Obviously I'm not a Research Scientist, but I'm having real trouble with the antiprotease resistant mutations. We have Simeprevir getting FDA fast-tracking, but it has the same problems with mutations as Victrelis and Incivek. However Merck's MK-5172 has been virtually ignored. It is effective against the mutations that cause problems with Victrelis ( mutations V36M, T54S and R155K) which is why it gives better SVR results. It could also be used as repeat antiprotease Rx as the mutations present in Victrelis failures would not be a problem. Admittedly it needs Peg and Riba at present, but only for 24 weeks (even in cirrhotics and Geno 1a's). Perhaps Sofosbuvir is getting too much attention.
mallani said
Jul 12, 2013
Hi Jill,
There is a very good article 'DAA's look good...........' in the Newsletter. If you can wade through it, it gives a very thorough account of the drug-mutation problems for the antiproteases. Merck's new antiprotease MK-5172 has excellent resistance to mutation, which explains the very good results for all Geno 1's. It appears to be the best NS-3/4A blocker by a long way, and although the Trials used Peg and Riba, it could be combined with sofosbuvir to create a top-class combo. It appears to be much more potent that dear old Victrelis, with much better SVR rates.
I wish more Drug Companies would release data about resistant mutations to their products, but perhaps they don't want to.
Cinnamon Girl said
Jul 12, 2013
Yes, it`s a useful article, Malcolm. What you`re saying about antiprotease resisitant mutations makes good sense, and it`s interesting about the potential benefit of using of Merck`s Mk-5172 as a retreatment drug, especially when someone has previously failed with victrelis. Otherwise a lot of people are going to be relying on Sofosbuvir, as it stands. Odd that we don`t hear much about it when Simeprevir is being given priority status by the FDA, yes. It will be interesting to see how things develop over the next year or so, and which new drug combos come to fruition. Thanks for your comments, astute as always.
The Gilead trial seems very promising for people!
~
Carol
Obviously I'm not a Research Scientist, but I'm having real trouble with the antiprotease resistant mutations. We have Simeprevir getting FDA fast-tracking, but it has the same problems with mutations as Victrelis and Incivek. However Merck's MK-5172 has been virtually ignored. It is effective against the mutations that cause problems with Victrelis ( mutations V36M, T54S and R155K) which is why it gives better SVR results. It could also be used as repeat antiprotease Rx as the mutations present in Victrelis failures would not be a problem. Admittedly it needs Peg and Riba at present, but only for 24 weeks (even in cirrhotics and Geno 1a's). Perhaps Sofosbuvir is getting too much attention.
Hi Jill,
There is a very good article 'DAA's look good...........' in the Newsletter. If you can wade through it, it gives a very thorough account of the drug-mutation problems for the antiproteases. Merck's new antiprotease MK-5172 has excellent resistance to mutation, which explains the very good results for all Geno 1's. It appears to be the best NS-3/4A blocker by a long way, and although the Trials used Peg and Riba, it could be combined with sofosbuvir to create a top-class combo. It appears to be much more potent that dear old Victrelis, with much better SVR rates.
I wish more Drug Companies would release data about resistant mutations to their products, but perhaps they don't want to.
Yes, it`s a useful article, Malcolm. What you`re saying about antiprotease resisitant mutations makes good sense, and it`s interesting about the potential benefit of using of Merck`s Mk-5172 as a retreatment drug, especially when someone has previously failed with victrelis. Otherwise a lot of people are going to be relying on Sofosbuvir, as it stands. Odd that we don`t hear much about it when Simeprevir is being given priority status by the FDA, yes. It will be interesting to see how things develop over the next year or so, and which new drug combos come to fruition. Thanks for your comments, astute as always.
July 2013 HCV Advocate Newsletter
http://www.hcvadvocate.org/news/newsLetter/2013/advocate0713.html