Gilead’s sofosbuvir boasted high cure rates when given in combination with ribavirin to those with genotype 2 or 3 of hepatitis C virus (HCV). Representatives for the pharmaceutical company presented findings from the Phase III VALENCE trial at the 64th Annual Meeting of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) in Washington, DC.

Seventy-three participants with genotype 2 took the nucleotide polymerase inhibitor sofosbuvir and ribavirin for 12 weeks, and 250 with genotype 3 took the regimen for 24 weeks. About 20 percent of the study group had cirrhosis.

Ninety-three percent of the genotype 2 participants and 85 percent of the genotype 3 participants achieved a sustained virologic response 12 weeks after completing therapy (an SVR, considered a cure).

Among the treatment-naive participants with genotype 2, 97 percent (29/30) of those without cirrhosis and 100 percent (2/2) of those with cirrhosis achieved a cure; in the treatment-experienced sub-group, 91 percent (30/33) of those without cirrhosis and 88 percent (7/8) of those with cirrhosis achieved a cure.

As for genotype 3 participants, among the treatment-naive, 94 percent (86/92) of those without cirrhosis and 92 percent (12/13) of those with cirrhosis achieved a cure; in the treatment-experienced sub-group, 87 percent (87/100) of those without cirrhosis and 60 percent (27/45) of those with cirrhosis achieved a cure.

The most common side effects included headache, fatigue, itching, weakness and lack of energy, nausea and insomnia.

To read a Gilead release, click here.