Telaprevir Experience From Turkey

Background: in patients with chronic hepatitis c, triple drug regimens containing a protease inhibitor, peginterferon and ribavirin were found to significantly increase sustained virologic response rates compared to dual drug regimen containing pegylated interferon and ribavirin, especially in genotype 1. objectives: in turkey, telaprevir has been used since march 2013. we aimed to evaluate results of patients with chronic hepatitis c treated with telaprevir, peginterferon and ribavirin. patients and methods: we evaluated 28 patients with genotype 1 chronic hepatitis c infection treated with triple drug regimen containing telaprevir, in three medical centers in turkey, retrospectively. demographic data of patients, treatment indications, adverse events and outcomes were recorded. results: of 28 patients intended to treat, 25 (89.2%) patients completed the treatment. overall, 21 (82.1%) patients had relapse and five patients were non-responder. regarding the treatment outcomes of telaprevir based regimen, 20/26 patients achieved sustained virological response. pruritus, rash, dysgeusia, anorectal discomfort and anemia were main adverse effects. blood transfusion and ribavirin dose reduction required for 7 and 11 patients, respectively. due to several adverse effects, 10 patients were hospitalized. conclusions: although more frequent and severe adverse effects, telaprevir has been promising for patients with treatment-experienced hepatitis c.