A multicenter randomized-controlled trial of nucleos(t)ide analogue cessation in HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Nucleos(t)ide analogues (NUCs) are the standard and mostly lifelong treatment for chronic HBeAg-negative hepatitis B, as functional cure (loss of HBsAg) is rarely achieved. Discontinuation of NUC treatment may lead to functional cure; however, to date, the evidence for this has been based on small or non-randomized clinical trials. The STOP-NUC trial was designed with the aim of increasing the HBsAg loss rate using a NUC treatment interruption approach. METHODS: In this multicenter, randomized-controlled trial, 166 HBeAg-negative patients with chronic hepatitis B on continuous long-term NUC treatment, with HBV DNA <172 IU/ml (1,000 copies/ml) for ≥4 years, were randomized to either stop (Arm A) or continue NUC treatment (Arm B) for a 96-week observation period. In total, 158 patients were available for final analysis, 79 per arm. The primary endpoint was sustained HBsAg loss up to week 96. RESULTS: Our study met its primary objective by demonstrating HBsAg loss in eight patients (10.1%, 95% CI 4.8%-19.5%) in Arm A and in no patient in Arm B (p = 0.006). Among patients with baseline HBsAg levels <1,000 IU/ml, seven (28%) achieved HBsAg loss. In Arm A, re-therapy was initiated in 11 (13.9%) patients, whereas 32 (40.5%) patients achieved sustained remission. A decrease of HBsAg >1 log IU/ml was observed in 16 patients (20.3%) in Arm A and in one patient (1.3%) in Arm B. No serious adverse events related to treatment cessation occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Cessation of NUC treatment was associated with a significantly higher rate of HBsAg loss than continued NUC treatment, which was largely restricted to patients with end of treatment HBsAg levels <1,000 IU/ml. IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS: As HBeAg-negative patients with chronic hepatitis B on nucleos(t)ide analogues (NUCs) rarely achieve functional cure, treatment is almost always lifelong. The STOP-NUC trial was conducted to investigate whether discontinuing long-term NUC treatment can increase the cure rate. We found that some patients achieved functional cure after stopping NUCs, which was especially pronounced in patients with HBsAg levels <1,000 at the end of NUC treatment, and that many did not need to resume therapy. The results of the Stop-NUC trial provide evidence for the concept of stopping NUC treatment as a therapeutic option that can induce functional cure.

Real-World Safety, Effectiveness, and Patient-Reported Outcomes in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection Treated with Glecaprevir/Pibrentasvir: Updated Data from the German Hepatitis C-Registry (DHC-R).

Using data from the German Hepatitis C-Registry (Deutsche Hepatitis C-Register, DHC-R), we report the real-world safety and effectiveness of glecaprevir/pibrentasvir (GLE/PIB) treatment and its impact on patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in underserved populations who are not typically included in clinical trials, yet who will be crucial for achieving hepatitis C virus (HCV) elimination. The DHC-R is an ongoing, non-interventional, multicenter, prospective, observational cohort study on patients treated for chronic HCV infection in Germany. The data cutoff was 17 January 2021. The primary effectiveness endpoint was sustained virologic response at post-treatment Week 12 (SVR12). Safety outcomes were assessed in all patients receiving GLE/PIB. PROs were assessed using the SF-36 survey. Of 2354 patients, 1964 had valid SVR12 data (intention-to-treat analysis). Of these, 1905 (97.0%) achieved SVR12 with rates similar across the comorbidities analyzed, except for people who actively use drugs (PWUD (active)) (86.4%). Excluding those who discontinued treatment and did not achieve SVR12, or were reinfected with HCV, the rate was 99.3%, with similar results regardless of comorbidity. PWUD (active) and those with psychiatric disorders had the most meaningful improvements in PROs. Adverse events (AEs) occurred in 631/2354 patients (26.8%), and serious AEs in 44 patients (1.9%). GLE/PIB was highly effective and well tolerated in this real-world study of patient groups key to HCV elimination.

Weight Gain after Interferon-Free Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C-Results from the German Hepatitis C-Registry (DHC-R).

Chronic hepatitis C can be treated very effectively with direct-acting antivirals (DAA) with only minor side effects compared to an interferon-containing treatment regimen. The significance of metabolic comorbidities after HCV cure is not well defined. This study aims to investigate short- and long-term weight change of patients receiving interferon-free antiviral treatment for chronic hepatitis C. The German Hepatitis C-registry (DHC-R) is a national multicenter real-world cohort. A total of 5111 patients were followed prospectively after DAA treatment for up to 3 years. Weight change compared to baseline was analyzed at end of treatment and at years 1, 2, and 3 after completion of antiviral therapy. Regression analysis was performed to identify baseline predictors for weight change. While there was no relevant mean weight change (-0.2 kg, SD 4.3 kg) at the end of antiviral treatment, weight started to increase during long-term follow-up reaching +1.7 kg (SD 8.0 kg, p < 0.001) compared to baseline at 3 years (follow-up year 3, FU3) after completion of antiviral therapy. 48%, 31%, and 22% of patients had a weight gain greater than 1, 3, and 5 kg at FU3, respectively. During follow-up, a body mass index (BMI) <30 proved to be the only consistent predictor for weight gain. DAA treatment is followed by a substantial weight gain (+3 kg or more) in one-third of the patients during long-term follow-up. Non-obese patients seemed to be most vulnerable to weight gain. The body compartment involved in weight gain as well as the mechanism of weight gain remain to be elucidated.

[Evolution of hepatitis C virus genotype 1a vs. 1b distribution in Germany between 2004 and 2018 - An analysis of 17093 patients from different real world registries]. / Veränderungen der Hepatitis-C-Virus-Genotyp-1a/1b-Verteilung zwischen 2004 und 2018 in Deutschland ­ eine Analyse von 17093 Patienten aus verschiedenen Real-World-Registern.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype (GT) 1 is the most common HCV GT in Western and Central Europe. The main focus of this present work is to analyze the change of baseline characteristics of 17 093 HCV-patients with genotype 1a/1b with antiviral therapy in Germany between 2004 and 2018. We analyzed five periods: (i) 2004-2007, (ii) 2008-2010, (iii) 2010-2013, (iv) 2014-2016, (v) 2017-2018. METHODS: The present analysis is based on five German non-interventional registry studies and comprises data on 17 093 HCV-GT1 patients documented between 2004 and 2018 [ML17071, ML19464, ML21645, ML25724 (Peginterferon alfa-2a® non-interventional study [PAN]) and the German Hepatitis C-Registry (DHC-R). FINDINGS: Overall, 7662 patients were infected with HCV GT1a and 9431 patients with HCV GT1b. GT1a patients were younger (46.5 years vs. 51.2 years) and more often male (70 % vs. 52 %). Previous or ongoing drug abuse was documented more frequently for GT1a patients throughout the study periods with highest frequencies in the most recent period (2017-2018; 44 % for GT1a and 10.3 % for GT1b). Metabolic comorbidities, such as those who are overweight and those with diabetes mellitus, were associated with HCV GT1b-infected women. The GT1a ratio increased from 33.6 % (2004-2007) to 50 % (2017-2018). A relevant change in the GT1a/1b ratio was observed over time in men (2004-2007: 38 %/63 %; 2017-2018: 59 %/41 %). In contrast, only 30 % of women had GT1a infection throughout all study periods without relevant changes. There were no regional differences within Germany in HCV GT1a/1b distribution despite a higher proportion of GT1b-infected women in East Germany in 2004-2007 (86 %). CONCLUSION: A marked increase of GT1a infection associated with drug use was observed in men, but not women, in Germany between 2004 and 2018. The present data show a fundamental change in HCV epidemiology, which has an impact on therapy management and general care of hepatitis C patients in Germany.

Utilization and effectiveness of elbasvir/grazoprevir and adoption of resistance-associated substitutions testing in real-world treatment of hepatitis C virus genotype 1A infection: results from the German Hepatitis C-Registry.

BACKGROUND: For treatment of genotype 1a (GT1a) infection with elbasvir/grazoprevir, the German guidelines recommend a differentiated approach depending on baseline viral load (BVL). For low BVL ≤800 000 IU/mL, treatment with 12 weeks elbasvir/grazoprevir should be considered, whereas for high BVL >800 000 IU/mL, this regimen is only recommended in nonstructural protein 5A (NS5A) resistance-associated substitutions (RAS) absence. With present NS5A RAS or when RAS-testing is not available, 16 weeks elbasvir/grazoprevir + ribavirin is preferred. Here, we investigated the adherence to these recommendations and the effectiveness of elbasvir/grazoprevir in a large German Hepatitis C-Registry GT1a cohort. METHODS: From September 2016 until July 2018, 195 GT1a-infected patients were treated with elbasvir/grazoprevir ± ribavirin for 12-16 weeks. The primary outcome was per protocol SVR12 or SVR24. RESULTS: Mean age was 50 years, 89% were male, 19% had cirrhosis, 72% were treatment-naïve. Forty-five percent had low BVL ≤800 000 IU/mL, 55% high BVL >800 000 IU/mL, of whom 49 vs. 42% were baseline RAS-tested. Four patients with high (7.7%) and two with low BVL (5%) had NS5A RAS of whom 50% received elbasvir/grazoprevir+ribavirin, respectively. Ninety-four percent of patients with low and 65% with high BVL received elbasvir/grazoprevir without ribavirin. Thirty-five percent of patients with high BVL received ribavirin, mostly without prior RAS-testing. Per protocol sustained virologic response (SVR) by low vs. high BVL was 98.8 and 95.1%. All patients with NS5A RAS achieved SVR. CONCLUSIONS: In German, real-world most patients received elbasvir/grazoprevir without ribavirin. Ribavirin was mainly added in GT1a patients >800 000 IU/mL, who were not NS5A RAS tested. SVR rates were consistently high and comparable to clinical trial results.

Sofosbuvir, velpatasvir, and voxilaprevir for patients with failure of previous direct-acting antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis C: Results from the German Hepatitis C-Registry (DHC-R).

Despite the high effectiveness of direct-acting antivirals for the treatment of hepatitis C, a small proportion of patients do not respond to approved regimens. The combination regimen of SOF/VEL/VOX was recently approved for patients with failure to prior NS5A-based treatment. In this German real-world cohort including patients with cirrhosis (27.3 %) and previous decompensation events, 12 weeks of SOF/VEL/VOX resulted in high virologic response rates irrespective of disease severity and prior DAA regimen. Adverse events were mostly mild or moderate and comparable to those seen in the approval studies.

Treatment-failure to direct antiviral HCV regimens in real world: frequency, patient characteristics and rescue therapy - data from the German hepatitis C registry (DHC-R).

BACKGROUND: Virologic failure to approved combinations of direct antiviral agents (DAA) in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is rare. Mostly it involves difficult to treat patients with advanced liver disease and prior interferon-experience. Before approval of VOX/VEL/SOF, a restricted number of patients received rescue treatment, and the choice of DAA combinations for re-treatment were selected on an individual basis. In the present analysis, patient characteristics and rescue-regimens after virologic failure mainly based on first generation DAAs are described. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data were obtained from the German Hepatitis C-Registry (DHC-R), which is a national multicenter real-world cohort currently including about 16 500 patients recruited by more than 250 centers. The present analysis is based on 6683 patients who initiated a DAA therapy and for whom follow-up data (per-protocol analysis) were available. RESULTS: Among the patients, 188 (2.8 %) experienced a virologic relapse. Compared to SVR-patients, relapse patients were significantly more often male (77.7 % versus 56.9 %, respectively, p < 0.001), showed cirrhosis significantly more (48.4 % versus 28.1 %, respectively, p < 0.001) and a prior interferon-containing therapy (46.3 % versus 39.0 %, respectively, p = 0.049). The majority of patients who relapsed were infected with genotype 1 (47.4 %) followed by genotype 3 (29.8 %), and 95 relapse patients started DAA re-treatment. Characteristics of patients with rescue-treatment are similar to these of patients with relapse after initial DAA treatment. Thirty-one of 39 patients with complete follow-up data achieved SVR (79.5 %), and 8 patients had a relapse again (20.5 %). Patients who received rescue treatment including a new DAA class according to guidelines, except patients who received VOX/VEL/SOF, showed higher SVR rates than the entire group (21/25, 84 %). All patients who received VOX/VEL/SOF achieved SVR (n = 4, 100 %). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with failure with DAA combination therapies are a difficult but urgent to treat population with the frequent presence of cirrhosis and prior treatment failure with interferon-based therapies. Rescue therapy with inclusion of a new DAA class leads to high SVR rates, but multiple targeted therapy with VOX/VEL/SOF seems to be most effective.

Reinfection With the Hepatitis C Virus in Men Who Have Sex With Men After Successful Treatment With Direct-acting Antivirals in Germany: Current Incidence Rates, Compared With Rates During the Interferon Era.

BACKGROUND: Micro-elimination of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) includes treatment in populations at risk of ongoing HCV transmission, such as men who have sex with men (MSM) or people who inject drugs (PWID). We analyzed the HCV reinfection incidence rates of participants in the German hepatitis C cohort (GECCO) and compared our data to previous findings from the interferon era. METHODS: Patients with HCV reinfections in the multi-centric GECCO cohort were compared to patients in whom no reinfection occurred. The HCV reinfection incidence rate in MSM was also compared to the incidence rate in the interferon era (using data from the European Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Treatment Network [NEAT]). RESULTS: Between January 2014 and April 2018, 48 HCV reinfections occurred in 2298 individuals (2%), with 2346 cured HCV episodes. The median time to reinfection was 500 days (range 16-1160) and the overall HCV reinfection incidence rate was 1.89 per 100 person-years (py; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.41-2.48). In a multivariate analysis, the transmission risk in MSM was the only independent risk factor of HCV reinfection (odds ratio, 39.3; 95% CI, 4.57-334.40; P = .001). The incidence rate in MSM was 9.02 (95% CI, 6.48-12.26) per 100 py, compared to 1.14 per 100 py in PWID (95% CI, .56-2.09). The incidence rate for a first HCV reinfection in MSM was similar in the direct-acting antiviral era, compared to the interferon era, with a hazard ratio of 1.05 (95% CI, .64-1.74; P = .831). CONCLUSIONS: HCV reinfection remains a frequent finding among MSM in Germany. In addition to behavioral interventions, early HCV treatment and retreatment should be implemented for this subgroup to prevent HCV transmission.

Has Increased Rollout of Direct Acting Antiviral Therapy Decreased the Burden of Late Presentation and Advanced Liver Disease in Patients Starting Hepatitis C Virus Therapy in Germany?

GOALS AND BACKGROUND: International guidelines recommend prioritized treatment initiation in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients with advanced liver disease. We aimed to evaluate whether the widespread usage of direct acting antivirals (DAAs) has led to a decrease in late presentation for care. STUDY: Data derived from the multicenter German Hepatitis C Cohort (GECCO) was analyzed. Treatment naive HCV-infected patients initiating DAA-based treatment between January 2014 and September 2017 were included. Advanced liver disease was defined by aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index score ≥1.5, METAVIR≥F3, or FibroScan ≥9.5 kPa. Period prevalence and risk factors for late presentation were evaluated. RESULTS: Six hundred fifty-three HCV-monoinfected and 210 HIV/HCV-coinfected patients (mean age, 48.6±12.7 y; 65.5% male) were included. Overall 32.5% of patients had advanced liver disease. In 2014 39.4% of patients presented with advanced liver disease, decreasing to 30.1%, 34.4%, and 26.4% in the years 2015, 2016, and 2017 (P=0.057), respectively. Patients with and without advanced liver disease differed in age (P<0.0001), CD4 ≤350/µL (P=0.027), genotype (P=0.005), transmission route (P=0.047), body mass index (P<0.001), and time since diagnosis (P=0.007). In the multivariable binary logistic regression analysis GT3, age above 45 years and being diagnosed >2 years ago were positively and HCV transmission through men who have sex with men was negatively associated with advanced liver disease. CONCLUSIONS: Overall 32.5% of patients presented with advanced liver disease. We observed a trend toward a lower proportion of patients starting treatment late.GT3, age, years since HCV diagnosis and HCV transmission route were identified as risk factors for presentation with advanced liver disease.

Evolution of HCV patient characteristics and DAA regimens in the German Hepatitis C Registry (DHC-R) in 2014 and 2015.

BACKGROUND: The urgent need in HCV-infected patients with liver disease mandated the rapid implementation of IFN-free DAA combination therapies following their regulatory approval in 2014 and 2015 without full knowledge of the optimal combinations and regimens. Investigating the evolution of the DAA utilization patterns and treatment outcomes could provide learnings for future situations. METHODS: This was an analysis of a prospective observational database from the German Hepatitis C Registry (DHC-R) covering a period from May 2014 to September 2015. Adult patients had evidence of chronic HCV GT1 or GT4 infection and were treated with an IFN-free combination regimen of simeprevir (SMV) + sofosbuvir (SOF) or other IFN-free regimens: daclatasvir + sofosbuvir (DCV + SOF), ledipasvir/sofosbuvir (SOF/LDV), paritaprevir/r + ombitasvir ± dasabuvir (PrOD), with or without ribavirine (R). RESULTS: A total of 5496 subjects were followed during the period. During this period, clinical recommendations and treatment patterns evolved rapidly in response to new evidence from clinical trials and clinical routine and regulatory approval of additional regimens. High SVR12 rates were seen in this cohort, even in hard-to-treat patient subgroups. In the multivariate analysis, gender, age, advanced cirrhosis, and intensified treatment for cirrhotics were associated with treatment outcome. CONCLUSION: Despite limited knowledge of the optimal utilization of the newly approved DAA combinations and treatment durations as well as their comparative efficacy and safety profiles, high SVR rates were achieved regardless of the DAA combination. These outcomes were facilitated by the rapid adaptation of clinical recommendations. Future situations with high unmet medical need may follow a similar approach.

Risk factors for remaining liver injury in patients with virological elimination of chronic hepatitis C.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Disease activity, but also demographics, lifestyle, and comorbidities, may influence alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients. Direct-acting antiviral agents (DAA) achieve virological cure in > 90 % of patients, regardless of HCV genotype and fibrosis stage. This allows assessing determinants for ALT levels before and after elimination of HCV. METHODS: Our prospective cohort included HCV- and HIV/HCV-infected patients treated with DAA at 9 German centers (GECCO cohort). We analyzed all consecutive patients with sustained virological response (SVR) at week 12 (SVR12) and/or 24. Normal ALT was defined as ≤ 35 U/L, regardless of sex. RESULTS: At baseline, 1477 out of 1774 patients (83 %) had ALT > 35 U/L, and 297 (17 %) had ALT ≤ 35 U/L. Baseline ALT > 35 U/L was independently associated with male sex, higher body mass index (BMI), liver cirrhosis, and not being on opioid substitution. After SVR, > 80 % of patients normalized ALT, and even patients with low baseline ALT further reduced ALT levels. However, ALT remained > 35 U/L in 15 % (221/1477) after SVR12. By multivariate analysis, ALT > 35 U/L at SVR12 was associated with male sex, higher BMI, liver cirrhosis, baseline ALT, HCV genotype 2, and younger age. Obesity, cirrhosis, and ALT were also independent factors associated with ALT > 15 U/L at SVR12 in patients with normal ALT at baseline. CONCLUSIONS: Male sex, advanced liver fibrosis, and obesity are main risk factors for the lack of ALT normalization and/or ALT decline after SVR, indicative of fatty liver disease as a relevant comorbidity in hepatitis C.

[4 years of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) in the German Hepatitis C-Registry (DHC-R)]. / Deutsches Hepatitis C-Register (DHC-R) ­ eine Zwischenbilanz 4 Jahre nach Zulassung direkt antiviraler Substanzen (DAAs).

BACKGROUND: More than 250 000 patients suffer from chronic hepatitis C in Germany. Several potent, direct-acting antiviral drugs have been approved since 2014. The aim of the German Hepatitis C-Registry (DHC-R) is to describe the epidemiology and patient care of hepatitis C and to investigate the efficacy and safety of new treatment options in real-world settings. METHODS: The DHC-R is a prospective multicenter non-interventional registry study that includes 327 centers throughout Germany. All approved treatment options have been documented. The current analysis differentiated 4 phases: 2/2014 - 12/2014, 1/2015 - 12/2015, 1/2016 - 7/2017 and 8/2017 - 7/2018. FINDINGS: Between February 2014 and July 2018, 12 170 patients were included in the registry (61.3 % male), and antiviral treatment was initiated in 11 268. The mean age declined from 52.3 years (phase 1) to 49.3 years (phase 4), while the proportion of patients with previous or ongoing drug abuse increased (26.3 % to 43.1 %). In 2014, 35.1 % of treated patients had liver cirrhosis, which declined to 16.5 % in phase 4. The HCV genotype distribution showed marked fluctuations, with most recent increases in HCV genotype 3 (30 % in phase 4). Per-protocol sustained virological response rates increased from 92.8 % in 2014 to 94.4 % in 2017/18 with excellent tolerability. SUMMARY: The DHC-R mirrors patient care of chronic hepatitis in the real-world setting in Germany and provides insights into epidemiology developments. It also confirms the high efficacy and safety of novel treatment options.

Estimation of liver fibrosis by noncommercial serum markers in comparison with transient elastography in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection receiving direct-acting antiviral treatment.

Treatment decisions are based on extent of fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C (HCV) infection. Noninvasive diagnostic tools may help to avoid liver biopsy. We investigated the diagnostic accuracy of noncommercial serum scores in comparison with transient elastography (TE). Data analysis was undertaken based on 2458 patients enrolled in the German Hepatitis C Registry, in a prospective, observational study. Aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI), FORNS index and FIB-4 score were calculated and the diagnostic accuracy was compared to TE. As estimated by TE, 955 (38.9%) patients had absence of significant fibrosis (SF), 736 (29.9%) patients had SF, and 767 (31.2%) patients were shown to have cirrhosis. Patients with absence of SF had a sustained virological response (SVR) rate of 97.9%, whereas SVR was attained in 96.2% and 92.2% in those with SF and cirrhosis, respectively (P < 0.0001). The area under the receiver operator characteristic curve (AUROC), sensitivity and specificity in discriminating of SF were 0.789, 0.596 and 0.939 by APRI; 0.838, 0.852 and 0.748 by FORNS index; and 0.828, 0.658 and 0.946 by FIB-4 score. AUROCs for the prediction of cirrhosis, sensitivity and specificity were 0.881, 0.851 and 0.854 by APRI; 0.846, 0.948 and 0.628 by FORNS index; and 0.907, 0.907 and 0.848 by FIB-4 score. In conclusion, in the present multicentre real-world cohort, SF and cirrhosis were predicted with high accuracy with noncommercial serum markers using TE as reference. Further prospective long-term follow-up is necessary to compare biomarkers with TE concerning liver-related outcome and overall mortality.

Effectiveness and Safety of Direct-Acting Antiviral Combination Therapies for Treatment of Hepatitis C Virus in Elderly Patients: Results from the German Hepatitis C Registry.

BACKGROUND: With the aging of the hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patient cohort and the availability of highly effective and tolerable treatment regimens, an increasing number of elderly patients are now eligible for HCV therapy. This study investigated clinical and epidemiologic characteristics of elderly HCV-infected patients as well as the effectiveness and safety of available therapies. METHODS: Patients were enrolled into the German Hepatitis C Registry (DHC-R), a prospective, multicenter, real-world cohort study. Patients were treated at the discretion of the physician, and data were collected by a web-based system. RESULTS: Of 7133 patients who initiated treatment, 686 (9.6%) were > 70 years of age. In patients > 70 years, intent-to-treat (ITT) SVR12 was 92.6% (514/555) compared to 90.7% (4521/4985) in patients ≤ 70 years of age. Overall, adverse events (AEs) were reported in 374 (54.5%) and 3435 patients (53.3%) > 70 or ≤ 70 years of age; 7.6% (52) and 3.6% (235) in the respective age groups had a serious AE. Twenty-two (3.2%) and 62 (1.0%) of the patients > 70 or ≤ 70 years discontinued treatment due to AEs. Death was reported in 34 patients, of whom eight were > 70 years of age. Frequent comorbidities in patients > 70 years of age were cardiac disease, renal disease and diabetes. Psychiatric disorders, substance abuse and viral co-infection were more frequent in younger patients. CONCLUSION: Direct-acting antiviral therapies were well tolerated in patients older than 70 years. SVR12 rates in the elderly patient group were similar to those observed in younger patients. Differences in the prevalence of comorbidities between age groups warrant individualized attention with respect to drug-drug interactions and therapy adherence. The study was registered in the German Clinical Trials Register, DRKS-ID: DRKS00009717.

Real-world effectiveness of sofosbuvir-based treatment regimens for chronic hepatitis C genotype 3 infection: Results from the multicenter German hepatitis C cohort (GECCO-03).

There are limited data regarding the real world effectiveness of direct acting antivirals (DAA) for the therapy of chronic genotype 3 hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. All HCV genotype 3 infected patients from the German hepatitis C cohort (GECCO), which is a prospective database of nine German hepatitis C treatment centers, were included in the study. Three hundred forty-two chronically infected HCV genotype 3 patients were analyzed (253 males [74.0%], mean age 47.3 years, 127 cirrhotic patients [37.1%] mostly with Child A cirrhosis, 113 treatment experienced patients [37.1%], 38 HCV/HIV co-infected patients [11.1%]). SVR12 rates in the "intention-to-treat" analysis were as follows: sofosbuvir/ribavirin 69.4% (75/108), sofosbuvir/peginterferon/ribavirin 80.6% (58/72), sofosbuvir/daclatasvir ± ribavirin for 12 weeks 88.3% (53/63), sofosbuvir/daclatasvir ± ribavirin for 24 weeks 79.3% (23/29), sofosbuvir/ledipasvir ± ribavirin for 12 weeks 71.4% (10/14), and sofosbuvir/ledipasvir ± ribavirin for 24 weeks 86.7% (26/30). Forty patients were lost to follow-up, 23 patients had a relapse, 4 patients stopped treatment prematurely and 1 patient died. Female sex (P = 0.038) and treatment with two different DAAs (P = 0.05) were predictors for SVR12 in the multivariate analysis. In conclusion, sofosbuvir/daclatasvir ± ribavirin for 12 weeks and sofosbuvir/ledipasvir ± ribavirin for 24 weeks are effective for the treatment of HCV genotype 3 infected patients including cirrhotic, treatment-experienced or HIV/HCV co-infected patients.

Real-world effectiveness of 8-week treatment with ledipasvir/sofosbuvir in chronic hepatitis C.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Ledipasvir/sofosbuvir (LDV/SOF) for 8 to 24 weeks is approved for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus infection (HCV). In the ION-3 study, 8 weeks of LDV/SOF was non-inferior to 12 weeks in previously untreated genotype 1 (GT1) patients without cirrhosis. According to the Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC), 8-week treatment may be considered in naïve non-cirrhotic GT1-patients. However, there are only limited data on the effectiveness of an 8-week regimen of LDV/SOF under real-world conditions. The aim of the present study was to characterise patients receiving 8 weeks of LDV/SOF compared to those receiving 12 weeks of LDV/SOF, and to describe therapeutic outcomes in routine clinical practice. METHODS: The German Hepatitis C-Registry is a large national real-world cohort that analyses effectiveness and safety of antiviral therapies in chronic HCV. This data set is based on 2,404 patients. Treatment with SOF/LDV (without RBV) for 8 or 12 weeks was initiated on or before September 30, 2015. RESULTS: Overall, 84.6% (2,034/2,404) of the safety population (intention-to-treat-1 [ITT1]) and 98.2% (2,029/2,066) of the per protocol (PP) population achieved sustained virological response at week 12 (SVR12). In the 8-week group, 85.1% (824/968) of ITT1 and 98.3% (821/835) of PP patients achieved SVR12, while in the 12-week group, 85.5% (1,210/1,415) of ITT1, and 98.1% (1,208/1,231) of PP patients achieved SVR12. When treated according to the SmPC, 98.7% (739/749) of the patients achieved SVR12 (PP). Relapse was observed in 9.5% (2/21) of cirrhotic patients treated for 8 weeks (PP). CONCLUSIONS: Under real-world conditions a high proportion of eligible patients receiving 8-week LDV/SOF treatment achieved SVR12. Relapse occurred more frequently in patients who did not meet the selection criteria according to the SmPC. LAY SUMMARY: In a large real-world cohort of patients mainly treated by physicians in private practice in Germany, shorter HCV treatment (8-week) resulted in equivalent cure rates to 12-week treatment in genotype 1 HCV-infected patients. Thus, shorter treatment can be recommended in these patients which would substantially reduce costs of therapy. Clinical Trial number: DRKS00009717 (German Clinical Trials Register, DRKS).

Long-term response after stopping tenofovir disoproxil fumarate in non-cirrhotic HBeAg-negative patients - FINITE study.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: There is currently no virological cure for chronic hepatitis B but successful nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA) therapy can suppress hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA replication and, in some cases, result in HBsAg loss. Stopping NA therapy often leads to viral relapse and therefore life-long therapy is usually required. This study investigated the potential to discontinue tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) therapy in HBeAg-negative patients. METHODS: Non-cirrhotic HBeAg-negative patients who had received TDF for ≥4years, with suppressed HBV DNA for ≥3.5years, were randomly assigned to either stop (n=21) or continue (n=21) TDF monotherapy. Standard laboratory tests including HBV DNA viral load, HBsAg and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) measurements, and adverse event reporting were carried out during treatment and post-treatment follow-up for 144weeks. RESULTS: Of the patients who stopped TDF therapy, 62% (n=13) remained off-therapy to Week 144. Median HBsAg change in this group was -0.59log10IU/ml (range -4.49 to 0.02log10IU/ml) vs. 0.21log10IU/ml in patients who continued TDF therapy. Four patients (19%) achieved HBsAg loss. Patients stopping therapy had initial fluctuations in viral load and ALT; however, at Week 144, 43% (n=9) had either achieved HBsAg loss or had HBV DNA <2,000IU/ml. There were no unexpected safety issues identified with stopping TDF therapy. CONCLUSIONS: This controlled study demonstrated the potential for HBsAg loss and/or sustained virological response in non-cirrhotic HBeAg-negative patients stopping long-term TDF therapy. Lay summary: Nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA) is usually a life-long therapy for HBV patients. This randomised controlled study investigated the discontinuation of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) therapy in HBeAg-negative patients. Of the patients who stopped TDF therapy, 62% remained off-therapy to Week 144, of which 43% of patients had achieved either HBsAg loss or HBV DNA <2,000IU/ml. This offers a potential for long-term HBV-suppressed patients without cirrhosis to stop NA therapy under strict surveillance. Clinical trial number: NCT01320943.

Sofosbuvir and Ledipasvir for 8 Weeks for the Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Infection in HCV-Monoinfected and HIV-HCV-Coinfected Individuals: Results From the German Hepatitis C Cohort (GECCO-01).

BACKGROUND: Shortening the duration of treatment with HCV direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) leads to substantial cost reductions. According to the label, sofosbuvir and ledipasvir can be prescribed for 8 weeks (SL8) in noncirrhotic women or men with HCV genotype 1 and low viral loads. However, real-world data about the efficacy and safety of SL8 are largely missing. METHODS: Interim results from an ongoing prospective, multicenter cohort of 9 treatment centers in Germany (GECCO). All patients started on treatment with HCV DAAs since January 2014 were included. This report describes safety and efficacy outcomes in 210 patients with HCV monoinfection and 35 with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-HCV coinfection given SL8 in a real-world setting. RESULTS: Of 1353 patients included into the GECCO cohort until December 2015, a total of 1287 had complete data sets for this analysis; 337 (26.2%) fulfilled the criteria for SL8 according to the package insert, but only 193 (57.2%) were eventually treated for 8 weeks. Another 52 patients did not fulfill the criteria but were treated for 8 weeks. SL8 was generally well tolerated. The overall sustained virologic response rate 12 weeks after the end of treatment was 93.5% (186 of 199). The on-treatment response rate was 99.4% (159 of 160) in HCV-monoinfected and 96.4% (27 of 28) in HIV-HCV-coinfected patients. Ten patients were lost to follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: SL8 seems highly effective and safe in well-selected HCV-monoinfected and HIV-HCV-coinfected patients in a real-world setting.