Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 9, 2026
13:04
A Protocol for Analyzing Hepatitis C Virus Replication
Published on: June 26, 2014
24.8K
Hepatitis C: efficacy and safety in real life
Robert Flisiak1, Joanna Pogorzelska1, Marta Flisiak-Jackiewicz2
1Department of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Medical University of Białystok, Białystok, Poland.
Summary
New interferon-free treatments for chronic Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection show high sustained virologic response (SVR) rates in real-world studies. Ledipasvir/sofosbuvir and ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir regimens are effective and safe for genotypes 1 and 4.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Virology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Interferon-free direct-acting antiviral (DAA) regimens for chronic Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection were approved in 2014-2015.
- Real-world data on the efficacy and safety of these novel treatments are accumulating.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present real-world data on the efficacy and safety of interferon-free regimens for chronic HCV infection up to September 2016.
- To compare the sustained virologic response (SVR) rates of different DAA combinations.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review and meta-analysis of published real-world studies.
- Inclusion of data from 13858 patients for ledipasvir/sofosbuvir (LDV/SOF)±ribavirin (RBV) and 4260 patients for ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir (OBV/PTV/r)±dasabuvir (DSV)±RBV.
- Analysis of safety data, including discontinuation rates due to adverse events.
Main Results:
- LDV/SOF±RBV achieved an overall SVR rate of 94% (92% in patients with cirrhosis).
- OBV/PTV/r±DSV±RBV achieved an overall SVR rate of 97% (97% in patients with cirrhosis).
- Discontinuation due to adverse events was low (≤3%), with serious adverse events reported in 0-11% of patients.
Conclusions:
- Real-world data support the use of LDV/SOF±RBV or OBV/PTV/r±DSV±RBV for chronic HCV genotypes 1 and 4 due to similar efficacy and safety profiles.
- Further real-world data are needed for patients with genotype 3 and other HCV genotypes.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Drug Dosing and Hepatic Blood Flow
305
Chronic liver disease significantly impacts drug metabolism due to alterations in hepatic blood flow and enzyme accessibility. This disruption affects the body's pharmacokinetics—the movement and processing of drugs within the system. Key enzymes crucial for metabolizing medications become less accessible, changing how drugs are processed and utilized. Furthermore, liver disease influences the synthesis of plasma proteins, such as albumin and globulins, which play critical roles in drug...
305
01:22Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Pathophysiologic Assessment and Liver Function Test
245
In clinical practice, the direct measurement of hepatic blood flow to evaluate liver function presents significant challenges due to the intricate and specialized nature of the necessary techniques. Consequently, healthcare professionals often rely on empirical estimates derived from thorough patient examinations and liver function tests to gauge liver health. Among the tools at their disposal, the Child–Pugh and MELD scoring systems stand out for their ability to categorize and assess...
245
01:08Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Dose Adjustments Due to Hepatic Impairment
320
Hepatic impairment, characterized by decreased liver function, does not uniformly mandate adjustments in drug dosage. Whether dosage modifications are necessary depends on various factors related to the drug's metabolism and elimination pathways. If a drug is primarily excreted via the kidneys and bypasses significant hepatic processing, if it undergoes minimal metabolic transformation in the liver, or if it is volatile and primarily expelled through the lungs, dose adjustments may not be...
320
01:16Hepatic Drug Excretion: Influencing Factors
691
The biliary system of the liver, crucial for bile secretion and drug excretion, comprises intrahepatic bile ducts that merge to form the common hepatic duct. This duct, carrying hepatic bile, combines with the cystic duct, draining the gallbladder and forming the common bile duct, which empties into the duodenum. Bile, produced by hepatic cells lining the bile canaliculi, is composed primarily of water, bile salts, pigments, electrolytes, and lesser amounts of cholesterol and fatty acids. Bile...
691
01:10Retrovirus Life Cycles
50.1K
Retroviruses have a single-stranded RNA genome that undergoes a special form of replication. Once the retrovirus has entered the host cell, an enzyme called reverse transcriptase synthesizes double-stranded DNA from the retroviral RNA genome. This DNA copy of the genome is then integrated into the host’s genome inside the nucleus via an enzyme called integrase. Consequently, the retroviral genome is transcribed into RNA whenever the host’s genome is transcribed, allowing the...
50.1K
01:17Hepatic Drug Excretion: Enterohepatic Cycling
3.1K
Enterohepatic cycling involves the active secretion of drugs and their metabolites into the bile via transporters in the canalicular membrane of hepatocytes. This secretion is an integral part of the digestive process, releasing these substances into the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
Post-release drugs and metabolites can be reabsorbed into the body from the intestine. For conjugated metabolites like glucuronides, reabsorption requires enzymatic hydrolysis by intestinal microflora. This...
Post-release drugs and metabolites can be reabsorbed into the body from the intestine. For conjugated metabolites like glucuronides, reabsorption requires enzymatic hydrolysis by intestinal microflora. This...
3.1K