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2.
JHEP Rep ; 6(4): 100999, 2024 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38510983

ABSTRACT

Background & Aims: The investigational first-generation core inhibitor vebicorvir (VBR) demonstrated safety and antiviral activity over 24 weeks in two phase IIa studies in patients with chronic HBV infection. In this long-term extension study, patients received open-label VBR with nucleos(t)ide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NrtIs). Methods: Patients in this study (NCT03780543) previously received VBR + NrtI or placebo + NrtI in parent studies 201 (NCT03576066) or 202 (NCT03577171). After receiving VBR + NrtI for ≥52 weeks, stopping criteria (based on the treatment history and hepatitis B e antigen status in the parent studies) were applied, and patients either discontinued both VBR + NrtI, discontinued VBR only, or continued both VBR + NrtI. The primary efficacy endpoint was the proportion of patients with HBV DNA <20 IU/ml at 24 weeks off treatment. Results: Ninety-two patients entered the extension study and received VBR + NrtI. Long-term VBR + NrtI treatment led to continued suppression of HBV nucleic acids and, to a lesser extent, HBV antigens. Forty-three patients met criteria to discontinue VBR + NrtI, with no patients achieving the primary endpoint; the majority of virologic rebound occurred ≥4 weeks off treatment. Treatment was generally well tolerated, with few discontinuations due to adverse events (AEs). There were no deaths. Most AEs and laboratory abnormalities were related to elevations in alanine aminotransferase and occurred during the off-treatment or NrtI-restart phases. No drug-drug interactions between VBR + NrtI and no cases of treatment-emergent resistance among patients who adhered to treatment were observed. Conclusions: Long-term VBR + NrtI was safe and resulted in continued reductions in HBV nucleic acids following completion of the 24-week parent studies. Following treatment discontinuation, virologic relapse was observed in all patients. This first-generation core inhibitor administered with NrtI for at least 52 weeks was not sufficient for HBV cure. Clinical trial number: NCT03780543. Impact and implications: Approved treatments for chronic hepatitis B virus infection (cHBV) suppress viral replication, but viral rebound is almost always observed after treatment discontinuation, highlighting an unmet need for improved therapies with finite treatment duration producing greater therapeutic responses that can be sustained off treatment. First-generation core inhibitors, such as vebicorvir, have mechanisms of action orthogonal to standard-of-care therapies that deeply suppress HBV viral replication during treatment; however, to date, durable virologic responses have not been observed after treatment discontinuation. The results reported here will help researchers with the design and interpretation of future studies investigating core inhibitors as possible components of finite treatment regimens for patients with cHBV. It is possible that next-generation core inhibitors with enhanced potency may produce deeper and more durable antiviral activity than first-generation agents, including vebicorvir.

3.
J Pharm Pract ; 36(5): 1260-1263, 2023 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35635046

ABSTRACT

Nucleoside or nucleotide analogues (NAs) have the potential to cause lactic acidosis by inhibiting DNA polymerase-γ of human mitochondria and impairing aerobic metabolism. Patients may be asymptomatic, have mild non-specific symptoms, or present in multisystem organ failure. There is a paucity of data to guide management of life-threatening lactic acidosis due to NA therapy. Here we describe a case of a 60-year old critically ill male with decompensated cirrhosis secondary to hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection who developed severe lactic acidosis (13.8 mmol/L) 2 days after initiation of tenofovir alafenamide (TAF). All other possible etiologies for the elevated lactate were ruled out. Lactic acidosis resolved rapidly with TAF discontinuation and supplementation with cofactors supporting mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, including coenzyme Q10, levocarnitine, riboflavin, and thiamine. This case highlights the ability of TAF to cause lactic acidosis early after therapy initiation, especially in susceptible hosts, and reviews the potential role for cofactor supplementation for drug-induced mitochondrial injury.


Subject(s)
Acidosis, Lactic , Hepatitis B , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Tenofovir/adverse effects , Acidosis, Lactic/chemically induced , Acidosis, Lactic/diagnosis , Adenine/therapeutic use , Hepatitis B/drug therapy , Antiviral Agents/adverse effects
4.
J Hepatol ; 77(5): 1265-1275, 2022 11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35697332

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Nucleos(t)ide reverse transcriptase inhibitors do not completely suppress HBV DNA in chronic HBV infection (cHBV). Vebicorvir (VBR) is an investigational core inhibitor that interferes with multiple aspects of HBV replication. This phase II trial evaluated the safety and efficacy of VBR in combination with entecavir (ETV) in treatment-naïve patients with cHBV. METHODS: HBeAg-positive, treatment-naïve patients without cirrhosis were randomised 1:1 in a double-blind manner to once-daily VBR 300 mg+ETV 0.5 mg or placebo (PBO)+ETV 0.5 mg for 24 weeks. The primary endpoint was change in mean log10 HBV DNA from Baseline to Week 12 and 24. RESULTS: All patients in both treatment groups (PBO+ETV: 12/12; VBR+ETV: 13/13) completed the study. At Week 12, VBR+ETV led to a greater mean (SD) reduction from Baseline in log10 IU/ml HBV DNA (-4.45 [1.03]) vs. PBO+ETV (-3.30 [1.18]; p = 0.0077). At Week 24, VBR+ETV led to a greater reduction from Baseline in log10 IU/ml HBV DNA (-5.33 [1.59]) vs. PBO+ETV (-4.20 [0.98]; p = 0.0084). Greater mean reductions in pregenomic RNA were observed at Week 12 and 24 in patients receiving VBR+ETV vs. PBO+ETV (p <0.0001 and p <0.0001). Changes in viral antigens were similar in both groups. No drug interaction between VBR and ETV was observed. Two patients experienced HBV DNA rebound during treatment, with no resistance breakthrough detected. The safety of VBR+ETV was similar to PBO+ETV. All treatment-emergent adverse events and laboratory abnormalities were Grade 1/2. There were no deaths, serious adverse events, or evidence of drug-induced liver injury. CONCLUSIONS: In this 24-week study, VBR+ETV provided additive antiviral activity over PBO+ETV in treatment-naïve patients with cHBV, with a favourable safety and tolerability profile. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: NCT03577171 LAY SUMMARY: Hepatitis B is a long-lasting viral infection of the liver. Current treatments can suppress hepatitis B virus but do not offer the opportunity of cure, hence, new treatment approaches are required. Herein, we show that the combination of the novel core inhibitor vebicorvir with an existing antiviral (entecavir) in treatment-naïve patients chronically infected with hepatitis B virus demonstrated greater antiviral activity than entecavir alone. Additionally, vebicorvir was safe and well tolerated. Thus, further studies evaluating its potential role in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B are warranted.


Subject(s)
Antiviral Agents , Hepatitis B, Chronic , Humans , Antiviral Agents/adverse effects , DNA, Viral , Guanine/analogs & derivatives , Hepatitis B e Antigens , Hepatitis B virus , Hepatitis B, Chronic/drug therapy , Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors/therapeutic use , RNA , Treatment Outcome , Drug Therapy, Combination/adverse effects , Double-Blind Method
5.
J Hepatol ; 77(3): 642-652, 2022 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35460726

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND & AIMS: HBV nucleos(t)ide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NrtIs) do not completely suppress HBV replication. Previous reports indicate persistent viremia during NrtI treatment despite HBV DNA being undetectable. HBV core inhibitors may enhance viral suppression when combined with NrtIs. This phase II trial (NCT03576066) evaluated the efficacy and safety of the investigational core inhibitor, vebicorvir (VBR), in virologically- suppressed patients on NrtIs. METHODS: Non-cirrhotic, NrtI-suppressed patients with chronic HBV were randomised to VBR 300 mg once daily or matching placebo (PBO) for 24 weeks. Treatment was stratified by hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) status. The primary endpoint was change from Baseline in serum HBeAg or hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) after 24 weeks. RESULTS: Of 73 patients enrolled, 47 were HBeAg positive and 26 were HBeAg negative. In HBeAg-positive and -negative patients, there were no differences in the change from Baseline at Week 24 for HBsAg or HBeAg. Using a novel, high-sensitivity assay to detect HBV DNA, a greater proportion of patients with detectable HBV DNA at Baseline achieved undetectable HBV DNA at Week 24 in the VBR+NrtI vs. PBO+NrtI group. In HBeAg-positive patients, a greater change from Baseline in HBV pregenomic (pg)RNA was observed at Week 24 with VBR+NrtI vs. PBO+NrtI. Treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) in VBR+NrtI patients included upper respiratory tract infection, nausea, and pruritus. No serious adverse events, Grade 4 TEAEs, or deaths were reported. CONCLUSIONS: In this 24-week study, VBR+NrtI demonstrated a favourable safety and tolerability profile. While there were no significant changes in viral antigen levels, enhanced viral suppression was demonstrated by greater changes in DNA and pgRNA with the addition of VBR compared to NrtI alone. CLINICAL TRIALS NUMBER: NCT03576066. LAY SUMMARY: Core inhibitors represent a novel approach for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, with mechanisms of action distinct from existing treatments. In this study, vebicorvir added to existing therapy reduced HBV replication to a greater extent than existing treatment and was generally safe and well tolerated.


Subject(s)
Hepatitis B, Chronic , Antiviral Agents/adverse effects , DNA, Viral , Hepatitis B Surface Antigens , Hepatitis B e Antigens , Hepatitis B virus/genetics , Humans
6.
J Clin Invest ; 132(8)2022 04 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35175938

ABSTRACT

The gut microbiome shapes local and systemic immunity. The liver is presumed to be a protected sterile site. As such, a hepatic microbiome has not been examined. Here, we showed a liver microbiome in mice and humans that is distinct from that of the gut and is enriched in Proteobacteria. It undergoes dynamic alterations with age and is influenced by the environment and host physiology. Fecal microbial transfer experiments revealed that the liver microbiome is populated from the gut in a highly selective manner. Hepatic immunity is dependent on the microbiome, specifically the bacteroidetes species. Targeting bacteroidetes with oral antibiotics reduced hepatic immune cells by approximately 90%, prevented antigen-presenting cell (APC) maturation, and mitigated adaptive immunity. Mechanistically, our findings are consistent with presentation of bacteroidetes-derived glycosphingolipids to NKT cells promoting CCL5 signaling, which drives hepatic leukocyte expansion and activation, among other possible host-microbe interactions. Collectively, we reveal a microbial/glycosphingolipid/NKT/CCL5 axis that underlies hepatic immunity.


Subject(s)
Gastrointestinal Microbiome , Natural Killer T-Cells , Adaptive Immunity , Animals , Feces/microbiology , Liver , Mice
7.
Transl Behav Med ; 11(9): 1682-1690, 2021 09 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33963414

ABSTRACT

Chinese Americans experience cancer health disparities throughout the entire cancer continuum. Yet, they remain underrepresented in health research in part due to barriers in recruitment, engagement, and retention. This paper describes the strategies that we devised, by drawing upon our experiences with conducting two culturally sensitive cancer intervention studies, to help researchers improve their recruitment and retention rates of Chinese Americans in health research and address the gap in knowledge on intervention research with this population. The first study assessed the efficacy, adoption, and impact of an intervention, delivered by community health workers, to improve adherence to recommended stomach cancer prevention guidelines for at-risk Chinese Americans. The second study evaluated the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a culturally adapted version of the Expressive Helping intervention for Chinese American cancer patients and survivors. Our main recruitment strategies revolved around building community relationships, developing culturally sensitive materials, and establishing good first impressions with participants. Our main engagement and retention strategies focused on attending to cultural sensitivity, fostering relationships, and using technology. Harnessing the community's inherent strengths and prioritizing cultural understanding is crucial for culturally sensitive health research with Chinese Americans.


Subject(s)
Asian , Emigrants and Immigrants , Humans , Survivors
8.
Am J Gastroenterol ; 116(7): 1414-1425, 2021 07 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33993134

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 virus, is a predominantly respiratory tract infection with the capacity to affect multiple organ systems. Abnormal liver tests, mainly transaminase elevations, have been reported in hospitalized patients. We describe a syndrome of cholangiopathy in patients recovering from severe COVID-19 characterized by marked elevation in serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) accompanied by evidence of bile duct injury on imaging. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of COVID-19 patients admitted to our institution from March 1, 2020, to August 15, 2020, on whom the hepatology service was consulted for abnormal liver tests. Bile duct injury was identified by abnormal liver tests with serum ALP > 3x upper limit of normal and abnormal findings on magnetic resonance cholangiopacreatography. Clinical, laboratory, radiological, and histological findings were recorded in a Research Electronic Data Capture database. RESULTS: Twelve patients were identified, 11 men and 1 woman, with a mean age of 58 years. Mean time from COVID-19 diagnosis to diagnosis of cholangiopathy was 118 days. Peak median serum alanine aminotransferase was 661 U/L and peak median serum ALP was 1855 U/L. Marked elevations of erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, and D-dimers were common. Magnetic resonance cholangiopacreatography findings included beading of intrahepatic ducts (11/12, 92%), bile duct wall thickening with enhancement (7/12, 58%), and peribiliary diffusion high signal (10/12, 83%). Liver biopsy in 4 patients showed acute and/or chronic large duct obstruction without clear bile duct loss. Progressive biliary tract damage has been demonstrated radiographically. Five patients were referred for consideration of liver transplantation after experiencing persistent jaundice, hepatic insufficiency, and/or recurrent bacterial cholangitis. One patient underwent successful living donor liver transplantation. DISCUSSION: Cholangiopathy is a late complication of severe COVID-19 with the potential for progressive biliary injury and liver failure. Further studies are required to understand pathogenesis, natural history, and therapeutic interventions.


Subject(s)
COVID-19/complications , Cholangitis, Sclerosing/epidemiology , End Stage Liver Disease/epidemiology , Jaundice/epidemiology , Adult , Aged , Alanine Transaminase/blood , Alkaline Phosphatase/blood , Bile Ducts/diagnostic imaging , Bile Ducts/immunology , Bile Ducts/pathology , Biopsy , COVID-19/diagnosis , COVID-19/immunology , COVID-19/virology , COVID-19 Nucleic Acid Testing , Cholangiopancreatography, Magnetic Resonance , Cholangitis, Sclerosing/diagnosis , Cholangitis, Sclerosing/immunology , Cholangitis, Sclerosing/therapy , Disease Progression , End Stage Liver Disease/diagnosis , End Stage Liver Disease/immunology , End Stage Liver Disease/surgery , Female , Humans , Jaundice/diagnosis , Jaundice/immunology , Jaundice/therapy , Liver Function Tests , Liver Transplantation , Male , Middle Aged , Prognosis , Retrospective Studies , SARS-CoV-2/genetics , SARS-CoV-2/isolation & purification , Severity of Illness Index
9.
Am J Gastroenterol ; 116(3): 457, 2021 03 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33657037

ABSTRACT

Article Title: Pregnancy Outcomes after Liver Transplantation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

10.
Am J Gastroenterol ; 116(9): 1832, 2021 Sep 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37461853

ABSTRACT

Article Title: A scoring model to predict in-hospital mortality in patients with Budd Chiari Syndrome.

11.
Aliment Pharmacol Ther ; 52(6): 944-954, 2020 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32743822

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: A critical aspect of liver transplantation in hepatitis B patients is to prevent graft reinfection with hepatitis B virus. The use of hepatitis B immune globulin after transplant was a significant milestone, which allowed prolonged graft and patient survival by controlling hepatitis B reinfection in liver grafts. The development of anti-viral treatments with oral nucleos(t)ide analogues, led to a further reduction in graft reinfection and improvement in patient survival. The combination of the aforementioned two therapies has been widely used in hepatitis B-associated liver transplants. AIMS: To address the post-transplant management of hepatitis B and provide updates on preventing graft reinfection. METHODS: We performed a literature search on Ovid and PubMed for randomised controlled trials or cohort studies in English, which investigated the effectiveness of hepatitis B immune globulin and anti-viral therapy on hepatitis B-associated transplants (1/2000-1/2020). Studies that met pre-established criteria were reviewed. RESULTS: Based on currently available evidence, an algorithm for post-transplant management with anti-viral therapy is proposed. Also, the management of recipients who received grafts from hepatitis B core antibody-positive donors is discussed. CONCLUSIONS: The development of hepatitis B immune globulin and anti-viral treatments led to substantial improvement in graft and patient survival. The prevention of hepatitis B graft reinfection is complex and involves a broad interdisciplinary team.


Subject(s)
Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use , Hepatitis B/prevention & control , Liver Transplantation/methods , Humans , Immunoglobulins/administration & dosage , Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic , Tissue Donors
12.
J Vasc Interv Radiol ; 31(1): 25-34, 2020 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31422022

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To investigate the safety of yttrium-90 radioembolization in combination with checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This single-center retrospective study included 26 consecutive patients with HCC who received checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy within 90 days of radioembolization from April 2015 to May 2018. Patients had preserved liver function (Child-Pugh scores A-B7) and either advanced HCC due to macrovascular invasion or limited extrahepatic disease (21 patients) or aggressive intermediate stage HCC that resulted in earlier incorporation of systemic immunotherapy (5 patients). Clinical documentation, laboratory results, and imaging results at 1- and 3-month follow-up intervals were reviewed to assess treatment-related adverse events and treatment responses. RESULTS: The median follow-up period after radioembolization was 7.8 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 5.6-11.8). There were no early (30-day) mortality or grades 3/4 hepatobiliary or immunotherapy-related toxicities. Delayed grades 3/4 hepatobiliary toxicities (1-3 months) occurred in 2 patients in the setting of HCC disease progression. One patient developed pneumonitis. The median overall survival from first immunotherapy was 17.2 months (95% CI, 10.9-23.4). The median overall survival from first radioembolization was 16.5 months (95% CI, 6.6-26.4). From first radioembolization, time to tumor progression was 5.7 months (95% CI, 4.2-7.2), and progression-free survival was 5.7 months (95% CI, 4.3-7.1). CONCLUSIONS: Radioembolization combined with checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy in cases of HCC appears to be safe and causes limited treatment-related toxicity. Future prospective studies are needed to identify the optimal combination treatment protocols and evaluate the efficacy of combination therapy.


Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological/administration & dosage , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/therapy , Embolization, Therapeutic , Immunotherapy , Liver Neoplasms/therapy , Nivolumab/administration & dosage , Radiopharmaceuticals/administration & dosage , Yttrium Radioisotopes/administration & dosage , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological/adverse effects , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/immunology , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/pathology , Disease Progression , Embolization, Therapeutic/adverse effects , Female , Humans , Immunotherapy/adverse effects , Liver Neoplasms/immunology , Liver Neoplasms/pathology , Male , Middle Aged , Nivolumab/adverse effects , Patient Safety , Progression-Free Survival , Radiopharmaceuticals/adverse effects , Retrospective Studies , Risk Factors , Time Factors , Yttrium Radioisotopes/adverse effects
13.
Am J Gastroenterol ; 114(12): 1837, 2019 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31800402

ABSTRACT

Article Title: Early Paracentesis in High-Risk Hospitalized Patients: Time for a New Quality Indicator.

14.
Am J Gastroenterol ; 114(8): 1195, 2019 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31385826

ABSTRACT

Article Title: ACG Clinical Guideline: Hereditary Hemochromatosis.

15.
Am J Gastroenterol ; 114(1): 14, 2019 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30633031

ABSTRACT

To receive CME/MOC credit for this activity, please go to: http://acgjournalcme.gi.org/Article Title: Refractory Ascites in Liver Cirrhosis.

16.
Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol ; 17(4): 774-783.e4, 2019 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29913280

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Caspase-mediated apoptosis and inflammation contribute to progression of liver disease. Emricasan is a pan-caspase inhibitor that reduced serum markers of apoptosis and liver inflammation in patients with hepatitis C and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). METHODS: We performed a multicenter study of 86 patients with cirrhosis (Child-Pugh class A or B; mean score, 6.9; 38% with alcohol-associated cirrhosis, 29% with HCV-associated cirrhosis, and 23% with NASH) and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) scores of 11-18 (mean, 12.8). Patients were randomly assigned to groups given placebo (N = 42) or Emricasan (25 mg, N = 44), twice daily for 3 months; subjects then received open-label Emricasan (25 mg) twice-daily for 3 months. The primary endpoint was the change from baseline in serum levels of cleaved keratin 18 (CK-18) at month 3. RESULTS: Seventy-four patients completed the 3-month study period (40 given Emricasan and 34 given placebo); 69 patients received open-label Emricasan for 3 months afterward. At the 3-month timepoint, Emricasan significantly reduced mean MELD (P = .003) and Child-Pugh (P = .003) scores in subjects with high MELD scores (15 or more), compared with placebo, with significant reductions in INR (95% CI, -0.2882 to -0.0866) and total bilirubin (95% CI, -1.5069 to -0.0823) vs placebo. There were no significant differences between Emricasan and placebo groups in mean MELD (P = .466) or Child-Pugh (P = .124) scores overall at 3 months compared to placebo. Of patients with high MELD scores, 6/9 given Emricasan (67%) had a reduction of 2 points or more at month 3, compared with 2/10 given placebo (20%). Serum levels of full-length CK-18 (P = .02) and caspase 3/7 (P < .001), but not cleaved CK-18 (P = .092), decreased significantly at 3 months in the Emricasan vs placebo group. Emricasan was well tolerated, and adverse events were balanced between groups. Emricasan's effects were generally maintained or increased after 6 months of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: In a randomized trial of patients with cirrhosis, we found 3 months treatment with Emricasan to improve liver function, compared with placebo, reducing MELD and Child-Pugh scores, INR, and total bilirubin in patients with MELD scores ≥15. ClinicalTrials.gov no: NCT02230670.


Subject(s)
Caspase Inhibitors/therapeutic use , End Stage Liver Disease/drug therapy , End Stage Liver Disease/pathology , Liver Cirrhosis/drug therapy , Liver Cirrhosis/pathology , Pentanoic Acids/therapeutic use , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Double-Blind Method , Female , Humans , Keratin-18/blood , Male , Middle Aged , Placebos/administration & dosage , Serum/chemistry , Treatment Outcome
17.
J Hepatol ; 69(5): 1178-1187, 2018 11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30006068

ABSTRACT

Treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus infection has been revolutionised by the development of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). All-oral, once-daily, 8- to 12-week treatment regimens are now standard of care, with viral eradication possible in >95% of patients across different populations. Despite these advances, several unresolved issues remain, including treatment of patients with hepatitis C virus genotype 3, chronic kidney disease, and those in whom DAA therapy has previously failed. Glecaprevir/pibrentasvir and sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir are the most recently approved DAA regimens. Given the overwhelming success of modern DAA-based therapies, glecaprevir/pibrentasvir and sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir are also likely to represent the last DAAs to be approved. Both are pangenotypic, once-daily, all-oral DAA combinations that have the potential to close the gaps in the current DAA treatment portfolio. Herein, we review the challenges associated with current DAAs and how these two regimens may be implemented in existing treatment algorithms.


Subject(s)
Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use , Hepatitis C, Chronic/drug therapy , Antiviral Agents/adverse effects , Clinical Trials as Topic , Drug Approval , Drug Therapy, Combination , Genotype , Hepacivirus/classification , Hepacivirus/genetics , Humans , Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/metabolism , Treatment Failure
18.
Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol ; 16(11): 1811-1819.e4, 2018 11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29306043

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND & AIMS: We aimed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of 12 or 24 weeks treatment with ledipasvir and sofosbuvir, with or without ribavirin, in treatment-experienced patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1 infection and cirrhosis in routine clinical practice. Patients were followed in a multi-center, prospective, observational cohort study (HCV-TARGET). METHODS: We collected data from 667 treatment-experienced adults with chronic genotype 1 HCV infection who began treatment with ledipasvir and sofosbuvir, with or without ribavirin, from 2011 through September 15, 2016, according to the regional standards of care, at academic (n = 39) and community (n = 18) centers in the United States, Canada, Germany, and Israel. Information was collected from medical records and abstracted into a unique centralized data core. Independent monitors systematically reviewed data entries for completeness and accuracy. Demographic, clinical, adverse event, and virologic data were collected every 12 weeks during treatment and during the follow-up period. The primary efficacy endpoint was sustained virologic response, defined as a level of HCV RNA below the lower limit of quantification or undetectable at a minimum 64 days after the end of treatment (SVR12). The per-protocol population (n = 610) was restricted to patients who completed 12 or 24 weeks of treatment (±2 weeks) and had final virologic outcomes available. RESULTS: The per-protocol analysis revealed that 579 patients (93.8%) achieved an SVR12, including 50/51 patients who received ledipasvir and sofosbuvir for 12 weeks (98%), 384/408 patients who received ledipasvir and sofosbuvir for 24 weeks (94.1%), 68/70 patients who received ledipasvir and sofosbuvir with ribavirin for 12 weeks (97.1%), and 57/60 patients who received ledipasvir and sofosbuvir with ribavirin for 24 weeks (95%). On multivariate analysis, neither treatment duration nor the addition of ribavirin was associated with SVR12. Compensated cirrhosis (odds ratio [OR] compared to decompensated cirrhosis, 2.41; 95% CI, 1.16-5.02), albumin ≥ 3.5 g/dL (OR, 3.15; 95% CI 1.46-6.80), or total bilirubin ≤ 1.2 mg/dL (OR 3.34; 95% CI, 1.59-7.00) were associated with SVR12. CONCLUSIONS: In an analysis of safety and effectiveness data from the HCV-TARGET study, we found treatment with ledipasvir and sofosbuvir, with or without ribavirin, to be effective and well tolerated by treatment-experienced patients with genotype 1 HCV infection and compensated cirrhosis. There were no significant differences in rate of SVR12 among patients treated with ledipasvir and sofosbuvir for 12 or 24 weeks, with or without ribavirin. Patients with decompensated cirrhosis appear to benefit from the addition of ribavirin or extension of ledipasvir and sofosbuvir treatment to 24 weeks. ClinicalTrials.gov no: NCT10474811.


Subject(s)
Antiviral Agents/administration & dosage , Benzimidazoles/administration & dosage , Fluorenes/administration & dosage , Hepatitis C, Chronic/complications , Hepatitis C, Chronic/drug therapy , Liver Cirrhosis/drug therapy , Ribavirin/administration & dosage , Sofosbuvir/administration & dosage , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Antiviral Agents/adverse effects , Benzimidazoles/adverse effects , Drug Therapy, Combination/adverse effects , Drug Therapy, Combination/methods , Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions/epidemiology , Europe , Female , Fluorenes/adverse effects , Genotype , Hepacivirus/classification , Hepacivirus/genetics , Hepatitis C, Chronic/virology , Humans , Longitudinal Studies , Male , Middle Aged , North America , Prospective Studies , Ribavirin/adverse effects , Sofosbuvir/adverse effects , Sustained Virologic Response , Treatment Outcome , Young Adult
19.
Hepatol Int ; 11(6): 476-480, 2017 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29027107

ABSTRACT

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) remains a leading cause of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma worldwide. Because chronic hepatitis B infection is rarely eradicated, preventing mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) is the most effective strategy to eliminate HBV globally. Although immunoprophylaxis strategy is widely available and effective for infants born to mothers with chronic hepatitis B infection, postnatal immunoprophylaxis fails in approximately 5-10 % of infants, and this failure rate goes up to 30 % in infants born to highly viremic mothers. Mothers with HBV DNA levels above 200,000 IU/mL should be managed aggressively with antiviral therapy because viral load is the strongest independent risk factor for immunoprophylaxis failure. Emerging data suggest that initiation of antiviral therapy in late pregnancy in highly viremic mothers can prevent immunoprophylaxis failure in their infants. Reducing viral load to target levels below 200,000 IU/mL at delivery is a practical approach to control MTCT. This review focuses on viral factors in mothers associated with MTCT.


Subject(s)
DNA, Viral/blood , Hepatitis B, Chronic/prevention & control , Hepatitis B, Chronic/transmission , Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical , Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/blood , Viral Load , Female , Genotype , Hepatitis B e Antigens/blood , Hepatitis B virus/genetics , Hepatitis B, Chronic/blood , Hepatitis B, Chronic/drug therapy , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Mutation , Pregnancy , Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/drug therapy , Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/virology
20.
Hum Pathol ; 68: 92-98, 2017 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28873351

ABSTRACT

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) accounts for approximately 10% of acute hepatitis cases. DILI can arise as idiosyncratic or intrinsic injury from hundreds of drugs, herbals, and nutritional supplements and is essential to recognize as one of the differential diagnoses of hepatitis in a liver biopsy. The purpose of this study is to investigate the frequency and pathological characteristics of DILI related to the variety of hepatotoxic agents. We searched our pathology database for all patients with hepatitis diagnosed on liver biopsy from January 2012 to May 2016, and selected patients with a diagnosis of DILI. Electronic medical records were reviewed for patient medication list, history of herbal medicine or supplement use, and pre-biopsy liver function test (LFT) results. Clinical and pathologic correlation was used to determine the causative or related agents for DILI. We then assessed histopathologic features of liver injury and categorized biopsy findings as primarily bile duct injury, lobular/portal hepatitis, or mixed changes. Six hundred four total liver biopsies for hepatitis or liver injury were identified, of which 70 cases (11.6%) carried the diagnosis of DILI confirmed by clinical correlation. The most common etiologies associated with DILI were supplements and herbal products (31.4%), antimicrobials (14.3%), chemotherapeutics (11.4%), antilipidemics (7.1%) and immunomodulatory agents (7.1%). LFT results positively correlated with histological findings. Nutritional/herbal supplements have emerged as one of the major hepatotoxicity agents. DILI can manifest as predominantly hepatitis, bile duct injury or combination. Histological pattern recognition in the liver biopsy may help identify specific hepatotoxic agents causing DILI.


Subject(s)
Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury/epidemiology , Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury/pathology , Liver/drug effects , Liver/pathology , Tertiary Care Centers , Adult , Aged , Anti-Infective Agents/adverse effects , Antineoplastic Agents/adverse effects , Biopsy , Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury, Chronic/epidemiology , Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury, Chronic/pathology , Dietary Supplements/adverse effects , Electronic Health Records , Female , Humans , Hypolipidemic Agents/adverse effects , Immunosuppressive Agents/adverse effects , Male , Middle Aged , New York City/epidemiology , Plant Preparations/adverse effects , Predictive Value of Tests , Risk Factors
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