Hepatitis C News

Research published in the Journal of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society suggests that a generic version of ledipasvir-sofosbuvir — marketed in the United States as Harvoni — is safe and effective for the treatment of teens with hepatitis C virus infection.

This year for World Hepatitis Day, the theme is “Find the Missing Millions.” Hundreds of millions of people living with viral hepatitis are unaware of their infection and many people are also unaware of the available treatments, especially the high efficacy and safety of available direct-acting antivirals.

Decentralized treatment of hepatitis C using telemedicine clinics achieved a sustained virologic response rate of more than 90% regardless of genotype or presence of cirrhosis, according to a published study conducted in India.

The American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases Foundation has granted $3.42 million in research and career development awards to 29 researchers and clinicians to conduct liver disease research and undergo advanced hepatology training.

Harvoni joins other direct-acting antivirals in demonstrating safety and high efficacy in younger pediatric patients with chronic hepatitis C, specifically those aged 3 years to younger than 6 years, according to results published in Hepatology.

With $7 million from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, seven opioid treatment programs announced entry into an ongoing study of telemedicine for treatment of hepatitis C.

Clinical pharmacist-delivered hepatitis C virus therapy yields high rates of SVR, according to findings published in Open Forum Infectious Diseases.

Intent Solutions announced a partnership with the University of Kentucky in a $15 million federal grant program aimed at eliminating hepatitis C in an eastern Kentucky county that has particularly high rates of chronic infection, according to a press release.

The pangenotypic direct-acting antiviral Mavyret demonstrated 100% sustained virologic response in adolescent patients aged 12 years to 17 years with a safety profile consistent with adult patients, according results from part one of the DORA study.

Providing direct acting antivirals, or DAAs, for hepatitis C virus infection in primary care settings significantly increases treatment uptake and cure rates in people who inject drugs, or PWID, suggesting HCV treatment should be available in primary care, researchers found.