Treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus in allogeneic bone marrow transplant recipients

Efficacy, safety and feasibility of treatment of chronic HCV infection with directly acting agents in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients - Study of infectious diseases working party of EBMT

OBJECTIVES

Limited data is available on HCV directly acting agents (DAAs) in haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients. This study aimed at reporting the characteristics, treatment practices and treatment efficacy in HSCT recipients with chronic HCV.

METHODS

Prospective observational study from EBMT Infectious Diseases Working Party (IDWP). Patients with chronic HCV infection were included.

RESULTS

Between 12/2015 and 07/2018, 45 patients were included: male in 53%; median age 49 years (range, 8-75); acute leukaemia in 48.9%, lymphoma in 17.7%, non-malignant disorders in 22.3%; allogeneic HSCT in 84%; 77.8% no immunosuppressive treatment. Genotypes 1, 2, 3 and 4 were detected in 54.5%, 20.5%, 13.6% and 11.4%, respectively; advanced fibrosis in 40%, including cirrhosis in 11.4%. Overall, 37 (82.2%) patients received DAAs, at a median of 8.4 years after HSCT (16.2% within 6 months from HSCT). Sofosbuvir-based treatment was given to 62.2%. Thirty-five patients completed planned treatment course, with sustained virological response (SVR) of 89.1%, and 94.3% (33/35) in those who completed the treatment. Side effects possibly related to DAAs were reported in 5 (14%) and did not require treatment discontinuation.

CONCLUSIONS

DAAs treatment was effective, safe and feasible in this cohort of mainly allogeneic HSCT recipients with mild/moderate liver damage.

Second direct-acting antiviral therapy for hepatitis C virus infection after umbilical cord blood transplantation: A case report

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has an adverse impact on outcomes after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). It is recommended that HSCT candidates infected with HCV receive the treatment prior to transplantation. Although the recent approval of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) has led to great advances in the treatment of HCV infection, little information is available on the efficacy and safety of DAA therapy in patients receiving allogeneic HSCT. Herein, we report the clinical course of an umbilical cord blood (UCB) recipient treated with DAAs for HCV infection. The patient achieved HCV RNA negativity with glecaprevir and pibrentasvir after consolidation therapy for acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and underwent transplantation before confirming sustained virological response (SVR) at 12 weeks. The HCV viral load became detectable on day +28 after transplantation and second HCV treatment with sofosbuvir, velpatasvir, and ribavirin was required. It is important to confirm SVR prior to transplantation, but it is often difficult. If early transplantation is required, close monitoring of HCV RNA after transplantation is needed. Further investigation is required to clarify the optimal management of HCV infection for allogeneic HSCT recipients in the DAA era.

Treatment of hepatitis C in two paediatric patients using sofosbuvir during haematopoietic stem cell transplantation

We report the first two paediatric cases of sofosbuvir treatment during high-intensity myeloablative conditioning and engraftment phases of haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. These reports highlight the safety of sofosbuvir during all phases of transplantation and the lack of interaction between sofosbuvir and alkylating or immunosuppressive agents.

Safety of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in beta-thalassemia patients with chronic hepatitis C infections treated at a pediatric center

The outcome of allogeneic HCT in patients previously infected with HCV is a widely debated topic and rarely reported in the pediatric and young adult age group given the small population of affected patients. New medications directly targeting HCV have induced virologic cures for over 90% of patients, and their use in the pretransplant setting may improve outcomes for patients infected with HCV. We describe two patients with transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia major who underwent matched sibling donor bone marrow transplantation, one with a myeloablative regimen and one with a reduced-intensity conditioning regimen. Allogeneic HCT appears feasible in patients with HCV infection that clear viremia prior to conditioning therapy and with a reduced-intensity conditioning regimen. Further investigation is warranted to better define transplant risks in this population.

Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Patients Undergoing Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation in the Era of Direct-Acting Antiviral Agents

There is paucity of literature regarding hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) recipients. In the study described herein we evaluated several aspects of HCV infection in HCT recipients, including the impact of this infection on cancer status, liver-related outcomes, mortality, and the role of antiviral treatment (AVT), including direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). The medical records of HCV-infected allogeneic and autologous HCT recipients, seen at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center from August 2009 to November 2015, were reviewed. Patients seen from August 1, 2009 to October 30, 2012 were reviewed retrospectively, whereas those seen from November 1, 2012 to November 30, 2015 were analyzed prospectively in an observational study. Of 434 HCV-infected cancer patients evaluated, 64 underwent 69 HCTs. Most (78%) underwent autologous transplantation. Thirteen percent of patients became HCV-seronegative post-HCT. Compared with patients who did not receive AVT, treated patients had fewer relapses of HCV-associated non-Hodgkin lymphomas (20% versus 86%; P = .015), higher 5-year survival rates (75% versus 39%; P = .02), and a trend toward lower rate of progression to cirrhosis (5% versus 21%; P = .06). AVT discontinuation rate post-HCT was 71% in those receiving IFN-containing regimens and 0% in those receiving DAAs (P < .01). AVT was effective in 12 of 37 patients (32%) and 11 of 13 patients (85%) receiving IFN-based and DAA regimens, respectively (P = .003). HCV is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in this population. HCV seropositivity can be lost post-HCT, posing a diagnostic challenge. Treatment of HCV infection in HCT recipients improves both oncologic and hepatic outcomes. These patients can be successfully treated with DAAs.

Consensus Statement of HCV Task Force of the Indian National Association for Study of the Liver (INASL). Part II: INASL Recommendations for Management of HCV in India

The estimated prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in India is between 0.5 and 1.5% with hotspots showing much higher prevalence in some areas of northeast India, in some tribal populations and in certain parts of Punjab. Genotype 3 is the most prevalent type of infection. Recent years have seen development of a large number of new molecules that are revolutionizing the treatment of hepatitis C. Some of the new directly acting agents (DAAs) like sofosbuvir have been called game-changers because they offer the prospect of interferon-free regimens for the treatment of HCV infection. These new drugs have not yet been approved in India and their cost and availability is uncertain at present. Till these drugs become available at an affordable cost, the treatment that was standard of care for the whole world before these newer drugs were approved should continue to be recommended. For India, cheaper options, which are as effective as the standard-of-care (SOC) in carefully selected patients, are also explored to bring treatment within reach of poorer patients. It may be prudent to withhold treatment at present for selected patients with genotype 1 or 4 infection and low levels of fibrosis (F1 or F2), and for patients who are non-responders to initial therapy, interferon intolerant, those with decompensated liver disease, and patients in special populations such as stable patients after liver and kidney transplantation, HIV co-infected patients and those with cirrhosis of liver.

Impact of hepatitis C virus infection on clinical outcome in recipients after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation

The impact of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection on outcomes following allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) remains a matter of debate. We have retrospectively examined the significance of HCV infection among recipients who received allogeneic HCT, using a Japan transplant outcome registry database between 2006 and 2009. Among 7,831 recipients, 136 were HCV-positive. The rate of hematopoietic recovery was lower in the HCV-positive group (neutrophil recovery of 500 × 10(6) /L or higher: 79% vs. 87% at Day 30, P = 0.087; platelet recovery of 50 × 10(9) /L or higher: 57% vs. 65% at Day 60, P = 0.012). The HCV-positive group had a significantly higher incidence of nonrelapse mortality 38% vs. 25% at 2 years, P < 0.01) and inferior overall survival (41% vs. 51% at 2 years, P < 0.01). A multivariate analysis revealed that HCV seropositivity was associated with an independent risk for higher nonrelapse mortality (hazard ratio: 1.65, P < 0.01) and inferior overall survival (hazard ratio: 1.39, P < 0.01). The incidences of death due to hepatic problems (8% vs. 2%, P < 0.01), bacterial infection (10% vs. 4%, P < 0.01), or graft failure (5% vs. 2%, P = 0.084) tended to be higher in the HCV-positive group. HCV infection had an adverse impact on the clinical outcome following HCT, especially in the setting of unrelated transplantation. Careful evaluation before embarking on HCT and intensive assessment against complications are warranted in HCV-infected recipients.

Reactivation of hepatitis viruses following immunomodulating systemic chemotherapy

Reactivation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection following anticancer chemotherapy and immunosuppressive therapy is a well-known complication. HBV reactivation has been reported to be associated with anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody rituximab-containing chemotherapy and tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitor-containing immunosuppressive therapy in HBV resolved patients (hepatitis B surface antigen negative and antibodies against hepatitis B core antigen positive and/or antibodies against surface antigen positive). On the other hand, HCV reactivation has been reported to be associated with liver damage or hepatic dysfunction, but fulminant hepatitis due to HCV reactivation is a rare complication. In this review, we describe the pathophysiology of the reactivation of HBV and HCV infection, as well as the clinical evidence and management of HCV reactivation.

No increased mortality from donor or recipient hepatitis B- and/or hepatitis C-positive serostatus after related-donor allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation

Limited data exist on allogeneic transplant outcomes in recipients receiving hematopoietic cells from donors with prior or current hepatitis B (HBV) or C virus (HCV) infection (seropositive donors), or for recipients with prior or current HBV or HCV infection (seropositive recipients). Transplant outcomes are reported for 416 recipients from 121 centers, who received a human leukocyte antigen-identical related-donor allogeneic transplant for hematologic malignancies between 1995 and 2003. Of these, 33 seronegative recipients received grafts from seropositive donors and 128 recipients were seropositive. The remaining 256 patients served as controls. With comparable median follow-up (cases, 5.9 years; controls, 6.7 years), the incidence of treatment-related mortality, survival, graft-versus-host disease, and hepatic toxicity, appears similar in all cohorts. The frequencies of hepatic toxicities as well as causes of death between cases and controls were similar. Prior exposure to HBV or HCV in either the donor or the recipient should not be considered an absolute contraindication to transplant.

Long-term follow-up of HCV-infected hematopoietic SCT patients and effects of antiviral therapy

This prospective study was initiated in 1993 with the aim to study late effects and responses to antiviral therapy in a cohort of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients. A total of 195 patients were included from 12 centers. In all, 134 patients had undergone allogeneic and 61 autologous hematopoietic SCT (HSCT). The median follow-up from HSCT is currently 16.8 years and the maximum 27.2 years. Overall 33 of 195 patients have died of which 6 died from liver complications. The survival probability was 81.6% and the cumulative incidence for death in liver complications was 6.1% at 20 years after HSCT. The cumulative incidence of severe liver complications (death from liver failure, cirrhosis and liver transplantation) was 11.7% at 20 years after HSCT. In all, 85 patients have been treated with IFN; 42 in combination with ribavirin. The sustained response rate was 40%. The rates of severe side effects were comparable to other patient populations and no patient developed significant exacerbations of GVHD. Patients receiving antiviral therapy had a trend toward a decreased risk of severe liver complications (odds ratio=0.33; P=0.058). HCV infection is associated with morbidity and mortality in long-term survivors after HSCT. Antiviral therapy can be given safely and might reduce the risk for severe complications.

Hepatitis C in haematological patients

There is no consensus guideline concerning the management of chronic hepatitis C patients during chemotherapy, and immunosuppression. However, there are some suggestions in literature that hepatitis C viral load increases during chemotherapy and there is a risk of rebound immunity against hepatitis C after discontinuation of immunosuppression with a consequent liver injury. A close monitoring of liver function of these patients is prudent during treatment of haematological malignancy. Antiviral treatment is deferred after the completion of chemotherapy and recovery of patients' immunity to minimize the toxicity of treatment. A combination of pegylated interferon and ribavirin is the standard therapy in hepatitis C infected haematological patients.

Prevention and treatment of hepatitis virus infections in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients

Infections with Hepatitis viruses B and C pose major problems both short and long term respectively after HSCT. The key to prevention for Hepatitis B disease remains vaccination for HBV-naïve patients and judicial use of anti-viral therapy in both pre- and post-transplant settings for HBV-infected patients. HBsAg positive grafts to HBV-naïve recipients result in transmission of the virus in about 50%. The newer anti-viral agents have enabled effective treatment of post-transplant patients who might be lamivudine-resistant or might develop so. Selecting a previously infected donor who has high titres of surface antibody for HBsAg positive patients gives the best chance for immunological clearance. The most challenging aspect of preventing HBV reactivation remains the duration of anti-viral therapy and timing of its withdrawal as most reactivations and often fatal ones occur after this period. Hepatitis C, on the other hand affects long-term survival with early onset of fibrosis and cirrhosis. Early effect of Hepatitis C virus on the immune system remains conjectural. The standard combination therapy seems to be effective, but data on this front remains sparse, as in the case of the use of newer antiviral agents. HSCT from HCV infected grafts result in more consistent transmission of the virus and pre-donation treatment of donors should be undertaken to render them non-viremic, if possible. The current understanding and recommendations regarding prevention and management of these infections in HSCT recipients are discussed.

Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant in HCV-infected patients

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of liver disease worldwide. After allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplant (HCT), HCV is known to be associated with transient hepatitis in the immediate post-transplant period, and a potential risk factor of veno-occlusive disease (SOS). Very recently, HCV-infected HCT recipients have been shown to be at higher risk of earlier cirrhosis, leading to greater morbidity and mortality. Long-term survivors after HCT are thus at a high risk for HCV-related complications and, as a consequence, the treatment of HCV infection becomes critical. We describe here the potential clinical complications in HCV-infected recipients, in the short, but also the long-term follow-up after HCT. The pathophysiology of liver fibrosis is discussed as well as the present recommended therapy in this particular population.

Management of viral hepatitis in hematologic malignancies

Viral hepatitis is the third major cause of liver dysfunction in allogeneic transplant recipients and has become a significant concern in patients with hematological malignancies receiving chemotherapy. Thus, identification of patients at risk for viral hepatitis is very important when evaluating and treating hematological malignancies. Serologic screening for all patients should include anti-HCV, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs), and hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc) testing. Current therapies for hepatitis B (HBV) virus infection are aimed at viral suppression, while treatment for hepatitis C (HCV) virus can eradicate infection in many treated patients. To prevent HBV viral reactivation, prophylaxis with nucleoside analogues should be initiated for all HBsAg-positive patients. HCV infection appears to have little impact on short-term survival after bone marrow transplantation (BMT), but eventually can impact long-term survival due to progression of liver disease. In this review we will highlight the mechanisms of virus reactivation, clinical manifestations, and management strategies to minimize acute and chronic morbidity in this population.

Risk assessment in haematopoietic stem cell transplantation: The liver as a risk factor

Patients with liver dysfunction have an increased risk of developing early and late complications after haematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT). That's why it is mandatory to evaluate liver status before transplantation in all cases. This evaluation should allow us to decide whether HSCT can be performed or whether we should adopt measures focused on preventing these complications. The evaluation of the liver in an HSCT candidate requires the collection of information by history-taking, physical examination, liver-function tests and, occasionally, imaging tests and liver biopsy. Additionally, as infection by hepatitis B or C viruses represents the most relevant cause of hepatic dysfunction after HSCT, the serological status of the patient should be carefully evaluated. This chapter tries to analyse and systematise the most important aspects in the patient's evaluation. Finally, as some liver dysfunctions in the stem-cell donor can have a negative impact for the donor during the harvest and/or for the recipient during HSCT, the methodology to evaluate the donors will also be analysed.

Review article: management of hepatic disease following haematopoietic cell transplant

Hepatic diseases are common complications of haematopoietic cell transplant. The causes are multiple: myeloablative conditioning regimens may cause sinusoidal injury; acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease lead to damaged hepatocytes and small bile ducts; microcrystalline deposits in the gall bladder can cause biliary symptoms; drug-induced liver injury is common; and the liver may be infected by viruses and fungi during the period of severe immune suppression that follows transplant. Pre-transplant evaluation and prevention of liver injury are often more useful than treatment of deeply jaundiced patients in improving transplant outcomes. This review covers pre-transplant evaluation, common hepatobiliary problems in the six months following transplant, and hepatic problems in long-term survivors.

Viral Hepatitis: Manifestations and Management Strategy

Viral hepatitis is the third most common cause of liver disease in allogeneic transplant recipients and causes significant morbidity and mortality. When treating patients with hematological malignancies, an emphasis should be placed on identification of patients at risk for viral hepatitis with appropriate screening. Initial screening serology should include anti-HCV, HBsAg, anti-HBs, and anti-HBc testing. When hepatitis B exposure has been documented, prophylaxis of viral reactivation for all HBsAg-positive patients with a nucleoside analogue should be implemented. HCV infection appears to have little short-term impact on survival after bone marrow transplantation, but is a risk factor for veno-occlusive disease (VOD) and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). In the long-term survivor, HCV infection can lead to significant morbidity and mortality due to the development of cirrhosis, decompensation, and liver cancer. Since effective antiviral therapies are available for both hepatitis B and C, routine screening and selected intervention is recommended once reactivation and disease recurrence is documented. In this chapter we will highlight the mechanisms of virus reactivation, clinical manifestations, and management strategies to minimize acute and chronic morbidity in this population.