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Background & Aims Sofosbuvir/velpatasivr/voxilaprevir (SOF/VEL/VOX) is approved for retreatment of patients with HCV and a previous failure on direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), however real-life data are limited. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness and safety of SOF/VEL/VOX in a real-life setting. Methods All consecutive patients with HCV receiving SOF/VEL/VOX between May-October 2018 in 27 centers in Northern Italy were enrolled. Bridging fibrosis (F3) and cirrhosis (F4) were diagnosed by liver stiffness measurement: >10 and >13 kPa respectively. Sustained virological response (SVR) was defined as undetectable HCV-RNA 4 (SVR4) or 12 (SVR12) weeks after the end-of-treatment. Results A total of 179 patients were included: median age 57 (18–88) years, 74% males, median HCV-RNA 1,081,817 (482–25,590,000) IU/ml. Fibrosis stage was F0-F2 in 32%, F3 in 21%, F4 in 44%. HCV genotype was 1 in 58% (1b 33%, 1a 24%, 1nc 1%), 2 in 10%, 3 in 23% and 4 in 9%; 82% of patients carried resistance-associated substitutions in the NS3, NS5A or NS5B regions. Patients received SOF/VEL/VOX for 12 weeks, ribavirin was added in 22% of treatment schedules. Undetectable HCV-RNA was achieved by 74% of patients at week 4 and by 99% at week 12. Overall, 162/179 (91%) patients by intention to treat analysis and 162/169 (96%) by per protocol analysis achieved SVR12, respectively; treatment failures included 6 relapsers and 1 virological non-responder. Cirrhosis (p = 0.005) and hepatocellular carcinoma (p = 0.02) were the only predictors of treatment failure. Most frequent adverse events included fatigue (6%), hyperbilirubinemia (6%) and anemia (4%). Conclusions SOF/VEL/VOX is an effective and safe retreatment for patients with HCV who have failed on a previous DAA course in a real-life setting. Lay summary This is the largest European real-life study evaluating effectiveness and safety of sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir (SOF/VEL/VOX) in a large cohort of consecutive patients with hepatitis C virus infection and a prior direct-acting antiviral failure, who were treated within the NAVIGATORE Lombardia and Veneto Networks, in Italy. This study demonstrated excellent effectiveness (98% and 96% sustained virological response rates at week 4 and 12, respectively) and an optimal safety profile of SOF/VEL/VOX. Cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma onset were the only features associated with treatment failure.

Chronic hepatitis C is one of the most important causes of liver disease, leading to cirrhosis, hepatic decompensation and hepatocellular carcinoma. Recently some important advances in therapy have been achieved with the introduction of first wave, first generation direct acting antiviral agents (DAAs) such as boceprevir (BOC), in combination with pegylated interferon (Peg-IFN) and ribavirin (RBV). The superior rate of sustained virological response with this treatment is accompanied by an elevated frequency of anaemia. Several studies have evidenced the importance of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in inosine triphosphatase (ITPA) and solute carrier family 29, member 1 (SLC29A1) genes in the development of this adverse event. Here, we investigated haemoglobin levels and the best-known functional SNPs in ITPA and SLC29A1 genes in 22 patients treated with triple therapy with BOC/Peg-IFN/RBV. The identification of ITPA protective and SLC29A1 risk genotypes still appears to be a current methodology in RBV dosing during hepatitis C virus therapy with DAAs.

Previous article in issueNext article in issue Introduction: There is a limited documentation about the retreatment of patients failing a recommended NS5A-containing regimen in Italy. Materials & methods: Within the VIRONET-C network, 386 NS5A-failing patients infected with different HCV-genotypes (GT) (GT1a/1b/2a-c/3a-b-g-h/4a-d-n-o-v=93/124/19/112/38) were analyzed. Retreatment of 105 failures was investigated. HCV-resistance-test was performed by Sanger-sequencing. Results: Failures following seven different NS5A-containing regimens were studied: 3D/2D (paritaprevir/ombitasvir ± dasabuvir) ± ribavirin (N = 72/4), daclatasvir/ledipasvir/velpatasvir + sofosbuvir ± ribavirin (N = 105/131/20), grazoprevir/elbasvir ± ribavirin (N = 34), glecaprevir/pibrentasvir (N = 20). Notably, 18.1% of NS5A-failing patients did not show any resistance-associated-substitutions (RAS), while 81.9% showed at least one NS5A-RAS, with multiclass-resistance in 35.5%. NS5A-RAS were observed more frequently in glecaprevir/pibrentasvir failures (GT1a 83.3%: Y93H + Q30H/D or +H58D; GT3a: 83.3% Y93H + A30K/G or +L31I) compared to sofosbuvir/velpatasvir (GT1a 16.6%: Y93H + Q30H, p = 0.08; GT3a 20.0%: Y93H/N + A30K/T, p = 0.03). To date, 105 failures have started a retreatment: sofosbuvir/velpatasvir ± ribavirin (N = 30), sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir ± ribavirin (N = 67), glecaprevir/pibrentasvir (N = 4), grazoprevir/elbasvir ± sofosbuvir + ribavirin (N = 3), 3D + sofosbuvir + ribavirin (N = 1). The majority of patients were cirrhotic (51.9%) and relapsers (87.5%). The prevalence of NS5A-RASs before retreatment was 80.9%, with multiclass-resistance 29.5%. Among patients completing post-retreatment follow-up, a sustained-viral-response at week 12 (SVR12) was observed in 26/33 (78.8%). SVR4 was documented in 49/56 (87.5%). SVR12 was 76.0% with sofosbuvir/velpatasvir ± ribavirin (N = 25). Differently, SVR12 was 100% with glecaprevir/pibrentasvir for 8/12/16 weeks (N = 3), grazoprevir/elbasvir ± sofosbuvir + ribavirin for 12/24 weeks (N = 3) or 3D + sofosbuvir + ribavirin for 24 weeks (N = 1), despite the presence of NS5A-RASs. Until now, 67 patients started sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir ± ribavirin recommended-retreatment for 12 weeks. 54/67 (80.6%) showed at least one baseline NS5A-RAS, 23/67 (34.3%) multiple-NS5A-RASs, and 22/67 (32.8%) multiclass-resistance. Of 25 patients with available outcome, 96.0% had SVR4. Only 1 GT1b infected patient was non-responder, without RASs before retreatment. Conclusions: In this real-life setting, NS5A-RASs were frequently detected at failure, and multiclass-resistance was around 30%. Overall, SVR after resistance-test-guided retreatment was >95%, with the exception of the sofosbuvir/velpatasvir retreatment. Our results show how HCV resistance-test at failure may be useful to optimize retreatment strategies.

The potential drug-to-drug interaction between darunavir and raltegravir in the setting of HIV infection is a highly debated issue still unresolved. In the present study we have evaluated the pharmacokinetics of darunavir and ritonavir in 53 HIV-1 infected patients with or without concomitant raltegravir administration. The assessment of trough plasma drug concentrations was carried out in all subjects and the potential influence of raltegravir on darunavir and ritonavir disposition, assessed by specific pharmacokinetic evaluations in a subgroup of 25 patients. No significant differences on darunavir and ritonavir plasma trough levels were observed between patients receiving or not raltegravir. Co-administration of raltegravir was, however, associated with a 40% reduction in darunavir C max and estimated AUC 0–24 , as well a 60% increase in the estimated darunavir clearance compared with values measured in patients not given raltegravir. Notably, this interaction was independent of the dosage of darunavir and not due to effects of raltegravir on the pharmacokinetics of ritonavir. These results should be taken into account when darunavir-based regimens are implemented in the setting of HIV, especially considering that this drug is usually administered at fixed daily dose and no therapeutic drug monitoring is performed in most centres.

Chronic hepatitis C is one of the most important causes of liver disease, leading to cirrhosis, hepatic decompensation and hepatocellular carcinoma. Recently some important advances in therapy have been achieved with the introduction of first wave, first generation direct acting antiviral agents (DAAs) such as boceprevir (BOC), in combination with pegylated interferon (Peg-IFN) and ribavirin (RBV). The superior rate of sustained virological response with this treatment is accompanied by an elevated frequency of anaemia. Several studies have evidenced the importance of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in inosine triphosphatase (ITPA) and solute carrier family 29, member 1 (SLC29A1) genes in the development of this adverse event. Here, we investigated haemoglobin levels and the best-known functional SNPs in ITPA and SLC29A1 genes in 22 patients treated with triple therapy with BOC/Peg-IFN/RBV. The identification of ITPA protective and SLC29A1 risk genotypes still appears to be a current methodology in RBV dosing during hepatitis C virus therapy with DAAs.

Objectives: To evaluate the risk factors for lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r)-related liver enzyme elevation (LEE) in HIV antiretroviral-experienced patients. Methods: An open prospective observational study was carried out to analyse the incidence and time of LEE development during LPV/r treatment, and to determine whether LEE development was correlated with epidemiological, clinical and biochemical data, immune and virological profiles, concomitant hepatic diseases, antiretroviral therapy, or histological and ultrasonography liver examination results. A diagnosis of LEE was considered when LEE symptoms occurred after LPV/r introduction and was confirmed by a second control within 2 weeks. Results: A total of 782 HIV-positive outpatients have been enrolled in six different Infectious Diseases Departments in Northern Italy since August 2000. Of these patients, 71 (9.1%) developed LEE within 115 +/- 85 days (mean +/- standard deviation); 13 of these subjects discontinued LPV/r and four were hospitalized. Of the patients with LEE, 74.6% and 25.4% had grade 2 and greater than or equal to3 toxicity, respectively. No correlation between LEE and sex, baseline CD4 cell count, viral load, HIV stage, triglyceride values, histological and ultrasonography liver examination results, nevirapine use, or increase in CD4 cell count was observed. Higher baseline alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) values (P < 0.0001 and P = 0.004, respectively), younger age (P = 0.008), previous hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection (P = 0.012), efavirenz use (P = 0.04), and hepatitis C virus (HCV) and/or HBV coinfection (P < 0.0001, relative risk 4.78) were significantly related to LEE. No correlations between LEE and the same risk factors as investigated in the whole study population were found in subgroups of patients with HCV and/or HBV infection. Conclusions: HCV and HBV testing and measurement of baseline ALT values are essential for screening subjects at risk of LEE before starting LPV/r. Strict monitoring of clinical and biochemical parameters should be performed in these patients.

Background The availability of several therapeutic regimens has transformed HIV infection from a life-threatening disease into a chronic condition. Older patients (>50 years old) with HIV infection constitute a new treatment challenge in terms of the cumulative effects of ageing and antiretroviral therapy (ART). Methods The immunovirological effects and metabolic interactions of 48 weeks of ART in older patients followed up in three Infectious Diseases Units in Milan, Italy since 1994 were compared with those in younger controls aged 25–35 years. Results The 159 older patients and 118 controls enrolled in the study were comparable for HIV stage, baseline CD4 cell count and viral load but differed for mode of HIV transmission, comorbid conditions and related chronic treatments. Mean viral load decreased after 48 weeks of treatment by 2.6 log10 HIV RNA copies/mL and CD4 count increased by 137.5 cells/μL in older patients, and similar values for immunovirological effects were obtained in the young controls. The relative risk (RR) of an abnormal test in older patients was 7.33 [95% confidence interval (CI) 4.36–12.36] for glucose, 1.73 (95% CI 1.45–2.07) for total cholesterol, 1.56 (95% CI 1.22–2.0) for high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, 1.26 (95% CI 1.02–1.56) for triglycerides, 6.48 (95% CI 4.36–9.66) for serum creatinine, and 0.45 (95% CI 0.35–0.58) for ALT. Moderate/severe liver and renal toxicities were recorded in the older patients but not in the controls. The tolerability of ART did not differ between the older patients and the controls. Thirty-nine new cardiovascular, endocrine-metabolic and neuralgic disorders (24.52 per 100 person-years) were diagnosed in the older patients and four (3.39 per 100 person-years) in the controls (P

Sir, Menopause is associated with age-related physiological changes—such as a decline in renal and hepatic function, altered genital secretions and/or impaired production of sexual hormones—that can potentially affect the disposition of several drugs. The role of menopause on the pharmacokinetics of antiretrovirals, however, has not been investigated so far. Given the potential impact of tenofovir on long-term kidney and bone complications, which are known co-morbidities affecting post-menopausal women, we decided to perform a retrospective analysis of data from post-menopausal and premenopausal HIV-infected women receiving 300 mg of tenofovir/day as part of their maintenance antiretroviral therapy regimen for at least 3 months who underwent therapeutic drug monitoring of tenofovir plasma trough concentrations as routine outpatient follow-up. Menopause was established by menstrual and medical history (12 months of lack of menstrual cycle for women aged 50 years or more, with hormonal confirmation for women younger than 50 years). Creatinine clearance was calculated by using the formula of Cockcroft–Gault as follows: glomerular filtration rate1⁄4 (1402age)×body weight/ serum creatinine×72. As the patients were female, the formula was multiplied by a constant of 0.85. As per our clinical practice, tenofovir plasma trough concentrations were collected immediately before the following morning’s tenofovir dose (a time window of +5 min was considered as acceptable). For patients given tenofovir once daily in the evening, plasma trough (24 h) concentrations were estimated from the concentrations collected at 12 h after drug intake and taking into account the terminal portion of the pharmacokinetic drug profile. Tenofovir concentrations were assessed by a validated liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (‘LC-MS/MS’) method. A total of 50 HIV-infected women were identified from our database: 22 were post-menopausal women, while the remaining 28 were pre-menopausal women. A wide distribution of plasma tenofovir trough concentrations was observed when considering the data from the overall study population (n1⁄450, tenofovir concentrations ranged from 10 to 452 ng/mL). We first compared tenofovir plasma trough concentrations, together with demographic and haemato-chemical characteristics, in the post-menopausal women (n1⁄422) versus the pre-menopausal women (n1⁄428). As shown in Table 1, no major differences were observed between the two groups of patients in terms of concomitant antiretroviral therapy, kidney and liver function, as well as for other demographic characteristics with the (expected) exceptions of age and time on tenofovir therapy. It is worth mentioning that tenofovir plasma concentrations measured in post-menopausal women exactly matched those assessed in pre-menopausal women (119+64 versus 121+98 ng/mL, P1⁄40.924). In order to further investigate the potential effect of menopause on tenofovir exposure, we also performed multiple regression analysis in the overall population (n1⁄450) using tenofovir plasma trough concentrations as the dependent variable and menopause, serum transaminase, serum creatinine, age, body weight, concomitant antiretroviral therapy and days on tenofovir therapy as independent covariates. Using this approach we found that the only factors independently associated with tenofovir plasma concentrations were serum creatinine (r1⁄40.411, P1⁄40.043) and body weight (r1⁄420.432, P1⁄40.021), whereas no effect of menopause was documented (r1⁄420.049, P1⁄40.852). This trend was also confirmed when using creatinine clearance (r1⁄420.384, P1⁄40.022) and body mass index (r1⁄420.305, P1⁄40.037) instead of serum creatinine and body weight, respectively. Taken together, our results argue against a significant effect of menopause on tenofovir exposure. These findings are at odds with those presented by Patterson et al., who reported significantly higher (up to 160%) tenofovir plasma and genital tract concentrations in 6 post-menopausal versus 12 pre-menopausal African American HIV-infected women. The discrepant results of Research letters