Efficacy and safety of sofosbuvir plus ribavirin for Korean patients with hepatitis C virus genotype 2 infection: A retrospective multi-institutional study

Abstract

Background/Aims

Sofosbuvir plus ribavirin is a standard treatment for patients infected with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 2 in Korea. The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy and safety of this treatment in Korean patients with chronic HCV genotype 2 infection.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed clinical data of patients treated with sofosbuvir plus ribavirin for chronic HCV genotype 2 from May 2016 to December 2017 at eight hospitals located in the Daejeon-Chungcheong area.

Results

A total of 172 patients were treated with sofosbuvir plus ribavirin. Of them, 163 patients completed the treatment, and 162 patients were tested for sustained virologic response 12 weeks after treatment discontinuation (SVR12). Mean age was 59.6±12.3 years (27–96), and 105 (64.4%) patients were female. Of the total patients, 49 (30.1%) were diagnosed with cirrhosis, and 31 of them were treated for 16 weeks. Sofosbuvir plus ribavirin was the first-line treatment for 144 (88.3%) patients. Eleven (6.7%) patients were intolerant to previous interferon-based treatment. Eight (5.0%) patients relapsed after interferon-based treatment. HCV RNA non-detection rate at 4, 8, and 12 weeks was 97.5%, 99.1%, and 99.3%, respectively, and SVR12 was 98.8% (161/163). During treatment, 18 (11.0%) patients had to reduce their administrated dose of ribavirin because of anemia. One patient stopped the treatment because of severe anemia. Other adverse events, including dizziness, indigestion, and headache, were found in 26 (16.0%) patients.

Conclusions

A 12-16 week treatment with sofosbuvir plus ribavirin is remarkably effective and well tolerated in Korean patients with chronic HCV genotype 2 infection.

INTRODUCTION

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is one of the major causes of chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis (LC), hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and liver-related mortality. Approximately 10% of LC and 12–17% of HCC are attributed to chronic HCV infection in Korea, while the prevalence of chronic HCV infection in adults is less than 1% [1,2]. This low rate of HCV infection can be attributed to anti-HCV screening tests being performed before blood transfusions. However, recent outbreaks of HCV in healthcare facilities have become a highly concerning public health problem [3].

Previous standard therapy for patients with HCV genotype 2 infection was based on the combination of pegylated interferon with weight-based dosage of ribavirin. This treatment was shown to result in a sustained virologic response 12 weeks after treatment discontinuation (SVR12) in 70–80% of patients treated for chronic HCV genotype 2 infection [4,5]. The drawbacks of this treatment include severe adverse reactions, discomfort due to the injection, and long treatment duration. Recently, pegylated interferon-based therapy is no longer recommended as the first-line treatment since direct acting antivirals (DAA) were developed [6-8].

Sofosbuvir (SOVALDI^®, Sovaldi, Gilead Sciences, Seoul, Korea) is a novel DAA used to treat patients with chronic HCV genotype 2 infection with or without decompensated LC. Four clinical phase 3 studies, looking into the effects of a combination of sofosbuvir plus ribavirin on chronic HCV genotype 2 infection in Western countries have shown variable SVR12 rates ranging from 86 to 97% [9-11]. Still, this combination is not more recommended than other treatments for HCV genotype 2 infection by the American associations for the study of liver diseases (AASLD) and European associations for the study of liver diseases (EASL) [6,7]. However, SVR12 rates obtained with sofosbuvir plus ribavirin in Asian countries ranges from 95 to 100%, which is higher compared to Western countries [12,13]. A combination of sofosbuvir and ribavirin is the only possible treatment for HCV genotype 2 infection in Korea since exclusive insurance coverage started in September 2015. However, there have been few reports of real-world clinical studies, and data regarding this treatment in Korean patients remains limited.

The purpose of this retrospective study was to examine the efficacy and safety of a 12–16 weeks treatment with sofosbuvir plus ribavirin in Korean patients with chronic HCV genotype 2 infection.

MATERIALS and METHODS

Patients

We retrospectively analyzed clinical data from patients treated with sofosbuvir plus ribavirin for chronic HCV genotype 2 from May 2016 to December 2017 at eight hospitals located in the Daejeon-Chungcheong area. Sofosbuvir was administered orally at a dose of 400 mg once daily. Ribavirin was administered orally twice daily, with doses determined according to body weight (1,000 mg daily in patients with a body weight of <75 kg, and 1,200 mg daily in patients with a body weight of ≥75 kg). We included the patients who were 18 years of age or older and had chronic infection with HCV genotype 2 with detectable serum HCV RNA. The patients who did not reach test for SVR12, not followed up to the end of treatment, expired due to non-liver disease were excluded.

A total of 172 patients were treated with sofosbuvir plus ribavirin, 9 of them were excluded (not reach test for SVR12, 7 patients; follow-up loss, 1 patient; expire due to non-liver disease, 1 patient) and 163 patients were finally enrolled (Fig. 1). LC was diagnosed if confirmed by abdominal sonography, computed tomography, or histology. The cirrhosis was classified as either compensated or decompensated by calculating the patient’s Child-Pugh score. Enrolled patients were divided into the treatment naïve group, treatment failure group (including null response, partial response, virologic breakthrough, relapse after previous treatment), and intolerant group (discontinued pegylated interferon treatment because of adverse events). The definition of virologic response followed the Korean associations for the study of liver diseases (KASL) guideline [8]. Adverse events, HCV RNA non-detection rate and SVR12 were analyzed. This protocol was approved by the institutional review board or independent ethics committee at each hospital. We did not request informed consent to the patients because this study used only clinical data obtained after patients had agreed to the treatment before its initiation.

Figure 1. Flow chart summarizing patient selection. Finally, 163 patients were enrolled and completed the treatment. Only 1 patient stopped the treatment due to severe anemia. SOF, sofosbuvir; RBV, ribavirin; SVR12, sustained virologic response at post-treatment week 12.

Clinical and laboratory assessments

Virologic tests were performed at 4, 8, and 12 weeks during and 12 weeks after treatment discontinuation. We calculated each patient’s Child-Pugh score and divided the patient population into a compensated and a decompensated LC group in order to assess the difference in treatment efficacy on different types of cirrhosis. Adverse events were identified by reviewing medical records and additional information (their onset time, severity, duration, etc.) were confirmed through discussion with co-authors at each site. Ribavirin dose reduction for anemia followed the generalized principle. When hemoglobin dropped below 10 g/dL on treatment, ribavirin dose reduction to 600 mg/day was performed. But some patients took same ribavirin dose if the patients had no symptoms and the hemoglobin level decreased mildly below 10 g/dL. When hemoglobin dropped below 8.5 g/dL, ribavirin was discontinued.

Measurement of HCV RNA and assessment of treatment efficacy

HCV RNA was measured using a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay at each site. The lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) of HCV RNA was 15 IU/mL. Virologic breakthrough was defined as an increase of HCV RNA >1 log₁₀ from nadir or HCV RNA ≥ LLOQ after a measurement below LLOQ. SVR12 was defined as HCV RNA levels below the lower limit of quantitation (LLOQ; 15 IU/mL) 12 weeks after treatment discontinuation.

Statistical analyses

The efficacy and safety analyses included all enrolled patients who received at least one dose of sofosbuvir plus ribavirin. Data was expressed as mean±standard deviation (SD). The Chi-square test or Student’s t-test were used for univariate analyses. We evaluated variables with P<0.05 at univariate analysis using multivariate logistic regression analysis. For all analysis, two-sided P-values were calculated, and the results were considered statistically significant at P<0.05. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics 23 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA).

RESULTS

Baseline characteristics of the patients

A total of 163 patients including 58 (35.6%) male patients and 105 (64.4%) female patients were enrolled. Mean age of the entire population was 59.6±12.3 years and the oldest patient was 96 years. Cirrhosis was present at baseline in 49 (30.1%) patients and absent in 114 (69.9%) patients. Among patients presenting with cirrhosis, 2 (4.1%) showed decompensated cirrhosis and 31 (63.3%) were treated for 16 weeks with sofosbuvir plus ribavirin. Additionally, 144 (88.3%) patients were treatment-naïve, 8 (5.0%) failed from the interferon- based treatment, and 11 (6.7%) did not tolerate pegylated interferon plus ribavirin treatment (Table 1).

Table 1.

Baseline characteristics of the enrolled patients

Variables	Value
Total (n)	163
Male (n, %)	58 (35.6)
Female (n, %)	105 (64.4)
Age (years)	59.6±12.3
AST (IU/L)	59.6±50.4
ALT (IU/L)	56.3±64.4
HCV RNA (IU/mL)	2,040,138±4,137,403
LC (n, %)	49 (30.1)
Compensated	47 (95.9)
Decompensated	2 (4.1)
Treatment duration (n, %)
12 weeks treatment	18 (36.7)
16 weeks treatment	31 (63.3)
Naive (n, %)	144 (88.3)
Intolerant to PEG-IFN (n, %)	11 (6.7)
Treatment failure (n, %)	8 (5)

Values are presented as mean±SD or n (%) unless otherwise indicated.

SD, standard deviation; AST, aspartate aminotransferase; ALT, alanine aminotransferase; HCV, hepatitis C virus; LC, liver cirrhosis; PEG-IFN, pegylated interferon.

Adverse events

Adverse events during treatment were reported in 26 (16.0%) patients. Dizziness (13 patients, 8.0%) was the most common adverse event out of them. Fatigue (6 patients, 3.7%) was the second most common adverse event. Indigestion, epigastric soreness and an itching sensation were reported in 3 (1.8%) patients, respectively. Skin rashes and headaches were reported in 2 (1.2%) patients, respectively. Generalized weakness, nausea, diarrhea, fever, myalgia and anorexia were reported in only 1 (0.6%) patient, respectively (Table 2).

Table 2.

Summary of on-treatment adverse events in 163 patients receiving sofosbuvir plus ribavirin

Event	N (%)
Anemia	25 (15.3)
Dizziness	13 (8.0)
Fatigue	6 (3.7)
Indigestion	3 (1.8)
Epigastric soreness	3 (1.8)
Itching	3 (1.8)
Skin rash	2 (1.2)
Headache	2 (1.2)
Generalized weakness	1 (0.6)
Nausea	1 (0.6)
Diarrhea	1 (0.6)
Fever	1 (0.6)
Myalgia	1 (0.6)
Anorexia	1 (0.6)
Total	63 (38.7)

Treatment discontinuation because of adverse events was rare among patients receiving sofosbuvir plus ribavirin regimens. Only one 82 years old male patient stopped the treatment after 2 weeks because of severe anemia although he received a blood transfusion after admission. He presented no LC and had no treatment history. Except him, all other patients who were affected by adverse events completed the treatment and achieved SVR12.

During treatment, anemia below hemoglobin 10 g/dL was developed in 25 patients (15.3%). Of them, 5 patients showed severe anemia below hemoglobin 8.5 g/dL. Ribavirin dose due to anemia was reduced in 18 (11.0%) patients. Other patients had same dose of ribavirin because they showed slightly decreased hemoglobin levels below 10 g/dL and did not complain of dizziness. Of 25 patients, female was 23 patients and 10 patients showed cirrhotic liver. Their mean age was 68.1±11.5 years old. Multivariate analysis showed that female sex (odds ratio, 7.85; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.78–34.65; P=0.007), older age than 60 years (odds ratio, 4.64; 95% CI, 1.74–12.34; P=0.002) were predictable factors for anemia development.

Biochemical response

We analyzed mean alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels to know the biochemical response of sofosbuvir plus ribavirin treatment on chronic hepatitis C. Before treatment, the mean ALT levels were 56.3±64.4 IU/L. After 4, 8 and 12 weeks treatment, the mean ALT levels became 22.5±16.1 IU/L, 22.6±17.7 IU/L and 24.3±17.0 IU/L, respectively. Finally, the mean ALT levels were 21.3±13.4 IU/L at 12 weeks after treatment discontinuation (Fig. 2).

Figure 2. The changes of mean ALT level. After 4 weeks treatment, the mean ALT level was returned to normal range. After the treatment was complete, the lowest levels of ALT were observed. ALT, alanine aminotransferase.

In order to know ALT normalization rate of sofosbuvir plus ribavirin, we analyzed 69 patients who showed ALT levels higher than 40 IU/L. After 4, 8 and 12 weeks treatment, 76.8% (56 patients), 85.5% (59 patients) and 75.4% (52 patients) of the patients showed ALT normalization, respectively. Finally, at 12 weeks after treatment discontinuation, ALT levels of 84.1% (58 patients) became normalized (Fig. 3).

Figure 3. The ALT normalization rate. We analyzed 69 patients who showed ALT level higher than 40 IU/L to determine the ALT normalization rate. ALT, alanine aminotransferase.

Virologic efficacy

Out of the 163 initially enrolled patients, 162 completed the treatment. One patient stopped the treatment after 2 weeks because of severe anemia. One patient had taken sofosbuvir plus ribavirin for only 8 weeks because of financial issues, but she achieved SVR12.

After 4 weeks of treatment with sofosbuvir plus ribavirin, HCV RNA was undetectable in 97.5% (153/157) of the patients. Three patients in whom HCV RNA was detectable after 4 weeks were treatment naïve and non-cirrhotic. Their HCV RNA titer at 4 weeks were 55.4 IU/mL, 115 IU/mL, 285 IU/mL, respectively. After 8 weeks of treatment, HCV RNA became undetectable in all three patients. By week 8 and 12 of treatment, 99.1% (109/110) and 99.3% (145/146) of the patients had an HCV RNA level inferior to 15 IU/mL. 161 of 163 (98.8%) patients showed SVR12 (Fig. 4). The patient who failed to achieve SVR12 after 12 weeks treatment was a 74 years old female and did not have previous treatment history. She did not present cirrhosis and was treated continuously for 12 weeks. She did not report any specific adverse event and did not require a ribavirin dose reduction.

Figure 4. Virologic response at 4, 8, and 12 weeks and SVR12 in 163 patients enrolled in the present study. Two patients failed to achieve the SVR12. SVR12, sustained virologic response 12 weeks after t reatment discontinuation.

We analyzed SVR12 according to age, sex, presence of cirrhosis, treatment history, pretreatment HCV RNA level and ribavirin dose reduction. There was minimal difference in SVR12 values due to treatment failure in 1 patient and treatment stop in 1 patient, but no statistical significance was found (Fig. 5).

Figure 5. SVR12 according to baseline age, sex, presence of cirrhosis, treatment history, pretreatment HCV RNA level, and RBV dose reduction in 163 patients. There was no significant difference between groups. SVR12, sustained virologic response 12 weeks after t reatment discontinuation; HCV, hepatitis C virus; RBV, ribavirin.

DISCUSSION

Pegylated interferon-based therapy is a non-specific antiviral treatment for HCV, whereas sofosbuvir is a HCV-specific antiviral treatment that directly interferes with HCV replication as it takes places during the life-cycle of the virus [14]. Sofosbuvir is especially effective against HCV genotypes 2 and 3 when it is administered in combination with weight-based ribavirin [9,10]. Ribavirin is an oral synthetic guanosine analogue used to stop viral RNA synthesis and has antiviral properties when used against DNA and RNA viruses [15]. Genotype 2a is the second most common genotype, accounting for 38–46% of all HCV infections in Korea. To treat it, sofosbuvir plus ribavirin is now the only available regimen in Korea [16-18].

According to previous phase 3 studies conducted in Western countries, SVR12 rates in patients with chronic HCV genotype 2 infection administered sofosbuvir plus ribavirin ranged from 86 to 97%; FUSION (86%), POSITRON (93%), VALENCE (93%) and FISSION (97%) [9-11]. However, according to a previous study conducted in Japan, SVR12 rates following 12 weeks of treatment with sofosbuvir plus ribavirin in treatment-naive and treatment-experienced patients with chronic HCV genotype 2 infection were 98% and 95% respectively [12]. Moreover, a phase 3b study performed in Taiwan showed remarkable results in which SVR12 was 100% in regardless of treatment history [13].

Significant difference in SVR12 rates between Asian and Western patients may be explained by the fact that the studied Asian populations showed more favorable factors including younger age, lower body mass index, and higher predominance of interleukin-28B (IL28B) CC allele than Western patients [19-24]. The prevalence of the IL28B CC allele is significantly higher in Koreans than Caucasians [25-27]. Although further studies are needed to determine the specifics of different response rates between Korean and Western patients with HCV genotype 2 infection, the combination of sofosbuvir plus weight-based ribavirin is the only approved standard care for the treatment of Korean patients with chronic HCV genotype 2 infection for these reasons.

In this multicenter study, 161 of 163 patients completed 12–16 weeks treatment adjusted for presence of cirrhosis, and they all were tested for the SVR12. One patient stopped the treatment because of severe adverse event. Another patient took medications only 8 weeks due to economic problem, but she achieved SVR12. Virologic response was prompt and 4 weeks after treatment, HCV RNA non-detection rate was equal to 97.5%. SVR12 was also remarkable: 98.8% of patients (161/163) showed a SVR12 rate in this study. The present study included treatment-experienced patients (11.7%) and patients with cirrhosis (30.1%). The virologic response was influenced neither by treatment history nor by presence of cirrhosis. Eighteen patients with cirrhosis have taken 12 weeks treatment and they all achieved SVR12. There was no definite guideline about choosing 12 weeks or 16 weeks treatment in patients with cirrhosis. Considering our results, although a small number, 12 weeks treatment might be enough to achieve the SVR12.

Only one patient failed to achieve SVR12 although she completed 12 weeks treatment. She was 74 years old and had no treatment history of HCV. We could not exactly know the factors which affected the treatment failure. Considering previously suggested factors, older age might be associated, but more data including failed patients should be needed.

Sofosbuvir and ribavirin are more convenient and trigger less adverse events than interferon-based therapy. Interferon-based regimens can be poorly tolerated and are in contraindication in many patients over 60 years of age with advanced liver disease [28-32]. In contrast, DAAs can be used in almost all patients with HCV infection who are not eligible for conventional interferon-based treatment [8]. Treatment with sofosbuvir plus ribavirin was well tolerated in all subgroups, including patients with cirrhosis and patients with treatment history. According to BOSON study, which was conducted in Western countries, the safety profile of sofosbuvir and ribavirin was similar in treatment-naive and treatment-experienced patients [33]. The most common treatment-related adverse events were dizziness and anemia, which were both attributed to ribavirin in the present study. 18 (11.0%) patients have seen their ribavirin dosage be reduced and one patient stopped the treatment because of severe anemia. The current guideline in Western countries recommend treatment regimens without ribavirin. The AASLD recommends glecaprevir plus pibrentasvir for 8 weeks or sofosbuvir plus velpatasvir for 12 weeks [6]. The EASL recommend sofosbuvir plus velpatasvir for 12 weeks or sofsbuvir plus daclatasvir [7]. Considering the frequent and occasionally severe side effects of ribavirin, a treatment regimen excluding ribavirin should be tested and proposed in Korea, too.

One patient stopped the treatment due to financial issues. Currently, the cost of a HCV treatment with sofosbuvir for 12 weeks is over 6,000$ in Korea. The high price of the drug is a barrier to proper treatment of HCV infection. For more patients to be treated, efforts must be dedicated to lowering the price of the treatment for the patients.

Even though we included many patients in multicenters, there are some limitations. First, all laboratory parameters such as HCV RNA titers, liver function tests were not tested on all patients every 4 weeks. HCV RNA undetection rate, ALT normalization rate could be changed because of skipped data. Second, adverse events might be missed because the present study were retrospectively analyzed. Third, long-term treatment effect such as improvement of LC, prevention of HCC has not been analyzed because we reviewed the medical record up to only 12 weeks post-treatment. But, considering the period that sofosbuvir was introduced in Korea, relatively many numbers of the enrolled patients would be meaningful. The present study could be helpful enough to decide the treatment regimen of HCV genotype 2 infection in Korea.

In conclusion, 12–16 weeks of treatment with sofosbuvir, once daily, and weight-based ribavirin, twice daily, was effective and well tolerated in both treatment-naive and treatment-experienced Korean patients with chronic HCV genotype 2 infection with or without cirrhosis.

Conflict of Interest

SB Kim, SH Lee, BS Lee, JW Jang receives grants from Gilead Sciences. The other authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Abbreviations

DAA, direct acting antivirals; HCC, hepatocellular carcinoma; HCV, Hepatitis C virus; LC, liver cirrhosis; LLOQ, lower limit of quantification; PCR, polymerase chain reaction; SVR12, sustained virologic response 12 weeks after treatment discontinuation

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