Recommendations for the use of hepatitis C virus protease inhibitors for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C in HIV-infected persons. A position paper of the Italian Association for the Study of Infectious and Tropical Disease

New Microbiol. 2014 Oct;37(4):423-38. Epub 2014 Oct 1.

Abstract

The efficacy data obtained with boceprevir and telaprevir for persons with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1 infection raise the question of whether HCV protease inhibitors should be used in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/HCV co-infected persons. The Italian Association for the Study of Infectious and Tropical Diseases has made these recommendations to provide the rationale and practical indications for the use of triple anti-HCV therapy in persons living with HIV (PLWHIV). A Writing Committee of experts indicated by the President of the Association and a Consulting Committee con- tributed to the document. The final draft was submitted to the evaluation of external experts and the text modified according to their suggestions and comments. Treatment of HCV co-infection should be considered for all HCV RNA positive PLWHIV. Response-guided therapy with pegylated interferon and ribavirin is the standard treatment of PLWHIV with infection by HCV genotype 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. Boceprevir and telaprevir should be used to treat HCV genotype 1 infection in HIV/HCV co-infected patients for 48 weeks on an individual basis, with close monitoring of their efficacy and tolerability with concur- rent antiretroviral therapy, taking into account potential drug-drug interactions. The decision to treat a patient or to wait for better treatment options, or to discontinue treatment should be made on an individual basis taking into account pre-treatment variables and the on-treatment HCV RNA kinetics.

Publication types

  • Practice Guideline

MeSH terms

  • Antiviral Agents* / therapeutic use
  • Coinfection* / drug therapy
  • Coinfection* / virology
  • HIV Infections* / drug therapy
  • HIV Infections* / virology
  • HIV-1 / drug effects
  • HIV-1 / physiology
  • Hepacivirus* / drug effects
  • Hepacivirus* / physiology
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic* / drug therapy
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic* / virology
  • Humans
  • Italy
  • Medication Reconciliation
  • Protease Inhibitors* / therapeutic use
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Protease Inhibitors