Novel combined single dose anti-hepatitis C therapy: a pilot study

Abstract

Abstract The new anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) molecules improve treatment regimens and outcomes, but there are drawbacks. New combinations should target the HCV infectious cycle and be effective against all HCV genotypes. We developed the novel formulation Catvira, composed of epigallocatechingallate (EGCG) + sofosbuvir + ribavirin. Here, we compared Catvira to sofosbuvir + ribavirin tablets in patients with CHC genotype 4 in a randomized open-label efficacy and safety study. Treatment-naïve and treatment-experienced patients (n = 80) were randomly assigned to receive a single daily fixed dose of Catvira or sofosbuvir + ribavirin for 12 or 24 weeks. Both Catvira and sofosbuvir + ribavirin yielded similar outcomes of viral load (p < 0.001). Patients receiving Catvira had a significantly more rapid rate of viral load decline with sustained virologic response (SVR12) achieved by 90% of patients receiving 12 weeks of treatment. Catvira did not impact hemoglobin levels while sofosbuvir + ribavirin showed significant decline in hemoglobin levels after 24 weeks (p < 0.05). In this clinical trial (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT02483156), we found that Catvira administered daily for 12 or 24 weeks is safe, effective, and well-tolerated in both naïve and treatment-experienced patients with HCV genotype 4.