The hepatitis C virus (HCV), a single-stranded RNA virus of the family Flaviviridae with six major genotypes, infects up to 150 million people worldwide. Chronic hepatitis C virus infection causes progressive liver fibrosis, which can lead to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. There is now an effective oral regimen. New research findings are summarized in this short video from NEJM:
This is a ribavirin-free single-tablet regimen. There 2 medications in the single tablet:
- Sofosbuvir is a nucleotide analogue inhibitor of the HCV NS5B polymerase approved for the treatment of HCV in combination with a variety of other agents, including NS5A inhibitors, ribavirin, and peginterferon–ribavirin.
- Velpatasvir is a new pangenotypic HCV NS5A inhibitor with antiviral activity against HCV replicons in genotypes 1 through 6.
The rate of sustained virologic response among patients receiving sofosbuvir–velpatasvir was 99%.
See the NEJM article, "Sofosbuvir and Velpatasvir for HCV Genotype 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6 Infection":