Efficacy and safety of sofosbuvir and daclatasvir in treatment of kidney transplantation recipients with hepatitis C virus infection

Abstract

Aim: To assess the efficacy and safety of sofosbuvir and daclatasvir regimens for kidney transplantation (KT) patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.

Methods: This study enrolled a prospective cohort of consecutive Chinese KT patients with HCV infection. They were given sofosbuvir combined with daclatasvir, with or without ribavirin. They were monitored regularly during and after the treatment.

Results: Six patients were recruited in our prospective study cohort. All patients were male and naive to direct-acting antiviral treatment. The treatment duration was 12 wk. Most patients (4/6) were infected with HCV genotype 1b. HCV RNA was undetectable at week 4 after treatment and at the end of treatment in all patients. Sustained virological response rate at 12 wk was 100% (6/6). Two patients had to accept a half dose of sofosbuvir due to serum creatinine elevation during treatment. Kidney function in the remaining patients was stable. No serious adverse events (AEs) were observed. No patient discontinued antiviral therapy due to side effects.

Conclusion: Sofosbuvir and daclatasvir for treatment of KT recipients with HCV infection are highly efficient and safe. Patients tolerated the medications well, and no serious AEs were observed. Larger prospective cohort studies are needed to validate these results.

Keywords: Daclatasvir; Direct-acting antivirals; Hepatitis C virus; Kidney transplantation; Sofosbuvir.

Figure 1

Outcomes of hepatitis C virus RNA (A), alanine amino transferase levels (B) and estimated glomerular filtration rates (C) at different treatment time points in the six patients. EOT: End of therapy; ALT: Alanine aminotransferase; eGFR: Estimated glomerular filtration rate; HCV: Hepatitis C virus.