Sofosbuvir and simeprevir is effective for recurrent hepatitis C in liver transplant recipients.

Abstract

BACKGROUND & AIMS:

Hepatitis C is the most common indication for liver transplantation (LT). Recurrent infection is universal and can lead to progressive liver disease. Widespread use of interferon-based therapy has been limited by intolerability and adverse effects.

METHODS:

We retrospectively evaluated the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of sofosbuvir and simeprevir in the treatment of recurrent hepatitis C in adult (age >18) LT recipients.

RESULTS:

Seventy-six percent of the recipients were male and the mean age [±standard deviation (SD)] was 61 (±6.0) years. The mean time (±SD) from LT to treatment initiation was 71.8 (±77.1) months. Of the 26 patients with viral levels measured 4 weeks after starting antiviral therapy, 58% were undetectable. At the end of therapy, viral load was undetectable in all transplant recipients. The 12 week sustained viral response (SVR) was 93%. All recipients were able to complete therapy and no patients required growth factors of blood product transfusion during treatment. No patient required drug interruption of their immunosuppressant therapy.

CONCLUSION:

The use of sofosbuvir and simeprevir is efficacious, safe, and tolerable and should be considered in LT recipients with recurrent HCV who are candidates for antiviral therapy.

• Authors: Sammy Saab, Adam Greenberg, Edwin Li, Sherona Ngashea Bau, Francisco Durazo, Mohammed El-Kabany, Steven Han, Ronald W Busuttil
• Journal: Liver international : official journal of the International Association for the Study of the Liver (Liver Int) Vol. 35 Issue 11 Pg. 2442-7 (Nov 2015) ISSN: 1478-3231 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 25913321 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2015 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Chemical References

• Antiviral Agents
• RNA, Viral
• Simeprevir
• Sofosbuvir

Topics

• Aged
• Antiviral Agents (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Drug Therapy, Combination
• Female
• Hepacivirus
• Hepatitis C, Chronic (drug therapy)
• Humans
• Liver Transplantation
• Male
• Middle Aged
• RNA, Viral (blood)
• Recurrence
• Regression Analysis
• Retrospective Studies
• Simeprevir (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Sofosbuvir (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Transplant Recipients
• Treatment Outcome
• Viral Load