Immune Reconstitution After HCV Clearance With Direct Antiviral Agents: Potential Consequences for Patients With HCC?

Therapeutic Management of Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma: An Updated Review

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) usually occurs in the setting of liver cirrhosis and more rarely in a healthy liver. Its incidence has increased in the past years, especially in western countries with the rising prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The prognosis of advanced HCC is low. In the first-line setting of advanced HCC, sorafenib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, was the only validated treatment for many years. In 2020, the combination of atezolizumab, an immune checkpoint inhibitor, and bevacizumab showed superiority to sorafenib alone in survival, making it the first-line recommended treatment. Regorafenib and lenvatinib, other multikinase inhibitors, were also validated in the second and first-line settings, respectively. Transarterial chemoembolization can be an alternative treatment for patients with intermediate-stage HCC and preserved liver function, including unresectable multinodular HCC without extrahepatic spread. The current challenge in advanced HCC lies in the selection of a patient for the optimal treatment, taking into account the underlying liver disease and liver function. Indeed, all trial patients present with a Child-Pugh score of A, and the optimal approach for other patients is still unclear. Furthermore, the combination of atezolizumab and bevacizumab should be considered in the absence of medical contraindication. Many trials testing immune checkpoint inhibitors in association with anti-angiogenic agents are ongoing, and primary results are promising. The landscape in advanced HCC management is undergoing profound change, and many challenges remain for optimal patient management in the years to come. This review aimed to provide an overview of current systemic treatment options for patients with advanced unresectable HCC who are not candidates for liver-directed therapy.

Direct antiviral drugs in the treatment of hepatitis C-infected rheumatoid arthritis Egyptian cohort: safety and clinical impact

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Data about the safety and efficacy of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) in the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients with concomitant rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are scarce. We assessed the impact and safety of DAAs treatment of hepatitis C on rheumatoid arthritis disease activity.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Prospectively, we enrolled 65 patients with RA and HCV. A clinico-laboratory evaluation was done at baseline, including liver assessment and RA disease activity score-28 (DAS28). At 12 weeks of post-DAAs treatment, sustained virologic response (SVR12) and DAS28 were reevaluated.

RESULTS

The SVR12 was achieved in 59 (90.8%) patients. RA control was achieved in 47 (79.9%) patients. The post SVR12 DAS28 score was significantly lower than the baseline (3.32 ± 0.93 vs. 4.37 ± 0.90; P < 0.001). There was a significant decline in the mean values of serum anticyclic citrullinated peptide, rheumatoid factor, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein after achieving an SVR12 (30.47 ± 12.37 vs. 57.61 ± 15.91 U/ml; 29.78 ± 19.58 vs. 55.14 ± 16.89 IU/ml; 17.13 ± 10.84 vs. 29.68 ± 14.32 mm/h and 5.76 ± 1.57 vs. 11.44 ± 4.13 mg/l, respectively; P < 0.05). RA activity and antirheumatic drugs were stepped-down [12 (20.3%) and 35 (59.3%) patients showed good and moderate RA response, respectively]. The baseline viral load, absence of cirrhosis and SVR12 were the only predictors of disease control (P  < 0.05). No drug-related adverse events or drug-related discontinuation.

CONCLUSIONS

Unlike interferon, HCV elimination by DAAs significantly improves RA activity and treatment outcome with high safety and efficacy.

Aggressive recurrence of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma after successful clearance of hepatitis C virus with direct acting antivirals

The association of Non-Hodgkin lymphomas and Hepatitis C virus is well documented and antiviral treatments facilitate a virological and hematological response in the majority of HCV related Non-Hodgkin lymphomas. The recent years, direct acting antivirals have made cure possible almost for every HCV patient. Some concerns were raised as regards the frequency and the pattern of recurrence in HCV patients with HCC, treated with these agents. We present a patient with DLBCL, in remission after appropriate treatment, HCV cirrhosis that was cured with the new antivirals and shortly after SVR, he experienced a lethal lymphoma recurrence.

Signatures of immune dysfunction in HIV and HCV infection share features with chronic inflammation in aging and persist after viral reduction or elimination

Chronic inflammation is thought to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality in aging, but whether similar mechanisms underlie dysfunction in infection-associated chronic inflammation is unclear. Here, we profiled the immune proteome, and cellular composition and signaling states in a cohort of aging individuals versus a set of HIV patients on long-term antiretroviral therapy therapy or hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients before and after sofosbuvir treatment. We found shared alterations in aging-associated and infection-associated chronic inflammation including T cell memory inflation, up-regulation of intracellular signaling pathways of inflammation, and diminished sensitivity to cytokines in lymphocytes and myeloid cells. In the HIV cohort, these dysregulations were evident despite viral suppression for over 10 y. Viral clearance in the HCV cohort partially restored cellular sensitivity to interferon-α, but many immune system alterations persisted for at least 1 y posttreatment. Our findings indicate that in the HIV and HCV cohorts, a broad remodeling and degradation of the immune system can persist for a year or more, even after the removal or drastic reduction of the pathogen load and that this shares some features of chronic inflammation in aging.

Immunological Mechanisms for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Risk after Direct-Acting Antiviral Treatment of Hepatitis C Virus Infection

Direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) that allow for rapid clearance of hepatitis C virus (HCV) may evoke immunological changes. Some cases of rapid de novo hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development or early recurrence of HCC after DAA treatment have been reported. During chronic HCV infection, natural killer (NK) cells exhibited a deviant functional phenotype with decreased production of antiviral cytokines and increased cytotoxicity; however, DAA treatment rapidly decreased their cytotoxic function. Effective DAA therapy also suppressed the intrahepatic activation of macrophages/monocytes. This was followed by a decrease in mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cell cytotoxicity without normalization of cytokine production. Rapid changes in the phenotypes of NK and MAIT cells after DAA treatment may attenuate the cytotoxicity of these cells against cancer cells. Moreover, DAA treatment did not normalize the increased frequencies of regulatory T cells even after clearance of HCV infection. Thus, the persistently increased frequency of regulatory T cells may contribute to a local immunosuppressive milieu and hamper the clearance of cancer cells. This review will focus on recent studies describing the changes in innate and adaptive immune responses after DAA treatment in patients with chronic HCV infection in the context of de novo occurrence or recurrence of HCC.

Ribavirin Improves NK Cell IFNγ Response During Sofosbuvir-based DAA Therapy in CV-infected Liver Transplant Recipients

BACKGROUND

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is characterized by activation of natural killer (NK) cells. Here, we asked whether HCV-elimination by sofosbuvir-based direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) and addition of RBV improves NK cell function in liver transplant (LTx) recipients.

METHODS

We analyzed NK cell degranulation and IFNγ-response along with STAT-1 and STAT-4 phosphorylation in 29 HCV-infected LTx-recipients and 17 HCV-infected patients during DAA-treatment.

RESULTS

Compared to uninfected LTx-recipients, NK cells from HCV-infected LTx-recipients were polarized towards cytotoxicity with increased CD107a-degranulation (10.1% vs 14.6%; P=0.0263) and reduced capacity to produce IFNγ (43.0% vs 26.7%; P=0.0002). The altered phenotype of NK cells in HCV-infected LTx-recipients was accompanied by increased STAT-1 (44.6% vs 87.4%; P<0.0001) and STAT-1 phosphorylation (0.7% vs 8.9%; P=0.0005) compared to pSTAT-4 IFNα-induction (29.9% vs 17.6%; P=0.0014). Successful DAA-therapy did not affect CD107a-degranulation, but decreased STAT-1. RBV cotreatment with DAA-therapy for HCV increased CD56Bright NK cell IFNγ-responses in LTx-recipients (70.9% vs 89.2%; P=0.002) and this correlated to an increase in the inducibility of pSTAT-4 (MFI 157 vs 173; P=0.0002).

CONCLUSION

RBV cotreatment of HCV-infection improved pSTAT4-dependent IFNγ-production in NK cells. This is relevant especially for immunocompromised patients such as LTx-recipients or patients with end-stage liver disease.

The impact of cytokine change after hepatitis C virus clearance by direct antiviral agents on the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

De novo and early recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have been observed in clinical practice after direct antiviral agents (DAA) treatment. The study aims to investigate the change of cytokines and growth factors after hepatitis C virus (HCV) clearance by DAAs and their impact on the risk of HCC development.

METHODS

The chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients with or without HCC who received DAA treatment were prospectively enrolled. The cytokines and growth factors were measured using Bio-Plex Pro™ Human Cytokine 27-plex Assay before and 12 weeks off DAA treatment.

RESULTS

A total of 37 patients were enrolled for final analysis. There were 11 males (29.7%) and 26 females (70.3%). The mean age was 67.39 ± 10.48 years. 11 (29.7%) patients were HCV-related HCC patients. The HCV genotype included genotype 2 in 26 patients and genotype 1b in 10 patients, and genotype 6 in 1. Among them, 35 (94.6%) patients achieved sustained virologic response (SVR). Two patients with HCC failed to DAA treatment. In HCV-related HCC patients, serum IP-10 level significantly declined after HCV clearance, but no difference in five growth factors including G-CSF, GM-CSF, basic FGF, PDGF-BB, and VEGF. Several cytokines including IP-10 significantly declined after HCV clearance in CHC patients.

CONCLUSION

This study showed only serum IP-10 level, a risk factor of HCC, was significantly declined after HCV clearance and no change in the markers of growth factors in HCV-related HCC patients, suggesting no promotion of HCC using DAA treatment for HCV-related HCC patients.

Impact of chronic HCV treatment on quality of life of patients with metabolic disorders in context of immunological disturbances

Chronic viral hepatitis C (CHC) and its complications have a negative effect on patient's quality of life. We evaluated the impact of a successful interferon-free treatment on the quality of life of patients with obesity and metabolic disorders in the context of immunological disturbances. Twenty overweight or obese (BMI > 25) patients with CHC were tested before the therapy and after a successful treatment regimen. After the therapy, patient's emotional well-being improved (p = 0.02), while physical well-being remained unchanged. There was a decrease of patient's liver fibrosis and an increase of steatosis along with body mass. Among HCV-infected individuals, the expression of toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) on lymphocytes was higher than in the control group (p = 0.03), but it decreased (p = 0.001) after the treatment. There was also a decrease of the intensity of immunofluorescence of FoxP3+ after the treatment (p = 0.04). Our study showed an improvement in mental aspects of patient's quality of life after the treatment. Unfortunately, probably due to rapid immunological changes, patient's BMI, serum cholesterol levels and hepatic steatosis have a tendency to increase and may lead to cardiovascular and other complications, like hepatocellular carcinoma.

Successful treatment with glecaprevir/pibrentasvir for chronic hepatitis C complicated by primary biliary cholangitis

BACKGROUND

Cases of autoimmune liver diseases complicated with hepatitis C (HCV) infection have occasionally been reported. However, the efficacy and safety of direct acting antivirals for chronic hepatitis C (CHC) complicated with autoimmune liver diseases remain unclear.

CASE REPORT

A 74-year-old woman was referred to our hospital for an acute exacerbation of liver dysfunction. She had been diagnosed with CHC 10 years previously. Laboratory data showed elevated immunoglobulin G (IgG), and she was positive for antinuclear antibody (ANA), anti-mitochondrial M2 antibody, and HCV-RNA (genotype 2a). Liver biopsy revealed significant infiltration of lymphocytes and plasma cells in the portal triad, moderate interface hepatitis with mild bridging fibrosis, and chronic non-suppurative destructive cholangitis. She was diagnosed with chronic active hepatitis and primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). Combination therapy with glecaprevir/pibrentasvir (GLE/PIB) rapidly improved her serum transaminase and HCV-RNA levels. A sustained viral response was achieved 24 weeks after GLE/PIB. No adverse events were observed, and her IgG and ANA levels were normalized 6 months after GLE/PIB. The second liver biopsy performed 10 months after GLE/PIB demonstrated the remarkable improvement of active hepatitis. However, the findings suggesting PBC were remained and the AMA-M2 titer was decreased but positive at that time.

CONCLUSION

GLE/PIB is an effective and tolerated choice for the treatment in cases of CHC complicated by PBC.

Direct-acting Antiviral in the Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C: Bonuses and Challenges

Owing to the rapid development and wide clinical application of direct acting antiviral (DAA) drugs in the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, the era of interferon-based therapy has almost come to an end. Cumulative studies show that DAA therapy renders high cure efficiency (>90%) and good safety profile, and may even bring some unexpected benefits to the patients. However, some issues of concern arise, one of which is the resistance mutation of HCV genome leading to failure of treatment. With the aim of providing some meaningful references for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C (CHC), this article summarizes the research progress on benefits of DAA accompanied by viral clearance in the treatment of chronic hepatitis and the drug resistance.

Effectiveness and safety of chronic hepatitis C treatment with direct-acting antivirals in patients with rheumatic diseases: A case-series

Objectives: To assess the effectiveness and safety of interferon-free direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy for patients with concomitant hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and rheumatic diseases (RDs), including rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Methods: This was a single-center observational case-series study conducted in Japan from 2014 to 2018. The primary endpoint was the sustained virological response (SVR) rate 24 weeks after the end of therapy (EoT24). We also evaluated hepatological and rheumatological outcomes and adverse events.Results: Of the 2314 patients with RDs, 18 received DAA therapy (RA = 11, other RDs = 7). The SVR rate for the initial DAA therapy was 89% (16/18). The remaining two achieved SVR with secondary DAA therapy. Along with HCV elimination, hepatological parameters improved significantly from baseline to EoT24. During the study period, no patients newly developed cirrhosis or HCC after HCV elimination. Several patients showed improvement in RDs activity. In RA patients, the simplified disease activity index decreased significantly from baseline to EoT24 (median [interquartile range]: 11.53 [5.14-14.89] vs. 4.06 [2.08-9.05], respectively). On-treatment adverse events were minimal, while two patients experienced tuberculosis reactivation after EoT.Conclusion: DAA therapy was effective and safe, providing hepatological and rheumatological benefits in HCV-infected patients with RDs. Immune reconstitution following HCV elimination should be noted.

Epidemiological and etiological variations in hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most prevalent form of liver cancer and a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. The major risk factors for HCC development are chronic liver disease and cirrhosis due to hepatitis B virus (HBV) and/or hepatitis C virus (HCV), alcoholic liver disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), steatohepatitis, intake of aflatoxin-contaminated food, diabetes, and obesity.

RESULTS

In Western countries, the number of NASH-related HCC cases is increasing, that of HBV- or HCV-related cases is declining due to the wide application of HBV universal vaccination and the introduction of effective therapies against HBV and HCV infections, and that of alcohol-related cases remaining substantially unchanged. Nevertheless, the burden of HCC is expected to increase worldwide in the next few decades, due to the population growth and aging expected in coming years. Overall, the abovementioned changes and future variations in lifestyle and in the impact of environmental factors in Western countries and a decreasing exposure to dietary aflatoxins and improved socio-economic conditions in developing countries will create new HCC epidemiology in the next few decades.

CONCLUSION

A substantial further reduction in cases of HCC requires a wider application of universal HBV vaccination and effective treatment of HBV- and HCV-related chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis, more effective campaigns to favor correct dietary habits and reduce alcohol consumption and the intensification of studies on HCC pathogenesis for future optimized prevention strategies.

Time association between hepatitis C therapy and hepatocellular carcinoma emergence in cirrhosis: Relevance of non-characterized nodules

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Despite direct-acting antivirals being highly effective at eradicating hepatitis C virus infection, their impact on the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains controversial. We analyzed the clinical and radiological outcome of cirrhotic patients treated with interferon-free regimens to estimate the risk of developing HCC.

METHODS

This was a retrospective multicenter study focusing on cirrhotic patients treated with direct-acting antivirals until December 2016. Clinical and radiologic characteristics were collected before the start of antiviral therapy, at follow-up and at HCC development. Diagnosis of HCC was centrally validated and its incidence was expressed as HCC/100 person-years.

RESULTS

A total of 1,123 patients were included (60.6% males, 83.8% Child-Pugh A) and 95.2% achieved a sustained virologic response. Median time of follow-up was 19.6 months. Seventy-two patients developed HCC within a median of 10.3 months after starting antiviral treatment. HCC incidence was 3.73 HCC/100 person-years (95% CI 2.96-4.70). Baseline liver function, alcohol intake and hepatic decompensation were associated with a higher risk of HCC. The relative risk was significantly increased in patients with non-characterized nodules at baseline 2.83 (95% CI 1.55-5.16) vs. absence of non-characterized nodules. When excluding these patients, the risk remained increased.

CONCLUSION

These data expose a clear-cut time association between interferon-free treatment and HCC. The mechanisms involved in the increased risk of HCC emergence in the short term require further investigation.

LAY SUMMARY

In this cohort of cirrhotic patients, interferon-free therapies achieved a high rate of sustained virologic response (>95%); however, we reported a risk of de novo hepatocellular carcinoma of 3.73 per 100 person-years and a clear-cut time association with antiviral therapy. The time association between starting direct-acting antivirals and developing hepatocellular carcinoma, together with the association with the presence of non-characterized nodules at baseline ultrasound, suggests that antiviral therapy elicits a mechanism (probably immune-related) that primes the growth and clinical recognition of hepatocellular carcinoma early during follow-up. As a result, short-term liver cancer risk is significantly increased.

What Comes First: Treatment of Viral Hepatitis or Liver Cancer?

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are the most important underlying causes for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) worldwide. Determining the optimal approach for management of the viral infection and the HCC depends on the virus and the stage of the cancer. In patients with HCV-associated HCC, there are multiple reasons to first treat the HCC. Firstly, in case of a curable HCC, the urgency for HCC treatment is important to avoid progression during HCV treatment. Secondly, the presence of HCC itself appears to reduce the rates of sustained virological response (SVR) achieved with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). And finally, the evidence does not support the concept of an increase in HCC recurrence due to DAAs, so a patient can safely be treated after HCC cure. For patients with very advanced HCC, the benefits of HCV therapy are questionable. In contrast, those who develop HCC in the setting of chronic HBV infection, treatment with nucleoside analogues (NAs) is recommended prior to treating HCC, to prevent further liver injury and reduce the risk for HCC recurrence. Ultimately, earlier diagnosis and treatment of HBV and HCV will hopefully reduce the incidence of HCC worldwide.

Recurrence rate of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with treated hepatocellular carcinoma and hepatitis C virus-associated cirrhosis after ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir+dasabuvir+ribavirin therapy

Introduction

Recent studies have suggested a higher recurrence rate of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with a history of HCC and hepatitis C virus (HCV)-associated cirrhosis treated with direct-acting antiviral (DAA) agents.

Material and methods

We conducted a prospective analysis of 24 patients with HCV-associated cirrhosis and treated HCC who received ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir+dasabuvir+ribavirin for 12 weeks. Prior therapies for HCC included resection (9/24 patients), radiofrequency ablation (RFA) (7/24) and trans-arterial chemoembolization (TACE) (8/24). All patients were eligible for treatment if they had no HCC recurrence 6 months after their last procedure. A control group was defined. All patients were followed every 6 months, with dynamic computed tomography and/or magnetic resonance imaging.

Results

The sustained virological response rate per protocol was 21/24 (87.5%). The study group included 14 (59%) males, median age 64 years (51-77), 50% with associated non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and 24% with Child-Pugh A6 points. HCC recurrence rate/100 patient-years was lower in the DAA-HCC group versus control: 5.5 versus 24.6% patient-years for the resection+RFA group (p = 0.044), respectively, and 18.6 versus 72.7% patient-years for TACE group (p = 0.002). Survival without recurrence was higher in the resection+RFA group (45 compared to 18 months (p < 0.001)) and also in the TACE group (44 compared to 11.5 months (p = 0.002)).

Conclusions

DAA therapy significantly reduced the recurrence rate of HCC and improved survival without recurrence in patients with treated HCV-associated HCC.

Hepatocellular carcinoma after direct-acting antivirals: an unresolved problem. Review of five cases

Aim of the study

To present the problem of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) occurring in patients treated with direct-acting antiviral (DAA) agents and to draw attention to the fact that HCC may develop even after successful therapy and in patients who were not previously diagnosed with it.

Material and methods

The inclusion criterion was confirmation of successful DAA treatment prior to HCC among hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients with liver cirrhosis. The analysed group consisted of 5 patients.

Results

In three patients the emergence of hepatocellular carcinoma was very rapid. They developed sudden decompensation of liver function with its symptoms – ascites, oedema, coagulation dysfunction. Furthermore, they had liver encephalopathy and renal failure. One of the patients had cancer cell thrombosis. Two patients’ status was stable, but they were disqualified from liver surgery due to large size of the focal lesions and their plurality.

Conclusions

DAAs, despite their high effectiveness in HCV treatment, still bear the risk of developing HCC. Patients after the therapy should remain under medical control for the early detection and treatment of the presumptive cancer.

Rapid hepatitis C virus clearance by antivirals correlates with immune status of infected patients

Altered immune parameters associated with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1b infection and their correlation with virus eradication in direct-acting antivirals (DAA)-treated patients were examined. Thirty-one HCV-infected patients were treated with DAAs for 12 weeks. Pre-DAA-treatment and post-DAA-treatment sera were analyzed for cytokines/chemokines using MILLIPLEX MAP. Serum complement level and antibody neutralization activity were measured separately. Sera from 11 spontaneously cleared HCV subjects were included for comparison. Rapid virological responders (RVR) or end-of-treatment responders (EOTR) were defined as patients with HCV RNA negative at week 4 or positive at week 4 and negative at week 12, respectively. HCV RNA eradication and a decrease in liver fibrosis-related cytokines after treatment were observed when compared with pretreatment sera from RVR and EOTR. In pretreatment sera, interferons and T-helper 1 or 2 cell-associated cytokines/chemokines were significantly higher among RVR as compared with EOTR. Furthermore, serum complement and virus neutralizing antibody levels were higher in pretreatment RVR sera. Eradication of HCV RNA by DAA decreased liver fibrosis-related cytokines. Pretreatment sera from RVR displayed an enhanced cytokine/chemokine, complement and virus neutralizing antibody response as compared with EOTR sera. Our results suggested that enhanced host immune status may play an additive role on HCV RNA clearance by DAA.

Status of Direct-Acting Antiviral Therapy for Hepatitis C Virus Infection and Remaining Challenges

Chronic infection with hepatitis C virus is a major cause of liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma worldwide. After the discovery of hepatitis C virus 3 decades ago, the identification of the structure of the viral proteins, combined with high-throughput replicon models, enabled the discovery and development of direct-acting antivirals. These agents have revolutionized patient care, with cure rates of more than 90%. We review the status of direct-acting antiviral therapies for hepatitis C virus infection and discuss remaining challenges. We highlight licensed compounds, discuss the potential to shorten therapy even further, and review different options for treatment failure and resistance. We also provide an overview of clinical experience with generic agents and evidence for their efficacy. Finally, we discuss the need for new drugs and outline promising targets for future therapies.

Hepatitis C virus-associated hepatocellular carcinoma after sustained virologic response

The introduction of a direct-acting antiviral (DAA) for patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, could lead to higher sustained virologic response (SVR) rates with fewer adverse events, and it could shorten the treatment duration relative to the interferon era. Although most recent clinical studies have demonstrated that the occurrence rates of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are decreased by SVR with both interferon-based and interferon-free-regimens, there are several reports about the unexpected observation of high rates of early tumor occurrence and recurrence in patients with HCV-related HCC undergoing interferon-free therapy despite SVR. Several mechanisms of HCC occurrence and rapid immunological changes, including cytokines and chemokines during and after DAA treatment, have also been reported. We focused on the possibilities that HCC occurs or recurs during and after DAA treatment, based on the reported clinical and basic studies. Further studies and observations will be needed to determine the short-term and long-term effects on hepatocarcinogenesis caused by the eradication of HCV with DAAs. New serum biomarkers and a follow-up system for HCV-patients with SVR should be established.

[Hepatic decompensation associated with an interferon-free antiviral therapy in patients with HCV-cirrhosis]

Today, there is no complete clarity about the pathogenetic mechanisms of the hepatic decompensation in patients with HCV-cirrhosis during the course of direct-acting antiviral (DAAs) therapy. The current article describes several clinical observations of decompensation (with the development of liver failure and portal hypertension) in cirrhotic patients during the course of DAAs-therapy of hepatitis C. The authors present contemporary views and their own assumptions about the possible mechanisms of the hepatic decompensation associated with DAAs-therapy in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Impact of anti-HCV direct antiviral agents on graft function and immunosuppressive drug levels in kidney transplant recipients: a call to attention in the mid-term follow-up in a single-center cohort study

The medium-term impact on graft function and immunosuppressive drug pharmacokinetics of direct antiviral agents (DAAs) among hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected kidney transplant (KT) recipients remain unclear. We compared pre- and post-treatment 12-month trajectories of estimated glomerular filtration rate (ΔeGFR) and 24-h proteinuria (Δ24-h proteinuria) in 49 recipients treated with DAAs (mostly sofosbuvir plus ledipasvir). Among evaluable patients, 66.7% and 100.0% had undetectable viral load by week 4 and end of therapy (EoT). The sustained virologic response rate at 12 weeks was 95.8%. Overall, 80.6% of patients receiving tacrolimus required dose escalation while on DAA-based therapy (median increase of 66.7%) to maintain target levels. Tacrolimus levels resulted to be higher at 12 months compared to EoT (7.8 ± 2.1 vs. 6.7 ± 2.0 ng/ml; P-value = 0.002). No changes in graft function during the course of therapy were observed. However, eGFR significantly decreased (P-value <0.001) throughout the first 12 months after EoT. Median ΔeGFR and Δ24-h over pre- and post-treatment periods were 3.9% and -6.1% (P-value = 0.002) and -5.3% and 26.2% (P-value = 0.057). Caution should be exercised when adjusting immunosuppression in HCV-infected KT recipients upon initiation of DAAs, followed by mid-term monitoring of immunosuppressive drug levels and graft function.

Hepatitis C Vaccines, Antibodies, and T Cells

The development of vaccines that protect against persistent hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection remain a public health priority. The broad use of highly effective direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) is unlikely to achieve HCV elimination without vaccines that can limit viral transmission. Two vaccines targeting either the antibody or the T cell response are currently in preclinical or clinical trials. Next-generation vaccines will likely involve a combination of these two strategies. This review summarizes the state of knowledge about the immune protective role of HCV-specific antibodies and T cells and the current vaccine strategies. In addition, it discusses the potential efficacy of vaccination in DAA-cured individuals. Finally, it summarizes the challenges to vaccine development and the collaborative efforts required to overcome them.

Predicting Early Viral Control under Direct-Acting Antiviral Therapy for Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Using Pretreatment Immunological Markers

Recent introduction of all-oral direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment has revolutionized care of patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Regrettably, the high cost of DAA treatment is burdensome for healthcare systems and may be prohibitive for some patients who would otherwise benefit. Understanding how patient-related factors influence individual responses to DAA treatment may lead to more efficient prescribing. In this observational study, patients with chronic HCV infection were comprehensively monitored by flow cytometry to identify pretreatment immunological variables that predicted HCV RNA negativity within 4 weeks of commencing DAA treatment. Twenty-three patients [genotype 1a (n = 10), 1b (n = 9), and 3 (n = 4)] were treated with daclatasvir plus sofosbuvir (SOF) (n = 15), ledipasvir plus SOF (n = 4), or ritonavir-boosted paritaprevir, ombitasvir, and dasabuvir (n = 4). DAA treatment most prominently altered the distribution of CD8+ memory T cell subsets. Knowing only pretreatment frequencies of CD3+ and naive CD8+ T cells allowed correct classification of 83% of patients as "fast" (HCV RNA-negative by 4 weeks) or "slow" responders. In a prospective cohort, these parameters correctly classified 90% of patients. Slow responders exhibited higher frequencies of CD3+ T cells, CD8+ TEM cells, and CD5high CD27- CD57+ CD8+ chronically activated T cells, which is attributed to bystander hyperactivation of virus-non-specific CD8+ T cells. Taken together, non-specific, systemic CD8+ T cell activation predicted a longer time to viral clearance. This discovery allows pretreatment identification of individuals who may not require a full 12-week course of DAA therapy; in turn, this could lead to individualized prescribing and more efficient resource allocation.

Interferon-free treatment for patients with chronic hepatitis C and autoimmune liver disease: higher SVR rates with special precautions for deterioration of autoimmune hepatitis

Background

Interferon-free treatment can achieve higher sustained virological response (SVR) rates, even in patients in whom hepatitis C virus (HCV) could not be eradicated in the interferon treatment era. Immune restoration in the liver is occasionally associated with HCV infection. We examined the safety and effects of interferon-free regimens on HCV patients with autoimmune liver diseases.

Results

All 7 HCV patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) completed treatment and achieved SVR. Three patients took prednisolone (PSL) at baseline, and 3 did not take PSL during interferon-free treatment. In one HCV patient with AIH and cirrhosis, PSL were not administered at baseline, but she needed to take 40 mg/day PSL at week 8 for liver dysfunction. She also complained back pain and was diagnosed with vasospastic angina by coronary angiography at week 11. However, she completed interferon-free treatment. All 5 HCV patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) completed treatment and achieved SVR. Three of these HCV patients with PBC were treated with UDCA during interferon-free treatment.

Conclusions

Interferon-free regimens could result in higher SVR rates in HCV patients with autoimmune liver diseases. As interferon-free treatment for HCV may have an effect on hepatic immunity and activity of the autoimmune liver diseases, careful attention should be paid to unexpected adverse events in their treatments.

Methods

Total 12 patients with HCV and autoimmune liver diseases [7 AIH and PBC], who were treated with interferon-free regimens, were retrospectively analyzed.