Sofosbuvir-Containing Regimen for the Treatment of Hepatitis C Virus in a Patient With Sickle-Thalassemia: The First Case Report

Chronic HCV could be treated with classical interferon-containing regimen. However, it was previously shown that the success rate with such a regimen is around 50% in patients with hemoglobinopathy and HCV. Although directly acting antivirals (DAAs) are potent for the treatment of HCV, such drugs have not been approved for the treatment of HCV in patients with hemoglobinopathy.
We described a 16- year-old male patient with sickle-thalassemia who was infected with a HCV. Treatment was started with sofosbuvir, ribavirin and pegylated interferon and continued for 12 weeks. Rapid virologic response was achieved and liver enzymes decreased gradually. Sustained virologic response was achieved as HCV reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was negative 12 weeks after stopping treatment. The patient reported no side effect during the course of treatment.
If such a regimen is approved, it would be a breakthrough in the treatment of HCV in subjects with hemoglobinopathy. More prospective, randomized control trial studies are needed to investigate the efficacy and safety profile of such a regimen.