Efficacy and safety of 6 or 8 weeks of simeprevir, daclatasvir, sofosbuvir for HCV genotype 1 infection.

The phase 2, open-label ACCORDION (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02349048) study investigated the efficacy, safety and pharmacokinetics of a 6- or 8-week regimen of simeprevir, daclatasvir and sofosbuvir in treatment-naïve patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype (GT) 1 infection and either early-stage fibrosis or compensated cirrhosis. Patients were assigned to treatment groups according to their fibrosis stage. Early-stage fibrosis: simeprevir 150 mg, daclatasvir 60 mg, sofosbuvir 400 mg once daily for 6 weeks; compensated cirrhosis: same regimen for 8 weeks. The primary endpoint was sustained virologic response 12 weeks after the end of treatment (SVR12). Safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of simeprevir, daclatasvir and sofosbuvir were investigated. Sixty-eight patients were treated (6-week group: n = 59; 8-week group: n = 9). SVR12 was achieved by 86.4% (51/59) of patients with early-stage fibrosis and by 100% (9/9) of patients with cirrhosis. The main reason for not achieving SVR12 in the 6-week group was viral relapse (11.9%; 7/59). One patient had on-treatment failure due to an early withdrawal (lost to follow-up due to incarceration). One patient with SVR12 in the 6-week group had a late viral relapse at post-treatment week 24. No clinically significant drug-drug interactions were observed. Adverse events were reported in 63.2% of patients (43/68) and were mainly grade 1/2. None of these led to treatment discontinuation. The 3 direct-acting antiviral regimens of simeprevir, daclatasvir and sofosbuvir were safe and well tolerated in treatment-naïve, HCV GT1-infected patients with early-stage fibrosis or compensated cirrhosis.

Simeprevir, daclatasvir and sofosbuvir for hepatitis C virus-infected patients with decompensated liver disease.

Approximately three million individuals in the United States are chronically infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). Chronic HCV infection may lead to the development of compensated as well as decompensated liver cirrhosis. The Phase II IMPACT study was conducted in HCV genotype 1- or 4-infected cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension or decompensated liver disease and assessed for the first time the combination of the three direct-acting antivirals simeprevir, daclatasvir and sofosbuvir. Treatment-naïve or treatment-experienced adults with Child-Pugh (CP) score <7 (CP A) and evidence of portal hypertension, or CP score 7-9 (CP B), received 12 weeks of simeprevir 150 mg, daclatasvir 60 mg and sofosbuvir 400 mg, once daily. The primary efficacy endpoint was sustained virologic response 12 weeks after end of treatment (SVR12). Pharmacokinetics and safety were also assessed. Overall, 40 patients were enrolled (CP A: 19; CP B: 21). All 40 patients achieved SVR12. At week 8, the mean pharmacokinetic exposure to simeprevir, sofosbuvir, daclatasvir and GS-331007 (sofosbuvir metabolite) was 2.2-, 1.5-, 1.2- and 1.2-fold higher in patients with CP B than CP A, respectively. Grade 1/2 adverse events (AEs) occurred in 26 of 40 (65%) patients. One CP B patient had a Grade 3 AE (gastrointestinal haemorrhage), which was reported as a serious AE but not considered related to study drugs. Treatment for 12 weeks with simeprevir, daclatasvir and sofosbuvir was generally safe and well tolerated, and resulted in 100% of cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension or decompensated liver disease achieving SVR12.

Simeprevir added to peginterferon and ribavirin lessens time with fatigue, depressive symptoms and functional limitations in patients with chronic hepatitis C compared with peginterferon and ribavirin: results from 1161 patients in the QUEST-1, QUEST-2 and PROMISE studies.

The value of adding simeprevir (SMV) vs placebo (PBO) to peginterferon and ribavirin (PR) for treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus infection was examined using patient-reported outcomes (PROs); further, concordance of PROs with virology endpoints and adverse events (AEs) was explored. Patients (n = 768 SMV/PR, n = 393 PBO/PR) rated fatigue (FSS), depressive symptoms (CES-D) and functional impairment (WPAI: Hepatitis C Productivity, Daily Activity and Absenteeism) at baseline and throughout treatment in three randomised, double-blind trials comparing the addition of SMV or PBO during initial 12 weeks of PR. PR was administered for 48 weeks (PBO group) and 24/48 weeks (SMV group) using a response-guided therapy (RGT) approach. Mean PRO scores (except Absenteeism) worsened from baseline to Week 4 to the same extent in both groups but reverted after Week 24 for SMV/PR and only after Week 48 for PBO/PR. Accordingly, there was a significantly lower area under the curve (baseline-Week 60, AUC60 ) and fewer weeks with clinically important worsening of scores in the SMV/PR group at any time point. Incidences of patients with fatigue and anaemia AEs were similar in both groups, but FSS scores showed that clinically important increases in fatigue lasted a mean of 6.9 weeks longer with PBO/PR (P < 0.001). PRO score subgroup analysis indicated better outcomes for patients who met the criteria for RGT or achieved sustained virological response 12 weeks post-treatment (SVR12); differences in mean PRO scores associated with fibrosis level were only observed with PBO/PR. Greater efficacy of SMV/PR enabled reduced treatment duration and reduced time with PR-related AEs without adding to AE severity.

Analysis of genotype 2 and 3 hepatitis C virus variants in patients treated with telaprevir demonstrates a consistent resistance profile across genotypes.

Study C209 evaluated the activity of telaprevir in treatment-naïve patients with genotypes 2 or 3 (G2, G3) hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Telaprevir monotherapy showed potent activity against HCV G2, but limited activity against G3. This analysis was performed to characterize HCV viral variants emerging during telaprevir-based treatment of G2/G3 HCV-infected patients. Patients were randomized to receive 2 weeks of treatment with telaprevir (telaprevir monotherapy), telaprevir plus peginterferon alfa-2a and ribavirin (triple therapy), or placebo plus peginterferon alfa-2a and ribavirin (control), followed by 22-24 weeks of peginterferon/ribavirin alone. Viral breakthrough was defined as an increase >1 log10 in HCV RNA from nadir, or HCV RNA >100 IU/mL in patients previously reaching <25 IU/mL. Twenty-three patients (47%) had G2 and 26 (53%) had G3 HCV. Viral breakthrough occurred during the initial 2-week treatment phase in six G2 patients (66.7%; subtypes 2, 2a and 2b) and three G3 patients (37.5%; all subtype 3a), all in the telaprevir monotherapy arm. Four breakthrough patients (three G2, one G3) subsequently achieved sustained virologic response (SVR). In all patients with breakthrough and available sequence data, mutations associated with reduced susceptibility to telaprevir in genotype 1 (G1) HCV were observed. No novel G2/G3-specific mutations were associated with telaprevir resistance. The telaprevir resistance profile appeared consistent across HCV genotypes 1, 2 and 3. Although viral breakthrough with resistance occurred in patients receiving telaprevir monotherapy, half of these patients achieved an SVR upon addition of peginterferon/ribavirin highlighting the importance of combination therapy.

Mechanistic understanding of the nonlinear pharmacokinetics and intersubject variability of simeprevir: A PBPK-guided drug development approach.

Simeprevir, a hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS3/4A protease inhibitor, displays nonlinear pharmacokinetics (PK) at therapeutic doses. Using physiologically based PK modeling, various drug-drug interactions were simulated with simeprevir as victim drug to identify whether saturation of the predominant metabolic enzyme (CYP3A4) or the active hepatic transporters (organic anion-transporting polypeptide (OATP)1B1/3) could account for the nonlinear PK. Interactions with ritonavir, a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor that does not affect OATP (at 100 mg dose), erythromycin, a moderate CYP3A4 inhibitor, and efavirenz, a moderate CYP3A inducer that does not affect OATP, demonstrated the involvement of CYP3A4. Interaction studies with low-dose cyclosporine confirmed the role of OATP. The interplay between hepatic uptake and CYP3A4 metabolism was verified by simulations with rifampicin, a potent CYP3A4 inducer and OATP1B1/3 inhibitor, and maintenance doses of cyclosporine. Saturation of gut and liver metabolism by CYP3A4, and saturation of hepatic uptake by OATP1B1/3, seem to account for the observed nonlinear PK of simeprevir.

Safety of dapsone as Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia prophylaxis in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients with allergy to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the safety of dapsone prophylaxis of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) in patients with prior intolerance to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study in the categorical human immunodeficiency virus out-patient program of a university hospital. Patients who had filled prescriptions for dapsone at our pharmacy between January 1991 and April 1994 were evaluated and 75 patients were found eligible for analysis. RESULTS: The overall incidence of adverse events (AE) in our study cohort was 39%. The most common AEs were anemia (23%) and rash (16%). However, after critical evaluation of each case, only 3 cases of anemia (4%) and 2 cases of rash (3%) were judged to be "likely related" to dapsone. Only 5/75 patients (7%) developed the same intolerance to dapsone as previously experienced on TMP/SMX, and none of these cases was viewed as "likely related" to dapsone. A dapsone regimen of 100 mg qd and a prior episode of PCP were associated with a higher incidence of AEs. Eight cases of PCP occurred in spite of dapsone prophylaxis for an incidence of 7 cases per 1,000 patient-months. Seven of the cases of PCP occurred in patients who were receiving secondary prophylaxis. CONCLUSIONS: Given the low incidence of AEs judged to be "likely related" to dapsone, this drug is a reasonable choice for PCP prophylaxis in patients with prior AEs to TMP/SMX.

CD4 T lymphocyte count and the radiographic presentation of pulmonary tuberculosis. A study of the relationship between these factors in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary infection and tumor in the AIDS population has a variable clinical and radiographic presentation. The association between the radiographic presentation of pulmonary tuberculosis and CD4 T lymphocyte count in the HIV-infected patient is investigated in order to provide an empirical approach for early diagnosis, treatment, and isolation of infected subjects. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of chest radiographs, CD4 T lymphocyte counts, and clinical history of 35 subjects from 3 urban hospitals was performed. All subjects were HIV-seropositive and had culture-proven pulmonary tuberculosis. Radiographs were evaluated for the presence of either a pattern characteristic of post-primary tuberculosis (typical pattern) or a pattern uncharacteristic of post-primary infection (atypical pattern). RESULTS: Twenty-one of 26 subjects with a CD4 T lymphocyte count less than 0.20 x 10(9) cells/L, whereas only 1 of 9 subjects with a CD4 T lymphocyte count of 0.20 x 10(9) cells/L or more presented with an atypical pattern of pulmonary tuberculosis (p < 0.001). The mean CD4 T lymphocyte counts of those subjects presenting with atypical versus typical radiographic pattern of post-primary pulmonary tuberculosis were 0.069 x 10(9) cells/L (n = 22) and 0.323 x 10(9) cells/L (n = 13), respectively (p < 0.01). Twenty-one of the 22 subjects with an atypical radiographic pattern of pulmonary tuberculosis were significantly immunosuppressed (CD4 < 0.20 x 10(9) cells/L). Atypical radiographic pattern included diffuse and lower lobar opacities, pleural effusion, mediastinal adenopathy, interstitial nodules, and a normal chest radiograph. CONCLUSION: AIDS patients presenting with CD4 count less than 0.20 x 10(9) cells/L and an atypical radiographic pattern for pulmonary tuberculosis are at risk for tuberculous infection requiring appropriate treatment and isolation until the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis has been excluded.

Human papillomavirus testing improves the accuracy of colposcopy in detection of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.

To assess the performance of human papillomavirus (HPV) testing and colposcopy in detection of cervical pathology. A series of 389 women referred for colposcopy due to an abnormal Pap smear had cervical swabs analyzed for oncogenic (high-risk [HR]) HPV types using Hybrid Capture II (HC2) assay. Loop electrical excision procedure cone biopsy (88%) or colposcopic biopsy (11%) was used as the gold standard. Of the atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) smears, 48% were positive for HR HPV, as compared to 76.3% of low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL) smears. HR HPV was detected in 66.7% and 90% of patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 1 and CIN2 (or higher), respectively. The sensitivity of the Pap smear using an ASCUS threshold in detecting high-grade CIN was 94.5% (95% confidence intervals (CI): 91-97%) and that of colposcopy 98.5% (95% CI: 95-99%). The respective specificities were 30% (95% CI: 17-28%) and 35.6% (CI: 29-42%). HC2 test had comparable sensitivity, 90% (95% CI: 85-93%), but higher specificity, 54.3% (95% CI: 47-61%). Combining HC2 test with Pap increased specificity, 66.7% and 41.3% for ASCUS and LSIL cutoff, respectively. The minor-abnormality threshold together with HC2 increased specificity of colposcopy with no changes in sensitivity. High viral load (>100 relative light unit/positive control) was associated with significant disease. HPV DNA testing improves the accuracy of colposcopy in the detection of high-grade CIN in women with ASCUS or LSIL smears.

Veillonella myositis in an immunocompromised patient.

Infectious myositis is rather uncommon. When caused by anaerobic organisms, myositis is usually polymicrobial. Trauma, ischemia, or a contiguous focus of infection is often an antecedent of myositis. We report a case of monomicrobial veillonella myositis in an immunocompromised patient. The infection responded to debridement and therapy with metronidazole.

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 in the semen of men receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy.

BACKGROUND: Highly active antiretroviral therapy can effectively decrease the levels of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) virions in peripheral plasma and seminal fluid of infected men. Whether the genital tract of HIV-1-infected men who are receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy and who have no detectable virus in the peripheral plasma harbors replication-competent virus is not known. METHODS: We collected peripheral-blood and semen samples from seven men with HIV-1 infections who were receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy and who had no detectable viral RNA (fewer than 50 copies per milliliter) in plasma and analyzed the samples for cell-associated proviral DNA using a quantitative polymerase-chain-reaction assay. Replication-competent viruses were evaluated by cell-coculture assays. Proviral DNA and replication-competent virus obtained from peripheral-blood and seminal cells were also analyzed by sequencing relevant viral genes. RESULTS: Despite the long-term suppression of HIV-1 RNA in the plasma of the seven men, proviral DNA was detected in seminal cells in four. Replication-competent viruses were recovered from peripheral-blood cells in three men and from the seminal cells in two of these three men. The viruses recovered from the seminal cells had no genotypic mutations suggestive of resistance to antiretroviral drugs and were macrophage-tropic, a feature that is characteristic of HIV-1 strains that are capable of being sexually transmitted. CONCLUSIONS: In HIV-1-infected men who are receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy and who have no detectable levels of viral RNA in plasma the virus may be present in seminal cells and therefore may be capable of being transmitted sexually.