Global real-world evidence of sofosbuvir/velpatasvir (SOF/VEL) as a highly effective treatment in underserved patient populations because of mental health disorders, incarceration or homelessness

Introduction and Objectives

The treatment of vulnerable populations must be prioritized to accomplish the WHO HCV elimination goals by 2030, including patients with mental health disorders, incarcerated patients or homeless patients. Simplifying the treatment cascade and rapid treatment start is key to achieving this goal, even more so in the COVID-19 era. Sofosbuvir/velpatasvir (SOF/VEL) is a protease inhibitor-free, pangenotypic, panfibrotic, single duration, single tablet regimen, to be taken without regards to food and with limited drug-drug interactions, allowing treatment simplification. Purpose: This real world data (RWD) analysis evaluates the effectiveness and safety of SOF/VEL for 12 weeks in a heterogeneous HCV population who suffer a mental health disorder, are incarcerated, or homeless.

Materials and Methods

33 clinical cohorts across Australia, Canada, Europe & USA included 1,888 patients, 280 of them (from 6 clinical cohorts) were treated in Canada and overall managed following local standards of care. Adults were included if SOF/VEL for 12 weeks was started before November 2019 and completed while suffering a mental health disorder, being incarcerated or homeless, irrespective of genotype (GT), presence of compensated cirrhosis (CC) or treatment experience. Exclusion criteria were history of decompensation, prior NS5A-inhibitor exposure, treatment duration >12 weeks or addition of ribavirin. Sustained virological response (SVR; ≥12 weeks after end-of-treatment) and time to treatment initiation were assessed.

Results

Overall analysis includes 1,888 (71.3% male) patients (1,422 with a mental health disorder, 526 incarcerated, 153 homeless) aged 50 years, 24.4% were taking antipsychotic drugs and 52.2% of patients had former or current intravenous drug use. 43.2% patients had HCV GT1, 11.6% GT2, 36.3% GT3, 5.9% GT4-6, and 3.0% mixed/unknown GT. 19.0% patients had CC and 12.4% were treatment-experienced. In 257 patients (13.6%), SVR was not evaluated due to non-virological or unknown reasons; 79.9% of those were lost to follow-up (LTFU). When SVR was measured, 98.0% (n=1598/1631) achieved SVR, with 97.6%, 98.9% and 100% in patients with a mental health disorder, incarcerated or homeless patients, respectively. SVR was 98.5% in non-cirrhotic and 95.4% in CC patients. SVR remained >95% under antipsychotic use or coexistence of two negative factors of non-response such as GT3 plus active drug use or psychiatric disorder. SVR was similar, irrespective of time from diagnosis to treatment. Detailed analysis of the Canadian cohort data will be presented at the conference.

Conclusion

A test-and-treat strategy, easily implemented with SOF/VEL, and supported by the AASLD/ALEH/APASL/EASL joint call to action, could further enhance the population-level efficacy of HCV therapy by reducing the rate of non-virologic failure due to LTFU and related factors.