AI444040

• Sulkowski M, et al 'Potent viral suppression with all-oral combination of DACLATASVIR (ns5a inhibitor) and GS-7977 (ns5b inhibitor), +/-RIBAVIRIN, in treatment-nave patients with chronic HCV GT1, 2, or 3'
• Treatment-nave HCV GT1, 2, and 3 patients given an IFN- and RBV-free once-daily combination of DACLATASVIR and GS-7977 for 24 weeks achieved high rates of early virologic response (HCV RNA detectable at week 4 but undetectable at week 12 EVR) by mITT analysis: 97% EVR in GT1, 90% in GT2 and 3.

The combination of PegIFN-α and ribavirin (RBV) is the current standard of care for chronic HCV(7), but is associated with a number of side effects including flu-like symptoms, psychiatric manifestations, autoimmune reactions, and hematologic toxicities.(8,9) Between 20-40% of patients require a dose reduction or temporary interruption in their PegIFN-α and ribavirin (RBV) treatment(10) and in 10-14% of patients, side effects are so severe that treatment must be discontinued.(8,9)

However, studies have shown that achieving a virologic response in chronic HCV is much more dependent on the dose of IFN-α(11)/PegIFN-α(12,13,14) than RBV(15,16,17,11,18). As such, PegIFN-α free therapy is highly anticipated by healthcare professionals and patients alike.

EASL's Secretary General Professor Mark Thursz commented on the exciting new data being showcased at the congress: "In the future, patients can look forward to all oral treatment regime
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