Are Direct-Acting Anti-HCV Regimens Less Safe and Effective in Patients Aged 65+?

Successful treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection with interferon-based therapy has been limited in patients aged ≥65 years due to disproportionately high adverse effects, poor tolerability, and low response rates in this age group. Are new direct-acting antiviral agents also limited in safety and efficacy in this older population?

Using pooled data from four randomized, open-label, phase III trials of ledipasvir/sofosbuvir with or without ribavirin for the treatment of HCV genotype 1 infection, researchers compared safety and efficacy between patients in age groups ≥65 years and <65 years.

Of 2293 patients enrolled across the four studies, 264 were aged ≥65 years and 24 were aged ≥75 years. Compared with patients aged <65 years, thos…