Case Reports in Gastroenterology (Jul 2015)

Sustained Virological Response after 8-Week Treatment of Simeprevir with Peginterferon α-2a plus Ribavirin in a Japanese Female with Hepatitis C Virus Genotype 1b and IL28B Minor Genotype

  • Tatsuo Kanda,
  • Masato Nakamura,
  • Reina Sasaki,
  • Shin Yasui,
  • Shingo Nakamoto,
  • Yuki Haga,
  • Xia Jiang,
  • Shuang Wu,
  • Akinobu Tawada,
  • Makoto Arai,
  • Fumio Imazeki,
  • Osamu Yokosuka

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1159/000437138
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 9, no. 2
pp. 215 – 220

Abstract

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Direct-acting antivirals with or without peginterferon α (PEG-IFN α) plus ribavirin are now available for the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Direct-acting antivirals are potent inhibitors of HCV replication, but some of them occasionally possess serious adverse events. We experienced a 64-year-old female with chronic HCV genotype 1b infection who showed elevated alanine aminotransferase of 528 IU/l at week 9 after the commencement of treatment of simeprevir with PEG-IFN α-2a plus ribavirin. However, she achieved sustained virological response at week 24 after the end of treatment. In Japan, we also have to treat elderly patients infected with HCV and/or advanced hepatic fibrosis. Until an effective interferon-free regimen is established, direct-acting antivirals with PEG-IFN plus ribavirin may still play a role in the treatment for certain patients. To avoid serious results from adverse events, careful attention and follow-up will be needed in the treatment course of simeprevir with PEG-IFN plus ribavirin for chronic HCV infection.

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