BioScience Trends. 2016;10(6):496-499. (DOI: 10.5582/bst.2016.01223)

Ledipasvir and sofosbuvir for recurrent hepatitis C after liver transplantation.

Oya Y, Sugawara Y, Watanabe T, Yoshimaru Y, Honda M, Hashimoto S, Yoshii D, Isono K, Hayashida S, Yamamoto H, Tanaka M, Sasaki Y, Inomata Y

Management of recurrent hepatitis C following liver transplantation still remains a challenge. Here, we report five patients who achieved viral responses following combined treatment with ledipasvir and sofosbuvir. All the patients received tacrolimus for immunosuppression. No dose adjustment was made before the ledipasvir and sofosbuvir therapy. All completed the intended 12-week treatment course with the full dose of ledipasvir and sofosbuvir. There were no significant adverse events greater than grade 2. During the study period, no acute rejection episodes were detected. The trough levels of tacrolimus were maintained stably. Hepatitis C virus RNA was not detected at week 12 in any of the patients. Based on the findings from this pilot study, combined ledipasvir and sofosbuvir therapy for 12 weeks is effective and safe for living - donor liver transplantation recipients with recurrence of hepatitis C virus.

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