Characterizing Persons With HIV/HCV Coinfection Who Remain Untreated for Hepatitis C at Four HIV Clinics in Connecticut (CT): Role of Multiple Overlapping Barriers at the Individual and Clinic System Levels.

Introduction. Direct-acting antiviral medications have made hepatitis C virus (HCV) cure possible for >95% of persons with chronic HCV infection, including those coinfected with HIV. Achieving strategic HCV elimination targets requires an understanding of system, provider, and patient-level barriers to treatment. We explored such barriers among persons with HIV/HCV coinfection who remained untreated for HCV. Methods. Among four primary care HIV clinics in CT with high rates of HCV cure, 25 patients with HIV/HCV coinfection were eligible (no HCV treatment as of March 31, 2021). We conducted retrospective chart reviews of demographics, clinical practice patterns, patient-specific issues such as housing, transportation, food security, and presence of mental health and substance use problems. Results. Among untreated patients, 13 (51%) were female; 17 (68%) were Black; median age was 62 years old. The majority (84%) had injecting drug use (IDU) as HIV transmission risk factor; 14 (56%) were prescribed medication-assisted treatment. Median time since HIV and HCV diagnosis was 25 and 19 years, respectively. Clinic-level barriers were noted in 19 (76%) and included lack of evaluation, treatment not recommended or implemented. Concomitant structural barriers included unstable housing for 11 (44%) and lack of transportation for eight (32%). Most patients had history of illicit substance use (84%) and mental health issues (68%). Many (76%) had multiple potential barriers. Conclusions. Multiple overlapping barriers spanning clinic and patient level domains including social determinants of health were the norm in persons with long-standing HIV/HCV coinfection who have not received HCV treatment. Interventions will require innovative, multi-disciplinary and personalized approaches.

Pegylated interferon alpha 2a for the treatment of hepatitis C virus infection.

INTRODUCTION: Treatments for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection have advanced rapidly in the last decade. Pegylated interferon alpha 2a (PEG-IFN alpha 2a) alone, in combination with ribavirin and with or without direct acting antivirals (DAAs) is modestly effective in the treatment of chronic HCV infection. Areas covered: The review describes the chemistry, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties, clinical efficacy, safety and drug-drug interaction profiles of PEG-IFN alpha 2a. Expert opinion: Despite the availability of DAAs and its formidable toxicity profile, PEG-IFN alpha 2a retains a role for the treatment of acute HCV and chronic HCV infection in resource limited settings and for end-stage renal disease patients and others who cannot access DAAs or are DAA-ineligible. Knowledge of pharmacogenetic profiles which favor successful treatment outcomes with IFN-based therapies may allow for selection of best candidates for the regimen.