New Drug for Hepatitis C in Phase 2 Trials

A recent study looks at a new Hepatitis C drug that is currently in phase 2 clinical trials. 

With the addition of danoprevir to the current treatment regimen for patients with hepatitis C, this could lead to high rates of remission. During this time, the current standard of care for hepatitis C patients includes a combination of peginterferon and ribavirin.

"Despite recent advances, the current hepatitis C treatment regimen is burdensome on the patient and prone to adverse events," said Patrick Marcellin, lead study author from the Service d'Hépatologie and Inserm CRB3, Hôpital Beaujon, APHP University of Paris, via a press release. "The promising results from this study offer hope that danoprevir can improve the quality of life for patients suffering from this disease."

Investigators from the study conducted a phase 2, randomized, placebo-controlled study in order to find that within just one week of treatment, the addition of danoprevier to the current treatment regimen led to reductions in levels of the hepatitis C virus in the blood. Overall, danoprevir was well tolerated, according to background information from the study, and demonstrated an 85 percent sustained virologic response in patients. 

Seventy-nine percent of patients whoa dded to the drug to their treatment regimen also showed an early virologic response and were eligible for a shortened treatment schedule. 

Researchers note that this drug added with current treatments could help reduce overall danoprevir exposure while still maintaining the drug's effectivenss. 

Hepatitis C is a serious liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus, which is spread through direct contact with the blood of infected people and ultimately affects the liver. Chronic hepatitis C can lead to serious and life-threatening liver problems, including liver damage, cirrhosis, liver failure or liver cancer. Though many people with hepatitis C may not experience symptoms, others may have symptoms such as fatigue, fever, jaundice and abdominal pain. 

More information regarding the study can be found via the journal Gastroenterology.