Shorter, Less Complex Treatment Is Safe for HCV Patients
A recent study found that an 8-week treatment combination of ombitasvir, paritaprevir, and ritonavir, plus dasabuvir, without ribavirin, to be a safe and effective treatment for patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1b infection.
Previous studies have found high rates of sustained virological response to a 12-week combination of ombitasvir, paritaprevir, and ritonavir, plus dasabuvir, without ribavirin, in HCV patients. In this study, researchers sought to test a shorter, 8-week version of this combination.
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The phase 3b GARNET study evaluated 166 patients in 20 hospital or clinics across 8 countries. All 166 patients had HCV genotype 1b infection, and 3 patients had other genotypes or subtypes of HCV, including genotype 1a, genotype 1d, and genotype 6.
All 166 patients received once-daily oral ombitasvir 25 mg, paritaprevir 150 mg, and ritonavir 100 mg, plus twice-daily oral dasabuvir 250 mg for 8 weeks.
Results showed that a total of 62 patients achieved sustained virological response at post-treatment week 12. Most adverse events were mild in severity, with the most common adverse events being headache and fatigue.
“Treatment with ombitasvir, paritaprevir, and ritonavir, plus dasabuvir, without ribavirin, for 8 weeks was efficacious and well tolerated,” the researchers concluded. “8-week treatment options for previously untreated patients with HCV genotype 1b infection without cirrhosis are limited; shortening the treatment duration might reduce the burden associated with medical visits and procedures, thereby improving access to care and enabling the treatment of more patients.”
—Christina Vogt
Reference:
Welzel TM, Asselah T, Dumas EO et al. Ombitasvir, paritaprevir, and ritonavir plus dasabuvir for 8 weeks in previously untreated patients with hepatitis C virus genotype 1b infection without cirrhosis (GARNET): a single-arm, open-label, phase 3b trial. Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2017;2(7):494-500. doi:10.1016/S2468-1253(17)30071-7.