Grazoprevir/elbasvir combination therapy for HCV infection

Abstract

Interferon-free regimens combine different second-wave direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs), which target the main viral proteins involved in the replication cycle of hepatitis C virus (HCV): NS3/4A protease inhibitors (simeprevir or paritaprevir boosted by ritonavir), NS5B nucleos(t)idic (sofosbuvir) and nonnucleos(t)idic (dasabuvir) polymerase inhibitors, NS5A replication complex inhibitors (daclatasvir, ledipasvir, elbasvir, velpatasvir). Combinations of two or three DAAs, given for 8–24 weeks reach sustained virology response (SVR) rates greater than 90% with good tolerance. SVR rates and safety are similar in clinical trials and in real life, usually higher than 95% in the per-protocol analysis. Next-generation DAAs are now expected. To be competitive, these new combinations need to prove their added value regarding the pill burden, the reduced duration of treatment, the drug–drug interaction profile and safety. Zepatier is a fixed-dose combination product coformulating MK-5172 [grazoprevir (GZR), 100 mg QD] and MK-8742 [elbasvir or (EBR) 50 mg QD]: it combines highly potent inhibitors of the HCV NS3/4A protease and NS5A replication complex, respectively. This review provides a summary of the main evidence available for the use of GZR/EBR and highlights the strength of this combination.