Previously treated with an HCV regimen containing an NS5A inhibitor Chronic hepatitis C genotype 6
Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C Genotype 6 Patients Previously Treated with an HCV Regimen Containing an NS5A Inhibitor
The treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 6 patients who have been previously treated with an HCV regimen containing an NS5A inhibitor is a subject of ongoing research. While new, all-oral, interferon-free treatment options have greatly simplified the management of HCV, the difficulty in treating chronic hepatitis C genotype 6 patients who have been previously treated with an HCV regimen containing an NS5A inhibitor remains.
Genotype 6 is the most common form of HCV in some parts of the world, including parts of Southeast Asia, the Mediterranean region and western Europe. The virus is generally resistant to other medications, such as interferon-based therapies and sofosbuvir. Consequently, treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C genotype 6 who have been previously treated with an HCV regimen containing an NS5A inhibitor can pose a challenge for healthcare providers.
Currently, the options for treating chronic hepatitis C genotype 6 patients who have been previously treated with an HCV regimen containing an NS5A inhibitor are limited. As such, healthcare providers must weigh the risks and benefits of available treatments and select the most appropriate regimen for each patient. To this end, current treatment options include the following:
- A combination of simeprevir plus sofosbuvir
- A combination of elbasvir plus grazoprevir
- A combination of ledipasvir plus sofosbuvir
In addition to the medications listed above, healthcare providers may also consider using a drug called ribavirin, an antiviral medication. Ribavirin is a synthetic nucleoside analog, which interferes with viral replication. It is often used in combination with the HCV protease inhibitor simeprevir to increase the efficacy of treatment and reduce the risk of drug resistance.
The choice of medication regimen should be tailored to meet the individual needs of the patient. It should also be based on the patient’s underlying medical conditions and virus burden/genotype. As the treatment of chronic hepatitis C genotype 6 patients who have been previously treated with an HCV regimen containing an NS5A inhibitor is ongoing, updated recommendations should be sought from a healthcare provider.