Slow regression of liver fibrosis presumed by repeated biomarkers after virological cure in patients with chronic hepatitis C

Predictors of liver fibrosis changes assessed by paired liver biopsies in chronic hepatitis C patients treated with direct-acting antivirals

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

There are limited studies performing paired liver biopsies in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients treated with direct-acting antivirals (DAA). We aimed to investigate the predictors of liver fibrosis changes assessed by paired liver biopsies in these patients.

METHODS

From March 2017 to March 2020, 113 CHC patients were prospectively enrolled to receive DAA therapy at our hospital. Paired liver biopsies were performed at baseline and 12 weeks after the end of treatment.

RESULTS

Among the entire cohort, the rate of sustained virological response (SVR) was 100%. Four baseline variables independently predicted fibrosis regression, including age <65 years [odds ratio (OR) = 2.725, p = 0.036], fibrosis stages (METAVIR scores) < 3 (OR = 4.874, p = 0.040), hemoglobin levels ≥12.5 g/dL (OR = 3.538, p = 0.029), and platelet counts ≥160 103/μL (OR = 2.958, p = 0.023). Besides, five independent predictors of fibrosis progression included baseline age ≥66 years (OR = 16.351, p = 0.024), body mass index (BMI) ≥26.5 kg/m2 (OR = 21.666, p = 0.009), sofosbuvir/ribavirin use (OR = 29.465, p = 0.031), platelet counts <119 103/μL (OR = 33.739, p = 0.026), and the absence of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels declining from >35 U/L at baseline to ≤35 U/L at 4 weeks after baseline (OR = 284.534, p = 0.026).

CONCLUSION

For DAA-treated CHC patients, those with baseline age <65 years, fibrosis stages <3, hemoglobin levels ≥12.5 g/dL, or platelet counts ≥160 103/μL are more likely to attain fibrosis regression. There is a higher risk of fibrosis progression in those with baseline age ≥66 years, BMI ≥26.5 kg/m2, sofosbuvir/ribavirin use, platelet counts <119 103/μL, or the absence of early ALT normalization at 4 weeks after baseline.

Lysyl oxidase-like 2 as a predictor of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with hepatitis C virus after sustained virological response

Lysyl oxidase-like 2 (LOXL2) mediates the crosslinking of extracellular collagen, reflecting qualitative changes in liver fibrosis. This study aimed to validate the utility of serum LOXL2 levels as a predictive biomarker for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection who achieved a sustained virological response (SVR). This retrospective study included 137 patients with chronic HCV infection without history of HCC development and who achieved SVR via direct-acting antiviral therapy. Median LOXL2 levels decreased significantly after SVR achievement (pre-Tx, 2.33 ng/mL; post-Tx, 1.31 ng/mL, p < 0.001). Post-Tx LOXL2 levels, fibrosis-4 index, platelet counts, Wisteria floribunda agglutinin-positive human Mac-2 binding protein levels, and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels were identified as independent predictive factors for post-SVR HCC development in the univariate analysis. The incidence of post-SVR HCC development was significantly higher in patients with post-Tx LOXL2 levels ≥ 2.08 ng/mL and AFP levels ≥ 5.0 ng/mL than in patients with elevated levels of either marker or with lower marker levels. Serum LOXL2 levels can serve as a predictive biomarker for HCC development after achieving SVR. The combination of serum LOXL2 and AFP levels provides robust risk stratification for HCC development after SVR, suggesting an enhanced surveillance strategy.

Can Nutraceuticals Support the Treatment of MASLD/MASH, and thus Affect the Process of Liver Fibrosis?

Currently, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) are considered to be the main causes of fibrosis. In turn, fibrosis may lead to the development of hepatocellular carcinoma or advanced cirrhosis, i.e., potentially life-threatening conditions. It is likely that therapy aimed at reducing the risk of developing hepatic steatosis and inflammation could be helpful in minimizing the threat/probability of organ fibrosis. In recent years, increasing attention has been paid to the influence of nutraceuticals in the prevention and treatment of liver diseases. Therefore, the aim of this review was to describe the precise role of selected ingredients such as vitamin C, beta-carotene, omega-3 fatty acids, and curcumin. It is likely that the use of these ingredients in the treatment of patients with MASLD/MASH, along with behavioral and pharmacological therapy, may have a beneficial effect on combating inflammation, reducing oxidative stress, and thereby preventing liver damage.

SASLT guidelines: Update in treatment of hepatitis C virus infection, 2024

ABSTRACT

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has been a major global health concern, with a significant impact on public health. In recent years, there have been remarkable advancements in our understanding of HCV and the development of novel therapeutic agents. The Saudi Society for the Study of Liver Disease and Transplantation formed a working group to develop HCV practice guidelines in Saudi Arabia. The methodology used to create these guidelines involved a comprehensive review of available evidence, local data, and major international practice guidelines regarding HCV management. This updated guideline encompasses critical aspects of HCV care, including screening and diagnosis, assessing the severity of liver disease, and treatment strategies. The aim of this updated guideline is to assist healthcare providers in the management of HCV in Saudi Arabia. It summarizes the latest local studies on HCV epidemiology, significant changes in virus prevalence, and the importance of universal screening, particularly among high-risk populations. Moreover, it discusses the promising potential for HCV elimination as a public health threat by 2030, driven by effective treatment and comprehensive prevention strategies. This guideline also highlights evolving recommendations for advancing disease management, including the treatment of HCV patients with decompensated cirrhosis, treatment of those who have previously failed treatment with the newer medications, management in the context of liver transplantation and hepatocellular carcinoma, and treatment for special populations.

Overview of hepatocellular carcinoma: from molecular aspects to future therapeutic options

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the seventh most highly prevalent malignant tumor globally and the second most common cause of mortality. HCC develops with complex pathways that occur through multistage biological processes. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, metabolic-associated fatty liver disease, alcoholic liver disease, autoimmune hepatitis, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C are the causative etiologies of HCC. HCC develops as a result of epigenetic changes, protein-coding gene mutations, and altered signaling pathways. Biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets for HCC open up new possibilities for treating the disease. Immune checkpoint inhibitors are included in the treatment options in combination with molecular targeted therapy.

Low-Cost Predictors for Liver Function and Clinical Outcomes after Sustained Virological Response in Patients with HCV-Related Cirrhosis and Thrombocytopenia

Background and Objectives: To find low-cost markers that can identify the hepatitis C virus cirrhotic patients that are at risk for long-term severe adverse liver effects (ascites, ascites or upper gastrointestinal bleeding, hepatocellular carcinoma), after treatment. There is established evidence for the benefits of treating hepatitis C virus cirrhotic patients, but there is still some need for clarification concerning the real impact on the long-term evolution after achieving sustained virological response; there is no general consensus in the literature about identifying the patients that do not improve post-treatment. Materials and Methods: Our retrospective analysis investigated the long-term (2 years) evolution of 46 patients with cirrhosis with thrombocytopenia, previously infected with VHC, treated and who obtained an SVR after DAA treatment. Results: Despite the overall improvement, 8.7% patients developed hepatocellular carcinoma and 6.5% patients ascites/upper GI bleeding. We found that FIB-4, MELD and AFP changes at 1 year were the most significant predictors for these outcomes. Additionally, a drop in leukocyte count after 1 year seemed to indicate a risk for hepatocellular carcinoma, but this was not consistent. Conclusions: It might be beneficial to intensify the surveillance for post-treatment adverse liver effects for the patients with these marker changes at 1 year.

Spontaneous Seroclearance Is Associated with Lower Liver Fibrosis in Treatment-Naïve Chronic Hepatitis B Patients

BACKGROUND

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major public health concern. Transient elastrography (TE) is a reliable method in assessing hepatic fibrosis in patients with liver disease. We assess the potential clinical associations between HBsAg seroclearance and the severity of liver fibrosis.

METHODS

We retrospectively performed a matched analysis of 23 consecutive HBsAg seroclearance patients who underwent TE between March 2008 and August 2021 from a community practice at a 1:3 ratio based on clinic visit date. Baseline laboratory and clinical data were collected. Fisher's exact test and Chi-square test for proportions, and Wilcoxon rank-sum test for median were performed.

RESULTS

Twenty-three cases and 69 controls were identified. Median follow up (interquartile range) for the cases and controls was 24,314 (1402) and 2332 (1587) days (p  =  0.15), respectively. All patients were Asian. Median age of cases was higher than controls (64 vs 52, p < 0.01, respectively). While most comorbidities were similar, diabetes and hyperlipidemia were more prevalent in cases. Baseline HBV DNA was detectable in 78% of cases and 97% of controls (p < 0.01). More cases had baseline HBsAg titers below 1000 IU/mL than controls (81% vs 8.7%, p < 0.01). Other baseline laboratory values were similar. Few cases had a fibrosis score greater than 1, while control had over a quarter of patients with a fibrosis score of 2 or 3.

CONCLUSION

Spontaneous HBsAg seroclearance remains rare in patients with chronic HBV infection. It is associated with low baseline HBsAg, and lower level of liver fibrosis as detected by TE.

Dynamics of type IV collagen 7S fragment on eradication of HCV with direct antiviral agents: Prognostic and metabolomic impacts

BACKGROUND

Liver fibrosis is one of the cardinal clinical features of chronic hepatitis C (CHC). However, the mechanisms underlying the evolution and reversion of liver fibrosis after hepatitis C virus (HCV) eradication and their relationship with clinical outcomes and metabolic alterations are not fully elucidated. Whether any non-invasive fibrosis marker can predict prognosis is unknown.

METHODS

Between October 2014 and September 2019, 418 patients with CHC or compensated cirrhosis with HCV were prospectively recruited in this observational study. 326 patients that were successfully eradicated with interferon-free direct antiviral agents (IFN-free DAAs) were analyzed. Peri-treatment dynamics of serum levels of type IV collagen 7S fragment (4COL7S), a fibrosis marker, and subsequent clinical outcomes, including hepatic decompensation, newly emerged hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and all-cause mortality were analyzed.

RESULTS

Ten (3.1%) patients died during the observation period. 4COL7S-defined fibrosis progression (n = 97, 29.8%) at SVR was significantly correlated with worse all-cause mortality post-SVR (P = 0.0062) but not with the probability of newly emerged HCC (P = 0.24). Prognostic tendency was more prominent in patients with advanced fibrosis (P< 0.0001). 4COL7S-defined fibrosis progression at SVR and a baseline platelet count less than 10×104/μL were significantly predicted all-cause mortality (P = 0.0051). In exploratory analyses, a decreased 4COL7S at the end of treatment was correlated with a matrix-degrading phenotype that showed higher serum metalloproteinase to tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase-1 ratios and characteristic metabolic fingerprints such as increased butyrate, some medium-chain fatty acids, anabolic amino acids, and decreased uremia toxins.

CONCLUSIONS

Peri-treatment dynamics of serum 4COL7S, a non-invasive fibrosis marker, predict prognosis. Non-invasive fibrosis markers may be useful biomarkers for risk stratification post-SVR.

Country versus pharmaceutical company interests for hepatitis C treatment

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is one of the leading causes of liver disease and is responsible for massive health and economic burden worldwide. The disease is asymptomatic in its early stages, but it can progress over time to fatal end-stage liver disease. Thus, the majority of individuals infected with HCV are unaware of their chronic condition. Recent treatment options for HCV can completely cure the infection but are costly. We developed a game model between a pharmaceutical company (PC) and a country striving to maximize its citizens' utility. First, the PC determines the price of HCV treatment; then, the country responds with corresponding screening and treatment strategies. We employed an analytical framework to calculate the utility of the players for each selected strategy. Calibrated to detailed HCV data from Israel, we found that the PC will gain higher revenue by offering a quantity discount rather than using standard fixed pricing per treatment, by indirectly forcing the country to conduct more screening than it desired. By contrast, risk-sharing agreements, in which the country pays only for successful treatments are beneficial for the country. Our findings underscore that policy makers worldwide should prudently consider recent offers by PCs to increase screening either directly, via covering HCV screening, or indirectly, by providing discounts following a predetermined volume of sales. More broadly, our approach is applicable in other healthcare settings where screening is essential to determine treatment strategies.

Effect of Direct-Acting Antiviral Agents on Gastroesophageal Varices in Patients with Hepatitis C Virus-Related Cirrhosis

Aim: In patients with hepatitis C virus-related liver cirrhosis (LC) who achieve sustained virological responses (SVRs) through treatment with direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs), it remains unclear whether there are improvements in gastroesophageal varices (GEVs) and portal hypertension. We investigated changes in liver function and GEVs that occurred after DAA therapy. Materials and Methods: We evaluated the medical records of 195 patients with hepatitis C virus-related LC who received DAAs. A total of 171 patients achieved SVRs, among whom 36 had GEVs before or after receiving DAA therapy. The liver function, fibrosis, and GEVs were re-evaluated every 6 months after receiving DAA therapy. The risk factors for progressive GEVs were investigated. Results: DAA therapy resulted in improvements in liver function (indicated by aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, and serum albumin levels) and fibrosis (indicated by type IV collagen levels and the Fibrosis-4 index). After receiving DAA therapy, 27 patients had stable GEVs and 9 had progressive GEVs. With respect to GEV grades before DAA therapy, there was a significant difference between patients with stable and progressive GEVs (p = 0.027). Presence of grade-2 GEVs before starting DAA therapy was a risk factor for GEV progression (odds ratio: 5.83; p = 0.04). Patients with grade-2 GEVs had significantly shorter progression-free periods than those with grade < 2 GEVs (p = 0.025). Conclusions: DAA therapy does not ameliorate GEVs. Furthermore, grade-2 GEVs can worsen after DAA therapy. Therefore, patients with GEVs of grades ≥ 2 should undergo endoscopic surveillance after receiving DAAs.

Tissue mechanics coevolves with fibrillar matrisomes in healthy and fibrotic tissues

Fibrillar proteins are principal components of extracellular matrix (ECM) that confer mechanical properties to tissues. Fibrosis can result from wound repair in nearly every tissue in adults, and it associates with increased ECM density and crosslinking as well as increased tissue stiffness. Such fibrotic tissues are a major biomedical challenge, and an emerging view posits that the altered mechanical environment supports both synthetic and contractile myofibroblasts in a state of persistent activation. Here, we review the matrisome in several fibrotic diseases, as well as normal tissues, with a focus on physicochemical properties. Stiffness generally increases with the abundance of fibrillar collagens, the major constituent of ECM, with similar mathematical trends for fibrosis as well as adult tissues from soft brain to stiff bone and heart development. Changes in expression of other core matrisome and matrisome-associated proteins or proteoglycans contribute to tissue stiffening in fibrosis by organizing collagen, crosslinking ECM, and facilitating adhesion of myofibroblasts. Understanding how ECM composition and mechanics coevolve during fibrosis can lead to better models and help with antifibrotic therapies.

Hepatic fibrosis changes in patients with chronic hepatitis C infection who respond to direct-acting antivirals

BACKGROUND

Clearance of hepatitis C virus (HCV) can potentially slow or reverse liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. Studies of fibrosis changes after treatment with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) are limited.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to assess the impact of DAAs on fibrosis in HCV treatment responders.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

Tertiary care centers.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This study included adult patients who received DAA treatment for HCV (naïve and experienced) from June 2015 to January 2019 who were treatment responders. Biochemical and hematological data and noninvasive fibrosis markers were recorded at baseline and follow-up.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Aspartate aminotransferase/platelet ratio index (APRI), fibrosis-4 score (FIB-4) and liver stiffness measurements (LSM) at baseline and follow-up.

SAMPLE SIZE AND CHARACTERISTICS

172 HCV treatment responders, mean (SD) age 54.1 (14.1) and body mass index 28.8 (6.5) kg/m² at baseline; 96 (55.8%) were females.

RESULTS

Fifty-eight (33.7%) patients were HCV treatment-experienced. Most patients were genotype 4 (n=125, 73%) and the mean follow-up was 141 (57.9) weeks. Compared with baseline, changes in alanine aminotransferase (P<.001), aspartate aminotransferase (P<.001), and albumin (P=.01) were statistically significant. Changes in LSM (15.09 kPa [11.4] vs. 10.19 kPa [7.4], P<.001), APRI (0.81 [0.7] vs. 0.34 [0.2], P<.001), and FIB-4 (1.99 [1.4) vs.1.35 [0.9], P<.001), and AST/ALT ratio (0.86 [0.32] vs. 0.95 [0.41], P=.015) were statistically significant. Differences in many of the same parameters were statistically significant between patients with low fibrosis (F0-F1) (n=59, 34.3%) and significant fibrosis (≥F2) (n=113, 65.7%).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings confirm that clearance of HCV with DAAs is associated with significant improvement in fibrosis as assessed by noninvasive liver fibrosis measures, which supports the concept of post-treatment fibrosis regression. Long follow-up studies are needed to assess the impact on morbidity and mortality.

LIMITATIONS

Absence of histological correlation with these noninvasive scores. No assessment of fibrosis changes based on HCV geno-type or treatment regimen.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

None.

Long-term surveillance of liver histological changes in chronic hepatitis C patients completing pegylated interferon-α plus ribavirin therapy: an observational cohort study

BACKGROUND

For chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients completing pegylated interferon (PegIFN)-α/ribavirin therapy, long-term liver histological changes remain largely unexplored.

METHODS

This observational cohort study included 85 CHC patients completing PegIFN-α/ribavirin therapy with liver biopsies performed at baseline and the end of surveillance (EOS). Median years between paired biopsies were 6.75 (interquartile range: 5.63-7.54).

RESULTS

In patients with baseline METAVIR fibrosis stages (F) <4 (able to undergo fibrosis progression; n = 77), cases achieving sustained virological response (SVR) (n = 52) had a significantly lower rate of fibrosis progression than non-SVR cases (n = 25) (3.8% versus 24.0%, p = 0.012). Among the entire cohort (n = 85), the rate of activity response [METAVIR activity grades (A) decreasing or maintaining at A0] in SVR cases (n = 59) was significantly higher than that in non-SVR cases (n = 26) (94.9% versus 65.4%, p = 0.001). For SVR cases among the entire cohort, independent predictors of fibrosis clearance included baseline F <2 [odds ratio (OR) = 7.877, p = 0.042] and aspartate transaminase (AST) levels declining by >70% at EOS compared with baseline (OR = 9.013, p = 0.038). For non-SVR cases among the entire cohort, baseline AST levels >80 U/l and glucose levels ⩽ 105 mg/dl independently predicted significant fibrosis (F2/F3/F4) at EOS (OR = 12.558, p = 0.049) and activity response (OR = 17.741, p = 0.047), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Among CHC patients completing PegIFN-α/ribavirin therapy, SVR lowers the risk of liver histological progression but does not guarantee fibrosis clearance. For SVR cases, those with baseline F ⩾ 2 or without significantly declined follow-up AST levels should be specifically monitored. As for non-SVR cases, those with a higher baseline AST or glucose level should preferentially receive retreatment.

Variable Normalization of Naïve CD4+ Lymphopenia and Markers of Monocyte and T Cell Activation over the Course of Direct-Acting Anti-Viral Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with naïve CD4+ T cell lymphopenia and long-standing/persistent elevation of cellular and soluble immune activation parameters, the latter heightened in the setting of HIV co-infection. The underlying mechanisms are not completely understood. However, we recently reported that accelerated peripheral cell death may contribute to naïve CD4+ T cell loss and that mechanistic relationships between monocyte activation, T cell activation, and soluble inflammatory mediators may also contribute. Chronic HCV infection can be cured by direct-acting anti-viral (DAA) therapy, and success is defined as sustained virological response (SVR, undetectable HCV RNA (ribonucleic acid) at 12 weeks after DAA treatment completion). However, there is no general consensus on the short-term and long-term immunological outcomes of DAA therapy. Here, we consolidate previous reports on the partial normalization of naïve CD4+ lymphopenia and T cell immune activation and the apparent irreversibility of monocyte activation following DAA therapy in HCV infected and HCV/HIV co-infected individuals. Further, advanced age and cirrhosis are associated with delayed or abrogation of immune reconstitution after DAA therapy, an indication that non-viral factors also likely contribute to host immune dysregulation in HCV infection.

Hepatitis C Vaccination: Where We Are and Where We Need to Be

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a common cause of chronic liver disease and liver cancer worldwide. Despite advances in curative therapies for HCV, the incidence of new infections is not decreasing at the expected rate to hit the World Health Organization (WHO) target for the elimination of HCV by 2030. In fact, there are still more new cases of infection in the United States and worldwide than are being cured. The reasons for the rise in new cases include poor access to care and the opioid epidemic. The clinical burden of HCV requires a multimodal approach to eradicating the infection. Vaccination would be an excellent tool to prevent incidence of new infections; however, the genetic diversity of HCV and its ability to generate quasispecies within an infected host make creating a broadly reactive vaccine difficult. Multiple vaccine candidates have been identified, but to date, there has not been a target that has led to a broadly reactive vaccine, though several of the candidates are promising. Additionally, the virus is very difficult to culture and testing candidates in humans or chimpanzees is ethically challenging. Despite the multiple barriers to creating a vaccine, vaccination still represents an important tool in the fight against HCV.

L3 Skeletal Muscle Index Dynamics in Patients with HCV-Related Compensated Cirrhosis Following Sustained Virological Response after Direct Acting Antiviral Treatment

Background and Objectives: Sarcopenia is commonly associated with liver cirrhosis and predicts clinical outcome. Our aim was to identify the changes in skeletal muscle index (SMI) on computed tomography (CT) examination, as a quantitative marker of sarcopenia, in patients with HCV-related cirrhosis after direct acting antivirals (DAAs) treatment and to assess predictive factors for the evolution of SMI. Materials and Methods: This is a single center retrospective study in patients with HCV-related compensated cirrhosis who obtained sustained virological response (SVR) after DAAs. CT examinations were performed in 52 patients before and within 5-24 months after treatment. The total muscle area (TMA) of abdominal muscle at the level of third lumbar vertebra (L3) was measured at baseline and after SVR. The L3-SMI was calculated from TMA divided by body height squared (cm²/m²). We assessed changes in L3-SMI after SVR according to baseline body mass index (BMI) and laboratory data. Predictive factors were assessed by linear regression model. Results: Patients with L3-SMI above the gender-specific cut-off value at baseline had higher values of serum creatinine (median 0.73) compared to patients with low L3-SMI (median 0.68, p = 0.031). After SVR, 14 patients showed increase of L3-SMI, and 38 patients had a decrease of L3-SMI. BMI in the decreased L3-SMI group was significantly lower (median 26.17) than those without decreased L3-SMI (median 28.84, p = 0.021). ALT values in the decreased L3-SMI group (median 66.5) were significantly lower than those without a decrease in L3-SMI (median 88, p = 0.045). Conclusions: Low creatinine serum level correlates with sarcopenia. SMI was partially influenced by the viral clearance. Lower BMI and ALT serum levels at baseline were predictive for no benefit in terms of muscle mass dynamics. Understanding all the mechanisms involved in sarcopenia and identifying the most vulnerable patients could ensure optimal adapted care strategies.

Hepatocellular carcinoma risk after viral response in hepatitis C virus-advanced fibrosis: Who to screen and for how long?

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) chronic infection is associated with fibrosis progression, end-stage liver complications and HCC. Not surprisingly, HCV infection is a leading cause of liver-related morbidity and mortality worldwide. After sustained virological response (SVR), the risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma is not completely eliminated in patients with established cirrhosis or with advanced fibrosis. Therefore, lifelong surveillance is currently recommended. This strategy is likely not universally cost-effective and harmless, considering that not all patients with advanced fibrosis have the same risk of developing HCC. Factors related to the severity of liver disease and its potential to improve after SVR, the molecular and epigenetic changes that occur during infection and other associated comorbidities might account for different risk levels and are likely essential for identifying patients who would benefit from screening programs after SVR. Efforts to develop predictive models and risk calculators, biomarkers and genetic panels and even deep learning models to estimate the individual risk of HCC have been made in the direct-acting antiviral agents era, when thousands of patients with advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis have reached SVR. These tools could help to identify patients with very low HCC risk in whom surveillance might not be justified. In this review, factors affecting the probability of HCC development after SVR, the benefits and risks of surveillance, suggested strategies to estimate individualized HCC risk and the current evidence to recommend lifelong surveillance are discussed.

External validation of LCR1-LCR2, a multivariable HCC risk calculator, in patients with chronic HCV

BACKGROUND & AIMS

The Liver Cancer Risk test algorithm (LCR1-LCR2) is a multianalyte blood test combining proteins involved in liver cell repair (apolipoprotein-A1 and haptoglobin), known hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) risk factors (sex, age, and gamma-glutamyl transferase), a marker of fibrosis (alpha2-macroglobulin) and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), a specific marker of HCC. The aim was to externally validate the LCR1-LCR2 in patients with chronic HCV (CHC) treated or not with antivirals.

METHODS

Pre-included patients were from the Hepather cohort, a multicentre prospective study in adult patients with CHC in France. LCR1-LCR2 was assessed retrospectively in patients with the test components and AFP, available at baseline. The co-primary study outcome was the negative predictive value (NPV) of LCR1-LCR2 for the occurrence of HCC at 5 years and for survival without HCC according to the predetermined LCR1-LCR2 cut-offs. The cut-offs were adjusted for risk covariables and for the response to HCV treatment, and were quantified using time-dependent proportional hazards models.

RESULTS

In total, 4,903 patients, 1,026 (21.9%) with baseline cirrhosis, were included in the study. Patients were followed for a median of 5.7 (IQR 4.2-11.3) years. A total of 3,788/4,903 (77.3%) patients had a sustained virological response. There were 137 cases of HCC at 5 years and 214 at the end of follow-up. HCC occurred at 5 years in 24/3,755 patients with low-risk LCR1-LCR2 compared with 113/1,148 patients with high-risk LCR1-LCR2. The NPV was 99.4% (95% CI 99.1-99.6). Similar findings (hazard ratio, 10.8; 95% CI, 8.1-14.3; p <0.001) were obtained after adjustment for exposure to antivirals, age, sex, geographical origin, HCV genotype 3, alcohol consumption, and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

CONCLUSIONS

The results showed that LCR1-LCR2 can be used to successfully identify patients with HCV at very low risk of HCC at 5 years.

LAY SUMMARY

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide and the fastest growing cause of cancer death in many countries. We constructed and internally validated a new multianalyte blood test to assess this Liver Cancer Risk (LCR1-LCR2). This study confirmed the performance of LCR1-LCR2 in patients with chronic HCV in the national French cohort Hepather, and its ability to identify patients at a very low risk of HCC at 5 years.

CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION

The study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01953458).

Persistent liver inflammation in chronic hepatitis C patients with advanced fibrosis after direct-acting antivirals induced sustained virological response

BACKGROUND

Direct-acting antivirals (DAA) improve sustained virological response (SVR) rates with normalization of liver enzymes in patients with hepatitis C. However, liver inflammation may persist despite virus eradication. We aimed to investigate the rate and risk factors for persistent elevated aminotransferase levels in patients with advanced fibrosis after DAA-induced SVR.

METHODS

From January 2017 to April 2018, chronic hepatitis C patients with advanced fibrosis and SVR after DAA treatment at the Taipei Veterans General Hospital were prospectively enrolled. Persistent liver inflammation after SVR was defined as an increase in levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (>40 U/L) at SVR12.

RESULTS

A total of 461 patients were included (57.9% females, mean age 64 years, 69.6% genotype 1b, 46.4% cirrhosis). At SVR12, there was a decline in ALT levels (90.5 ± 80.8 U/L to 25.3 ± 26.5 U/L) from baseline levels. Persistent liver inflammation at SVR12 was detected in 45 patients (9.8%). The presence of cirrhosis, markers of impaired liver functions, history of interferon-based therapy, steatosis, and elevated ALT levels at baseline was associated with persistent liver inflammation after SVR12. Results of multivariate analysis indicated that levels of baseline serum total bilirubin (odds ratio [OR]: 2.605, 95% CI: 1.158-5.858), international normalized ratio (OR: 14.389, 95% CI: 1.754-118.049), ALT (OR: 1.006, 95% CI: 1.003-1.009), and the presence of steatosis (OR: 3.635, 95% CI: 1.716-7.698) were independent predictors of persistent liver inflammation at SVR12.

CONCLUSION

Persistent liver inflammation is not uncommon in chronic hepatitis C patients with advanced fibrosis after DAA-induced SVR. It is associated with impaired baseline liver function and steatosis. Long-term follow-up is required to assess the implication of liver inflammation on disease progression.

Liver cT1 decreases following direct-acting antiviral therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus

PURPOSE

Direct-acting antiviral therapies (DAAs) for treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) have excellent rates of viral eradication, but their effect on regression of liver fibrosis is unclear. The primary aim was to use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and spectroscopy (MRS) to evaluate changes in liver fibrosis, liver fat and liver iron content (LIC) in patients with chronic HCV following treatment with DAAs.

METHODS

In this prospective study, 15 patients with chronic HCV due to start treatment with DAAs and with transient elastography (TE) > 8 kPa were recruited consecutively. Patients underwent MRI and MRS at baseline (before treatment), and at 24 weeks and 48 weeks after the end of treatment (EoT) for the measurement of liver cT1 (fibroinflammation), liver fat and T2* (LIC).

RESULTS

All patients achieved a sustained virological response. Liver cT1 showed significant decreases from baseline to 24 weeks post EoT (876 vs 806 ms, p = 0.002, n = 15), baseline to 48 weeks post EoT (876 vs 788 ms, p = 0.0002, n = 13) and 24 weeks post EoT to 48 weeks post EoT (806 vs 788 ms, p = 0.016, n = 13). Between baseline and 48 weeks EoT significant reduction in liver fat (5.17% vs 2.65%, p = 0.027) and an increase in reported LIC (0.913 vs 0.950 mg/g, p = 0.021) was observed.

CONCLUSION

Liver cT1 decreases in patients with chronic HCV undergoing successful DAA treatment. The relatively fast reduction in cT1 suggests a reduction in inflammation rather than regression of fibrosis.

Liver stiffness measurement is a potent predictor of histological fibrosis regression after hepatitis C virus clearance

BACKGROUND

Most of the studies on fibrosis regression prediction were based on noninvasive fibrosis markers and differ greatly. The 'Beijing fibrosis classification' can use histological results to classify fibrosis into progressive or 'nonprogressive' according to fibrotic septal morphology. We use this standard which served as the gold standard in order to find fibrosis regression predictors.

AIM

To study the predictors of fibrosis regression after hepatitis C virus clearance according to histological fibrosis staging by the 'Beijing fibrosis classification'.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a prospective cohort study. A total of 68 patients with advanced liver fibrosis or compensated cirrhosis who achieved sustained virological response were enrolled. Patients with the Ishak scores lower than 3 seemed to have fibrosis regression. The others were divided into the fibrosis progressive group and the nonprogressive group according to the 'Beijing fibrosis classification'. Predictors of fibrosis regression were studied by logistic regression using baseline factors and the dynamic change in noninvasive fibrosis factors.

RESULTS

Eighteen patients were assigned to the progressive group, and the others were assigned to the nonprogressive group. The baseline liver stiffness measurements (LSMs) of the progressive and nonprogressive groups were 14.35 (11.3, 27.3) kPa and 11.3 (8.3, 14.2) kPa, respectively, P = 0.02. The baseline LSM was the only predictor of fibrosis progression. With a cutoff of 11.85 kPa, the AUC was 0.71 (0.5, 0.9), and the negative predictive value was 0.92.

CONCLUSIONS

The baseline LSM was found to be the only predictor of fibrosis regression, 11.85 kPa is a possible 'hepatic fibrosis return point'.

Fibrosis Regression After Eradication of Hepatitis C Virus: From Bench to Bedside

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and its complications have been the major cause of cirrhosis and its complications for several decades in the Western world. Until recently, treatment for HCV with interferon-based regimens was associated with moderate success but was difficult to tolerate. More recently, however, an arsenal of novel and highly effective direct-acting antiviral (DAA) drugs has transformed the landscape by curing HCV in a broad range of patients, including those with established advanced fibrosis, cirrhosis, comorbidities, and even those with complications of cirrhosis. Fibrosis is a dynamic process comprising both extracellular matrix deposition, as well as its degradation. With almost universal sustained virologic response (SVR) (ie, elimination of HCV), it is timely to explore whether HCV eradication can reverse fibrosis and cirrhosis. Indeed, fibrosis in several types of liver disease is reversible, including HCV. However, we do not know with certainty in whom fibrosis regression can be expected after HCV elimination, how quickly it occurs, and whether antifibrotic therapies will be indicated in those with persistent cirrhosis. This review summarizes the evidence for reversibility of fibrosis and cirrhosis after HCV eradication, its impact on clinical outcomes, and therapeutic prospects for directly promoting fibrosis regression in patients whose fibrosis persists after SVR.

Comparison of liver disease state progression in patients with eradication of versus persistent infection with hepatitis C virus: Markov chain analysis

To investigate the long-term prognosis of liver disease in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) eradication after antiviral therapy versus those with persistent HCV infection. Four hundred and eighty patients (5259 person-years [PYs]) who received interferon-based therapy and achieved sustained virologic response and 848 patients (3853 PYs) with persistent HCV infection were included. In the analysis of 1-year liver disease state transition probability matrices using Markov chain models, progression to cirrhosis from the chronic hepatitis state was observed (0.00%-0.63%) in patients with HCV eradication. Among patients with chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis and HCV eradication, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development was observed in males aged ≥ 50 years (0.97%-1.96%) and females aged ≥ 60 years (0.26%-5.00%). Additionally, in patients with cirrhosis and HCV eradication, improvement to chronic hepatitis was also observed (4.94%-10.64%). Conversely, in patients with chronic hepatitis and persistent HCV infection, progression to cirrhosis was observed in males aged ≥ 30 years and female aged ≥ 40 years (0.44%-1.99%). In males aged ≥ 40 years and female aged ≥ 50 years with cirrhosis, the transition probability for HCC was relatively high (4.17%-14.02%). Under the assumption of either chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis at age 40 or 60 years as the starting condition for simulation over the next 30 or 40 years, respectively, the probability of HCC was higher in patients with persistent HCV infection than those with HCV eradication. In conclusion, HCV eradication can reduce the risk of developing cirrhosis or HCC in patients with chronic HCV infection.

Histopathology and the predominantly progressive, indeterminate and predominately regressive score in hepatitis C virus patients after direct-acting antivirals therapy

BACKGROUND

Histological changes after direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) therapy in hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients has not been elucidated. Whether the predominantly progressive, indeterminate and predominately regressive (P-I-R) score, evaluating fibrosis activity in hepatitis B virus patients has predictive value in HCV patients has not been investigated.

AIM

To identify histological changes after DAAs therapy and to evaluate the predictive value of the P-I-R score in HCV patients.

METHODS

Chronic HCV patients with paired liver biopsy specimens before and after DAAs treatment were included. Sustained virologic response (SVR) was defined as an undetectable serum HCV RNA level at 24 wk after treatment cessation. The Ishak system and P-I-R score were assessed. Inflammation improvement and fibrosis regression were defined as a ≥ 2-points decrease in the histology activity index (HAI) score and a ≥ 1-point decrease in the Ishak fibrosis score, respectively. Fibrosis progression was defined as a ≥ 1-point increase in the Ishak fibrosis score. Histologic improvement was defined as a ≥ 2-points decrease in the HAI score without worsening of the Ishak fibrosis score after DAAs therapy. The P-I-R score was also assessed. “absolutely reversing or advancing” was defined as the same directionality implied by both change in the Ishak score and posttreatment P-I-R score; and “probably reversing or advancing” was defined as only one parameter showing directionality.

RESULTS

Thirty-eight chronic HCV patients with paired liver biopsy specimens before and after DAAs treatment were included. The mean age of these patients was 40.9 ± 14.6 years and there were 53% (20/38) males. Thirty-four percent (13/38) of patients were cirrhotic. Eighty-two percent (31/38) of patients achieved inflammation improvement. The median HAI score decreased significantly after SVR (pretreatment 7.0 vs posttreatment 2.0, Z = -5.146, P = 0.000). Thirty-seven percent (14/38) of patients achieved fibrosis improvement. The median Ishak score decreased significantly after SVR (pretreatment 4.0 vs posttreatment 3.0, Z = -2.354, P = 0.019). Eighty-two percent (31/38) of patients showed histological improvement. The P-I-R score was evaluated in 61% (23/38) of patients. The progressive group showed lower platelet (P = 0.024) and higher HAI scores (P = 0.070) before treatment. In patients with stable Ishak stage after treatment: Progressive injury was seen in 22% (4/18) of patients, 33% (6/18) were classified as indeterminate and regressive changes were seen in 44% (8/18) of patients who were judged as probably reversing by the Ishak and P-I-R systems.

CONCLUSION

Significant improvement of necroinflammation and partial remission of fibrosis in HCV patients occurred shortly after DAAs therapy. The P-I-R score has potential in predicting fibrosis in HCV patients.

Strategies Targeting the Innate Immune Response for the Treatment of Hepatitis C Virus-Associated Liver Fibrosis

Direct-acting antivirals eliminate hepatitis C virus (HCV) in more than 95% of treated individuals and may abolish liver injury, arrest fibrogenesis, and reverse fibrosis and cirrhosis. However, liver regeneration is usually a slow process that is less effective in the late stages of fibrosis. What is more, fibrogenesis may prevail in patients with advanced cirrhosis, where it can progress to liver failure and hepatocellular carcinoma. Therefore, the development of antifibrotic drugs that halt and reverse fibrosis progression is urgently needed. Fibrosis occurs due to the repair process of damaged hepatic tissue, which eventually leads to scarring. The innate immune response against HCV is essential in the initiation and progression of liver fibrosis. HCV-infected hepatocytes and liver macrophages secrete proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines that promote the activation and differentiation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) to myofibroblasts that produce extracellular matrix (ECM) components. Prolonged ECM production by myofibroblasts due to chronic inflammation is essential to the development of fibrosis. While no antifibrotic therapy is approved to date, several drugs are being tested in phase 2 and phase 3 trials with promising results. This review discusses current state-of-the-art knowledge on treatments targeting the innate immune system to revert chronic hepatitis C-associated liver fibrosis. Agents that cause liver damage may vary (alcohol, virus infection, etc.), but fibrosis progression shows common patterns among them, including chronic inflammation and immune dysregulation, hepatocyte injury, HSC activation, and excessive ECM deposition. Therefore, mechanisms underlying these processes are promising targets for general antifibrotic therapies.

A Model Based on Noninvasive Markers Predicts Very Low Hepatocellular Carcinoma Risk After Viral Response in Hepatitis C Virus-Advanced Fibrosis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) and advanced fibrosis remain at risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after sustained viral response (SVR) and need lifelong surveillance. Because HCC risk is not homogenous and may decrease with fibrosis regression, we aimed to identify patients with low HCC risk based on the prediction of noninvasive markers and its changes after SVR.

APPROACH AND RESULTS

This is a multicenter cohort study, including patients with HCV and compensated advanced fibrosis that achieved SVR after direct antivirals. Clinical and transient elastography (TE) data were registered at baseline, 1 year, and 3 years after the end of treatment (EOT). All patients underwent liver ultrasound scan every 6 months. Patients with clinical evaluation 1 year after EOT were eligible. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis were performed, and predictive models were constructed. HCC occurrence rates were evaluated by Kaplan-Meier. Nine hundred and ninety-three patients were eligible (56% male; 44% female; median age 62 years), 35 developed HCC (3.9%), and the median follow-up was 45 months (range 13-53). Baseline liver stiffness measurement (LSM) (HR 1.040; 95% CI 1.017-1.064), serum albumin (HR 0.400; 95% CI 0.174-0.923), 1-year DeltaLSM (HR 0.993; 95% CI 0.987-0.998), and 1-year FIB-4 score (HR 1.095; 95% CI 1.046-1.146) were independent factors associated with HCC. The TE-based HCC risk model predicted 0% of HCC occurrence at 3 years in patients with score 0 (baseline LSM ≤ 17.3 kPa, albumin >4.2 g/dL, and 1-year DeltaLSM > 25.5%) versus 5.2% in patients with score 1-3 (Harrell's C 0.779; log-rank 0.002). An alternative model with FIB-4 similarly predicted HCC risk.

CONCLUSIONS

A combination of baseline and dynamic changes in noninvasive markers may help to identify patients with a very low risk of HCC development after SVR.

Non-invasive fibrosis tests to predict complications in compensated post-hepatitis C cirrhosis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Markers predicting complications of post-hepatitis C cirrhosis are needed. We asked whether changes in noninvasive markers of fibrosis can predict liver-related complications.

METHODS

This was a case-controlled study using a prospective national cohort (ANRS-CO12-CIRVIR) of 1323 HCV-infected patients with compensated cirrhosis: 97 patients who developed liver-related complications such as hepatocellular carcinoma or hepatic decompensation (cases) matched in age, sex and follow-up duration were compared with 257 patients without complications (controls). Actitest/Fibrotest™, Inflameter/Fibrometer™, ELF™ and Fibroscan™ were performed at baseline and yearly. Samples based on Propensity score matching were built and mixed linear models performed. Outcomes in a sustained virological response (SVR) negative population and a SVR-positive population were also described.

RESULTS

At baseline, all characteristics of patients were similar between the groups. All fibrosis tests were statistically higher for cases compared to controls, Fibroscan™ excepted: Fibrotest™: 0.83±0.13 vs. 0.77±0.16; Fibrometer™: 0.93±0.07 vs. 0.90±0.11; ELF™: 11.4±1.0 vs. 11.0±1.2 (P<0.02). The mean follow-up was 5.7±1.9 years. Over a 3-year period, the significant difference in fibrosis marker values between cases and controls remained constant; with a trend toward a decrease in inflammation markers in controls, independent of SVR status.

CONCLUSIONS

Baseline noninvasive serum fibrosis and inflammation markers were significantly higher in patients developing a complication than in controls. During the follow-up only inflammatory markers decreased in controls, but not in cases, and thus could potentially be used to predict the occurrence of complications in cirrhotic patients.

Long-term prognosis of liver disease in patients with eradicated chronic hepatitis C virus: An analysis using a Markov chain model

AIM

The long-term prognosis of patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection who have received antiviral therapy and who demonstrate HCV eradication remains incompletely characterized. In this study, we investigated the long-term prognosis of liver disease in patients with eradication of HCV.

METHODS

A total of 552 patients with chronic HCV infection (6815 person-years) who were treated with interferon-based therapy and who achieved sustained virologic response were included. Yearly transition probabilities for each liver state (chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC]) were calculated using a Markov chain model.

RESULTS

In the analysis of 1-year liver disease state transition probabilities, progression to cirrhosis occurred in 0.5-2.1% of male patients with chronic hepatitis across all age groups. In male patients with cirrhosis, HCC developed in 0.6-1.9% of patients over the age of 50 years. In female patients with chronic hepatitis, progression to cirrhosis occurred in 0.4-2.1% of patients across all age groups. In addition, in female patients with cirrhosis, HCC developed in those aged 60-69 (0.4%) and 70-79 (0.4%) years. Under the assumption of either a chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis state at age 40 or 60 years as the starting condition for simulation over the next 40 or 20 years, respectively, the probability of HCC gradually increased with age and was higher in male patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The development or progression of cirrhosis and the development of HCC are risks in HCV patients despite HCV eradication, not only in those with cirrhosis but also in those with chronic hepatitis.

Hepatic Antifibrotic Pharmacotherapy: Are We Approaching Success?

The incidence rate and mortality of liver fibrosis caused by various etiologies are high throughout the world. Liver fibrosis, the subsequent cirrhosis and other serious related complications threaten the health of patients and represent a serious medical burden; yet, there is still a lack of approved methods to prevent or reverse liver fibrosis. Therefore, effective hepatic antifibrotic drugs are urgently needed. The activation and proliferation of hepatic stellate cells are still the mechanisms of fibrosis that remain the focus of therapeutic research. In recent years, significant progress has been made in the development and applicability of antifibrosis drugs. In this review, we summarize the effectiveness and safety of available antifibrosis drugs utilizing different targets. In addition, some characteristics of antifibrosis drugs in phase II and III trials are introduced in detail.

Integrated stress response in hepatitis C promotes Nrf2-related chaperone-mediated autophagy: A novel mechanism for host-microbe survival and HCC development in liver cirrhosis

The molecular mechanism(s) how liver damage during the chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection evolve into cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is unclear. HCV infects hepatocyte, the major cell types in the liver. During infection, large amounts of viral proteins and RNA replication intermediates accumulate in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of the infected hepatocyte, which creates a substantial amount of stress response. Infected hepatocyte activates a different type of stress adaptive mechanisms such as unfolded protein response (UPR), antioxidant response (AR), and the integrated stress response (ISR) to promote virus-host cell survival. The hepatic stress is also amplified by another layer of innate and inflammatory response associated with cellular sensing of virus infection through the production of interferon (IFN) and inflammatory cytokines. The interplay between various types of cellular stress signal leads to different forms of cell death such as apoptosis, necrosis, and autophagy depending on the intensity of the stress and nature of the adaptive cellular response. How do the adaptive cellular responses decode such death programs that promote host-microbe survival leading to the establishment of chronic liver disease? In this review, we discuss how the adaptive cellular response through the Nrf2 pathway that promotes virus and cell survival. Furthermore, we provide a glimpse of novel stress-induced Nrf2 mediated compensatory autophagy mechanisms in virus-cell survival that degrade tumor suppressor gene and activation of oncogenic signaling during HCV infection. Based on these facts, we hypothesize that the balance between hepatic stress, inflammation and different types of cell death determines liver disease progression outcomes. We propose that a more nuanced understanding of virus-host interactions under excessive cellular stress may provide an answer to the fundamental questions why some individuals with chronic HCV infection remain at risk of developing cirrhosis, cancer and some do not.

Hepatitis C eradication with direct-acting anti-virals reduces the risk of variceal bleeding

BACKGROUND

The real-world, long-term benefits of sustained virologic response (SVR) on the risk of variceal bleeding remain unclear.

AIM

To assess the association between DAA-induced SVR and post-treatment variceal bleeding METHODS: We identified patients who initiated DAA-only anti-viral treatments in the United States Veterans Affairs healthcare system from 2013 to 2015. We followed patients until 1 January 2019 for the development of gastro-oesophageal variceal bleeding defined by diagnostic codes. We used multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression to assess the association between SVR and development of variceal bleeding, adjusting for potential confounders.

RESULTS

Among 33 582 DAA-treated patients, 549 (1.6%) developed variceal bleeding after treatment (mean follow-up 3.1 years). Compared to no SVR, SVR was associated with a significantly lower incidence of variceal bleeding among all patients (0.46 vs 1.26 per 100 patient-years, adjusted hazard ratio [AHR] 0.66, 95% CI 0.52-0.83), among patients with pre-treatment cirrhosis (1.55 vs 2.96 per 100 patient-years, AHR 0.73, 95% CI 0.57-0.93) and among patients without pre-treatment cirrhosis (0.07 vs 0.29 per 100 patient-years, AHR 0.33, 95% CI 0.17-0.65). The risk of variceal bleeding after treatment was lower in those who achieved SVR vs no SVR among patients who had non-bleeding varices (3.5 vs 4.9 per 100 patient-years) or bleeding varices (12.9 vs 16.4 per 100 patient-years) diagnosed before treatment, but these differences were not statistically significant in adjusted analyses.

CONCLUSION

DAA-induced SVR is independently associated with a lower risk of variceal bleeding during long-term follow-up in patients with and without pre-treatment cirrhosis. These findings demonstrate an important real-world benefit of DAA treatment.

Effectiveness of direct-acting agents for hepatitis C and liver stiffness changing after sustained virological response

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Few studies have evaluated sustained virological response (SVR) rates by direct-acting agents (DAAs) and liver stiffness measurement (LSM) changing post-SVR in limited-resource settings. We aimed to describe the effectiveness of DAAs for hepatitis C virus treatment and to assess the changing of LSM post-SVR.

METHODS

This retrospective study analyzed data of consecutive hepatitis C virus-infected patients treated by DAAs from 2015 to 2017 in two tertiary centers in Brazil. SVR rates were reported by intention-to-treat and per-protocol analyses. LSM by transient elastography performed before treatment and post-SVR was compared, and logistic regression models were performed.

RESULTS

Six hundred seventy-one patients (63% female, 62 years [55-68], 89% genotype 1, 8% HIV co-infected, and 64% with cirrhosis) were included. Most patients were treated by sofosbuvir/daclatasvir ± ribavirin (74%) and sofosbuvir/simeprevir ± ribavirin (21%). SVR rates (95% confidence interval [CI]) were 94.6% (92.7-96.1) and 97.8% (96.4-98.7) for intention-to-treat and per-protocol analyses, respectively. The leading adverse event was anemia (9.6% [95% CI 7.6-12.1]). Pretreatment and post-SVR12 LSM were available in 400 patients. LSM had significantly decreased after SVR (13.6 kPa [interquartile range, 10.0-21.6] vs 10.2 kPa [7.0-17.6], P < 0.001). A total of 167 patients (42%) decreased at least 30% of LSM post-SVR. The absence of type 2 diabetes (odds ratio = 1.52 [95% CI 1.05-2.21], P = 0.028) and presence of platelet count ≥ 150 × 10⁹ /mm³ (odds ratio = 1.75 [1.23-2.50], P = 0.002) were independently associated with a significant LSM regression (≥ 30%) post-SVR.

CONCLUSION

DAAs were highly effective and safe, and LSM significantly decreased after SVR in a real-life cohort in Brazil. The absence of type 2 diabetes and presence of high platelet count were independently associated with LSM decrease post-SVR.

Chronic Liver Disease in Humans Causes Expansion and Differentiation of Liver Lymphatic Endothelial Cells

Liver lymphatic vessels support liver function by draining interstitial fluid, cholesterol, fat, and immune cells for surveillance in the liver draining lymph node. Chronic liver disease is associated with increased inflammation and immune cell infiltrate. However, it is currently unknown if or how lymphatic vessels respond to increased inflammation and immune cell infiltrate in the liver during chronic disease. Here we demonstrate that lymphatic vessel abundance increases in patients with chronic liver disease and is associated with areas of fibrosis and immune cell infiltration. Using single-cell mRNA sequencing and multi-spectral immunofluorescence analysis we identified liver lymphatic endothelial cells and found that chronic liver disease results in lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) that are in active cell cycle with increased expression of CCL21. Additionally, we found that LECs from patients with NASH adopt a transcriptional program associated with increased IL13 signaling. Moreover, we found that oxidized low density lipoprotein, associated with NASH pathogenesis, induced the transcription and protein production of IL13 in LECs both in vitro and in a mouse model. Finally, we show that oxidized low density lipoprotein reduced the transcription of PROX1 and decreased lymphatic stability. Together these data indicate that LECs are active participants in the liver, expanding in an attempt to maintain tissue homeostasis. However, when inflammatory signals, such as oxidized low density lipoprotein are increased, as in NASH, lymphatic function declines and liver homeostasis is impeded.

Fibrosis reversal after hepatitis C virus elimination

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has been the leading cause of cirrhosis in the United States now for the last several decades. With the introduction of highly effective direct acting antiviral (DAA) drugs, cure rates are now almost 100%. With this explosion of effective therapy, it is possible that many patients with HCV may have reversion in fibrosis. The purpose of this review is, therefore, to report on recent findings in this field.

RECENT FINDINGS

Older data that examined the effect of interferon-based HCV therapy indicate that fibrosis reverses after HCV eradication. More recent work in the DAA era similarly indicates that fibrosis is reversible. A caveat is that DAA therapy causes rapid viral clearance, and appears to lead to rapid reductions in inflammation. Some tools (such as transient elastography), which may also reflect the inflammatory response, and thus may 'overestimate' of fibrosis reversal. However, emerging data suggesting improved outcomes in patients with cirrhosis after HCV clearance support the concept that even cirrhosis reverses in some patients.

SUMMARY

Fibrosis (and cirrhosis) reversion, to some extent, occurs after HCV clearance. This topic is vitally important and information continues to emerge; more data on this subject are expected and needed.

Long-term outcomes in patients with chronic hepatitis C in the current era of direct-acting antiviral agents

Introduction: Within the past decade, antiviral treatment for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has evolved from interferon (IFN)-based regimens to IFN-free oral direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs). However, data on long-term outcomes in HCV patients treated by DAAs are limited and complex. Areas covered: Original studies and meta-analyses reporting data on the impacts of IFN - and DAA-based treatments on late relapse, liver fibrosis/cirrhosis, decompensation progression, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) occurrence and recurrence, need for liver transplantation, mortality, and other topics of interest for long-term observation of HCV patients treated with DAAs. Articles published up to June 2018, and proceedings from annual meetings of major international liver diseases associations (from 2015 to June 2018) were reviewed. Relevant references from selected papers were also reviewed. Expert opinion: In HCV patients treated with DAAs or IFN-based regimens, late relapse beyond 12 weeks after completion of treatment is uncommon. Results from long-term follow-up studies suggest responders to antiviral treatment achieve benefits on regression of fibrosis/cirrhosis, decreasing risk of progression to liver decompensation, reductions in the need for liver transplantation and mortality. Well-designed studies with robust comparisons are needed to determine the effect of DAAs on the recurrence of HCC in the future.

Rapid decline of noninvasive fibrosis index values in patients with hepatitis C receiving treatment with direct-acting antiviral agents

Background

Studies on temporal changes in noninvasive fibrosis indices and liver stiffness measurement (LSM) in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) treated with direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) are limited.

Methods

We retrospectively enrolled consecutive patients with CHC who had received DAAs.

Results

In total, we recruited 395 consecutive patients, of which 388 (98.2%) achieved a sustained virologic response (SVR) at 12 weeks after therapy. In patients who received DAA therapy and achieved SVR 12 weeks after therapy (n = 388), the median aspartate aminotransferase/platelet ratio index (APRI) value decreased from 1.19 (0.62–2.44) at baseline to 0.50 (0.32–0.95), 0.51 (0.31–0.92), 0.48 (0.31–0.88), and 0.52 (0.33–0.92) at week 2, week 4, end of therapy, and PW12, respectively (all P < 0.001). The median FIB-4 value decreased from 2.88 (1.56–5.60) at baseline to 2.10 (1.30–3.65), 2.15 (1.30–3.65), 2.11 (1.37–3.76), and 2.22 (1.45–3.82) at week 2, week 4, end of therapy, and PW12, respectively (all P < 0.001). The median alanine aminotransferase level significantly decreased from week 2 until PW12 (all P < 0.001). The platelet count significantly increased from 2 weeks after DAA therapy initiation until PW12 (all P < 0.001); however, the magnitude of changes in the platelet count was low. In patients with paired LSMs obtained using acoustic radiation force impulse elastography at baseline and PW12 (n = 199), the median LSM decreased from 1.78 (1.25–2.30) m/s at baseline to 1.38 (1.14–1.88) m/s at PW12 (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Noninvasive fibrosis indices, namely APRI and FIB-4, exhibited a rapid and sustained decline from week 2 until PW12 in patients with CHC who achieved SVR to DAA therapy. The rapid decline in APRI and FIB-4 values might mainly result from improvement in necroinflammation.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12876-019-0973-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Impact of Sustained Virologic Response with Direct-Acting Antiviral Treatment on Mortality in Patients with Advanced Liver Disease

The impact of sustained virologic response (SVR) on mortality after direct-acting antiviral treatment is not well documented. This study evaluated the impact of direct-acting antiviral-induced SVR on all-cause mortality and on incident hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in 15,059 hepatitis C virus-infected patients with advanced liver disease defined by a FIB-4 >3.25. Overall, 1,067 patients did not achieve SVR (no SVR) and 13,992 patients achieved SVR. In a mean follow-up period of approximately 1.6 years, 195 no SVR patients and 598 SVR patients died. Mortality rates were 12.3 deaths/100 patient years of follow-up for no SVR patients and 2.6 deaths/100 patient years for SVR patients, a 78.9% reduction (P < 0.001). Among patients without a prior diagnosis of HCC, 140 no SVR patients and 397 SVR patients were diagnosed with incident HCC. HCC rates were 11.5 HCCs/100 patient years for no SVR patients and 1.9 HCCs/100 patient years for SVR patients, an 83.5% reduction (P < 0.001). In multivariable Cox proportional hazard models controlling for baseline demographics, clinical characteristics, and comorbidities, SVR was independently associated with reduced risk of death compared to no SVR (hazard ratio, 0.26; 95% confidence interval, 0.22-0.31; P < 0.001). A history of decompensated liver disease (hazard ratio, 1.57; 95% confidence interval, 1.34-1.83; P < 0.001) and decreased albumin (hazard ratio, 2.70 per 1 g/dL decrease; 95% confidence interval, 2.38-3.12; P < 0.001) were independently associated with increased risk of death. Conclusion: Those achieving SVR after direct-acting antiviral treatment had significantly lower all-cause mortality and lower incident HCC rates than those who did not achieve SVR.

Therapy with Oral Directly Acting Agents in Hepatitis C Infection Is Associated with Reduction in Fibrosis and Increase in Hepatic Steatosis on Transient Elastography

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Direct-Acting Antivirals (DAAs) are now the standard of care for management of Chronic Hepatitis C (CHC) infection. The aim of this study was to evaluate change in Liver Stiffness Measurement (LSM) and Controlled Attenuation Parameter (CAP) by transient elastography (FibroScan®) after completion of DAA therapy.

METHODS

LSM and CAP were measured serially (baseline pre-treatment, at 12 weeks post therapy, and one year after completion of therapy) in a prospective cohort of 372 CHC patients treated with DAAs. Patients with at least two FibroScan measurements were included.

RESULTS

The mean age was 38.1 ± 12.6 years; 58.3% males. Cirrhosis as defined by biopsy or fibroscan measurement (≥12.5) kPa was found in 25.5%. On paired analysis (n = 317), LSM (IQR) decreased from a baseline value 7.1 (5.3-13.8) kPa to 6.2 (4.8-11.2) kPa 12 weeks post therapy with a median decline 0.7 (-0.6-2.6) kPa, P < 0.001. Similarly, on paired analysis (n = 160), LSM decreased from baseline 6.9 (5.1-12.7) kPa to 6.1 (4.8-9.4) kPa after one year of treatment with median decline 0.9 (-0.6-3.2) kPa, P < 0.001. In contrast, on paired analysis (n = 317), CAP increased from baseline of 213.0 (180.0-254.5) dB/m to 225.0 (190.0-269.0) dB/m at 12 weeks post therapy with median increase 7.0 (-23.5-45.5), P = 0.001. Similarly, on paired analysis (n = 160), CAP increased from baseline of 210.0 (180.3-260.8) dB/m to 234.0 (204.0-282.0) dB/m at one year post therapy with median increase 25.0 (-12.5-61.5) dB/m, P < 0.001. On multivariate linear regression analysis, low baseline CAP value and low albumin were significantly associated with increase in CAP values.

CONCLUSION

Treatment with DAAs reduces liver stiffness, but is associated with increase in hepatic steatosis.

Drug Treatment for Chronic Hepatitis C Infection and Cancer Risk

BACKGROUND

In patients with chronic hepatitis C infection, a sustained virologic response (SVR) to interferon-based therapy markedly decreases the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) over the long term. This is also true for patients who have hepatic cirrhosis, as well as for those with HCC-with or without cirrhosis-who have undergone resection or ablation with curative intent. Recent publications, however, have reported a higher incidence of HCC among patients in both of these subgroups who were treated with direct antiviral agents (DAA) rather than interferon-based therapy.

METHODS

A selective search for pertinent literature was carried out in the PubMed database with the search terms "direct-acting antiviral therapy" and "hepatocellular carcinoma."

RESULTS

In comparison to historical patient cohorts that received interferonbased therapy, patients with hepatic cirrhosis after SVR brought about by DAA have a higher incidence of de novo HCC in 12 months (5.2-7.4%). The recurrence rate after treatment for HCC with curative intent was also higher, with marked fluctuations. Patients treated with DAA were often older and in a more advanced stage of cirrhosis than those who had received interferonbased therapy; these factors may have contributed to the observed higher incidence of HCC. On the other hand, the reduction of inflammation-triggered immune surveillance after very rapid elimination of the hepatitis C virus may have favored tumor progression.

CONCLUSION

Before DAA therapy is initiated in a patient who has cirrhosis or has undergone treatment for HCC with curative intent, a de novo or recurrent HCC should be meticulously excluded. Even after SVR, these patients still need intensive follow-up and surveillance.

Short-term changes observed in multiparametric liver MRI following therapy with direct-acting antivirals in chronic hepatitis C virus patients

Methods

We applied multiparametric MRI to assess changes in liver composition, perfusion and blood flow in 17 patients before direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy and after treatment completion (within 12 weeks of last DAA tablet swallowed).

Results

We observed changes in hepatic composition indicated by a reduction in both liver longitudinal relaxation time (T1, 35 ± 4 ms), transverse relaxation time (T2, 2.5 ± 0.8 ms; T2* 3.0 ± 0.7 ms), and liver perfusion (28.1 ± 19.7 ml/100 g/min) which we suggest are linked to reduced pro-inflammatory milieu, including interstitial oedema, within the liver. No changes were observed in liver or spleen blood flow, splenic perfusion, or superior mesenteric artery blood flow.

Conclusion

For the first time, our study has shown that treatment of HCV with DAAs in patients with cirrhosis leads to an acute reduction in liver T1, T2 and T2* and an increase in liver perfusion measured using MR parameters. The ability of MRI to characterise changes in the angio-architecture of patients with cirrhosis after intervention in the short term will enhance our understanding of the natural history of regression of liver disease and potentially influence clinical decision algorithms.

Key Points

• DAAs have revolutionised the treatment of hepatitis C and achieve sustained virological response in over 95% of patients, even with liver cirrhosis.

• Currently available non-invasive measures of liver fibrosis are not accurate after HCV treatment with DAAs, this prospective single-centre study has shown that MRI can sensitively measure changes within the liver, which could reflect the reduction in inflammation with viral clearance.

• The ability of MRI to characterise changes in structural and haemodynamic MRI measures in the liver after intervention will enhance our understanding of the progression/regression of liver disease and could potentially influence clinical decision algorithms.

Long-term histological change in chronic hepatitis C patients who had received peginterferon plus ribavirin therapy with sustained virological response

BACKGROUND

The improvement in liver histology is an important aim in the management of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Previous studies suggest that antiviral treatment could reduce the progression of hepatic fibrosis, especially in patients with sustained virological response (SVR). However, most studies were limited by short-term evaluations and the liver stiffness was assessed by non-invasive methods. In our study, we performed a paired liver biopsy study aimed at analyzing the long-term histological changes in patients with SVR.

METHODS

We included 31 patients who had been previously treated with peginterferon plus ribavirin. All patients achieved SVR and had received pre- and post-treatment liver biopsies. The histological appearance of fibrosis and inflammation were assessed with METAVIR scoring system and Histological Activity Index (HAI) criteria. We analyzed several factors associated with the histological response.

RESULTS

The median interval between two biopsies was 93.0 months. The percentage of patients with fibrosis regression, stable, and progression were 19%, 45%, and 36%. A total of 71% of patients achieved inflammation improvement, whereas 6% and 23% of patients had stable disease and disease-progression, respectively. We showed that the patients without baseline advanced fibrosis and those having a lower baseline HAI score had higher risk of fibrosis worsening. Baseline fibrosis and necroinflammation status did not influence HAI change significantly.

CONCLUSION

The progression of hepatic fibrosis and inflammation can be reversed in some patients who had long-term virological suppression. Patients with advanced baseline fibrosis and higher inflammatory stages seemed to receive more histologic benefit from successful antiviral treatments.

Tolloid-like 1 genetic variants determine fibrosis regression in chronic hepatitis C patients with curative antivirals

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) eradication by antivirals promote fibrosis modification. Whether host genetics determined fibrosis regression in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients with sustained virological response (SVR) is to be determined. One hundred and fifty-six SVR patients with paired liver biopsy before and after antivirals were enrolled. Host genetic factors including single nucleotide polymorphism rs17047200 of tolloid-like 1(TLL-1) were analyzed for their association with fibrosis modification. The proportions of improved, unchanged and worsening fibrotic stags were 39.1% (n = 61), 39.1% (n = 61), and 21.8% (n = 34), respectively. The rate of annual fibrotic improvement was 0.16 ± 0.79. There was a significant trend of increased fibrotic improvement rate in patients from F01 to F4 (P < 0.001). However, the rate of improvement seemed more limited in cirrhotic patients among those with advanced liver disease. Patients with fibrotic improvement had a significantly higher proportion of TLL-1 rs17047200 AA genotype compared to those without (92.5% vs. 79.3%, p = 0.039). Logistic regression analysis revealed that the TLL-1 rs17047200 AA genotype was the only independent factor associated with fibrosis improvement (odds ratio/95% confidence intervals: 3.2/1.01-10.12, p = 0.047). Compared with TLL-1 rs17047200 non-AA carriers, a significantly higher proportion of fibrosis improvement in AA genotype carriers was observed among patients with F0-2 (33.3% vs. 0%, p = 0.005) but not with F34 (70% vs. 80%, p = 1). We concluded that TLL-1 genetic variants determined fibrotic improvement in CHC with curative antivirals, particularly in patients with mild liver disease.

Epidemiology and Elimination of HCV-Related Liver Disease

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, defined by active carriage of HCV RNA, affects nearly 1.0% of the worldwide population. The main risk factors include unsafe injection drug use and iatrogenic infections. Chronic HCV infection can promote liver damage, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in affected individuals. The advent of new second-generation, direct-acting antiviral (DAA) agents allow a virological cure in more than 90% of treated patients, and therefore prevent HCV-related complications. Recently, concerns have been raised regarding the safety of DAA-regimens in cirrhotic patients with respect to the occurrence and the recurrence of HCC. Here, we review the current available data on HCV epidemiology, the beneficial effects of therapy, and discuss the recent controversy with respect to the potential link with liver cancer. We also highlight the challenges that have to be overcome to achieve the ambitious World Health Organization objective of HCV eradication by 2030.

Well-controlled autoimmune hepatitis treatment withdrawal may be safely accomplished without liver-biopsy guidance

Background

Autoimmune hepatitis may flare up after treatment withdrawal, especially in those who had not achieved histological remission but had normal liver enzymes. The European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) and the American Association for the Study of Liver Disease (AASLD) Guidelines recommend performing liver biopsy before treatment withdrawal. The aim of the study is to define the outcome of treatment withdrawal in adults with well-controlled disease for 2 years with and without liver-biopsy guidance.

Methods

A retrospective observational study was conducted on biopsy-proven autoimmune hepatitis patients who were treated for 2 years and with persistently normal aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) or nearly so for 6 months prior to treatment withdrawal. Exclusions were: juvenile onset autoimmune hepatitis and prior treatment or use of agents other than corticosteroids and azathioprine. The primary endpoint was to define freedom from flare-ups for 1 year after treatment withdrawal.

Results

Thirty-four consecutive subjects meeting study criteria were identified. Treatment withdrawal was accomplished in 24 subjects without liver-biopsy guidance and 10 had pre-treatment withdrawal liver biopsy. Demographics, immunosuppressive usage, pre-treatment cirrhosis and pre-treatment liver enzymes were similar between the two groups, and 25% had an enzyme flare-up within 12 months after treatment withdrawal, which was similar in the two groups (20.8 vs 30.0%, P = 0.57).

Conclusions

Adults with autoimmune hepatitis and excellent response to therapy for 2 years are candidates for treatment withdrawal without the need for liver biopsy.

Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging for quantitation of liver disease: a two-centre cross-sectional observational study

LiverMultiScan is an emerging diagnostic tool using multiparametric MRI to quantify liver disease. In a two-centre prospective validation study, 161 consecutive adult patients who had clinically-indicated liver biopsies underwent contemporaneous non-contrast multiparametric MRI at 3.0 tesla (proton density fat fraction (PDFF), T1 and T2* mapping), transient elastography (TE) and Enhanced Liver Fibrosis (ELF) test. Non-invasive liver tests were correlated with gold standard histothological measures. Reproducibility of LiverMultiScan was investigated in 22 healthy volunteers. Iron-corrected T1 (cT1), TE, and ELF demonstrated a positive correlation with hepatic collagen proportionate area (all p < 0·001). TE was superior to ELF and cT1 for predicting fibrosis stage. cT1 maintained good predictive accuracy for diagnosing significant fibrosis in cases with indeterminate ELF, but not for cases with indeterminate TE values. PDFF had high predictive accuracy for individual steatosis grades, with AUROCs ranging from 0.90-0.94. T2* mapping diagnosed iron accumulation with AUROC of 0.79 (95% CI: 0.67-0.92) and negative predictive value of 96%. LiverMultiScan showed excellent test/re-test reliability (coefficients of variation ranging from 1.4% to 2.8% for cT1). Overall failure rates for LiverMultiScan, ELF and TE were 4.3%, 1.9% and 15%, respectively. LiverMultiScan is an emerging point-of-care diagnostic tool that is comparable with the established non-invasive tests for assessment of liver fibrosis, whilst at the same time offering a superior technical success rate and contemporaneous measurement of liver steatosis and iron accumulation.

The IL7RA rs6897932 polymorphism is associated with progression of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C: Repeated measurements design

The polymorphisms at the α-chain of the IL-7 receptor (IL7RA) have been related to T-cell homeostasis and development and may contribute to immune system deregulation. In the present study, we analyzed the association between IL7RA polymorphisms and the progression of liver fibrosis in patients infected with HCV. We carried out a retrospective study with a design consisting of repeated measurements in 187 HCV-infected patients, to study the risk prediction of liver fibrosis progression using genetic factors. We genotyped the rs6897932, rs987106 and rs3194051 IL7RA polymorphisms using the Agena Bioscience's MassARRAY. Transient elastography was used to measure liver stiffness. The used cut-offs were: <7.1 kPa (F0-F1), 7.1-9.4 kPa (F2; significant fibrosis), 9.5-12.4 kPa (F3; advanced fibrosis), and ≥12.5 kPa (F4; cirrhosis). All HCV genotypes were analyzed. The median of follow-up time was 47.9 months. Baseline liver stiffness measurement (LSM) values did not show significant statistical differences for IL7RA genotypes (p>0.05). In univariate analysis, the rs6897932 T allele had a positive relationship with an increase in LSM (arithmetic mean ratio (AMR) = 1.21 (95%CI = 1.08; 1.36); p = 0.001), progression to advanced fibrosis (F≥3) (odds ratio (OR) = 2.51 (95%CI = 1.29; 4.88); p = 0.006) and progression to cirrhosis (F4) (OR = 2.71 (95%CI = 0.94; 5.03); p = 0.069). In multivariable analysis, the rs6897932 T allele was related to a higher increase of LSM values during follow-up (adjusted AMR = 1.27 (95%CI = 1.13; 1.42); p<0.001) and higher odds of progression to advanced fibrosis [adjusted OR = 4.46 (95%CI = 1.87; 10.62); p = 0.001], and progression to cirrhosis [adjusted OR = 3.92 (95%CI = 1.30; 11.77); p = 0.015]. Regarding IL7RA rs987106 and rs3194051 polymorphisms, we did not find significant results except for the relationship between IL7RA rs987106 and the increase in LSM values [adjusted OR = 1.12 (95%CI = 1.02; 1.23); p = 0.015]. The IL7RA rs6897932 polymorphism seems to be related to increased risk of liver fibrosis progression in HCV-infected patients. Thus, the rs6897932 polymorphism could be related to the physiopathology of CHC and might be used to successfully stratify the risk of CHC progression.