Hepatitis C News

Opioid agonist therapy clinics represent an important conduit for people who inject drugs to receive information, screening and treatment for hepatitis C. Within these clinics, however, physicians and addiction specialists self-reported low competence regarding current HCV treatments. Additionally, policies that restrict treatment for current and recent drug users present an ongoing barrier.

People who inject drugs and are coinfected with hepatitis C and HIV more often initiated treatment with innovative strategies, such as peer mentoring or cash incentives, compared with those who received standard care only, according to data presented at the International Symposium on Hepatitis Care in Substance Users.

Light alcohol consumption did not influence liver fibrosis in women who were coinfected with HIV and hepatitis C virus, according to recently published findings in Clinical Infectious Diseases.

Alcohol dependence presents a significant barrier to hepatitis C treatment among patients with HIV compared with non-alcohol substance dependence, according to a presentation at the International Symposium on Hepatitis Care in Substance Users.

Janssen announced it will discontinue further development of the investigational hepatitis C regimen JNJ-4178, a direct-acting antiviral combination of AL-335, odalasvir and the company’s simeprevir regimen Olysio, according to a press release.

Women of child-bearing age with hepatitis C showed early signs of menopause, putting them at greater risk for infertility, gestational diabetes and miscarriage, according to a recently published study. Sustained virologic response positively impacted these outcomes.

Most people who inject drugs were not aware of currently available, highly effective hepatitis C treatments, according results of a national survey in Scotland presented at the International Symposium on Hepatitis Care in Substance Users.

Adult injection drug users aged 30 years or younger are both at the highest risk for acquiring hepatitis C and transmitting HCV, according to a presentation at the International Symposium on Hepatitis Care in Substance Users.

Sofosbuvir-based direct-acting antiviral therapy was safe and effective for patients with chronic kidney disease and hepatitis C, particularly for patients with advanced chronic kidney disease, according to a recently published study.

Women who inject drugs are about 39% more likely to become infected with hepatitis C virus than men who inject drugs, research suggests.