Hepatitis C Weekly News

Mark Cuban once helped his college friend save almost $10,000 on prescriptions after a ‘horrific car accident’
“Mark Cuban isn’t solely on a mission to lower the price of popular prescription medications you might purchase from your favorite pharmacy. The billionaire entrepreneur and cofounder of the Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Co. wants to make so-called specialty drugs more accessible too.”

Needle Programs Need Second Look
“Whether it be willful ignorance or a genuine misunderstanding of the broad range of strategies necessary to tackle a dual public health crisis in Appalachia, elected officials and policymakers are handicapping efforts against one of the major dangers spawned by our region’s substance abuse epidemic.”

OHSU study shows how peers with lived experience can help in fight against hepatitis C
“According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 2 million people in the U.S. are infected with hepatitis C. The bloodborne illness attacks the liver and can lead to cancer or death if left untreated. Injection drug use is the leading risk factor for hepatitis C, which is also more prevalent in rural counties where diagnosis and treatment can be hard to come by, especially for people experiencing homelessness.”

Woman infected with Hepatitis C — allegedly by Portland-area anesthesiologist during surgery — sues for $4M
“A Portland-area woman who claims the anesthesiologist in her 2021 hand surgery infected her with the potentially life-threatening Hepatitis C virus filed a $4 million lawsuit against Providence Health & Services and the Oregon Anesthesiology Group on Wednesday.”

Lipophilic Statins May Protect Against HCC In Select Liver Disease Patients
“Lipophilic statins are associated with reduced risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) among patients with hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis, according to investigators. These findings also pave the way for new research into targeted therapies, personalized prevention strategies, and broader applications in high-risk populations, Erik Almazan, MD, and Raymond T. Chung, MD, of Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, reported.”

Attitudes and perspectives of healthcare workers on treating chronic hepatitis C infection in children and adolescents
“There are gaps in knowledge about the values and preferences of healthcare workers (HCW) with respect to treatment of children and adolescents living with chronic hepatitis C (HCV) infection. This study was carried out to identify these values and preferences as part of the evidence required to update World Health Organization (WHO) hepatitis C guidelines.”

In HCV, Starting Treatment Trumps Staging for Liver Fibrosis
“When managing patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV), initiating treatment of the infection promptly is more important than determining the severity of their liver disease with the customary staging tests, a study using microsimulation found.”

Orange County’s Needle Exchange Program is Finished
“After Santa Ana officials battled a needle exchange program from setting up shop within city limits again, the local substance abuse clinic has rescinded its application to operate in Orange County – ending a saga dating back to last year.”

Injection Drug Use and Immunodeficiency Linked to Failed Hepatitis C Treatment in People with HIV
“Leveraging data from the International Collaboration on Hepatitis C Elimination in HIV Cohorts (InCHEHC), the study found that although unsuccessful HCV treatment with DAAs was uncommon, it was more frequently observed among people with lower CD4+ cell counts, people with HCV genotype 4, and people who reported recently injecting drugs.”

Journey Back to Health After Hepatitis C
“When Kasey Jones, 37, a drug and alcohol counselor who now resides in Seattle, found out that she had hepatitis C in January 2022, her first reaction—like many who receive this diagnosis—was shock. Yet, the diagnosis of this condition, which can cause serious inflammation of the liver and lead to permanent damage to it from cirrhosis, did help explain some seemingly subtle, mysterious symptoms she’d been dealing with for over one year.”

Hepatology Year in Review: 2024
“2024 was nothing short of historic for the field of hepatology, characterized by groundbreaking regulatory decisions, pivotal clinical advancements, and significant strides in understanding liver disease.”

405 nm violet-blue light inactivates hepatitis C cell culture virus (HCVcc) in ex vivo human platelet concentrates and plasma
“Added safety measures coupled with the development and use of pathogen reduction technologies (PRT) significantly reduces the risk of transfusion-transmitted infections (TTIs) from blood products.”

CDC and SAMHSA Leaders Encourage HIV and Viral Hepatitis Testing in Substance Use Disorder Treatment
“In a new joint letter, the leaders of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) encourage the public health and substance use disorder (SUD) treatment communities to increase the number of people with SUD who are tested and treated for HIV and viral hepatitis.”

West Virginia Collegiate Recovery Network partners with CHESS Health on hepatitis C digital initiative
“The Live(r) Hep C Free program, an initiative of the West Virginia Collegiate Recovery Network (WVCRN) housed within the Marshall University Research Corporation, is partnering with CHESS Health to deploy its digital contingency management platform that uses a series of reinforcements and rewards for meeting treatment goals”

Hearts From Donors Infected with Hepatitis C Are Safe for Transplant, Study Shows
“A new study by Cleveland Clinic researchers confirms that hearts from hepatitis C-positive donors are safe to use for transplants long-term. The study, which followed patients over a four-year period, found no differences in mortality between patients who received healthy and infected hearts. Cardiac events and other adverse outcomes were also similar.”

Hepatitis C and mental health: Using peer support to fight stigma
“Hepatitis C (HCV) is a blood-borne virus that is most commonly acquired by people who inject drugs. If left untreated, HCV can cause cirrhosis of the liver, liver failure and liver cancer. Unfortunately, due to its most common transmission routes (the sharing of unsterile injecting equipment), hepatitis C is also a stigmatised disease. As such, people who use drugs with a HCV diagnosis face multi-layered stigma, often seen as instruments of contagion, rather than those deserving of care.”

Older age, not comorbidity, linked to worse survival in hepatocellular carcinoma
“Receipt of curative treatment was associated with high comorbidity but not older age. Older age was associated with worse survival in early-stage disease and among treated patients.”

Lawmakers Set To Unveil Subscription Model For Hep C Treatment That Saves $6 Billion
“A bipartisan Senate duo will soon unveil a bill to create a national subscription-type model for hepatitis C treatment that would save over $6 billion. While the lawmakers had hoped it would be folded into a lame-duck package, the bill will likely be used as a payfor in the next Congress. Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) told Inside Health Policy Thursday (Dec. 12) the details of the bill are “pretty much wrapped up now” and the bill saves over…”

Immunodeficiency, Injection Drug Use Linked to Failed HCV Treatment in People with HIV
“Key Takeaways – Direct-acting antivirals achieve a 95% success rate in treating HCV among HIV patients, but 5% experience unsuccessful treatment. Lower CD4+ cell counts, HCV genotype 4, and recent injection drug use are linked to higher odds of unsuccessful treatment.”

Though some are finding resilience after hepatitis C cure, others still put testing off
“LEWISTON — Looking back, Rosie Boyce does not recall experiencing many symptoms from her hepatitis C infections. With her body clearing it once on its own in 2009, she was surprised to learn she had become infected again years later when she was tested in 2015.”

Hepatitis C in Australia has more than halved in less than a decade, says report
“In 2023, there were an estimated 68,890 people living with hepatitis C in Australia, down 58% from 162,590 at the end of 2015, according to a new report released by the Kirby Institute at UNSW Sydney.”

Prison needle exchanges in Canada save an estimated $2 in infection-treatment costs for every $1 spent
“Every dollar spent on Canada’s Prison Needle Exchange Programs (PNEPs) saves an estimated $2 in treatment costs for hepatitis C and injection-related infections, supporting their expansion to all 43 federal prisons, Canadian and Australian researchers report today in CMAJ.”

Free hepatitis C, HIV and syphilis testing for the month of December
“Southeastern Idaho Public Health will be offering free rapid hepatitis C, HIV and syphilis testing to individuals throughout the month of December in all their county locations. Testing only takes a few minutes, and you can get results before you leave. Visit siphidaho.org to locate a clinic near you. Same-day appointments are available. There is only one way to know — get tested.”

Atea plans Phase 3 study for hepatitis C drug after mid-stage results
“In the Phase 2 study, patients received a combination of bemnifosbuvir and ruzasvir for eight weeks, without any reports of serious side effects or treatment discontinuations. Twelve weeks later, researchers measured the effects the drugs had in fighting hepatitis C. Overall, 98% of patients who adhered to the treatment regimen had a sustained virologic response at the 12-week checkpoint. That rate went up to 99% among patients who weren’t suffering from cirrhosis. And Atea said the drugs showed success even among patients who didn’t take all the pills as directed, suggesting a “robust potency” for the treatment.””

Priorities in planning person-centred hepatitis B and C testing services: operational guide
“This operational guide on viral hepatitis testing services provides support to countries in developing policies and practices that define a strategic mix of hepatitis B and C testing approaches, that are tailored to their unique situation and priorities, ensuring an impactful national response to the hepatitis epidemic. It introduces a five-step framework for planning person-centred hepatitis B and C testing approaches, emphasizing a strategic mix of testing approaches, mobilization and demand creation, and streamlined linkage to care. It highlights as well the importance of community leadership, health systems integration and quality assurance.”

Broadly effective vaccine design offers new hope in the fight against hepatitis C
‘The development of an effective vaccine against the hepatitis C virus (HCV) has posed a significant challenge for decades due to the high genetic diversity of the virus. A research team has now achieved promising results. Using epitope-focused immunogens, they were able to induce broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) in laboratory models for the first time.”

Hepatitis C and Homelessness: Assessing Risk Factors
“A study conducted in Madrid, Spain, found a high prevalence of HCV among people experiencing homelessness. Of the 2,709 PEH screened, 47.4% of those with HCV antibodies tested positive for active HCV (HCV-RNA).”

Hepatitis C initiative saves Egypt about EGP 16bn in medical costs: Health Minister
“Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health and Population, has reviewed the Ministry of Health and Population’s efforts to implement evidence-based interventions and initiatives. He highlighted the significant success of the Presidential Initiative to Eliminate Hepatitis C, which screened over 63 million citizens and treated more than 4 million patients.”

Anger as some infected blood payouts put on hold
“Some victims of the infected blood scandal have been told interim compensation payments of £100,000 due to be made before Christmas have been put on hold. It is thought at least 10 bereaved families have received letters saying applications approved this month cannot now proceed until they submit new paperwork.”

Music and a Cure for Hepatitis-C
“After 10 years, of not being able to play, Gavin West is finally able to pick up his guitar again. Though his fight with hepatitis C led him down some dark paths, West feels like his experience has enriched his music. He hopes to use his voice and music to help others.”

Comparison of different noninvasive scores for assessing hepatic fibrosis in a cohort of chronic hepatitis C patients
“The continuous search for simple, noninvasive methods for assessing liver fibrosis remains very important to help risk-stratify and follow-up patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV). This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance and accuracy of six serological noninvasive scores for the assessment of liver fibrosis in comparison to liver histopathology.”

Telehealth significantly boosts treatment success for hepatitis C in rural patients
“New research reveals a dramatic improvement in diagnosing and curing people living with hepatitis C in rural communities, using both telemedicine and support from peers with lived experience in drug use. The study, published today in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases, outlines the results of a randomized controlled trial led by Oregon Health & Science University in seven rural counties in Oregon. The study enlisted people with lived experience in substance use to meet individuals who use drugs, test them for hepatitis C, and then offer them treatment through telehealth or referral to a physical clinic.”

Liver cancer rates are increasing rapidly: Mayo Clinic expert discusses the common, often preventable culprit
“Liver cancer is the sixth most common cancer in the world. While it’s less common in the U.S. than globally, the incidence is increasing at an alarming rate. Since 1980, liver cancer cases in the country have more than tripled, and liver cancer deaths have nearly doubled, according to the National Cancer Institute.”

Health Department Releases 2023 Hepatitis A, B, and C Annual Report, Highlights Progress Toward Eliminating Viral Hepatitis
“The number of people newly reported with chronic hepatitis C in 2023 in New York City decreased by 11% from 2022 and 67% from 2014, showing steady gains towards eliminating this preventable and treatable illness. However, there were increases in the numbers of people newly reported with chronic hepatitis B and people with hepatitis A in New York City compared with 2022. Inequities by gender, race and ethnicity, age, and neighborhood poverty level persist among people reported with hepatitis A and people newly reported with chronic hepatitis B and C in New York City.”

Telemedicine Expands Access to HCV Treatment for Underserved Populations
“Telemedicine has become a valuable tool in expanding access to hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment, particularly for underserved populations, according to study results published in the Journal of Viral Hepatitis.”

Trends in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Mortality Rates in the US and Projections Through 2040
“Findings  In this cross-sectional study of 188 280 HCC-related deaths, ASMRs increased from 2006 to 2022 and were projected to continue rising until 2040, primarily due to increased deaths from alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) and metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD); deaths from viral hepatitis were under control and were projected to decrease. Large disparities were observed in HCC-related ASMRs by age, sex, and race and ethnicity.”

A Clinical Algorithm for Screening Compensated Advanced Chronic Liver Disease Utilizing Ultrasonography, Platelet Count, and Albumin Levels, With Transient Elastography as Reference
“Conclusions: USG alone has limited reliability in diagnosing cACLD but is valuable for ruling out advanced fibrosis in asymptomatic patients due to its high NPV. Adding platelet and albumin levels improves diagnostic accuracy, though TE remains essential for definitive diagnosis. This approach may streamline screening and optimize resource use, particularly in settings with limited TE access. USG combined with platelet count and serum albumin offers a cost-effective, accessible, and practical solution for the initial assessment of cACLD. Further studies are needed to validate these findings in broader populations.”

Investigational Combination Hepatitis C Therapy Demonstrates a 97% Sustained Virologic Response
“At the ongoing The Liver Meeting in San Diego, Atea Pharmaceuticals has presented posters about the company’s investigational antiviral combination of bemnifosbuvir and ruzasvir, which is being studied for potential hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment. In one of the posters, the combination therapy achieved a 97% sustained virologic response at 12 weeks post-treatment (SVR12) in a phase 2 lead-in cohort. According to the investigators, the analysis supports a short 8-week treatment with bemnifosbuvir and ruzasvir for chronic HCV.”

Scientists Fear What’s Next for Public Health if RFK Jr. Is Allowed To ’Go Wild’
“Many scientists at the federal health agencies await the second Donald Trump administration with dread as well as uncertainty over how the president-elect will reconcile starkly different philosophies among the leaders of his team. Trump announced Thursday he’ll nominate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to be secretary of the Health and Human Services Department, after saying during his campaign he’d let the anti-vaccine activist “go wild” on medicines, food, and health.”

Video:

Global launch of The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology Commission on viral hepatitis

Study Finds Most Children with Hep C have Developmental Disorder, Learning Difficulty
“Key Takeaways: A study found 62% of children with chronic HCV had neurodevelopmental disorders, with ADHD being the most common. Rising HCV-positive pregnancies, primarily due to vertical transmission, contribute to increased chronic HCV in children.”

Research shows low vaccination rates for hepatitis A and B in men who have sex with men
“Research analyzing European survey data from 113,884 men who have sex with men (MSM) and published in Eurosurveillance indicates that while most MSM have a basic understanding of viral hepatitis, only 44% report having been vaccinated against both hepatitis A and B. The data highlight notable immunisation gaps despite available vaccination and recommendations. Strong public health support and creating an open environment that enables MSM to follow recommendations will be crucial to reduce outbreaks among MSM and eliminate hepatitis B.”

Study finds high hepatitis C rates among opioid overdose patients
“New research from the University of Missouri School of Medicine indicates that accidental opioid overdose patients in central Missouri have high rates of hepatitis C infections, despite only 40% of patients having a history of testing.”

Effectiveness of sofosbuvir-based treatments for patients with hepatitis C virus genotype 6 infection: a real-world study from East China
“Conclusions: SOF-based treatments achieved high virological and biochemical response rates in patients with HCV GT 6 infection.”

Hepatitis C Reinfection Rates Drop for Drug Users Over Time
“Hepatitis C virus (HCV) reinfection rates among people who inject drugs are high immediately after treatment in community settings, particularly among those reporting recent injection drug use and sharing of injection paraphernalia, but they decrease significantly over time.”

Survey Highlights Critical Role of Pharmacists in HCV Management
“Key Takeaways: Pharmacists are integral to HCV management, involved in screening, treatment evaluation, and patient education across various healthcare settings. The survey found pharmacists often independently select HCV treatment regimens and provide on-treatment or post-treatment monitoring.”

Emergency Department HCV Screening May Reduce Potential Hepatic Complications, Lower Costs
“Key Takeaways: Emergency department-based HCV screenings are cost-effective, reducing hepatic complications and long-term treatment costs. The study used a decision-analytic Markov model with a 30-year time horizon to simulate HCV screening and progression.”

Severance Hospital’s AI software identifies high-risk patients after cure of chronic hepatitis C
“Researchers at Severance Hospital have developed an artificial intelligence (AI) system capable of identifying high-risk patients who may develop severe complications, such as hepatocellular carcinoma, following the successful treatment of chronic hepatitis C.”

Targeting a specific gene could be key to treating hepatitis B, C and D
“Chronic viral hepatitis is the long-term inflammation of the liver. It is caused by hepatitis B, C or D virus particles. Even though these viruses replicate differently, they all use the endoplasmic reticulum-Golgi pathway for replication, where the TM5SF2 gene is located.”

Efficacy of 8-week daclatasvir-sofosbuvir regimen in chronic hepatitis C: a systematic review and meta-analysis
“The high rates of the sustained virologic response 12 weeks after treatment (SVR12) in real world settings provoked the adoption of shortened courses of the costly direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) regimens. This study provides, to our knowledge, the first systematic review and meta-analysis for the efficacy of the shortened 8-week course of sofosbuvir (SOF) plus daclatasvir (DCV), the most accessible DAAs in the low-middle income countries (LMICs).”

35 Health Advocacy Groups Urge the Supreme Court to Protect Preventive Care
“[On October 21] 35 organizations, representing millions of patients with serious health conditions and thousands of health care professionals, filed an amicus curiae, or “friend-of-the-court,” brief in the case of Braidwood v. Becerra at the U.S. Supreme Court. The amicus brief supports the government’s petition for certiorari in the case, providing extensive scientific data demonstrating that preventive services save lives and are cost-effective. At the crux of the case is a provision of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that requires most insurers cover preventive services recommended by the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) without cost-sharing by patients.”

Minicircle-based vaccine induces potent T-cell and antibody responses against hepatitis C virus
“An effective vaccine against hepatitis C virus (HCV) should elicit both humoral and cellular immune responses.”

Use of Hepatitis C Viremic Donors to Expand the Pediatric Donor Pool
“The use of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-positive donors in organ transplantation has become increasingly viable due to advancements in direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapies, which offer high cure rates. This review aims to evaluate the current practices, benefits, and challenges of utilizing HCV-positive donors for organ transplantation.”