Indian clinical trial finds shorter hepatitis C treatment is equally effective

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) conducted a clinical trial in India that found an eight week course of antiviral drugs cures hepatitis C as effectively as the standard 12 week regimen for patients without cirrhosis.

The study, published in The Lancet, involved 880 patients across five public hospitals in Lucknow, New Delhi, and Varanasi. Researchers divided the participants into two groups to compare the efficacy of the shorter treatment duration against the established standard.

The trial showed that patients who completed the eight week course of sofosbuvir and velpatasvir achieved a 98.8% cure rate. This result was nearly identical to the 99% cure rate seen in the group that received the 12 week treatment. Dr Rakesh Aggarwal, the lead study author, stated that the shorter regimen was not less effective than the standard treatment based on pre-specified statistical margins.

Shortening the treatment could lower drug costs by one third, potentially saving about Rs 5,000 per patient at current market prices. Experts believe a shorter course could also improve patient adherence by reducing the time away from work and the number of hospital visits. While the results apply to millions of people globally, the researchers noted that the shorter regimen is currently intended for patients without cirrhosis, as those with advanced liver disease may require longer treatment cycles.

The research team is now preparing a new study to see if a 12 week course can replace the standard 24 week treatment for patients with cirrhosis. This next phase of research awaits the completion of regulatory and logistical arrangements.