Eight weeks of sofosbuvir/velpatasvir for genotype 3 hepatitis C in previously untreated patients with significant (F2/3) fibrosis.

Twelve weeks sofosbuvir/velpatasvir (SOF/VEL) is a highly effective pan-genotypic regimen for hepatitis C. Phase 2 data suggest 8 weeks of treatment may be sufficient for previously untreated noncirrhotic patients with genotype 3 (GT3) infection. To maximize the number of patients potentially cured within a fixed treatment budget, we elected to treat such patients locally eligible for treatment (F2/3), with 8 weeks of SOF/VEL. By local protocol, treatment-naive patients with F2 (LSM > 6.9kPa < 9.5kPa) or F3 fibrosis (≥9.5kPa < 12.5kPa) were eligible for 8-week SOF/VEL treatment. Patients commencing treatment before 1 Oct 2017 were identified from the Scottish HCV database. Baseline and treatment outcome data obtained. Ninety patients were included for analysis (72 (80%) male, mean age 45 (IQR ± 8.4), 28 (31.1%) F3 fibrosis). Opioid agonist therapy (OAT) was prescribed in 82 (91.1%) patients. Of 49 patients attending Glasgow city Alcohol and Drug Services, 27 (55.1%) had evidence of recent drug use (< 3 months) including 8 (16.3%) with self-reported intravenous drug use. On an intention-to-treat basis, SVR rates were 86/90 (95.6%, 95% CI 89.0-98.8). Excluding those who prematurely discontinued treatment (n = 4), died prior to SVR testing (n = 1) or whom experienced reinfection (n = 1), per-protocol SVR rate was 84/84 (100%, 95% CI 95.7-100.0). In conclusion, eight-week SOF/VEL is highly effective in treatment-naive GT3 patients with significant fibrosis. This offers a non-protease inhibitor-based 8-week regimen which may be useful for complex drug interactions or where time-limited opportunity for treatment. In limited resource settings, reduction in drug acquisition costs may help achieve progress towards the goal of HCV elimination.

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© 2019 The Authors. Journal of Viral Hepatitis published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.