Hep C Discussion Forum

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.

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.