Short Course of Treatment for Hepatitis C in Adolescents

Investigators from multiple institutions in Egypt conducted a randomized trial assessing the efficacy and safety of sofosbuvir/ledipasvir (SOF/LVD) for 8 weeks, compared to 12 weeks, for treatment of genotype 4 hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in adolescents 12–17 years old. Study patients were randomized to a single daily dose of a combination of SOF 400 mg and LVD 90 mg for either 8 or 12 weeks. At baseline, participants underwent a FibroScan to assess liver fibrosis using a standardized classification system. Laboratory screening was conducted at baseline and throughout the 12-week study period to measure HCV RNA and assess for possible adverse events; study participants reported adverse events. The primary study outcome was the sustained virologic response (SVR) rate, defined …