Sovaldi-Based Hep C Regimens Less Successful in Real World

The real-world cure rates offered by Sovaldi (sofosbuvir)–based hepatitis C virus (HCV) regimens have not been as good as those seen in clinical trials, at least among a group of veterans with genotypes 1 or 2, Healio reports. Publishing their findings in Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, researchers analyzed data from the Veterans Affairs Clinical Case Registry for HCV on 4,026 vets treated for hep C with 12-week Sovaldi–based regimens.

A total of 3,203 of the vets had genotype 1 and 823 had genotype 2.

Gilead Sciences’ Harvoni (ledipasvir/sofosbuvir) has superseded Sovaldi–based regimens (Sovaldi is also a Gilead drug) as the treatment of choice for those with genotype 1. So this study’s findings may not be applicable to the current realities of hep C treatment among that group, especially since this study looked in part at the results of regimens including interferon, which causes flu-like side effects. Interferon has largely been edged out of the hep C arsenal.

However, 12 weeks of Sovaldi plus ribavirin is still the top-recommended regimen for treatment-naive people with genotype 2, which makes  this study more relevant to that population’s current concerns.

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