Outreach onsite treatment with a simplified pangenotypic direct-acting anti-viral regimen for hepatitis C virus micro-elimination in a prison.

BACKGROUND: Prisoners are at risk of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, especially among the people who inject drugs (PWID). We implemented an outreach strategy in combination with universal mass screening and immediate onsite treatment with a simplified pan-genotypic direct-acting antivirals (DAA) regimen, 12 wk of sofosbuvir/velpatasvir, in a PWID-dominant prison in Taiwan. AIM: To implement an outreach strategy in combination with universal mass screening and immediate onsite treatment with a simplified pan-genotypic DAA regimen in a PWID-dominant prison in Taiwan.
METHODS: HCV-viremic patients were recruited for onsite treatment program for HCV micro-elimination with a pangenotypic DAA regimen, 12 wk of sofosbuvir/ velpatasvir, from two cohorts in Penghu Prison, either identified by mass screen or in outpatient clinics, in September 2019. Another group of HCV-viremic patients identified sporadically in outpatient clinics before mass screening were enrolled as a control group. The primary endpoint was sustained virological response (SVR12, defined as undetectable HCV ribonucleic acid (RNA) 12 wk after end-of-treatment).
RESULTS: A total of 212 HCV-viremic subjects were recruited for HCV micro-elimination campaign; 91 patients treated with sofosbuvir/Ledipasvir or glecaprevir/ pibrentasvir before mass screening were enrolled as a control. The HCV micro-elimination group had significantly lower proportion of diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, advanced fibrosis and chronic kidney diseases, but higher levels of HCV RNA. The SVR12 rate was comparable between the HCV micro-elimination and control groups, 95.8% (203/212) vs 94.5% (86/91), respectively, in intent-to-treat analysis, and 100% (203/203) vs 98.9% (86/87), respectively, in per-protocol analysis. There was no virological failure, treatment discontinuation, and serious adverse event among sofosbuvir/velpatasvir-treated patients in the HCV micro-elimination group.
CONCLUSION: Outreach mass screening followed by immediate onsite treatment with a simplified pangenotypic DAA regimen, sofosbuvir/velpatasvir, provides successful strategies toward HCV micro-elimination among prisoners. ©The Author(s) 2022. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.

Core Tip: We implemented an outreach strategy in combination with universal mass screening and immediate onsite treatment with a simplified pangenotypic direct-acting antivirals egimen, 12 wk of sofosbuvir/velpatasvir, in a people who inject drugs (PWID)-dominant prison. Our study achieved high sustained virological response rate in HCV-infected PWID-dominant prisoners. We provided successful strategies toward HCV micro-elimination among prisoners.

INTRODUCTION

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a progressive and blood-borne infectious disease that can lead to end stage liver diseases, such as hepatic decompensation, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma[1,2]. Iatrogenic transmission of HCV, such as blood transfusion and surgery, has decreased in developed countries. Whereas people who inject drugs (PWID) has become the major population of HCV transmission, which could consist of approximately 80% of HCV-infected patients[3]. Given that lack of vaccine available, “treatment as prevention” for HCV transmission in PWID is very important for HCV elimination.

Prisoners are at high risk of HCV infection, with prevalence rates ranging from 3.1% to 38%[4,5]. The high prevalence of HCV infection in prisoners is resulted from unsafe lifestyles, psychiatric disorders, and social problems before they are incarcerated. Recently, PWID has been the most important risk factor of HCV infection in prisoners[6]. The anti-HCV prevalence rate could be as high as 91% among PWID prisoners[7]. Screening and eliminating HCV infection in prisoners is therefore an important social health issue.

According to the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases and European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) guidelines, all HCV viremic patients should be treated if life span is expected more than one year[8,9]. HCV therapeutic strategies have been revolutionized significantly because of the availability of direct-acting antivirals (DAA)[10]. Interferon (IFN)-based regimens for HCV infection have serious side effects, long therapeutic duration, and contraindications, leading to the huge gaps in HCV care cascade[11]. The current IFN-free DAA regimens provide shorter treatment duration, very high treatment efficacy and safety profiles, not only for general population[12], but also for special populations[13], such as HCV/human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) coinfected patients, hepatitis B virus (HBV)/HCV coinfected patients and patients with chronic kidney diseases in real-world clinical settings[14,15].

World Health Organization (WHO) set a global goal of HCV elimination by 2030[16], and Taiwan authority is even ambitious by 2025[17]. To achieve the goal, implementation of the concept of HCV micro-elimination is regarding as an efficient and practical strategy[18]. We have proved that “universal mass screening plus outreach onsite treatment” is the key to achieve HCV micro-elimination among patients under maintenance hemodialysis[19].

Recently, the latest EASL HCV guideline recommended simplified, genotyping/ subtyping-free, pangenotypic anti-HCV treatment, either sofosbuvir/ velpatasvir or glecaprevir/pibrentasvir, to increase the accessibility and global cure rates among patients with > 12 years, chronic hepatitis C without cirrhosis or with compensated cirrhosis, with or without HIV co-infection, whatever treatment-naïve or IFN-experienced[8].

Since HCV treatment is not frequently administered to prisoners due to unawareness of HCV infection, difficultly management, easily loss to follow-up, and lack of hepatologist in prison[20], collaboration between hepatologists and prison authorities to carry out strategies for HCV diagnosis and treatment in prisoners in highly demanded. Herein, we implemented an outreach strategy in combination with universal mass screen and onsite treatment with a simplified pan-genotypic DAA regimen, 12 wk of sofosbuvir/velpatasvir, toward HCV micro-elimination in a PWID-dominant prison in Taiwan.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients linked to onsite treatment program for HCV micro-elimination

HCV-viremic patients were recruited from two cohorts in Penghu Prison (Agency of Corrections, Ministry of Justice, Taiwan), a PWID-dominant prison (Figure 1).

Figure 1

Patient flowchart of hepatitis C virus treatment with a simplified pan-genotypic directly-acting antivirals regimen in Penghu Prison. HCV: Hepatitis C virus; DAA: Directly-acting antivirals; SOL/VEL: Sofosbuvir/velpatasvir; GEL/PIB: Glecaprevir/pibrentasvir; EOTVR: Virological response at end-of-treatment; SVR12: Sustained viral response at post-treatment wk 12.

HCV-viremic patients identified by a universal mass screening

In September 2019, we conducted a 5 d universal mass screening of viral hepatitis in Penghu Prison. These inclusion criteria were prisoners, who were at least 20 years old, being willing to enter the study for screening of viral hepatitis. The study of mass screening was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital (IRB: KMUHIRB-SV(I)-20190033). All participants provided written informed consents. A total of 1137 subjects from 1697 inmates participated the mass screening[21]. Among them, 396 (34.8%) subjects had anti-HCV seropositivity; 208 (52.5%) of the 396 subjects were seropositive for HCV ribonucleic acid (RNA) and linked to the onsite HCV treatment program with universal sofosbuvir/velpatasvir regimen.

HCV-viremic patients identified in outpatient clinics during the period of HCV mass screening

Another 26 HCV-viremic subjects identified in outpatient clinics of Penghu Prison between August to December 2019 were also linked to the onsite HCV treatment program with universal sofosbuvir/velpatasvir regimen.

All patients received pretreatment evaluation in December 2019, including medical history, liver and renal function tests, complete blood cell counts, HCV viral loads and genotyping, abdominal sonography and assessment of potential drug–drug interactions. A 12 wk, oral pan-genotypic regimen of sofosbuvir/velpatasvir 400/100 mg fixed-dose combination once daily was initiated in January-February 2020.

Patients identified and treated by DAAs in outpatient clinics before mass screening

A total of 91 HCV-viremic patients identified in outpatient clinics of Penghu Prison and treated with DAA before mass screening from 2017 to 2019 were enrolled as a control. The selection of DAA regimens were based on physician’s discretion according to the viral genotype and criteria of reimbursement of National Health Insurance Administration, Taiwan. All patients received pretreatment evaluation, including medical history, liver and renal function tests, complete blood cell counts, HCV viral loads and genotyping, abdominal sonography and assessment of potential drug–drug interactions.

All participants signed informed consent forms. These enrolled inmates of our study were protected according to the guidelines of the Declaration of Helsinki. The current study of DAA therapy was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Tri-Service General Hospital (IRB: TSGHIRB 2-107-05-080).

Assessment, monitoring and endpoints

Anti-HCV antibody was determined by the third generation, commercially available immunoassay (Ax SYM HCV III; Abbott Laboratories, North Chicago, IL). HCV RNA viral loads and genotype were determined by real-time PCR assays [RealTime HCV; Abbott Molecular, Des Plaines IL, United States; detection limit: 12 IU/mL])[22]. Liver cirrhosis was defined by the presence of clinical, radiological, endoscopic or laboratory evidence of cirrhosis and/or portal hypertension or fibrosis-4 index (FIB-4) (> 6.5). Laboratory data monitoring and assessment of side effects were performed at treatment wk 2, 4, 8 and end-of-treatment (EOT), and 12 wk after EOT.

The primary endpoint was sustained virological response (SVR12, defined as undetectable HCV RNA throughout 12 wk of the post-treatment follow-up period).

Statistical analyses.

The efficacy of all DAA regimens was determined in a intent-to-treat (ITT) population (all enrolled patients with at least one dose of DAA) and a per-protocol (PP) population (subjects receiving at least one dose of DAA and retained in Penghu Prison throughout the DAA treatment and follow-up period). Safety assessments reported adverse event (AE), serious adverse event (SAE) and laboratory abnormalities in the ITT population. Continuous variables are expressed as means ± standard deviation (SD), and categorical variables are expressed as percentages. The differences of continuous variables are estimated by the Student’s t test. The differences in categorical variables are analyzed using the Chi-square test. The on-treatment and off-treatment virological response rates were analyzed in number and percentages with 95% confidence interval (CI). All data analyses were performed using the SPSS software version 18.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, Illinois, United States).

RESULTS

Patient flowchart of HCV micro-elimination campaign

The patient flowchart of HCV mass screen, assessment and treatment was shown in Figure 1. A total of 234 HCV-viremic patients, 208 from mass screening and 26 from outpatient clinics in Penghu Prison were assessed for eligibility of group therapy with sofosbuvir/velpatasvir in December 2019. Twenty-two patients were excluded from anti-HCV therapy due to scheduled to be released from jail (n = 16) or transferred to other jails (n = 3) within 6 mo, unwilling to receive therapy (n = 2) and prior glecaprevir/pibrentasvir treatment failure (n = 1). Finally, 212 patients were recruited for sofosbuvir/velpatasvir therapy initiated in January-February 2020.

Patient characteristics

The baseline characteristics of 303 HCV-viremic patients, including 212 in HCV micro-elimination campaign and 91 sporadic controls from outpatient clinics before micro-elimination campaign were listed in Table 1. They mean age was 48.4 years with male dominant (99.7%). Thirty (9.9%) had HBV coinfection. The mean FIB-4 was 1.3, with 20 (6.6%) had advanced fibrosis (FIB-4 > 3.25). Only one patient (0.3%) had liver cirrhosis. The mean HCV RNA levels was 6.5 Logs IU/mL, dominant with HCV genotype 1 (HCV-GT1, 42.2%), followed by HCV-GT6 (35.3%), HCV-GT3 (11.6%) and HCV-GT2 (10.6%). Three (1%) patients were prior IFN-experienced. The two groups had comparable characteristics in terms of age, gender, HBV co-infection, liver and renal function tests, FIB-4 score, HCV genotype distribution, and prior history of IFN-based therapy. However, the sporadic patients identified in outpatient clinics had significantly higher proportion of comorbidities, including diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2, but significantly lower HCV viral loads. None of patient had decompensated cirrhosis nor liver cancer.

Table 1

Baseline characteristics of hepatitis C virus-infected patients receiving directly-acting antivirals therapy between sporadic hepatitis C virus therapy in outpatient clinics and campaign of hepatitis C virus micro-elimination in Penghu prison

	Total	Sporadic HCV therapy in outpatient clinics (January 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019)	Campaign of HCV micro-elimination (January 1, 2020 - March 31, 2020)	P value
n	303	91	212	-
Age (yr)	48.4 ± 8.2	47.6 ± 8.7	48.7 ± 8.0	0.271
Male	303 (99.7)	90 (98.9)	212 (100.0)	0.126
1BMI, kg/m2	23.9 ± 3.2	23.9 ± 3.3	23.9 ± 3.2	0.986
> 27 kg/m2	34 (13.8)	11 (13.9)	23 (13.4)	0.960
Diabetes	10 (3.3)	8 (8.8)	2 (0.9)	0.0005a
Hypertension	59 (19.5)	25 (27.5)	34 (16.0)	0.021a
Hyperlipidemia	8 (2.6)	7 (7.7)	1 (0.5)	0.0003a
Cardiovascular disease	2 (0.7)	1 (1.1)	1 (0.5)	0.537
HBsAg (+)	30 (9.9)	9 (9.9)	21 (9.9)	0.997
AST, IU/L	41.3 ± 35.5	45.9 ± 38.9	39.4 ± 33.8	0.168
ALT, IU/L	65.4 ± 77.4	71.6 ± 69.8	62.7 ± 80.4	0.329
Abnormal AST or ALT	159 (52.5)	54 (59.3)	105 (49.5)	0.117
White cell count, × 103/ìL	6.6 ± 1.9	6.4 ± 2.0	6.7 ± 1.8	0.188
Hemoglobin concentration, g/dL	15.9 ± 1.3	16.0 ± 1.3	15.9 ± 1.3	0.762
Platelet count, × 103u/L	227.6 ± 67.4	219.4 ± 72.1	231.2 ± 65.1	0.181
Albumin, g/dl	4.5 ± 0.3	4.5 ± 0.4	4.5 ± 0.2	0.233
Total bilirubin, mg/dL	0.8 ± 0.3	0.9 ± 0.4	0.8 ± 0.3	0.003a
LC	1 (0.3)	1 (1.1)	0 (0.0)	0.300
FIB-4	1.3 ± 1.0	1.5 ± 1.4	1.2 ± 0.8	0.096
> 3.25	20 (6.6)	10 (11.0)	10 (4.7)	0.044a
eGFR, mL/min/1.73 m2	99.9 ± 17.7	99.1 ± 21.0	100.3 ± 16.4	0.624
< 60	4 (1.3)	3 (3.3)	1 (0.4)	0.048a
HCV RNA, log10 IU/mL	6.5 ± 1.1	6.0 ± 1.0	6.7 ± 1.1	< 0.001a
HCV genotype, 1/2/1+2/3/6	128 (42.2)/32 (10.6)/1 (0.3)/35 (11.6)/107 (35.3)	38 (41.8)/9 (9.9)/0/11 (12.1)/33 (36.2)	90 (42.5)/23 (10.8)/1 (0.5)/24 (11.3)/74 (34.9)	0.968
DAA regimen
SOF/VEL	212 (70.0)	0 (0.0)	212 (100.0)	< 0.001a
SOF/LDV	78 (25.7)	78 (85.7)	0 (0.0)
GLE/PIB	13 (4.3)	13 (14.3)	0 (0.0)
Prior treatment history
Naïve	300 (99.0)	89 (97.8)	211 (99.5)	0.216
Experienced-IFN	3 (1.0)	2 (2.2)	1 (0.5)

56 patients did not have body mass index information (12 patients before campaign of hepatitis C virus (HCV) micro-elimination; 44 patients in campaign of HCV micro-elimination).

P < 0.05. DAA: Directly-acting antivirals; HCV: Hepatitis C virus; BMI: Body mass index; AST: Aspartate aminotransferase; ALT: Alanine aminotransferase; LC: Liver cirrhosis; FIB-4: Fibrosis-4 index; HBsAg: Hepatitis B surface antigen; eGFR: Estimated glomerular filtration rate (mL/min/1.73 m2); SOF: Sofosbuvir; VEL: Velpatasvir; LDV: Ledipasvir; GLE: Glecaprevir; PIB: Pibrentasvir; IFN: Interferon.

Treatment efficacy

All of 212 patients in HCV micro-elimination campaign received sofosbuvir/ velpatasvir treatment; while among 91 sporadic patients with DAA therapy before HCV micro-elimination campaign, 78 (85.7%) received 12 wk of sofosbuvir/Ledipasvir and 13 (14.3%) received 8-12 wk of glecaprevir/pibrentasvir according to the Taiwan HCV guideline[12,13].

In ITT analysis, the overall SVR12 rate was 95.4% (289/303) with comparable SVR12 rates between sporadic HCV control group (94.5%, 86/91) and HCV micro-elimination group (95.8%, 203/212, P = 0.126, Table 2).

Table 2

Virological responses of hepatitis C virus-infected patients receiving directly-acting antivirals therapy before and during campaign of hepatitis C virus micro-elimination in Penghu prison in Penghu prison

Undetectable HCV RNA, n/N (%)	Total	Sporadic HCV therapy in outpatient clinics (January 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019)	Campaign of HCV micro-elimination with simplified pan-genotypic SOF/VEL regimen (January 1, 2020 - March 31, 2020)	P value
Intention-to-treat population
Treatment 4 wk	284/303 (93.7)	85/91 (93.4)	199/212 (93.9)	0.879
End-of-treatment	300/303 (99.0)	91/91 (100.0)	209/212 (98.6)	0.557
End-of 12 wk follow-up	289/303 (95.4)	86/91 (94.5)	203/212 (95.8)	0.126
Per-protocol population
Treatment 4 wk	284/301 (94.4)	85/901 (94.4)	199/2112 (94.3)	0.964
End-of-treatment	300/300 (100.0)	91/91 (100.0)	209/2093 (100.0)	-
End-of 12 wk follow-up	289/290 (99.7)	86/874 (98.9)e5	203/2036 (100.0)	0.126

One missing data.

One transferred; One missing data.

Two transferred; One released.

Four released.

One relapser.

Four transferred; Five released. HCV: Hepatitis C virus; VEL: Velpatasvir; SOF: Sofosbuvir.

During DAA treatment period, all of patients in sporadic HCV control group completed DAA therapy, while 3 patients in HCV micro-elimination group lost-to-follow (2 transferred; 1 released). During the post-treatment follow-up period, 4 patients in sporadic HCV control group lost-to-follow (4 released), while 6 patients in HCV micro-elimination group lost-to-follow (2 transferred; 4 released). In PP analysis, the overall SVR12 rate was 99.7% (289/290) with comparable SVR12 rates between sporadic HCV control group (98.9%, 86/87) and HCV micro-elimination group (100%, 203/203, P = 0.126, Table 2). Only one patient experienced virological failure (54 years old male, treatment-naïve, HCV-GT3 infection with baseline viral loads of 62,883 IU/mL and FIB-4 of 2.37; relapsed from a 12 wk regimen of glecaprevir/pibrentasvir).

Safety profiles

The safety profiles of both groups were shown in Table 3. None of patients had treatment discontinuation other than released or transferred. None experienced serious adverse event. The frequency of adverse events was 4.3% (4/91) and 1.4% (3/212), respectively, among patients in sporadic control group and HCV micro-elimination group. The most reported adverse events were rash in 3 of 13 (23.1%) patients treated with glecaprevir/pibrentasvir and pruritus in 2 of 212 (0.9%) patients treated with sofosbuvir/velpatasvir. None of patients experienced grade 3 or 4 Laboratory abnormality.

Table 3

Safety profiles of hepatitis C virus-infected patients receiving direct-acting antivirals therapy in Penghu prison

n (%)	Total	Sporadic HCV therapy in outpatient clinics (January 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019)	Campaign of HCV micro-elimination with simplified pan-genotypic SOF/VEL regimen (January 1, 2020 - March 31, 2020)
n	303	91	212
Treatment discontinuation other than released or transferred	0 (0.0)	0 (0.0)	0 (0.0)
Serious adverse events	0 (0.0)	0 (0.0)	0 (0.0)
Death	0 (0.0)	0 (0.0)	0 (0.0)
Adverse events	7 (2.3)	4 (4.3)	3 (1.4)
Fatigue	0 (0.0)	0 (0.0)	0 (0.0)
Pruritus	2 (0.7)	0 (0.0)	2 (0.9)
Rash	3 (1.0)	3 (3.2)	0 (0.0)
Nausea	0 (0.0)	0 (0.0)	0 (0.0)
Anorexia	0 (0.0)	0 (0.0)	0 (0.0)
Constipation	0 (0.0)	0 (0.0)	0 (0.0)
Dizziness	0 (0.0)	0 (0.0)	0 (0.0)
Insomnia	0 (0.0)	0 (0.0)	0 (0.0)
Headache	1 (0.3)	0 (0.0)	1 (0.5)
Others	1 (0.3)	1 (1.0)	0 (0.0)
Grade 3 or 4 laboratory abnormalities
Total blood bilirubin	0 (0.0)	0 (0.0)	0 (0.0)
Alanine aminotransferase	0 (0.0)	0 (0.0)	0 (0.0)

DAA: Directly-acting antivirals; HCV: Hepatitis C virus; VEL: Velpatasvir; SOF: Sofosbuvir.

DISCUSSION

In the current study, we demonstrated that mass screening combined with onsite group therapy by using a simplified pan-genotypic DAA regimen, 12 wk of sofosbuvir/velpatasvir, provides an “one-size fits all” solution toward the achievement of HCV micro-elimination in prisoners. The SVR rate was 95.6% in ITT population and 100% in PP population after excluding the inmates released or transferred before end-of-follow-up. The high SVR rate was observed in this PWID-dominant population, which HCV genotype distribution was diverse, including genotypes 1a, 1b, 2, 3 and 6.

Recent advance in the development of IFN-free pan-genotypic DAA regimens has remarkably improved the treatment efficacy with an overall SVR rates of > 90%. Therefore, WHO set the global of HCV elimination by 2030, through the achievement of > 90% diagnosis rate and > 80% treatment rate for eligible patients[16]. Nevertheless, there are many barriers in each HCV care cascade toward HCV elimination at the population level[11,23]. To overcome the barriers, combining the concept of micro-elimination and an outreach strategy with immediate onsite treatment would be a more efficient and practical approach to achieve that goal[18,24]. The current study compared the HCV-infected inmates identified sporadically in outpatient clinics of Penghu Prison from 2017 to 2019 before mass screening and the patients identified by mass screening. We found that mass screening identified 208 HCV-viremic patients in a 5 d screening program from 1137 inmates (encountered around two-third of total inmates in Penghu Prison), compared to 91 HCV-viremic inmates treated in outpatient clinics from 2017 to September 2019. Our results demonstrated that mass screening with immediate onsite treatment provide much more efficient and practical solution to overcome the gaps of disease awareness and link-to-care in the HCV care cascades toward HCV micro-elimination in prisoners. In addition, we implemented “HCV reflex testing” in the mass screening program to scale-up and speed-up the diagnosis and link-to-care for treatment uptake of HCV infections[25].

PWID is known as the major risk factor of HCV infection and transmission. Although the anti-HCV prevalence in PWID prisoners decreased from 91% in 2014 to 34.8% in 2019 by the strategy of safe injection in Taiwan[21], almost all (97.6%) of HCV-infected prisoners were PWID. Given the lack of vaccine available and high risk of transmission, the strategy of universal screening and concept of “treatment as prevention” are the keys to HCV elimination in prison as well as PWID.

We observed that the sporadic HCV-infected prisoners identified in outpatient clinics had significantly higher proportion of comorbidities, including diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and eGFR, than those participating in the HCV micro-elimination campaign. It implicated that a great proportion of identified sporadically in outpatient clinics were due to concomitant morbidities; by contrast, many HCV-infected patients were unaware to their HCV diseases. In our mass screening, only 36.6% (145/396) of HCV-infected prisoners were aware of HCV infection before screening[21]. It indicates that the implementation of an outreach strategy with universal mass screen is necessary for HCV micro-elimination in prison.

Despite of the advances in the management of HCV infections, DAA therapy in incarcerated HCV-infected people remains many obstacles to be resolved, including disease unawareness, lack of updated information about the benefits of new DAA treatment, uncertainty of treatment right[26], poor accessibility due to of onsite treatment facilities or HCV treaters. Another difficulty for HCV treatment in prisoners is the unexpected or scheduled releasing from prison or transferring to other prisons, which frequently leads to the interruption of treatment or lost-to- follow up[20,27]. We are lucky that the Taiwan Health Insurance covered all incarcerated people, including all of the laboratory tests and ultrasound sonography and the cost of DAA regimens. Each prison has a contracted hospital providing point-of-care facility. Before initiating DAA therapy, we excluded the patients with expected release or transfer within 24 wk, and negotiated with the authority to avoid unnecessary transferring to other prisons during the period of HCV treatment and follow-up once the inmates entering the DAA course. Eventually we achieved a high treatment rate of 90.6% (212/234) and a high treatment complete rate of 95.8% (203/212), with a high cure rate at 100% (212/212).

Before the IFN-free DAA available, the lower SVR rate, much longer treatment duration and frequent adverse events of IFN-based treatment discouraged HCV-infected prisoners from receiving treatment[10]. IFN-free DAA regimens revolutionized HCV treatment which has largely extended the indication for various HCV-infected patients. Nevertheless, the application of typical DAA regimens are based on HCV genotype, presence of decompensated cirrhosis, renal function, and prior treatment experience. The two pangenotypic DAA regimens, sofosbuvir/velpatasvir, and glecaprevir/pibrentasvir, have achieved very high SVR rates of > 95%, regardless of HCV GTs, except for treatment-experienced cirrhotic HCV GT3 patients or GT3b patients[8,12,13]. Recently, to improve the access to anti-HCV therapy, reduce the cost of laboratory tests and the relative complexity of genotype-based treatment strategies, simplified treatment without many information needed for treatment decision are recommended to facilitate the care cascade among populations who are historically less engaged in healthcare, such as PWIDs and prisoners[8]. EASL recommends simplified, genotyping/subtyping-free regimens for IFN-free DAA treatment-naïve (except sofosbuvir plus ribavirin), HCV-infected or HCV-HIV coinfected adolescent and adult patients without cirrhosis or with compensated cirrhosis, regardless of HCV genotypes[8]. These recommendations are a universal 12 wk regimen of sofosbuvir/velpatasvir for all patients or glecaprevir/pibrentasvir, 8 wk for non-cirrhotic, 12 wk for compensated cirrhotic, and 16 wk for HCV GT3 patients, respectively. There are only four information needed before treatment, including the presence of HCV viremia, potential drug-drug interactions, and prior treatment experience, and presence of cirrhosis. The advantages of glecaprevir/pibrentasvir is a shorter 8 wk regimen for treatment-naïve HCV patients and IFN-experienced non-cirrhotic patients with compensated liver diseases, which would be benefit for prisoners who are expected to be released or transferred in a short term. However, glecaprevir, a protease inhibitor, is contraindicated for patients with hepatic decompensation and at risk for rare occurrence of serious drug-induced liver injury[28]. Also, glecaprevir/ pibrentasvir has higher pill burden, three tablets a d. The advantages of sofosbuvir/ velpatasvir include a universal fixed 12 wk regimen, one tablet a d, for all HCV patients with compensated liver diseases, less frequency of potential drug-drug interactions[29], and safety for those with hepatic decompensation. However, a 12 wk regimen with sofosbuvir/velpatasvir needs one more visit and monitoring when compared to an 8 wk regimen with glecaprevir/pibrentasvir. Therefore, we select sofosbuvir/velpatasvir as the antiviral regimen for our outreach onsite treatment. In our study, all HCV-viremic prisoners fit the criteria of simplified, genotyping/ subtyping-free regimens, except one who failed to prior glecaprevir/pibrentasvir therapy and was not enrolled for sofosbuvir/velpatasvir treatment. In our PP analysis, the overall SVR12 rate was comparable between HCV patient group (98.9%, 86/87) and HCV micro-elimination group (100%, 203/203). Our study provided evidence for the concept that simplified, genotyping/subtyping-free regimens can achieve high SVR12 rate in HCV-infected PWID-dominant prisoners.

In our study, none of prisoners had DAA treatment discontinuation due to adverse events. None experienced serious adverse event. These data indicated that the simplified, genotyping/subtyping-free regimen, sofosbuvir/velpatasvir, was safe and well tolerated for HCV-infected PWID-dominant prisoners. Very few adverse events were reported in both groups, whatever using sofosbuvir/Ledipasvir, glecaprevir/ pibrentasvir and sofosbuvir/velpatasvir, when compared to the data from clinical trials[30,31]. It might be due to that current population was younger and less patients with advanced fibrosis or chronic kidney diseases.

There were some limitations in our study. First, not all inmates in Penghu Prison participated our mass screening. Strategies and policy to encourage inmates to receive HCV screening is mandatory to achieve the goal of WHO. Second, unexpected prisoners’ transferral and release could not be completely avoided, which caused incomplete treatment and follow-up. Successfully linking the released or transferred people to another HCV treaters could help completing HCV treatment and follow-up. Third, there was no reimbursement for the retreatment of prior DAA failed patients in Taiwan at the time of the current study.

CONCLUSION

Well-designed strategies for mass screening and treatment for HCV-infected prisoners can be implemented successfully by the collaboration between physicians and prison authorities. We demonstrated that mass screening followed by immediate onsite treatment with a simplified pangenotypic DAA regimen, sofosbuvir/velpatasvir, provides successful strategies toward HCV micro-elimination among prisoners.

ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS

Research background

Prisoners are at high risk of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. To screen and treat HCV infection in prisoners is an important social health issue. It can be the start for HCV micro-elimination.

Research motivation

HCV treatment is not frequently administered to prisoners due to multiple factors. Therefore, we implemented an outreach strategy in combination with universal mass screen and onsite treatment in a prison.

Research objectives

To implement an outreach strategy. HCV-infected prisoners received a simplified pan-genotypic direct-acting antivirals (DAA) regimen, 12 wk of sofosbuvir/velpatasvir. The primary endpoint was sustained virological response (SVR12, defined as undetectable HCV RNA throughout 12 wk of the post-treatment follow-up period).

Research methods

All participants received blood tests. We used reflex testing. All HCV-infected prisoners received DAA therapy. Laboratory data monitoring and assessment of side effects were performed at treatment wk 2, 4, 8 and end-of-treatment (EOT), and 12 wk after EOT.

Research results

DAA regimen with sofosbuvir/velpatasvir achieved high SVR12 rate. There was no virological failure, treatment discontinuation, and serious adverse event among sofosbuvir/velpatasvir-treated patients in the HCV micro-elimination group.

Research conclusions

Well-designed strategies for mass screening and treatment for HCV-infected prisoners can be implemented successfully by the collaboration between physicians and prison authorities.

Research perspectives

Our study provided evidence for the concept that simplified, genotyping/subtyping-free regimens can achieve high SVR12 rate in HCV-infected prisoners. In the future, it is possible to implement the strategy to all prisoners in our country.