7 to 100), respectively. The most common adverse events were fatigue, nausea, and headache. There were no study-drug discontinuations because of adverse events. HIV-1 suppression was not compromised. CONCLUSIONS Among previously untreated HIV-HCV coinfected patients receiving daclatasvir plus sofosbuvir for HCV infection, the rate of sustained virologic response across all genotypes was 97.0% after 12 weeks of treatment and 76.0% after 8 weeks. (Funded by Bristol-Myers Squibb; ALLY-2 ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02032888.).

Daclatasvir with sofosbuvir and ribavirin for hepatitis C virus infection with advanced cirrhosis or post-liver transplantation recurrence

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection with advanced cirrhosis or post‐liver transplantation recurrence represents a high unmet medical need with no approved therapies effective across all HCV genotypes. The open‐label ALLY‐1 study assessed the safety and efficacy of a 60‐mg once‐daily dosage of daclatasvir (pan‐genotypic NS5A inhibitor) in combination with sofosbuvir at 400 mg once daily (NS5B inhibitor) and ribavirin at 600 mg/day for 12 weeks with a 24‐week follow‐up in two cohorts of patients with chronic HCV infection of any genotype and either compensated/decompensated cirrhosis or posttransplantation recurrence. Patients with on‐treatment transplantation were eligible to receive 12 additional weeks of treatment immediately after transplantation. The primary efficacy measure was sustained virologic response at posttreatment week 12 (SVR12) in patients with a genotype 1 infection in each cohort. Sixty patients with advanced cirrhosis and 53 with posttransplantation recurrence were enrolled; HCV genotypes 1 (76%), 2, 3, 4, and 6 were represented. Child‐Pugh classifications in the advanced cirrhosis cohort were 20% A, 53% B, and 27% C. In patients with cirrhosis, 82% (95% confidence interval [CI], 67.9%‐92.0%) with genotype 1 infection achieved SVR12, whereas the corresponding rates in those with genotypes 2, 3, and 4 were 80%, 83%, and 100%, respectively; SVR12 rates were higher in patients with Child‐Pugh class A or B, 93%, versus class C, 56%. In transplant recipients, SVR12 was achieved by 95% (95% CI, 83.5%‐99.4%) and 91% of patients with genotype 1 and 3 infection, respectively. Three patients received peritransplantation treatment with minimal dose interruption and achieved SVR12. There were no treatment‐related serious adverse events. Conclusion: The pan‐genotypic combination of daclatasvir, sofosbuvir, and ribavirin was safe and well tolerated. High SVR rates across multiple HCV genotypes were achieved by patients with post‐liver transplantation recurrence or advanced cirrhosis. (Hepatology 2016;63:1493‐1505)

Daclatasvir With Sofosbuvir and Ribavirin for HCV Infection With Advanced Cirrhosis or Post‐Liver Transplant Recurrence

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection with advanced cirrhosis or post‐liver transplantation recurrence represents a high unmet medical need with no approved therapies effective across all HCV genotypes. The open‐label ALLY‐1 study assessed the safety and efficacy of a 60‐mg once‐daily dosage of daclatasvir (pan‐genotypic NS5A inhibitor) in combination with sofosbuvir at 400 mg once daily (NS5B inhibitor) and ribavirin at 600 mg/day for 12 weeks with a 24‐week follow‐up in two cohorts of patients with chronic HCV infection of any genotype and either compensated/decompensated cirrhosis or posttransplantation recurrence. Patients with on‐treatment transplantation were eligible to receive 12 additional weeks of treatment immediately after transplantation. The primary efficacy measure was sustained virologic response at posttreatment week 12 (SVR12) in patients with a genotype 1 infection in each cohort. Sixty patients with advanced cirrhosis and 53 with posttransplantation recurrence were enrolled; HCV genotypes 1 (76%), 2, 3, 4, and 6 were represented. Child‐Pugh classifications in the advanced cirrhosis cohort were 20% A, 53% B, and 27% C. In patients with cirrhosis, 82% (95% confidence interval [CI], 67.9%‐92.0%) with genotype 1 infection achieved SVR12, whereas the corresponding rates in those with genotypes 2, 3, and 4 were 80%, 83%, and 100%, respectively; SVR12 rates were higher in patients with Child‐Pugh class A or B, 93%, versus class C, 56%. In transplant recipients, SVR12 was achieved by 95% (95% CI, 83.5%‐99.4%) and 91% of patients with genotype 1 and 3 infection, respectively. Three patients received peritransplantation treatment with minimal dose interruption and achieved SVR12. There were no treatment‐related serious adverse events. Conclusion: The pan‐genotypic combination of daclatasvir, sofosbuvir, and ribavirin was safe and well tolerated. High SVR rates across multiple HCV genotypes were achieved by patients with post‐liver transplantation recurrence or advanced cirrhosis. (Hepatology 2016;63:1493‐1505)

Serum cholesterol and statin use predict virological response to peginterferon and ribavirin therapy

Elevated low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) levels and statin use have been associated with higher sustained virological response (SVR) rates in patients receiving chronic hepatitis C therapy. However, these relationships have not been well characterized in randomized controlled trials. Furthermore, little is known about the relationship between high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) and virological response. To determine whether baseline LDL or HDL levels and statin use affect SVR rates, we retrospectively evaluated the IDEAL (Individualized Dosing Efficacy Versus Flat Dosing to Assess Optimal Pegylated Interferon Therapy) trial, in which 3070 treatment‐naive, hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1–infected patients were treated for up to 48 weeks in one of the following arms: (1) peginterferon (PEG‐IFN) alfa‐2b at 1.5 μg/kg/week with ribavirin (RBV) at 800 to 1400 mg/day, (2) PEG‐IFN alfa‐2b at 1.0 μg/kg/week with RBV at 800 to 1400 mg/day, or (3) PEG‐IFN alfa‐2a at 180 μg/week with RBV at 1000 to 1200 mg/day. Virological responses were assessed by pretreatment statin use and baseline elevated LDL levels (≥130 mg/dL) or low HDL levels (<40 mg/dL for men and <50 mg/dL for women). In 1464 patients with baseline elevated LDL levels or low HDL levels, the SVR rate was significantly higher than that in patients with normal levels (44.9% versus 34.0%, P < 0.001). In 66 patients receiving a statin pretreatment, the SVR rate was higher than the rate of those not receiving it (53.0% versus 39.3%, P = 0.02). In a multivariate logistic regression analysis using the stepwise selection method with baseline characteristics, a high LDL level [odds ratio (OR) = 1.6, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.4‐1.8, P < 0.001], a low HDL level (OR = 0.5, 95% CI = 0.3‐0.8, P = 0.004), and statin use (OR = 2.0, 95% CI = 1.1‐3.7, P = 0.02) were independently associated with SVR. Conclusion: Baseline elevated LDL levels or low HDL levels and preemptive statin usage were associated with higher SVR rates. Prospective studies may be considered to explore the biological impact of these factors on HCV RNA replication and treatment response. (HEPATOLOGY 2010;)

High sustained virologic response rates in children with chronic hepatitis C receiving peginterferon alfa-2b plus ribavirin

BACKGROUND & AIMS Pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) alfa-2b plus ribavirin (RBV) is the standard of care for adults with chronic hepatitis C but was not approved for the treatment of children at the time of this study. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of PEG-IFN alfa-2b plus RBV in children. METHODS Children and adolescents ages 3-17 years were treated with PEG-IFN alfa-2b (60microg/m(2)/week) plus RBV (15mg/kg/day). The duration of therapy was 24 weeks for genotype (G) 2 and G3 patients with low viral load (<600,000IU/ml) and 48 weeks for G1, G4, and G3 with high viral load (>or=600,000IU/ml). The primary end point was sustained virologic response (SVR), defined as undetectable hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA 24 weeks after completion of therapy. RESULTS SVR was attained by 70 (65%) children. Genotype was the main predictor of response: G1, 53%; G2/3, 93%; G4, 80%. SVRs were similar in younger and older children. Baseline viral load was the main predictor of response in the G1 cohort. No new safety signals were identified, and adverse events (AEs) were generally mild or moderate in severity. Dose was modified because of AEs in 25% of children; 1 child discontinued because of an AE (thrombocytopenia). No serious AEs related to study drugs were reported. CONCLUSION Therapy with PEG-IFN alfa-2b plus RBV in children and adolescents with chronic hepatitis C offers favorable efficacy, reduced injection frequency, and an acceptable safety profile.

Hepatitis C Virus Treatment-Related Anemia Is Associated With Higher Sustained Virologic Response Rate

BACKGROUND & AIMS Hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment is frequently complicated by anemia from ribavirin (RBV)-related hemolysis and peginterferon-alfa (PEG-IFN)-related bone marrow suppression. We investigated the relationships among treatment outcomes, anemia, and their management with RBV dose reduction and/or erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs). METHODS We analyzed data from a trial conducted at 118 United States academic and community centers in treatment-naïve patients with HCV genotype 1. Patients were treated for as many as 48 weeks with 1 of 3 PEG-IFN/RBV regimens. ESAs were permitted for anemic patients (hemoglobin [Hb] <10 g/dL) after RBV dose reduction. Sustained virologic responses (SVR) were assessed based on decreases in Hb, anemia, and ESA use. RESULTS While patients received treatment, 3023 had their Hb levels measured at least once. An SVR was associated with the magnitude of Hb decrease: >3 g/dL, 43.7%; ≤3 g/dL, 29.9% (P < .001). Anemia occurred in 865 patients (28.6%); 449 of these (51.9%) used ESAs. In patients with early-onset anemia (≤ 8 weeks of treatment), ESAs were associated with higher SVR rate (45.0% vs 25.9%; P < .001) and reduced discontinuation of treatment because of adverse events (12.6% vs 30.1%, P < .001). ESAs did not affect SVR or discontinuation rates among patients with late-stage anemia. CONCLUSIONS Among HCV genotype 1-infected patients treated with PEG-IFN/RBV, anemia was associated with higher rates of SVR. The effect of ESAs varied by time to anemia; patients with early-onset anemia had higher rates of SVR with ESA use, whereas no effect was observed in those with late-onset anemia. Prospective trials are needed to assess the role of ESAs in HCV treatment.

Daclatasvir plus peginterferon alfa and ribavirin for treatment-naive chronic hepatitis C genotype 1 or 4 infection: a randomised study

Objective To evaluate the safety and efficacy of daclatasvir, an HCV NS5A inhibitor with pangenotypic activity, administered with peginterferon-alfa-2a/ribavirin. Design In this Phase 2b double-blind, placebo-controlled study, treatment-naive adults with HCV genotype 1 (N=365) or 4 (N=30) infection were randomly assigned (2:2:1) to daclatasvir 20 mg or 60 mg, or placebo once daily plus weekly peginterferon-alfa-2a and twice-daily ribavirin. Daclatasvir recipients achieving protocol-defined response (PDR; HCV-RNA<lower limit of quantitation at Week 4 and undetectable at Week 10) were rerandomised at Week 12 to continue daclatasvir/peginterferon-alfa-2a/ribavirin for 24 weeks total duration or to placebo/peginterferon-alfa-2a/ribavirin for another 12 weeks. Patients without PDR and placebo patients continued peginterferon-alfa/ribavirin through Week 48. Primary efficacy endpoints were undetectable HCV-RNA at Weeks 4 and 12 (extended rapid virologic response, eRVR) and at 24 weeks post-treatment (sustained virologic response, SVR24) among genotype 1-infected patients. Results Overall, eRVR was achieved by 54.4% (80/147) of genotype 1-infected patients receiving daclatasvir 20 mg, 54.1% (79/146) receiving 60 mg versus 13.9% (10/72) receiving placebo. SVR24 was achieved among 87 (59.2%), 87 (59.6%), and 27 (37.5%) patients in these groups, respectively. Higher proportions of genotype 4-infected patients receiving daclatasvir 20 mg (66.7%; 8/12) or 60 mg (100.0%; 12/12) achieved SVR24 versus placebo (50.0%; 3/6). A majority of daclatasvir-treated patients achieved PDR and experienced less virologic failure and higher SVR24 rates with a shortened 24-week treatment duration. Adverse events occurred with similar frequency across all treatment groups. Conclusions The combination of daclatasvir/peginterferon-alfa/ribavirin was generally well tolerated and achieved higher SVR24 rates compared with placebo/peginterferon-alfa/ribavirin among patients infected with HCV genotype 1 or 4. Trial registration number NCT01125189.