Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics
Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics
5 years ago

Ribavirin steady-state plasma level is a predictor of sustained virological response in hepatitis C–infected patients treated with direct-acting antivirals

F. I. Lieveld, R. J. Knegt, M. Tilborg, J. E. Arends, A. S. M. Dofferhoff, M. Valk, C. T. M. M. Kanter, H. Blokzijl, M. Bijmolen, J. P. H. Drenth, D. M. Burger, R. Maan, , E. J. Smolders, K. J. Erpecum
Background In the era of highly effective direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) for treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, ribavirin (RBV) is still considered beneficial in certain patients. Aim To assess the association between RBV steady-state plasma levels and sustained virological response (SVR). Methods Consecutive HCV-infected patients treated with DAAs plus RBV from four Dutch academic medical centres were enrolled. RBV steady-state plasma levels were prospectively measured at treatment week 8 using validated assays. Logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the influence of RBV steady-state plasma level on SVR, and RBV therapeutic range was explored using area under the ROC curve analyses. Results A total of 183 patients were included, of whom 85% had one or more difficult-to-cure characteristics (ie treatment experienced, HCV genotype 3, cirrhosis). The majority was treated with a sofosbuvir-based regimen and 163 (89%) patients achieved SVR. Median RBV dose was 12.9 (interquartile range 11.2-14.7) mg/kg/d, and median RBV steady-state plasma level was 2.66 (1.95-3.60) mg/L. In multivariable analyses, higher RBV steady-state plasma level (adjusted odds ratio 1.79 [95% CI 1.09-2.93]) was an independent predictor of SVR. With regard to the optimal RBV therapeutic range, 2.28 mg/L was the optimal lower cut-off for achieving SVR and 3.61 mg/L was the upper cut-off for preventing significant anaemia (Haemoglobin < 10 g/dL). Conclusion In this cohort of mainly difficult-to-cure patients treated with DAAs plus RBV, higher RBV steady-state plasma level was an independent predictor of SVR.

Publisher URL: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/resolve/doi

DOI: 10.1111/apt.14288

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