Evaluation of VCH-759 monotherapy in hepatitis C infection

Background/Aims: VCH-759 is a non-nucleoside inhibitor of HCV RNA-dependent polymerase with sub-micromolar IC50 values versus genotype 1a/1b replicons. Methods:The antiviral activity, pharmacokinetics and tolerability of VCH-759 administered as monotherapy for 10 days with a 14 day follow-up period were evaluated in 31 treatment-naive genotype 1 participants. Three cohorts received: 400 mg thrice (t.i.d.), 800 mg twice (b.i.d.), 800 mg t.i.d or placebo. Results: VCH-759 was well tolerated with the most frequent adverse event being gastrointestinal upset in both the active and placebo groups attributable, in part, to the dosing vehicle. VCH-759 was rapidly absorbed and trough plasma levels were at or above the IC90 (non protein-adjusted) for all dosing regimens. The mean maximal decrease in HCV RNA log(10) (IU/mL) was 1.97, 2.30 and 2.46 for 400 mg t.i.d., 800 mg b.i.d. and 800 mg t.i.d. doses. Viral polymerase genotypic sequencing revealed emergence of HCV variants in a majority of participants that coincided with on-treatment viral rebound. Conclusions: VCH-759 was well tolerated and achieved a >= 2 log(10) decline in HCV RNA with 800 mg b.i.d. and t.i.d doses. In a subset of participants, viral rebound was observed and associated with resistant variants. This data supports further evaluation of VCH-759 in combination with interferon-ribavirin treatment. (C) 2009 European Association for the Study of the Liver. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.