Study of Efficacy and Safety of Grazoprevir (MK-5172) + Elbasvir (MK-8742) With or Without Ribavirin for Participants With Hepatitis C Genotype 1, 4, or 6 Infections Who Have Failed Prior Treatment With Pegylated Interferon + Ribavirin (MK-5172-068)

Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD)

Status and phase: Completed; Phase 3

Conditions: Hepatitis C Infection

Treatments: Drug: Grazoprevir + Elbasvir; Drug: Ribavirin

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Industry

Identifiers

NCT02105701

5172-068

2014-000824-12 (EudraCT Number)

Details and patient eligibility

About

This is an efficacy and safety study of grazoprevir (MK-5172) in combination with elbasvir (MK-8742) with or without ribavirin (RBV) in participants with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype (GT) 1, 4, or 6 infections who have failed prior therapy with pegylated interferon and RBV. The primary study hypothesis is that in at least one of the study arms, the percentage of participants achieving sustained viral response 12 weeks after the end of all study treatment (SVR12) will be superior to 58%.

Enrollment: 420 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Documented chronic HCV GT1, GT4, or GT6 with no evidence of non-typable or mixed genotype infection (positive for anti-HCV antibody, HCV ribonucleic acid [RNA], or any of the listed GTs at least 6 months prior to screening must be confirmed by screening lab results)
• Cirrhosis defined as liver biopsy showing METAVIR F4; or Fibroscan showing result >12.5 kilopascals (kPa); or FibroSure® (Fibrotest®) score of >0.75 and an aspartate aminotransferase (AST):platelet ratio index (APRI) of >2
• Absence of cirrhosis defined as liver biopsy showing absence of cirrhosis; or Fibroscan result of ≤ 12.5 kPa; or Fibrosure® (Fibrotest®) score of ≤ 0.48 and APRI ≤ 1
• Previous HCV treatment status of peginterferon/RBV Null responder; or peginterferon/RBV Partial responder; or peginterferon/RBV Treatment Relapse
• For human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) co-infected participants: documented HIV-1 infection; currently naïve to treatment with any antiretroviral therapy (ART) and have no plans to initiate ART treatment while participating in this study; or be on HIV ART for at least 8 weeks prior to study entry (dual nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor [NRTI] backbone of tenofovir or abacavir and either emtricitabine or lamivudine plus raltegravir (or dolutegravir or rilpivirine) (no changes in HIV regimen allowed within 4 weeks of randomization); cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4)+ T-cell count >200 cells/mm^3 at screening; documented undetectable plasma HIV-1 RNA at least 8 weeks prior to screening; participants not on ART, HIV RNA must be <50,000 copies/mL; must have at least one viable antiretroviral regimen alternative beyond their current regimen in the event of HIV virologic failure and the development of antiretroviral drug resistance
• Agree to use two acceptable methods of birth control from at least 2 weeks prior to Day 1 and continue until at least 6 months after last dose of study drug, or longer if dictated by local regulations; a male participant who is not (or whose partner is not) of reproductive potential is eligible without requiring the use of contraception

Exclusion criteria

• Evidence of decompensated liver disease manifested by the presence of or history of ascites, esophageal or gastric variceal bleeding, hepatic encephalopathy or other signs or symptoms of advanced liver disease
• For participants with cirrhosis, participants who are Child-Pugh Class B or C or who have a Pugh-Turcotte (CPT) score >6, must be excluded
• Co-infected with hepatitis B virus
• Has had previous direct-acting antiviral treatment
• History of malignancy <=5 years prior except for adequately treated basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer or in situ cervical cancer or carcinoma in situ; or is under evaluation for other active or suspected malignancy
• Has cirrhosis and liver imaging showing evidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) or is under evaluation for HCC
• Taking or plans to take any HIV therapy that includes a ritonavir-boosted or unboosted protease inhibitor, efavirenz or etravirine
• Currently participating or has participated in a study with an investigational compound within 30 days of signing informed consent and is not willing to refrain from participating in another such study during the course of this study
• Clinically-relevant drug or alcohol abuse within 12 months
• Pregnant, breast-feeding, or expecting to conceive or donate eggs or sperm from Day 1 and continue until at least 6 months after last dose of study drug, or longer if dictated by local regulations; or is a male whose female partner(s) is/are pregnant
• History of organ transplant (including hematopoietic stem cell transplants) other than cornea and hair
• Poor venous access
• History of gastric surgery (e.g., stapling, bypass) or history of malabsorption disorders (e.g., celiac sprue disease)
• Hemoglobinopathy, including, but not limited to, thalassemia major
• Any medical condition requiring, or likely to require, chronic systemic corticosteroids, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antagonists, or other immunosuppressant drugs during the course of the trial
• For participants with HIV, history of opportunistic infection in the preceding 6 months
• For participants with HIV, use of HIV drugs other than a dual NRTI backbone of tenofovir or abacavir and either emtricitabine or lamivudine plus raltegravir (or dolutegravir or rilpivirine)
• Evidence or history of chronic hepatitis not caused by HCV, including but not limited to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), drug-induced hepatitis, and autoimmune hepatitis

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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420 participants in 4 patient groups

Grazoprevir + Elbasvir 12 weeks

Experimental group

Description:

Participants receive grazoprevir 100 mg/elbasvir 50 mg fixed-dose combination (FDC) tablets once daily (q.d.) by mouth for 12 weeks.

Treatment:

Drug: Grazoprevir + Elbasvir

Grazoprevir + Elbasvir + RBV 12 weeks

Experimental group

Description:

Participants receive grazoprevir 100 mg/elbasvir 50 mg FDC tablets q.d. by mouth, along with RBV capsules twice daily (b.i.d.) by mouth (weight-based dosing; 800 to 1400 mg total daily dose), for 12 weeks.

Treatment:

Drug: Ribavirin

Drug: Grazoprevir + Elbasvir

Grazoprevir + Elbasvir 16 weeks

Experimental group

Description:

Participants receive grazoprevir 100 mg/elbasvir 50 mg FDC tablets q.d. by mouth for 16 weeks.

Treatment:

Drug: Grazoprevir + Elbasvir

Grazoprevir + Elbasvir + RBV 16 weeks

Experimental group

Description:

Participants receive grazoprevir 100 mg/elbasvir 50 mg FDC tablets q.d. by mouth, along with RBV capsules b.i.d. by mouth (weight-based dosing; 800 to 1400 mg total daily dose), for 16 weeks.

Treatment:

Drug: Ribavirin

Drug: Grazoprevir + Elbasvir