Efficacy and safety of telaprevir with natural human interferon‐β and ribavirin in Japanese chronic hepatitis C patients with depression

• Published in: Hepatology research Vol. 48; no. 2; pp. 184 - 192
• Main Authors: Kumada, Hiromitsu, Mochida, Satoshi, Nakamuta, Makoto, Suzuki, Fumitaka, Yagi, Takashi, Takasaki, Ryuji, Okai, Masao, Kamiya, Naohiro, Okada, Yasushi, Hirota, Saya, Orihashi, Madori, Ochi, Miyoko, Chayama, Kazuaki
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands 01.02.2018
• Subjects: chronic hepatitis C; depression; natural human interferon‐β; ribavirin; telaprevir; natural human interferon-β; ribavirin; depression; telaprevir; chronic hepatitis C
• ISSN: 1386-6346; 1872-034X
• DOI: 10.1111/hepr.12914

Aim To assess the efficacy and safety of telaprevir (TVR) when used in combination with natural human interferon‐β (IFN‐β) and ribavirin (RBV) for genotype 1 patients with depression compared to IFN‐β/RBV therapy in Japan. We also examined the efficacy of the TVR/IFN‐β/RBV therapy in treatment failure genotype 2 patients with depression. Methods For the genotype 1 patients, 30 patients received TVR (750 mg every 8 h) for 12 weeks combined with IFN‐β and RBV for 24 weeks (Group A), and 30 received IFN‐β and RBV for 48 weeks (Group B). For the genotype 2 patients, 14 patients were dosed only with the TVR‐based regimen. Results The sustained virologic response (SVR) rates for Group A and Group B were 63.3% and 20.0%, respectively (P = 0.001, likelihood ratio test). The SVR rate for genotype 2 patients previously treated with pegylated IFN and/or RBV was 71.4%. No patient dropped out due to exacerbation of depression. The trend of platelet counts after the drugs were given was similar in the TVR/IFN‐β/RBV therapy group and the IFN‐β/RBV therapy group. Common resistance‐associated variants of TVR were identified in 4 of the 13 patients who did not achieve SVR. Conclusion This study showed that an addition of TVR to IFN‐β/RBV therapy raised SVR in previously treated and untreated genotype 1 patients and previously treated genotype 2 patients with chronic hepatitis C and depression.