Real-world efficacy and safety of Ledipasvir + Sofosbuvir and Ombitasvir/Paritaprevir/Ritonavir ± Dasabuvir combination therapies for chronic hepatitis C: A Turkish experience.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study aimed to evaluate the real-life efficacy and tolerability of direct-acting antiviral treatments for patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) with/without cirrhosis in the Turkish population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 4,352 patients with CHC from 36 different institutions in Turkey were enrolled. They received ledipasvir (LDV) and sofosbuvir (SOF)±ribavirin (RBV) orombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir±dasabuvir (PrOD)±RBV for 12 or 24 weeks. Sustained virologic response (SVR) rates, factors affecting SVR, safety profile, and hepatocellular cancer (HCC) occurrence were analyzed. RESULTS: SVR12 was achieved in 92.8% of the patients (4,040/4,352) according to intention-to-treat and in 98.3% of the patients (4,040/4,108) according to per-protocol analysis. The SVR12 rates were similar between the treatment regimens (97.2%-100%) and genotypes (95.6%-100%). Patients achieving SVR showed a significant decrease in the mean serum alanine transaminase (ALT) levels (50.90±54.60 U/L to 17.00±14.50 U/L) and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) scores (7.51±4.54 to 7.32±3.40) (p<0.05). Of the patients, 2 were diagnosed with HCC during the treatment and 14 were diagnosed with HCC 37.0±16.0 weeks post-treatment. Higher initial MELD score (odds ratio [OR]: 1.92, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.22-2.38; p=0.023]), higher hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA levels (OR: 1.44, 95% CI: 1.31-2.28; p=0.038), and higher serum ALT levels (OR: 1.38, 95% CI: 1.21-1.83; p=0.042) were associated with poor SVR12. The most common adverse events were fatigue (12.6%), pruritis (7.3%), increased serum ALT (4.7%) and bilirubin (3.8%) levels, and anemia (3.1%). CONCLUSION: LDV/SOF or PrOD±RBV were effective and tolerable treatments for patients with CHC and with or without advanced liver disease before and after liver transplantation. Although HCV eradication improves the liver function, there is a risk of developing HCC.

Linear solvation energy relationship modeling and kinetic studies on reactive extraction of succinic acid by tridodecylamine dissolved in MIBK.

Equilibrium and kinetic studies for the extraction of succinic acid from aqueous solution with tridodecylamine diluted in MIBK are reported. All measurements were carried out at 298.15 K. The extent to which the organic phase may be loaded with succinic acid is expressed as a loading ratio, Z. The equilibrium data were also interpreted by a proposed mechanism of three reactions of complexation by which (1:1) and (2:1) acid-amine complexes are formed. Kinetics of extraction of succinic acid by tridodecylamine in MIBK has also been determined. Kinetic studies for the extraction of succinic acid from aqueous solution with tridodecylamine diluted in MIBK were carried out using a stirred cell for kinetic studies. The results of the liquid-liquid equilibrium measurements were correlated by a linear solvation energy relationship (LSER) model, which takes into account physical interactions. From the regression coefficients, information on the solvent-solute interaction is obtained and solvation models are proposed.