Title:Metabolism of Direct-acting Antiviral Agents (DAAs) in Hepatitis C Therapy: A Review of the Literature
Volume: 22
Issue: 2
Author(s): Ivana Mikolasevic*, Tajana F. Kanizaj, Dorotea Bozic, Petra Puz, Sanja S. Shapeski, Zeljko Puljiz, Delfa Radic-Kristo, Milos Lalovac, Maja Mijic, Bozena Delija, Toni Juric, Ivan Bogadi and Lucija Virovic-Jukic
Affiliation:
- Department of Gastroenterology, University Hospital Merkur, Zagreb,Croatia
Keywords:
Hepatitis C, direct-acting antivirals, drug-drug interactions, hepatocellular carcinoma, cirrhosis, liver transplantation.
Abstract:
Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is still one of the leading causes of chronic liver disease,
with chronically infected making up approximately 1% of the global population. Of those infected, 70%
(55-85%) will develop chronic HCV infection. Chronic HCV infection causes substantial morbidity and mortality,
with complications including cirrhosis, end-stage liver disease, hepatocellular carcinoma, and eventually
death.
Objective: Therapeutic options for chronic HCV infection have evolved dramatically since 2014, with a translation
from pegylated interferon and ribavirin (associated with suboptimal cure and high treatment-related toxicity)
to oral direct-acting antiviral treatment. There are four classes of direct-acting antivirals which differ by
their mechanism of action and therapeutic target. They are all pointed to proteins that form the cytoplasmic viral
replication complex. Multiple studies have demonstrated that direct-acting antiviral therapy is extremely
well tolerated, highly efficacious, with few side effects.
Methods: We performed an indexed MEDLINE search with keywords regarding specific direct-acting antiviral
regimes and their pharmacokinetics, drug-drug interactions, and metabolism in specific settings of pregnancy,
lactation, liver cirrhosis, liver transplantation and HCC risk, kidney failure and kidney transplantation.
Results: We present a comprehensive overview of specific direct-acting antiviral metabolism and drug-drug interaction
issues in different settings.
Conclusion: Despite its complex pharmacokinetics and the possibility of drug-drug interactions, direct-acting
antivirals are highly efficacious in providing viral clearance, which is an obvious advantage compared to possible
interactions or side effects. They should be administered cautiously in patients with other comorbidities,
and with tight control of immunosuppressive therapy.
