Simeprevir with peginterferon and ribavirin induced interstitial pneumonitis: First case report

Abstract

The effectiveness of hepatitis C treatment has improved with the development of interferon (IFN), and it has drastically improved with the development of peg-interferon-α (PEG-IFN) in combination with ribavirin (RBV) and, more recently, with the addition of a protease inhibitor. Simeprevir, which is a second-generation protease inhibitor, has shown clinically favorable safety and tolerability profiles. Simeprevir received its first global approval in Japan in September 2013 for the treatment of genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C in combination with PEG-IFN and RBV. One serious adverse event associated with IFN therapy is interstitial pneumonitis, which can be fatal. We experienced a patient with interstitial pneumonitis that was induced by simeprevir with PEG-IFN and RBV therapy for chronic hepatitis C in the early stages of therapy (8 wk after initiating therapy). This is the first case report of interstitial pneumonitis with simeprevir with PEG-IFN and RBV in the world. In addition, it is very interesting that the onset of interstitial pneumonitis was earlier than that in conventional PEG-IFN and RBV therapy. This finding suggests that simeprevir augments the adverse event. We present this case report in light of relevant literature on interstitial pneumonitis with conventional PEG-IFN and RBV therapy.

Key Words: Simeprevir, Chronic hepatitis C, Interstitial pneumonitis, Peg-interferon-α, Adverse events

Core tip: Simeprevir is recently being used as a protease inhibitor for hepatitis C. Several reports have indicated that simeprevir has clinically favorable safety and tolerability profiles. However, this is the first report of interstitial pneumonitis that was induced by simeprevir with peg-interferon and ribavirin therapy for chronic hepatitis C. Therefore, it is necessary to carefully observe the presence of respiratory symptoms in patients receiving this treatment.

INTRODUCTION

Approximately 150 million people worldwide are infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV). HCV can lead to chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma; the treatment of patients with HCV typically includes interferon (IFN) therapy.

The treatment of HCV has evolved over the past 20 years. Before 2011, the standard treatment was a combination of IFN alpha-polyethylene glycol [peg-IFN-α (PEG-IFN)], given as a weekly injection, and oral ribavirin (RBV). In patients infected with HCV genotype 1, the most common genotype worldwide, the standard treatment is a combination of PEG-IFN and RBV for 48 wk. This treatment results in only 40%-50% sustained virological response (SVR)[1-3].

The effectiveness of treatment has improved with the development of IFN, and it has drastically improved with the development of PEG-IFN in combination with RBV and, more recently, with the addition of a protease inhibitor.

The first direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), the NS3-4A serine protease inhibitors boceprevir and telaprevir, improved the rate of SVR; however, their toxicity in combination with PEG-IFN and RBV limited their overall efficacy[4]. In Japan, telaprevir or simeprevir is recently being used as a protease inhibitor for hepatitis C. Compared with PEG-IFN and RBV therapy, telaprevir-based triple therapy (with PEG-IFN and RBV) has a high frequency and severe dermatological and hematological adverse events (anemia)[5,6].

Several reports have indicated that simeprevir has clinically favorable safety and tolerability profiles. The report from the OPERA-1 study described adverse events in treatment-naïve patients graded as 1 or 2 in severity. The most common adverse events reported for recipients of simeprevir were fatigue, nausea, asthenia, diarrhea, bone pain, and dry skin[7]. One serious adverse event associated with IFN therapy includes interstitial pneumonitis, which can be fatal. Therefore, it is necessary to carefully observe the presence of respiratory symptoms (i.e., cough, dyspnea) in patients receiving this treatment.

Here, we present a case of interstitial pneumonitis that was induced by simeprevir with PEG-IFN and RBV therapy for chronic hepatitis C and began in the early stages of therapy (8 wk after the initiation of therapy). This is first case report of interstitial pneumonitis with simeprevir with PEG-IFN and RBV in the world.

In addition, the onset of interstitial pneumonitis was earlier than that of interstitial pneumonitis in conventional PEG-IFN and RBV therapy. This suggests simeprevir augments this adverse event. We report our case with relevant literature on interstitial pneumonitis with conventional PEG-IFN and RBV therapy.

CASE REPORT

A 70-year-old female was diagnosed with chronic hepatitis C in 1994, and she underwent treatment at the outpatient clinic of our hospital (Table 1). She had no history of autoimmune or pulmonary disease. In 2011, she was treatment naïve when she began a 72-wk PEG-IFNα-2A + RBV therapy. HCV RNA became undetectable at week 16, and it remained undetectable throughout the remaining treatment. However, a relapse occurred 2 mo later during a follow-up examination.

Table 1 Patient’s laboratory findings prior to receiving treatment.

Parameters	Value
WBC	5600/μL
RBC	481 × 104/μL
Hb	14.1 g/dL
Plt	15.2 × 104/μL
PT-INR	1.17
AST	63 IU/L
ALT	48 IU/L
TP	7.6 g/dL
Alb	3.7 g/dL
TBIL	1.3 mg/dL
ALP	554 IU/L
γ-GTP	27 IU/L
CRP	< 0.10 mg/dL
LDH	285 U/L
UA	4.6 mg/dL
BUN	5.8 mg/dL
Cr	0.7 mg/dL
Na	141 mEq/L
K	4.2 mEq/L
HBsAg	(-)
HCVAb	(+)
HCV-RNA	5.6 LogIU/mL
Genotype	1B

WBC: White blood cells; RBC: Red blood cells; Plt: Platelets; PT: Prothrombin time; AST: Aspartate aminotransferase; ALT: Alanine aminotransferase; TP: Total protein; Alb: Albumin; TBIL: Total bilirubin; ALP: Alkaline phosphatase; γ-GTP: Gamma glutamyl transpeptidase; CRP: C-reactive protein; LDH: Lactate dehydrogenase; UA: Uric acid; BUN: Blood urea nitrogen; Cr: Creatinine; Na: Natrium; K: Potasium; HBsAg: Hepatitis B surface antigen; HCV: Hepatitis C virus antibody; HCV-RNA: Hepatitis C virus ribonucleic acid.

From January 2014, she was treated with triple therapy that included simeprevir, PEG-IFNα-2A, and RBV. The HCV RNA level immediately decreased at week 1 to 2.2 log₁₀ IU/mL, and HCV RNA was undetectable at week 4. There were no adverse events or abnormalities other than mild anemia and neutropenia identified with hemogram and biochemistry at week 7. However, she visited our hospital for dyspnea on effort and a mild dry cough that appeared at approximately week 8. Her basal oxygen saturation was 98% (room air); however, her physical examination revealed a bibasailar mild, fine crackle, and high-resolution computed tomography (CT) revealed bilateral ground-glass opacities (Figure 1A). In addition, her KL-6 was elevated to 3021 U/mL.

Figure 1 Computed tomography. A: Computed tomography (CT) revealed bilateral ground-glass opacities; B: After 3 wk, the ground-glass opacities improved on chest CT.

Based on these findings, we diagnosed her with interstitial pneumonitis caused by simeprevir with PEG-IFNα-2A and RBV therapy. Interstitial pneumonitis was grade 2 on the World Health Organization grading scale (Table 2). Following her diagnosis, we immediately discontinued the treatment and administered 20 mg of oral prednisolone daily.

Table 2 Post medical history and complication (interstitial pneumonitis).

	Positive	Negative
Incidence	11	113
Incidence rate	0.026%	0.27%
Dead	1	12
Dead/incidence	9.1%	10.6%

Japanese Welfare Ministry report include an interstitial pneumonitis incidence number. Total estimated number of patients was 42600 and total an interstitial pneumonitis incidence number was 124 (0.29%).

After beginning prednisolone therapy, her respiratory symptoms gradually improved, and the ground-glass opacities improved on chest CT (Figure 1B). Prednisolone was then gradually tapered down by 5 mg every 3 d, and her respiratory symptoms disappeared. She had maintained persistent undetectable HCV RNA and achieved normal ALT levels at a follow-up visit 2 mo after the end of the treatment.

DISCUSSION

Simeprevir received its first global approval in Japan in September 2013 for the treatment of genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C in combination with PEG-IFN and RBV. Simeprevir is administered as a pill once daily. It is a small-molecule macrocyclic drug that targets and selectively inhibits HCV NS3/4A serine protease, thereby blocking the enzyme that enables HCV to replicate in host cells[8].

Compared with a placebo, treatment with simeprevir, PEG-IFN, and RBV resulted in significantly higher SVR rates in the overall patient population[9]. In a Japanese study, SVR at 12 wk after the end of treatment was achieved in 88.6% of simeprevir-treated patients and 61.7% of placebo-treated patien[10]. In Phase I and phase II studies conducted in Japan, the rate of adverse events was reported to be 97.7% (426/436). The most common adverse events and their incidence were as follows: rash (46.6%), pruritus (24.1%), hyperbilirubinemia (22.2%), constipation (6.7%), and photosensitivity reaction (1.8%). However, no interstitial pneumonitis was reported in these studies. Nearly all patients receiving simeprevir with PEG-IFN and RBV experience adverse events that can be serious. Fatigue and flu-like symptoms are common, and psychiatric symptoms, weight loss, seizures, peripheral neuropathy, and bone marrow suppression can also occur. RBV causes hemolysis and skin complications and is teratogenic[11]. The adverse events associated with PEG-IFNα-2A that were described previously in a Japanese Welfare Ministry report include an interstitial pneumonia incidence rate of 0.3%. The shortest onset time was 11 wk, and the longest reported onset time was 38 wk (mean 16 wk). This is the first case of interstitial pneumonia with triple therapy (simeprevir with PEG-IFNα-2A and RBV). This case was observed in week 8; this was earlier than the cases of interstitial pneumonitis with PEG-IFNα-2A observed previously. Moreover, the immunological and pharmacokinetic properties of PEG-IFNα-2a, with the longest half-life, may act to trigger the pathophysiologic mechanisms of interstitial pneumonitis. The mechanism of this adverse event remains unclear; however, it is considered idiosyncratic and is probably related to the IFN immunomodulatory activity that includes the induction of enzymes, suppression of cell proliferation, enhancement of macrophage phagocytic activity, inhibition of suppressor T cells, and liberation of proinflammatory cytokines[12-14]. Although co-administration of RBV does not affect the pharmacokinetics of PEG-IFN, these drugs altogether have enhanced toxicity. In addition, clinically relevant drug-drug interactions between PEG-IFN alfa-2a (40 KD) and agents metabolized via the hepatic P450 system are unlikely to occur[15].

Simeprevir inhibits OATP1B1/3 and P-glycoprotein transporters. Co-administration of simeprevir with drugs that are substrates of OATP1B1/3 and P-glycoprotein transport may result in increased plasma concentrations of these drugs[16]. Therefore, it is possible that a combination of drugs will result in greater pulmonary toxicity. However, further studies are required to confirm this possibility. The fact that reports of pneumonitis associated with RBV monotherapy and simeprevir monotherapy have not been published till date enhances the probability of interstitial pneumonitis induced by PEG-IFN in the present case.

In spite of the additional efficacy and safety of PEG-IFN, which is largely used in combination with simeprevir to treat chronic hepatitis C, we report a case of interstitial pneumonitis related to PEG-IFNα-2a, notifying physicians about this pulmonary nonspecific adverse event with potential severity, given the insufficiency of publications regarding this risk during the treatment of chronic hepatitis C.

In most cases, symptoms of pneumonitis are reversible after cessation of treatment with IFN and RBV. There is no consensus with regard to the treatment of interstitial pneumonitis induced with IFN and RBV. Upon review of the literature, three options are possible. The first option is to stop the combination treatment of HCV and wait until the disease resolves, which was done in a limited number of cases. The second option is to administer steroids, although the dosage and route of administration regimes vary widely. The third option, i.e., adding azathioprine to steroids in therapy-resistant relapsing cases, may be beneficial for resolving interstitial pneumonitis[17]. A shorter overall treatment duration is acceptable in patients with chronic HCV infection because it reduces the exposure to PEG-IFN and RBV, thereby resulting in a reduced incidence of adverse events[18-20].

In conclusion, interstitial pneumonitis with triple therapy, including simeprevir, PEG-IFNα-2A, and RBV, is rare but can be fatal. Larger and longer studies are required to assess the efficacy and safety of simeprevir for HCV infection.

COMMENTS

Case characteristics

A 70-year-old female with interstitial pneumonitis that was induced by simeprevir with peg-interferon-α (PEG-IFN) and ribavirin (RBV) therapy for chronic hepatitis C.

Clinical diagnosis

The patient had dyspnea on effort and a mild dry cough.

Differential diagnosis

Anemia is associated with the use of RBV, respiratory infections, bactrerial pneumonia.

Laboratory diagnosis

Laboratory tests showed elevated KL-6 (3021 U/mL) suggesting interstitial pneumonitis.

Imaging diagnosis

The patient’s chest computed tomography revealed bilateral ground-glass opacities.

Treatment

The authors immediately discontinued triple therapy (simeprevir with PEG-IFN and RBV) and administered 20 mg of oral prednisolone daily.

Term explanation

Drug-induced lung injury may involve the airways, lung parenchyma, mediastinum, pleura, pulmonary vasculature, and the most common form of drug-induced lung toxicity is drug-induced interstitial pneumonitis.

Experiences and lessons

This is the first report of interstitial pneumonitis that was induced by simeprevir with PEG-IFN and RBV therapy for chronic hepatitis C.

Peer review

The case is well documented showing enough data to sustain the diagnosis of interstitial pneumonitis developed by the patient after 8 wk of treatment.