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Review
. 2015 Nov;64(11):1824-33.
doi: 10.1136/gutjnl-2015-310421.

Hepatitis C virus treatment in the real world: optimising treatment and access to therapies

Fabien Zoulim  1 , T Jake Liang  2 , Alexander L Gerbes  3 , Alessio Aghemo  4 , Sylvie Deuffic-Burban  5 , Geoffrey Dusheiko  6 , Michael W Fried  7 , Stanislas Pol  8 , Jürgen Kurt Rockstroh  9 , Norah A Terrault  10 , Stefan Wiktor  11
Affiliations
Review

Hepatitis C virus treatment in the real world: optimising treatment and access to therapies

Fabien Zoulim et al. Gut. 2015 Nov.

Abstract

Chronic HCV infections represent a major worldwide public health problem and are responsible for a large proportion of liver related deaths, mostly because of HCV-associated hepatocellular carcinoma and cirrhosis. The treatment of HCV has undergone a rapid and spectacular revolution. In the past 5 years, the launch of direct acting antiviral drugs has seen sustained virological response rates reach 90% and above for many patient groups. The new treatments are effective, well tolerated, allow for shorter treatment regimens and offer new opportunities for previously excluded groups. This therapeutic revolution has changed the rules for treatment of HCV, moving the field towards an interferon-free era and raising the prospect of HCV eradication. This manuscript addresses the new challenges regarding treatment optimisation in the real world, improvement of antiviral efficacy in 'hard-to-treat' groups, the management of patients whose direct acting antiviral drug treatment was unsuccessful, and access to diagnosis and treatment in different parts of the world.

Keywords: HEPATITIS C.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests AA received consulting and lecture fees from Gilead Sciences, Janssen, Merck, AbbVie, BMS, as well as grants and research support from Gilead Sciences. SD-B reports receiving research grants from Janssen and MSD; consultancy honoraria from AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, HEVA, Janssen, MSD and Public Health Expertise; and lecture fees from Bristol-Myers Squibb, Gilead and Janssen. GD acted as advisor to Gilead Sciences, Merck, Bristol Myers Squibb, Janssen and AbbVie. MWF reports research grant funding from AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Gilead, Glaxo, Janssen, Merck, NIH and consultant funding from AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Gilead, Glaxo, Janssen, Merck. ALG received grants from Gilead, MSD and Roche and advisory board fees from Bristol-Myers Squibb. SP has received consulting and lecturing fees from Bristol-Myers Squibb, Boehringer Ingelheim, Janssen, Vertex, Gilead, Roche, MSD, Novartis, Abbvie, Sanofi and Glaxo Smith Kline, and grants from Bristol-Myers Squibb, Gilead, Roche and MSD. JKR has received consulting and lecturing fees from Abbott laboratories, Abbvie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Boehringer Ingelheim, Cipla, Gilead, Janssen, MSD, ViiV, and grants from NEAT-ID and Gilead. NAT received Grant support from Gilead, AbbVie, Eisai, Biotest, and consulting/advisory board fees from Bristol-Myers Squibb, MSD, Achillion, Janssen. FZ has received consulting and/or lecturing fees from Abbvie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Boehringer Ingelheim, Janssen, Gilead Sc and MSD.

Comment in

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