Development of a long-acting direct-acting antiviral system for hepatitis C virus treatment in swine

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2020 Jun 2;117(22):11987-11994. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2004746117. Epub 2020 May 18.

Abstract

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a leading cause of cirrhosis worldwide and kills more Americans than 59 other infections, including HIV and tuberculosis, combined. While direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatments are effective, limited uptake of therapy, particularly in high-risk groups, remains a substantial barrier to eliminating HCV. We developed a long-acting DAA system (LA-DAAS) capable of prolonged dosing and explored its cost-effectiveness. We designed a retrievable coil-shaped LA-DAAS compatible with nasogastric tube administration and the capacity to encapsulate and release gram levels of drugs while resident in the stomach. We formulated DAAs in drug-polymer pills and studied the release kinetics for 1 mo in vitro and in vivo in a swine model. The LA-DAAS was equipped with ethanol and temperature sensors linked via Bluetooth to a phone application to provide patient engagement. We then performed a cost-effectiveness analysis comparing LA-DAAS to DAA alone in various patient groups, including people who inject drugs. Tunable release kinetics of DAAs was enabled for 1 mo with drug-polymer pills in vitro, and the LA-DAAS safely and successfully provided at least month-long release of sofosbuvir in vivo. Temperature and alcohol sensors could interface with external sources for at least 1 mo. The LA-DAAS was cost-effective compared to DAA therapy alone in all groups considered (base case incremental cost-effectiveness ratio $39,800). We believe that the LA-DAA system can provide a cost-effective and patient-centric method for HCV treatment, including in high-risk populations who are currently undertreated.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antiviral Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacokinetics
  • Benzimidazoles / administration & dosage
  • Benzimidazoles / pharmacokinetics
  • Carbamates
  • Cost-Benefit Analysis
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Drug Carriers / pharmacokinetics
  • Drug Delivery Systems* / economics
  • Drug Delivery Systems* / instrumentation
  • Drug Delivery Systems* / methods
  • Fluorenes / administration & dosage
  • Fluorenes / pharmacokinetics
  • Hepacivirus / drug effects
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / drug therapy*
  • Imidazoles / administration & dosage
  • Imidazoles / pharmacokinetics
  • Liver Cirrhosis / drug therapy
  • Models, Animal
  • Pyrrolidines
  • Ribavirin / administration & dosage
  • Ribavirin / pharmacokinetics
  • Sofosbuvir / administration & dosage
  • Sofosbuvir / pharmacokinetics
  • Swine
  • Valine / analogs & derivatives

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Benzimidazoles
  • Carbamates
  • Drug Carriers
  • Fluorenes
  • Imidazoles
  • Pyrrolidines
  • ledipasvir
  • Ribavirin
  • Valine
  • daclatasvir
  • Sofosbuvir