Clinical trials for new antiretroviral hepatitis C treatments often exclude intravenous opioid users or former users currently using substitution therapy due to concerns regarding potential reinfections and appropriate medication adherence. In a world-first clinical trial, more than 300 patients from this vulnerable population set adhered to HCV treatments and experienced positive outcomes, according to a new study published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine.
The clinical trial enrolled patients at different sites around the world who were receiving opioid substitution therapy. A majority of participants continued to use drugs illicitly during the study period. Participants adhered to their HCV treatments at a rate of 95 percent, which is comparable to adherence rates in clinical trials that do not enroll individuals exhibiting continual drug use. Of the 301 participants enrolled, six probable reinfections were detected during 24-week follow ups.
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Lead investigator, Gregory Dore, PhD, of the Kirby Institute at the University of New South Wales in Australia, said, "I am optimistic that the results from this study will help to reduce stigma associated with drug use and hepatitis C infection and really open up access to hepatitis C treatment globally."
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