Introduction

Data from Phase III studies for Vertex/Johnson & Johnson’s telaprevir and Merck & Co’s boceprevir were the main focus at the AASLD meeting in November 2010. Since both drugs are likely to be approved at the same time, comparisons of their respective Phase III data, and likely usage in different patient populations, dominated the discussion.

Features and benefits

• In-depth discussion of pivotal Phase III data for telaprevir and boceprevir in treatment-naïve and treatment-experienced patients.
• Analysis of the data presented from various key interferon-sparing studies.

Highlights

Safety and efficacy data from various trials assessing the use of interferon-sparing regimens suggest that interferon-sparing regimens are feasible. However, a greater insight into issues such as resistance is required in order to progress towards combination therapy with oral small molecule antivirals alone.

Your key questions answered

• Comparison and discussion of the data presented for the three most advanced HCV protease inhibitors at AASLD 2010.
• Gain insight into the issues concerning the use of interferon-sparing regimens and the feasibility of such approaches.