Direct-Acting Antivirals in HCV-Infected Patients with Inherited Blood Disorders

Direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) have been shown safe and effective in hard-to-treat subpopulations of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients, such as those with advanced kidney disease or cryoglobulinemia. Data are sparse on HCV treatment in patients with inherited blood disorders such as sickle cell anemia, thalassemia, and hemophilia.

In an industry-funded phase III trial, researchers evaluated the safety and efficacy of elbasvir/grazoprevir (currently FDA approved for treatment of HCV genotype 1 or 4 infection) in HCV-infected patients with inherited blood disorders. They randomized 159 patients with HCV genotype 1, 4, or 6 infection and sickle cell anemia, thalassemia, hemophilia A/B, or von Willebrand disease to receive elbasvi…