Hepatitis Forums

Hepatitis C Main Forums => Hepatitis C Research News & Studies => Topic started by: Lynn K on June 06, 2015, 07:17:46 pm

Title: HCV Viral Load Testing Not Useful As Measure of New Hepatitis C Drug Effect
Post by: Lynn K on June 06, 2015, 07:17:46 pm

http://medicalresearch.com/hepatitis-liver-disease/hcv-viral-load-testing-not-useful-as-measure-of-new-hepatitis-c-drug-effectiveness/14677/

HCV Viral Load Testing Not Useful As Measure of New Hepatitis C Drug Effectiveness

Medical Research: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?

Dr. Kottilil: During treatment with interferon-based therapies, hepatitis C viral load levels were clinically useful as on-therapy markers of treatment outcome. However, the standard-of-care for HCV treatment has recently evolved from interferon-based regimens to short-duration, all-oral, direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapies. Therefore, it is important that we re-evaluate the utility of HCV viral loads during DAA regimens in guiding clinical decision-making.

We found that Hepatitis C viral loads on treatment and at end of treatment were not predictive of treatment success versus relapse with DAA therapy. Contrary to our experience with interferon-containing regimens, low levels of quantifiable HCV RNA at end of treatment did not preclude treatment success.


Medical Research: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?

Dr. Kottilil: Clinicians and patients should be aware that frequent monitoring of Hepatitis C RNA levels during therapy may have little utility in guiding treatment duration. Additionally, detectable or low-level quantifiable viremia at end of treatment does not signify treatment failure or necessitate the extension of therapy. However, monitoring Hepatitis C viral levels on treatment for adherence on study medications is important.

Title: Re: HCV Viral Load Testing Not Useful As Measure of New Hepatitis C Drug Effect
Post by: dragonslayer on June 07, 2015, 08:54:52 am

Yup!  This refers back to the study we've been referencing ever since it was published a couple months back.  For those of us who tested low level detected at EOT, this was THE big life changing moment for us.

http://cid.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2015/03/02/cid.civ170.abstract

Title: Re: HCV Viral Load Testing Not Useful As Measure of New Hepatitis C Drug Effect
Post by: Lynn K on June 07, 2015, 08:08:38 pm

Yeah I just posted because I thought it is an easier read perhaps