Bristol-Myers Squibb’s daclatasvir and Gilead Sciences’ Sovaldi (sofosbuvir) cured 97 percent of hepatitis C virus (HCV) among those with genotypes 1 through 4 of the virus who are coinfected with HIV. Researchers presented findings from the Phase III ALLY-2 trial, which included people with cirrhosis, at the 50th International Liver Congress in Vienna, Austria.

A total of 151 treatment-naive participants were randomized in a two-to-one ratio to take 12 or eight weeks of treatment, with daclatasvir dose adjusted depending on their HIV antiretroviral regimen. Meanwhile, 52 treatment-experienced participants took 12 weeks of treatment.

Across the board, 97 percent of the participants achieved a sustained virologic response 12 weeks after completing therapy (SVR12, considered a cure). Among the genotype 1 participants who took 12 weeks of treatment, 96 percent of the treatment-naive and 98 percent of the treatment-experienced participants were cured. All of those with genotypes 2, 3 and 4 were cured (a respective 13 of 13, 10 of 10 and 3 of 3).

Only 76 percent of the genotype 1 participants were cured after eight weeks of treatment.

There were no treatment-related serious side effects and no one stopped the trial because of such reactions.

To read the press release, click here.