Hepatitis C News

Management of hepatitis C virus infection has drastically changed over the past 20 years — and even more so in the past 10 years — as a direct result of the evolution of pharmacologic therapy. HCV was discovered in 1989, and nearly 10 years later, in 1997, interferon was FDA approved as the first HCV treatment option. Unfortunately, interferon use was limited by inadequate rates of SVR and side effects. Standard of care shifted after the introduction of pegylated interferon and ribavirin, which overcame some of the pitfalls of interferon.

Cost, insurance and apprehension of side effects were the leading barriers to hepatitis C treatment, according to results from a recent survey of individuals either cured or not cured of HCV.

Patients treated for hepatitis C who achieved sustained virologic response recovered platelet counts, according to recently published data. Hepatitis B coinfection, however, disrupted platelet count recovery, especially in patients with advanced liver disease from chronic HCV.

Treatment with Mavyret for 12 weeks resulted in high rates of sustained virologic response among patients with hepatitis C and stage 4 or 5 chronic kidney disease, according to a recently published study.

Most patients who received an offer for hepatitis C screening during outpatient endoscopy accepted and completed the test the same day or same week, according to recently published results.

The AASLD and the Infectious Diseases Society of America have updated their guidelines and resources for the diagnosis and treatment of hepatitis C virus infection, according to a press release.

Hepatitis C testing among baby boomers increased more than 50% in New York, following the implementation of a testing law in 2014 that required health care providers to offer HCV screening to all patients born between 1945 to 1965, according to a report from the CDC.

Most patients with hepatitis C genotype 2, 4, 5 or 6 who received Mavyret for 8 weeks achieved sustained virologic response with a high safety profile, according to results from three phase 3 studies. The rate of virologic failure was less than 1%.

Elevated coffee consumption of three or more cups per day halved the all-cause mortality rate among patients with hepatitis C and HIV coinfection, according to a recently published study.

Patients with hepatitis C genotype 3, with or without compensated cirrhosis, achieved significantly high rates of sustained virologic response after treatment with Mavyret and experienced no significant adverse events related to the drug, according to recently published data from a phase 3 study.