Ledipasvir

Ledipasvir is a drug for the treatment of hepatitis C that was developed by Gilead Sciences.[1] After completing Phase III clinical trials, on February 10, 2014 Gilead filed for U.S. approval of a ledipasvir/sofosbuvir fixed-dose combination tablet for genotype 1 hepatitis C.[2][3] The ledipasvir/sofosbuvir combination is a direct-acting antiviral agent that interferes with HCV replication and can be used to treat patients with genotypes 1a or 1b without PEG-interferon or ribavirin.

Ledipasvir
Clinical data
Trade namesHarvoni (combination with sofosbuvir)
Other namesGS-5885
License data
Routes of
administration		by mouth
ATC code
Legal status
Legal status
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability76%
Protein binding>99%
MetabolismNo cytochrome metabolism
Elimination half-life47 hrs
Identifiers
CAS Number
PubChem CID
DrugBank
ChemSpider
UNII
KEGG
ChEBI
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
Chemical and physical data
FormulaC49H54F2N8O6
Molar mass889.018 g·mol−1
3D model (JSmol)

Ledipasvir is an inhibitor of NS5A, a hepatitis C virus protein.

Data presented at the 20th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections in March 2013 showed that a triple regimen of the nucleotide analog inhibitor sofosbuvir, ledipasvir, and ribavirin produced a 12-week post-treatment sustained virological response (SVR12) rate of 100% for both treatment-naive patients and prior non-responders with HCV genotype 1.[4][5] The sofosbuvir/ledipasvir coformulation is being tested with and without ribavirin. In February 2014 Gilead filed for United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of ledipasvir/sofosbuvir oral treatment, without interferon and ribavirin.[6]

On 10 October 2014 the FDA approved the combination product ledipasvir/sofosbuvir called Harvoni.[7]

Medical uses

Ledipasvir is most commonly used in combination with sofosbuvir for treatment in chronic hepatitis C genotype 1 patients. This drug has been tested and shown efficacy in treatment-naive and treatment experienced patients.[8]

Adverse effects

According to clinical trials, ledipasvir/sofosbuvir has been very well tolerated with the most common side effects being fatigue and headache.[9]

Interactions

Most drug-drug interactions with Harvoni involve Pgp-inducers such as St. John’s wort or rifampicin. Concomitant use will decrease the blood concentration of Harvoni and thus, have reduced therapeutic effects.[9]

Mechanism of action

Ledipasvir inhibits an important viral phosphoprotein, NS5A, which is involved in viral replication, assembly, and secretion.[10]

Sofosbuvir, on the other hand, is metabolized to a uridine triphosphate mimic, which acts as a RNA chain terminator when incorporated into RNA by NS5B polymerase.[10]

Cost

Similar to sofosbuvir, the cost of Harvoni has been a controversial topic. It costs $1,125 per pill in the US, translating to $63,000 for an 8-week treatment course, $94,500 for a 12-week treatment course, or $189,000 for a 24-week treatment course. Gilead justifies the cost by outweighing the benefit of curing hepatitis C over the cost of spending double on liver transplants or temporarily treating liver diseases. Gilead has provided a ledipasvir/sofosbuvir assistance program for eligible underserved or underinsured hepatitis C patients who cannot afford the costs of treatment.[10]

In July 2015 Gilead modified the eligibility criteria to receive Support Path benefits for HCV patients in the United States.

See also

References
  1. "Ledipasvir" (PDF). United States Adopted Name.
  2. "Ledipasvir-submitted-to-FDA".
  3. "GS-5885". Gilead Sciences. Archived from the original on 2013-04-10. Retrieved 2013-03-08.
  4. ELECTRON: 100% Suppression of Viral Load through 4 Weeks’ Post-treatment for Sofosbuvir + Ledipasvir (GS-5885) + Ribavirin for 12 Weeks in Treatment-naïve and -experienced Hepatitis C Virus GT 1 Patients Archived 2013-03-23 at the Wayback Machine. Gane, Edward et al. 20th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections. March 3–6, 2013. Abstract 41LB.
  5. CROI 2013: Sofosbuvir + Ledipasvir + Ribavirin Combo for HCV Produces 100% Sustained Response Archived 2015-09-24 at the Wayback Machine. Highleyman, Liz. HIVandHepatitis.com. 4 March 2013.
  6. "Gilead Files for U.S. Approval of Ledipasvir/Sofosbuvir Fixed-Dose Combination Tablet for Genotype 1 Hepatitis C". Gilead Sciences. 10 February 2014.
  7. "U.S. Food and Drug Administration Approves Gilead's Harvoni (Ledipasvir/Sofosbuvir), the First Once-Daily Single Tablet Regimen for the Treatment of Genotype 1 Chronic Hepatitis C". 10 October 2014. Retrieved 10 October 2014.
  8. Afdhal N, Zeuzem S, Kwo P, Chojkier M, Gitlin N, Puoti M, et al. (May 2014). "Ledipasvir and sofosbuvir for untreated HCV genotype 1 infection". The New England Journal of Medicine. 370 (20): 1889–98. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1402454. PMID 24725239.
  9. "PRESCRIBING INFORMATION" (PDF). www.gilead.com. Retrieved 2019-06-12.
  10. "Ledipasvir-Sofosbuvir Harvoni - Treatment - Hepatitis C Online". www.hepatitisc.uw.edu.
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