Hepatitis C (HCV) therapy for HCV mono-infected and HIV-HCV co-infected individuals living in Nepal

Abstract

Background Despite direct-acting antivirals (DAA), aims to “eradicate” viral hepatitis by 2030 remain unlikely. In Nepal, an expert consortium was established to treat HCV through Nepal earthquakes aftermath offering a model for HCV treatment expansion in a resource-poor setting. Methodology/Principal findings In 2015, we established a network of hepatologists, laboratory experts, and community-based leaders at 6 Opioid Substitution Treatment (OST) sites from 4 cities in Nepal screening 838 patients for a treatment cohort of 600 individuals with HCV infection and past or current drug use. During phase 1, patients were treated with interferon-based regimens (n = 46). During phase 2, 135 patients with optimal predictors (HIV controlled, without cirrhosis, low baseline HCV viral load) were treated with DAA-based regimens. During phase 3, IFN-free DAA treatment was expanded, regardless of HCV disease severity, HIV viremia or drug use. Sustained virologic response (SVR) was assessed at 12 weeks. Median age was 37 years and 95.5% were males. HCV genotype was 3 (53.2%) or 1a (40.7%) and 32% had cirrhosis; 42.5% were HIV-HCV coinfected. The intention-to-treat (ITT) SVR rates in phase 2 and 3 were 97% and 81%, respectively. The overall per-protocol and ITT SVR rates were 97% and 85%, respectively. By multivariable analysis, treatment at the Kathmandu site was protective and substance use, treatment during phase 3 were associated with failure to achieve SVR. Conclusions/Significance Very high SVR rates may be achieved in a difficult-to-treat, low-income population whatever the patient’s profile and disease severity. The excellent treatment outcomes observed in this real-life community study should prompt further HCV treatment initiatives in Nepal.

HCV Co-Infection and Its Genotypic Distribution in HIV-Infected Patients in Nepalese Population

“…These abnormalities ultimately account for an increased risk of cardiovascular events, kidney disease, and cancers [ 2 ]. Even though the treatment of HCV infection has undergone a revolution with simplified treatment regimens with increased tolerability and efficacy, treatment still faces many challenges for the remedy of this infection due to the significant influence of HCV genotypes and their viral load to therapy [ 3 , 4 ]. Mavyret (Glecaprevir, an HCV NS3/4A protease inhibitor/Pibrentasvir, an HCV NS5A inhibitor) is a potent drug for patients with HCV genotypes 2–6 without cirrhosis or with mild cirrhosis [ 5 ], whereas Zepatier and Grazoprevir are highly effective for HCV genotypes including 1a, 1b and 4 [ 6 ].…”