Epclusa® (sofosbuvir/velpatasvir)

Use in Patients With HCV and HBV

This document is in response to your request for information regarding the use of Epclusa® (sofosbuvir/velpatasvir [SOF/VEL]) in patients with HCV and HBV.

This document includes content from or references to clinical practice guidelines, and the inclusion of these guidelines should not be interpreted as a treatment recommendation or an endorsement of the guidelines by Gilead Sciences, Inc.

Some data may be outside of the US FDA-approved prescribing information. In providing this data, Gilead Sciences, Inc. is not making any representation as to its clinical relevance or to the use of any Gilead product(s). For information about the approved conditions of use of any Gilead drug product, please consult the FDA-approved prescribing information.

The full indication, important safety information, and boxed warnings are available at: www.gilead.com/-/media/files/pdfs/medicines/liver-disease/epclusa/epclusa_pi.

Summary

Product Labeling1

Test all patients for evidence of current or prior HBV infection before initiating treatment with SOF/VEL. HBV reactivation has been reported in HCV/HBV co‑infected patients who were undergoing or had completed treatment with HCV DAAs and were not receiving HBV antiviral therapy. Some cases have resulted in fulminant hepatitis, hepatic failure, and death. Monitor HCV/HBV co-infected patients for hepatitis flare or HBV reactivation during HCV treatment and post-treatment follow-up. Initiate appropriate patient management for HBV infection as clinically indicated.

When taken concomitantly with TDF, SOF/VEL has been shown to increase tenofovir exposure. Monitor for tenofovir-associated adverse reactions in patients receiving SOF/VEL concomitantly with a regimen containing TDF. Refer to the prescribing information of the TDF-containing product for recommendations on renal monitoring.

Clinical Data on SOF/VEL Use in HCV and HBV

In a prospective, multicenter study of TAF prophylaxis with SOF/VEL treatment in Chinese participants, SVR12 rates were high overall (97.6%), across all HCV GTs (94.4–100%), and in participants with or without cirrhosis (100% and 96.9%, respectively).2

In a prospective, multicenter study of SOF/VEL in TN Chinese participants with HCV GTs 1 to 6 and HBV who received prophylactic TAF, the overall SVR12 rate was 98.3%.3

Real-World Data on SOF/VEL Use in HCV and HBV

In a Canadian study, among patients with HCV GTs 1, 2, or 3 and HBV who were treated with SOF/VEL ± RBV, SVR rates ranged from 91.5% to 100%. Overall, the aOR (95% CI) for the association of HBV with non‑SVR was 0.74 (0.37–1.49).4

Clinical Data on SOF/VEL Use in HCV and HBV

Prospective, Multicenter Study in China2

Study design

A multicenter, prospective, single-arm study evaluated the efficacy and safety of TAF prophylaxis and SOF/VEL treatment in 105 participants with HCV (GT 1–6) and HBV. All participants received 4 weeks of TAF, followed by 12 weeks of TAF and SOF/VEL; participants with compensated cirrhosis continued TAF for an additional 48 weeks, and participants without cirrhosis continued TAF for an additional 12 weeks (Figure 1). Overall, the median age at baseline was 51 years, and the median HCV RNA was 5.9 log10 IU/mL. Distribution of HCV GTs in the overall study population was as follows: GT 1, 26.5%; GT 2, 14.5%; GT 3, 21.7%; GT 6, 21.7%; not available, 15.6%.

Figure 1. Prospective, Multicenter Study: Study Design (Han et al)2

Note: SOF/VEL + RBV was administered to patients with GT 3 and cirrhosis.

Results

The overall SVR12 rate was 97.6%, and high SVR12 rates were observed in both groups and across all GTs, including in participants with cirrhosis (Figure 2). Overall, levels of HCV RNA and HBV DNA decreased significantly from baseline to Week 28 (each, P<0.001). One participant with GT 3 without cirrhosis had HBV reactivation.

Figure 2. SVR12 Rates Overall, by Cirrhosis Status, and by HCV GTs (Han et al)2

Among participants without cirrhosis, there were significant decreases from baseline to Week 28 in ALT levels (P<0.001), AST levels (P<0.001), and total bilirubin (P=0.006), and albumin levels significantly increased (P<0.001).

Among participants with compensated cirrhosis, there were significant decreases from baseline to Week 64 in ALT and AST levels (each, P<0.001) and significant increases in ALB (P=0.002) and platelets (P<0.001). From baseline to Week 64, participants with compensated cirrhosis also had significant decreases in LSM (P=0.003), APRI (P=0.007), and FIB-4 (P=0.004) scores. No drug-related adverse events were reported.

Prospective, Multicenter Study in TN Chinese Patients3

Study design and demographics

A multicenter, prospective, single-arm, open-label study evaluated the safety and efficacy of SOF/VEL in TN Chinese participants with HCV GTs 1 to 6 and HBV who received prophylactic TAF to prevent HBV reactivation. Participants received TAF from Day 0 to Week 28 and SOF/VEL from Week 4 to Week 16. Of the 60 participants, 47 did not have cirrhosis, and 13 had compensated cirrhosis. The primary endpoint was SVR12 for HCV, which was assessed at Week 28.

Table 1. Baseline Demographics and Disease Characteristics (Chen et al)3

Abbreviation: HBeAg=hepatitis B envelope antigen.

Results

Overall, SVR12 was achieved by 98.3% of participants (59/60; Table 2); the 1 participant who did not achieve SVR12 did not have cirrhosis and had HCV GT 1b. The SVR12 rate was 100% for HCV GTs 2, 3a, 3b, and 6; the SVR12 rate for GT 1 was 94.11%.

Table 2. SVR Rates at Study Weeks 4, 16, and 28 (Chen et al)3

Of the 28 participants who were HBV DNA+ at baseline, 2 participants remained HBV DNA+ at Week 28, and no participants experienced HBV reactivation. There was no significant difference in LSM between baseline and Week 16 in participants without cirrhosis (P=0.69) or with compensated cirrhosis (P=0.246).

Most participants did not experience significant adverse effects. No further safety data were reported.

Real-World Data on SOF/VEL Use in HCV and HBV

Incarcerated and Community Asian Cohort5

Study design and demographics

A retrospective, observational study evaluated the safety and efficacy of SOF/VEL ± RBV for 12 weeks in a cohort of community and incarcerated patients with HCV who were treated in a Singapore hospital between January 2018 and December 2019 (N=779). Overall, 16 patients also had HBV or HIV; 1 patient had HIV, HBV, and HCV; 10 patients had HCV and HBV. The primary endpoint was SVR12 in patients with HCV GT 3.

Table 3. Baseline Demographics and Disease Characteristics (Wong et al)5

aP≤0.005 for comparison between groups.

Efficacy and safety

SVR12 rates in the overall cohort were 98.3% in the ITT analysis, which included those who were lost to follow-up or who discontinued treatment early, and 99.5% in the PP analysis, which included all patients in the ITT population who completed treatment and had available SVR12 data. Four patients with GT 3 had virologic failures (decompensated cirrhosis, n=2; no cirrhosis, n=2), and no deaths occurred during treatment.

All 10 patients with HBV in the ITT and PP populations achieved SVR12. Five of the 10 patients with HBV received HBV prophylaxis with nucleos(t)ide analogs; of these patients, 3 had compensated HBV cirrhosis, 1 had advanced fibrosis, and 1 had HIV. Of the 5 patients who did not receive HBV prophylaxis, all were HBsAg+ and had undetectable HBV DNA levels at baseline. One of these patients experienced HBV virological relapse, but none developed clinical hepatitis during the median 8 months of follow-up.

Canadian Cohort4

Study design and demographics

The British Columbia Hepatitis Testers Cohort was used to evaluate the effectiveness of SOF/VEL ± RBV in patients with HCV. The cohort consisted of patients who tested positive for HCV, HIV, HBV, or active tuberculosis from 1990 through 2015. Patients who were HCV+ as of the end of 2015, had received SOF/VEL ± RBV treatment through December 2018, and underwent HCV RNA testing through April 9, 2019, were included in the study. SVR was defined as undetectable HCV RNA at ≥10 weeks after EOT and was assessed in a modified ITT analysis, which excluded patients with no HCV RNA test after treatment initiation or HCV RNA-status on their last test but no HCV RNA test ≥10 weeks after EOT. A multivariable regression analysis assessed characteristics associated with non‑SVR (defined as any detectable HCV RNA after EOT, HCV RNA+ status during treatment and no VL test after EOT, or detectable HCV RNA on the last HCV VL test during treatment or within 10 weeks of EOT).

Table 4. Baseline Demographics and Disease Characteristics (Wilton et al)4

Results

Overall SVR rates were high across GTs: GT 1, 94.5% (n/N=1017/1076); GT 2, 96.4% (n/N=512/531); and GT 3, 93.7% (n/N=1004/1072). Among patients with HBV, the SVR rate was 91.5% in patients with GT 1 (n/N=54/59), 100% in patients with GT 2 (n/N=36/36), and 93.4% in patients with GT 3 (n/N=71/76).

The aOR (95% CI) for the association of HBV with non-SVR was 0.76 (0.26–2.22) in the GT 1 subgroup, 1.16 (0.43–3.14) in the GT 3 subgroup, and 0.74 (0.37–1.49) in all patients treated with SOF/VEL. Safety data were not reported.

Guideline Recommendations on SOF/VEL Use in HCV and HBV

All patients initiating HCV DAA therapy should be assessed for HBV co-infection with HBsAg testing, and for evidence of prior infection with HBsAb and HBcAb testing. HBsAg positivity does not represent a contraindication to HCV DAA therapy. Recommended actions are summarized in Table 5.

Table 5. AASLD/IDSA Recommendations for Management of Patients With HCV and HBV Treated With DAAs6

References

1. Enclosed. Gilead Sciences Inc, EPCLUSA® (sofosbuvir and velpatasvir) tablets, for oral use. US Prescribing Information. Foster City, CA.

2. Han Y, Lin N, Zhang D, et al. A multi-center, prospective, single-arm trial followed by an 12/48 week observational clinical trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of SOF/VEL treatment and prophylactic use of TAF in patients with GT1-6 HCV/HBV coinfection [Abstract OP0085 SA-APASL2025-16148]. Hepatol Int. 2025;19(Suppl 1):S173-S174.

3. Chen H, Kang Q, Pan J, Zeng Z, Yu Y, Xu X. The efficacy and safety of 12 week SOF/VEL regimen combined with prophylactic use of TAF for treatment naive genotype1 6 HCV/HBV co infection adult patients with or without compensated cirrhosis in China: a multi center prospective, single arm, open label trial. [Poster 1896-A]. Paper presented at: AASLD - The Liver Meeting; November 10-14, 2023; Boston, MA.

4. Wilton J, Wong S, Yu A, et al. Real-World Effectiveness of Sofosbuvir/Velpatasvir for Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C in British Columbia, Canada: A Population-Based Cohort Study. Open Forum Infect Dis. 2020;7(3):ofaa055.

5. Wong YJ, Thurairajah PH, Kumar R, et al. Efficacy and safety of sofosbuvir/velpatasvir in a real-world chronic hepatitis C genotype 3 cohort. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2020.

Abbreviations

aOR=adjusted odds ratio
APRI=AST to platelet ratio index
DAA=direct-acting antiviral
EOT=end of treatment
FIB-4=Fibrosis-4
GT=genotype
HBcAb=hepatitis B core antibody
HBsAb=hepatitis B surface antibody
HBsAg=hepatitis B surface antigen
LLoQ=lower limit of quantification
LSM=liver stiffness measurement
PP=per protocol
RBV=ribavirin
SOF=sofosbuvir
SVR=sustained virologic response
SVR12=sustained virologic response 12 weeks after end of treatment
TAF=tenofovir alafenamide
TDF=tenofovir disoproxil fumarate
TE=treatment experienced
TN=treatment naive
VEL=velpatasvir
VL=viral load

Product Label

For the full indication, important safety information, and boxed warning(s), please refer to the Epclusa US Prescribing Information available at:
https://www.gilead.com/-/media/files/pdfs/medicines/liver-disease/epclusa/epclusa_pi.

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