Sustained virologic response after therapy with the HCV protease inhibitor narlaprevir in combination with peginterferon and ribavirin is durable through long‐term follow‐up |
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| Authors: | D. M. Hotho J. de Bruijne M. Spaan M. A. Treitel A. Boonstra R. J. de Knegt H. L. A. Janssen H. W. Reesink |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Departments of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, , Rotterdam, the Netherlands;2. Departments of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Academic Medical Center, , Amsterdam, the Netherlands;3. Department of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Merck Research Laboratories, , Kenilworth, NJ, USA |
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| Abstract: | Achievement of a sustained virologic response (SVR) after peginterferon (PEG‐IFN) and ribavirin (RBV) treatment is considered to be a marker for the cure of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Long‐term follow‐up of patients with SVR after treatment with a direct acting antiviral has not yet been described. We used a randomized placebo‐controlled, double‐blind, two‐period phase 1b trial that was conducted in 40 HCV genotype 1 (treatment‐naïve and treatment‐experienced)‐infected patients. Nineteen patients achieved SVR after treatment with the HCV protease inhibitor narlaprevir followed by PEG‐IFN/RBV. In these patients, HCV‐RNA tests were scheduled at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months after end of treatment. Patients were followed for a median of 27 months (range 15–32) after end of treatment with a median number of follow‐up visits of 4 (range 3–8). All patients remained HCV‐RNA negative over time. SVR achieved following narlaprevir and PEG‐IFN/RBV‐therapy was durable up to 32 months after the end of treatment. |
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| Keywords: | direct acting antivirals durable hepatitis C sustained virologic response |
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