• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
BlackDoctor.org
Where Wellness & Culture Connect

Where Wellness & Culture Connect

  • Health Conditions
  • Wellness
  • Lifestyle
  • Longevity
  • COVID-19
  • Find A Doctor
  • Subscribe
Home / / STUDY: Hep C Cures Effective For People With HIV/HCV Coinfection

STUDY: Hep C Cures Effective For People With HIV/HCV Coinfection

doctor holding blood testThe World Health Organization estimates that globally, 5-15% of people living with HIV are coinfected with hepatitis C. In the United States, about 25% of people living with HIV also have hepatitis C (HCV)—and HCV rates are even higher among people with HIV who inject drugs.

For both hepatitis B and hepatitis C infection, disease progresses faster and causes more liver-related health problems among people with HIV than among those who do not have HIV infection. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [PDF 328 KB], people who are coinfected with HIV and HCV are nearly three times more likely to develop liver disease, liver failure, and liver-related death from HCV than people with HCV alone.

Averting these dangerous health outcomes has been a challenge for people with HIV/HCV coinfection because many previous treatments for HCV were not recommended for people with HIV. These older treatments included interferon and other drugs with side effects that were often severe and included potential adverse interactions with HIV drugs.

AIDS 2014 Researchers Highlight Promising Treatments for People with HIV/HCV Coinfection

Last month, more than 13,000 researchers, public health leaders, clinicians, people living with HIV, and advocates from around the world gathered in Melbourne, Australia for the 20th International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2014). Included among the hundreds of presentations were research findings from studies of two interferon-free treatments showing high cure rates in people with HIV/HCV coinfection. Although previous studies have shown that newer HCV treatments have fewer side effects, shorter duration of treatment, and higher cure rates, they had not been evaluated in people with HIV/HCV coinfection.

You May Also Like
9 Foods You Should Never Eat after Age 30

TURQUOISE-I Study Reveals 94% Cure Rate Using All Oral Therapy for People with HIV/HCV Coinfection

In the TURQUOISE-1 study, researchers found a 94% cure rate after 12 weeks on AbbVie’s oral regimen of three direct-acting antivirals plus ribavirin for people with HIV and genotype 1 HCV coinfection. The 94% cure rate was identified in part one of the study, following 63 people also taking HIV treatments including either atazanavir (Reyataz®) or raltegravir (Isentress®) with undetectable HIV viral load. Later this year, researchers will begin part two of the phase III trial, testing the oral regimen in people with HIV/HCV coinfection who take Prezista® for HIV. The study evaluated interactions with HIV drugs and is being conducted by Dr. Mark Sulkowski from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Watch Dr. Sulkowski’s AIDS 2014 presentation of TURQUIOSE-I results on YouTube.

PHOTON-1 and 2 Studies Demonstrate a Range of Outcomes for People with HIV/HCV Coinfection

In the PHOTON-1 study, individuals with HIV/HCV coinfection were given an oral, interferon-free combination of Gilead’s sofosbuvir (Sovaldi®) and ribavirin for 12 or 24 weeks. Cure rates ranged from 67 to 94% depending on HCV genotype and previous treatment response. This study was also led by Dr. Sulkowski and results are available in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).

SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER HERE!

The PHOTON-2 study, led by Dr. Jean-Michel Molina from University of Paris Diderot, found that a combination of sofosbuvir and ribavirin, taken for 24 weeks, resulted in 84% to 89% cure rates in HIV/HCV coinfected patients in Europe and Australia. Findings show that cure rates varied depending on HCV genotype and the presence of liver cirrhosis. Researchers found a 100% cure rate among participants with HCV genotype 1, subtype 1b, but 75% cure for those with the same genotype who had cirrhosis. Their analysis found cirrhosis to be the only significant risk factor for a poor treatment response, which indicates the importance of ensuring people have access to timely treatment, before liver damage progresses to cirrhosis.

You May Also Like
The Most Common STD You've Never Heard Of

“These scientific advances represent tremendous opportunities to improve care for people living with HIV/HCV coinfection,” said Dr. Ronald Valdiserri, Assistant Secretary for Health, Infectious Diseases. “The research presented at AIDS 2014 brings us closer toward achieving the goals of both the Viral Hepatitis Action Plan and the National HIV/AIDS Strategy.”

This article was originally published at BlackAids.org.

 

Visit the BlackDoctor.org Hepatitis C center for more articles. 

 

August 12, 2014 by Michelle Moses-Eisenstein, M.P.H.

Read Next Article

The Latest In

Gloria Richardson: A Civil Rights Force Still Going Strong

One of the most influential leaders of the Civil Rights movement, Gloria Richardson remains, at 98 years strong, an undeniable figure in not just Black or Civil Rights history, but American history. Some people even call her the "Second Harriet read more about Gloria Richardson: A Civil Rights Force Still Going Strong

Chicago Comedian, Erica Watson, Dies at 48

Beautiful. Funny. Kind. Generous. Immensely creative. The words that describe the Chicago born actress and comedian, Erica Watson, could go on and on. Unfortunately, the laughs stopped on Saturday February 27, 2021, 1 day after Watson's 48th Birthday, when she read more about Chicago Comedian, Erica Watson, Dies at 48

8 clever ways to get Vaccinated RIGHT NOW

As more states roll out their vaccination program, many persons are anxious to know if they qualify and how to get vaccinated as soon as possible. To make sure you’re in line for those important injections, here’s what you need read more about 8 clever ways to get Vaccinated RIGHT NOW

C.D.C. Finds Covid Outbreaks in Gyms

  Federal health officials found that coronavirus cases at fitness centers in Chicago and Honolulu were caused by misuse of masks and carelessness about symptoms. Gym members and guests are supposed to wear masks when they work out and keep read more about C.D.C. Finds Covid Outbreaks in Gyms

Tasha Smith at 50: “Your Dream is the Best Gift You’ve Got”

The daughter of a single mother who gave birth at 15 to her and her twin sister Sidra, actress and director Tasha Smith grew up around gangs, drugs and poverty in Camden, N.J., a city that one time was named read more about Tasha Smith at 50: “Your Dream is the Best Gift You’ve Got”

You A’ight, Bro? 4 Reasons Why Black Men Need Therapy RIGHT NOW

Only one in three African-Americans who need mental healthcare receive it. The numbers are even grimmer when we consider Black men's mental wellness.  For the past few decades, there has been growing interest in improving Black men's health and the read more about You A’ight, Bro? 4 Reasons Why Black Men Need Therapy RIGHT NOW

Primary Sidebar

Subscribe to our newsletter

Poll

Popular Posts

  • 7 Bad Sleep Habits That Cause Weight Gain7 Bad Sleep Habits That Cause Weight Gain
  • Home Remedies For Your Dry SkinHome Remedies For Your Dry Skin
  • Pooch Hall: Family Over EverythingPooch Hall: Family Over Everything
  • 7 Turnoffs Men Wish Women Knew7 Turnoffs Men Wish Women Knew
  • ‘Madea’ Actress Natalie Desselle-Reed Dies at 53'Madea' Actress Natalie Desselle-Reed Dies at 53

Podcast

Diabetes prevention and management podcast

Dr. LeNoir is joined by Dr. Lenore Coleman, a Pharmacist and Founder of Healing Our Village, as they offer you the tools you need to prevent and manage diabetes.

Listen Now

Footer

Where Wellness & Culture Connect

BDO is the world’s largest and most comprehensive online health resource specifically targeted to African Americans. BDO understands that the uniqueness of Black culture - our heritage and our traditions - plays a role in our health. BDO gives you access to innovative new approaches to the health information you need in everyday language so you can break through the disparities, gain control and live your life to its fullest.

Connect With Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Learn More About

  • Hepatitis C
  • Diabetes
  • Sickle Cell
  • Mental Health
  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise With Us
  • BlackDoctor.org Advertising and Sponsorship Policy
  • Daily Vitamina
  • TBH

Copyright © 2021, BlackDoctor, Inc. All rights reserved.