Open-label, partially-randomized plasma and liver sampling study to assess hepatitis C virus (HCV) kinetics during treatment with two (Sofosbuvir/Velpatasvir) or three (Sofosbuvir/Velpatasvir/Voxilaprevir) direct acting antivirals (DAAs)
Primary Objective: The primary objective is to estimate the 1-week change in the proportion of HCV-infected hepatocytes in participants with HCV monoinfection and HIV/HCV coinfection on therapy with two or three DAAs with different mechanisms of action using single cell laser microdissection (scLCM). Secondary Objectives: Estimate the change over the first week in plasma HCV RNA in subjects with HCV monoinfected and HIV/HCV coinfected participants on therapy with two or three DAAs Estimate the 1 week change in the amount of HCV RNA per infected hepatocyte using scLCM on liver biopsy specimens, obtained just prior to treatment initiation (pre-treatment), and after the first week of DAA therapy. Estimate the change in the proportion of HCV-infected hepatocytes that express interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) within the first week of DAA therapy using scLCM. Measure the change in expression of ISGs in non-parenchymal intrahepatic immune cells (Kupffer cells, plasmacytoid dendritic cells) within the first week of DAA therapy using scLCM. Exploratory Objectives: Estimate the 1 week change in expression of ISGs from peripheral blood mononucleated cells (PBMCs) within the first week of DAA+ribavirin (RBV) therapy using scLCM. Compare sequence(s) of HCV protease, nonstructural protein 5A (NS5A), and nonstructural protein 5B (NS5B) depending on the peripheral sequence) of intrahepatic HCV RNA in single cells and bulk tissue, before and during week 1 of DAA+RBV therapy. Estimate the week 1 change in the sizes and numbers of HCV-infected clusters on DAA therapy to test whether clearance of HCV-infected hepatocytes occurs in spatially random patterns or within specific clusters.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
15
antiviral therapy for HCV
antiviral therapy for HCV
Johns Hopkins Hospital : The John G. Bartlett Specialty Practice
Baltimore, Maryland, United States
Total Number of HCV-infected Hepatocytes Measured in Liver Tissue Obtained by Liver Biopsy at Day 0 (Pre-treatment) and at Day 7 of Antiviral Therapy
Estimate the total number of HCV-infected Hepatocytes (virus burden) for each participant between pre-treatment liver biopsy and post treatment liver biopsy samples using HCV Quantitative real time PCR. Comparison of total number of HCV-infected Hepatocytes (virus burden) were reported between HCV mono infection and co infection groups.
Time frame: Pre-treatment, Day 7
Reduction Over the First Week in Plasma HCV RNA
During one week after treatment with direct-acting antivirals, the decline from the baseline plasma HCV RNA levels observed for each individual participant using HCV Quantitative real time PCR. The level of HCV RNA decline compared to those treated with Sofosbuvir/Velpatasvir (SOF/VEL) vs Sofosbuvir/Velpatasvir/Voxilaprevir (SOF/VEL/VOX) and between HCV mono infection and HIV/HCV co infection groups.
Time frame: Pre-treatment, up to 1 week
Total Number of HCV-infected Hepatocytes That Express Interferon-stimulated Genes (ISGs) Within the First Week of DAA Therapy Using Single Cell Laser Micro Dissection (scLCM).
Total number of hepatocytes that express interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) were estimated using Quantitative real time PCR for each participant on pre-treatment and post treatment liver biopsy samples. Comparison of total number of hepatocytes that express interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) were reported between HCV mono infection and co infection groups.
Time frame: Pre-treatment, up to 1 week
Amount of HCV RNA Per Infected Hepatocyte Using Single Cell Laser Micro Dissection (scLCM) on Liver Biopsy Specimens, Obtained Just Prior to Treatment Initiation (Pre-treatment), and After the First Week of DAA Therapy.
The HCV RNA levels (viral burden) from each infected hepatocytes were measured using Quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) from each participants at pre-treatment and post-treatment. The level of HCV RNA (viral burden) decline were reported from intracellular hepatocytes and compared to those treated with Sofosbuvir/Velpatasvir (SOF/VEL) vs Sofosbuvir/Velpatasvir/Voxilaprevir (SOF/VEL/VOX) and between HCV mono infection and HIV/HCV co infection groups.
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Time frame: Pre-treatment, after first week