Sofosbuvir/velpatasvir is an effective treatment for patients with hepatitis C and advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis in a real-world setting in Taiwan

Introduction Real-world data regarding the impact of hepatic fibrosis on the effectiveness of sofosbuvir/velpatasvir (SOF/VEL) treatment is limited in the Asian population. Methods We analyzed data for all 823 patients with hepatitis C virus treated with SOF/VEL from June 2019 to September 2020 at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Chiayi, Taiwan. The degree of fibrosis was determined using the fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) index, with advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis defined as a FIB-4 score of > 3.25. The primary treatment outcome was the rate of sustained virologic response 12 weeks after treatment cessation (SVR). Adverse events (AEs) were also evaluated. Results SVR rates did not significantly differ (p > 0.05) between patients with FIB-4 scores of <= 3.25 and those with scores of > 3.25. In the per protocol analysis, 99.2% (593/598) of the FIB-4 <= 3.25 group and 100% (172/172) of the FIB-4 > 3.25 group achieved SVR; in the evaluable population analysis, 93.4% (593/635) of the FIB-4 <= 3.25 group and 91.5% (172/188) of the FIB-4 > 3.25 group achieved SVR. Five patients with FIB-4 scores of <= 3.25 did not attain SVR: two relapsed and three had no response. The most common AEs were comparable (p > 0.05) for the FIB-4 <= 3.25 group and the FIB-4 > 3.25 group and included abdominal discomfort (4.4% vs. 5.9%), fatigue (4.1% vs. 5.9%), and skin itching (3.6% vs. 3.2%). Laboratory abnormalities were more common in the FIB-4 > 3.25 group (p < 0.001). Six patients with FIB-4 scores of > 3.25 had total bilirubin elevation > 3 x the upper normal limit (UNL). Alanine transaminase elevation > 5 x the UNL was observed in two patients with FIB-4 scores of <= 3.25 and one patient with a FIB-4 score of > 3.25. No AEs resulted in treatment discontinuation. Conclusions SOF/VEL treatment is well tolerated and achieves high SVR rates for patients of Taiwanese ethnicity with HCV, regardless of cirrhosis status.