In spite of my earlier reply, I also have to say, yes. Anything is possible. Genotype 3 has also turned out to be one of the toughest to treat. It has been for all of the companies and all of the compounds, so I guess that it can and should be for Abbvie too,
The timing is also kinda right. This is the first that the two drugs were used together, so one of the first signs could be viral breakthrough. I don't think that is likely, but it is likely that slower to respond would make itself known very early and impossible to miss. One would see this well in advance of the relapses that would follow at treatments end.
Having said that, I still don't think it is what I just wrote.
If there was a drug treatment designed to cure genotype 3, this is it. It should bring the viral load down very very quickly, and both compounds were designed to work against the common sub species of G-3; far more so than other compounds being used to fight it.
Maybe I am in denial. : )
But I am hoping that this is the next step in improving what comes after.
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The coffee is starting to kick in now.....
So why would Abbvie start a trial with the lesser efficacious 3-D program when they could instead do a trial adding the Sofosbuvir into the more potent 2nd gen program?
Both trials would take about the same amount of time and yet they chose the less efficacious; the 3D instead of the 2nd gen.
Hmmmmmm
I wonder if the answer is.....the 3-D program should be approved in 4 weeks.
I have to wonder....
What if they are looking at an "off label" treatment, like Olysio and Sovaldi? What if the wide range barrier to resistance could be done in 12 weeks with high efficacy?
How long might that function as a niche with few competitors?
Would doctors be inclined to use it? What would it cost?
Off the cuff I am thinking that 12 weeks of this regimen would cost less than 24 weeks of Sovaldi. What if it were to have a higher cure rate? (it is also worth mentioning this new trial is with and without riba, which also makes sense, since it is all about getting the highest cure rate)
There are so many possibilities. If this were the case we might see other bolt on attempts with other approved compounds for G-3.
Just a wild idea; maybe more denial. : )
