An editorial discussing the results of this study and of two other studies examining the combination of ledipasavir and sofosbuvir (two oral direct-acting antivirals) has been published and is available via the link below. This notes that the studies examined treatment with or without ribavirin and for different durations (8-24 weeks); these various regimens all resulted in high virological response rates (93-99%). When combined these studies included a total of 1,952 patients, of whom 97% had a sustained virological response.
The authors note that several other oral antiviral regimens for hepatitis C are in development and may lead to several new options for treatment being available over the next year. The availability of such oral agents will lead to major changes in the management of hepatitis C that are likely to affect its related morbidity and mortality. The authors however comment that “Costs alone cast a pall over the stunning success in achieving the long-hoped-for goal of a safe and effective therapy for hepatitis C.”