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

Liver Fibrosis Regression and Associated Factors in HCV Patients Treated with Direct-Acting Antiviral Agents

There is accumulating evidence that treatment of chronic hepatitis C (HCV) leads to improvements in liver fibrosis. We aimed to investigate the improvement in fibrosis stage following treatment with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) and factors associated with fibrosis regression. Fibroscan® was performed for patients treated with DAAs, at least 3 years post-HCV eradication. The fibrosis stage at the onset of treatment was compared with the current fibrosis stage. A total of 209 patients were enrolled in this study (56% males; age 58.8 ± 13.3 years; age at treatment 54 ± 10.9 years). Genotype subgrouping was as follows: 1a (16%), 1b (58%), 2a (4%), 3 (18%), and 4a (2%). Overall, 71% of patients were considered treatment-naïve, with a mean follow-up time of 4.5 ± 1.3 years. Fibrosis improvement was observed among 57% of patients; fibrosis progression was seen among 7% of patients and no change was seen in 36% of patients. Moreover, 28% of these patients regressed from F3/F4 to F2 or less. In our multivariable analysis, the age at treatment and advanced fibrosis stage were found to be factors significantly associated with fibrosis regression. In conclusion, fibrosis improvement was observed among 57% of HCV patients after treatment with DAAs. Age and advanced fibrosis at baseline were found to be factors associated with fibrosis regression.

Impact of Direct-Acting Antiviral Therapy on Liver Fibrosis Regression among People with Chronic HCV Infection: Results from a Real-Life Cohort in Patients Who Achieved Sustained Virological Response

Background and Objectives: The global prevalence of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is 0.8%, affecting around 58 million people worldwide. Treatment with DAAs reduces all-cause HCV mortality by 49-68%. This work aims to determine whether there is liver fibrosis regression (LFR) in patients who achieved Sustained Virological Response (SVR) after treatment with DAAs. Materials and Methods: An analytical, observational, single-center, and cohort study was carried out. The final sample consisted of 248 HCV-infected patients. All started treatment with DAAs between January 2015 and December 2017. Five measurements were performed to determine the fibrotic stage in patients (measured in kilopascals (kPa)) using transient elastography (FibroScan^®, Echosens, The Netherlands). Results: Taking the baseline fibrotic stage as a reference, the distribution in subgroups was as follows: 77 F4 patients (31.0%); 55 F3 patients (22.2%); 53 F2 patients (21.4%); and 63 F0/F1 patients (25.4%). There were 40 patients (16.1%) with at least one HCV complication and 13 (5.2%) who developed hepatocellular carcinoma. The overall LFR rate was 77.8% (144 of 185 F2/F3/F4 patients, p = 0.01) at the end of the follow-up period. The highest mean FibroScan^® values were observed in patients with: "male gender"; "metabolic syndrome"; "subtype 1a"; "NRP DAA"; "at least one HCV complication"; "death from HCV complications"; and "liver transplantation requirement". Conclusions: Treatment with DAAs achieved high rates of LFR and a decrease in mean FibroScan^® values in all subgroups.

Effectiveness of Direct-acting Agents After Liver Transplantation and Regression of Biomarkers Post-HCV Treatment: A Real-life Study in Rio de Janeiro

BACKGROUND

Data concerning hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment using direct-acting agents (DAAs) post liver transplantation (LT) remains scarce in low- and average-income countries.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of post-LT HCV treatment using DAAs in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), and to assess the course of hepatic biomarkers after sustained virological response (SVR).

METHODS

Data from LT recipients with recurrent HCV treated using DAAs was retrospectively analyzed. HCV was defined by detectable HCV-RNA with elevated aminotransferases and/or histological signs of infection on liver biopsy post LT. SVR was defined as undetectable HCV-RNA 12 weeks after the end of treatment. Aspartate-to-Platelet Ratio Index (APRI) and Fibrosis-4 score (FIB-4) were calculated before treatment and after SVR.

RESULTS

116 patients (63% male, median age 62 years, 75% genotype 1 and 62% with hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC] prior to LT) were included. Cirrhosis was identified in the allograft of 21 subjects (18%). The overall SVR was 96.6% without differences in SVR proportion according to clinical/demographic characteristics, genotype or presence of cirrhosis. SVR rates were similar in individuals with and without HCC pre-LT (95.8% [95% CI: 87.6-98.7] vs. 97.7% [95% CI: 85.0-99.7%], p = 0.588). No serious adverse events were observed and the use of ribavirin was associated with at least one adverse event (OR = 8.71 [95% CI: 3.17-23.99]). SVR was associated with regression of APRI (OR = 26.00 [95% CI 4.27-1065.94]) and FIB-4 (OR = 15.00 [95% CI: 2.30-631.47]).

CONCLUSION

Post-LT HCV treatment with DAAs was safe and effective and associated with a significant decrease in hepatic biomarker levels after SVR.

Fibrosis regression following hepatitis C antiviral therapy

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is one of the most common causes of liver pathology. It is a major etiological factor of continuous liver injury by triggering an uncontrolled inflammatory response, causing liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. Liver fibrosis is a dynamic process that can be reversible upon timely cessation of the injurious agent, which in cases of HCV is represented by the sustained virological response (SVR) following antiviral therapies. Direct-acting antiviral therapy has recently revolutionized HCV therapy and minimized complications. Liver fibrosis can be assessed with variable invasive and non-invasive methods, with certain limitations. Despite the broad validation of the diagnostic and prognostic value of non-invasive modalities of assessment of liver fibrosis in patients with HCV, the proper interpretation of liver stiffness measurement in patients after SVR remains unclear. It is also still a debate whether this regression is caused by the resolution of liver injury following treatment of HCV, rather than true fibrosis regression. Regression of liver fibrosis can possess a positive impact on patient's quality of life reducing the incidence of complications. However, fibrosis regression does not abolish the risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma, which mandates regular screening of patients with advanced fibrosis.

Metabolomic changes after DAAs therapy are related to the improvement of cirrhosis and inflammation in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients

BACKGROUND

A better understanding of the evolution of cirrhosis after hepatitis C virus (HCV) clearance is essential since the reversal of liver injury may not happen. We aimed to assess the evolution of plasma metabolites after direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) therapy and their association with liver disease scores in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients with advanced HCV-related cirrhosis.

METHODS

We performed a prospective study in 49 cirrhotic patients who started DAAs therapy. Data and samples were collected at baseline and 36 weeks after SVR. Metabolomics analysis was carried out using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Inflammation-related biomarkers were analyzed using ProcartaPlex Immunoassays.

RESULTS

At 36 weeks after SVR, patients experienced significant decrease in taurocholic acid, 2,3-butanediol, and LPC(18:0); while several phosphatidylcholines (LPC(16:1), LPC(18:1), LPC(20:4), and PC(16:0/9:0(CHO))/PC(16:0/9:0(COH)), 2-keto-n-caproic acid/2-keto-isocaproic acid and N-methyl alanine increased, compared to baseline. The plasma decrease in taurocholic acid was associated with a reduction in Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) (AMR=3.39; q-value=0.006) and liver stiffness measurement (LSM) (AMR=1.06; q-value<0.001), the plasma increase in LPC(20:4) was related to a reduction in LSM (AMR=0.98; q-value=0.027), and the rise of plasma 2-keto-n-caproic acid/2-keto-isocaproic acid was associated with a reduction in CTP (AMR=0.35; q-value=0.004). Finally, plasma changes in taurocholic acid were directly associated with inflammation-related biomarkers, while changes in LPC(20:4) were inversely associated.

CONCLUSIONS

Plasma metabolomic profile changed after HCV clearance with all oral-DAAs in HIV/HCV-coinfected with advanced HCV-related cirrhosis. Changes in plasma levels of LPC (20: 4), 2-keto-n-caproic acid/2-keto-isocaproic acid, and taurocholic acid were related to improvements in cirrhosis scores and inflammatory status of patients.

Regression of liver fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma development after HCV eradication with oral antiviral agents

We prospectively investigated the changes of liver stiffness (LS) and the occurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after hepatitis C virus (HCV) eradication using direct antiviral agents (DAA) over three years. LS measurement using transient elastography and serum fibrosis surrogate markers before treatment and at 48, 96, 144 weeks after starting direct-acting antivirals (DAA) according to the protocol were evaluated. Patients were also compared with historical cohort treated with pegylated interferon (peg-IFN). Sustained viral response (SVR) was observed in 95.8%. LS value in the patients achieving SVR significantly decreased over time (19.4 ± 12.9 kPa [baseline], 13.9 ± 9.1 kPa [48 weeks], 11.7 ± 8.2 kPa [96 weeks], 10.09 ± 6.23 [144 weeks], all p < 0.001). With matched analysis, the decrease in LS value was significantly larger in DAA group than peg-IFN group at both 48 weeks (29% vs. 9%) and 96 weeks (39% vs. 17%). The incidence of HCC was not significantly different between DAA and peg-IFN groups (5.5% vs. 5.4%) at 144 weeks. HCV eradication with DAA can lead to improvement of liver stiffness over time. The regression of fibrosis was greater in the group with DAA than peg-IFN.

Clinical trials registration: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02865369).

Elastography as a predictor of liver cirrhosis complications after hepatitis C virus eradication in the era of direct-acting antivirals

Chronic inflammation due to hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection leads to liver fibrosis and rearrangement of liver tissue, which is responsible for the development of portal hypertension (PH) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The advent of direct-acting antiviral drugs has revolutionized the natural history of HCV infection, providing an overall eradication rate of over 90%. Despite a significant decrease after sustained virological response (SVR), the rate of HCC and liver-related complications is not completely eliminated in patients with advanced liver disease. Although the reasons are still unclear, cirrhosis itself has a residual risk for the development of HCC and other PH-related complications. Ultrasound elastography is a recently developed non-invasive technique for the assessment of liver fibrosis. Following the achievement of SVR, liver stiffness (LS) usually decreases, as a consequence of reduced inflammation and, possibly, fibrosis. Recent studies emphasized the application of LS assessment in the management of patients with SVR in order to define the risk for developing the complications of chronic liver disease (functional decompensation, gastrointestinal bleeding, HCC) and to optimize long-term prognostic outcomes in clinical practice.

Inflammation response and liver stiffness: predictive model of regression of hepatic stiffness after sustained virological response in cirrhotics patients with chronic hepatitis C

Cirrhotic patients with chronic hepatitis C should be monitored for the evaluation of liver function and screening of hepatocellular carcinoma even after sustained virological response (SVR). The stage of inflammatory resolution and regression of fibrosis is likely to happen, once treatment and viral clearance are achieved. However, liver examinations by elastography show that 30-40% of patients do not exhibit a reduction of liver stiffness. This work was a cohort study in cirrhotic patients whose purpose was to identify immunological factors involved in the regression of liver stiffness in chronic hepatitis C and characterize possible serum biomarkers with prognostic value. The sample universe consisted of 31 cirrhotic patients who underwent leukocyte immunophenotyping, quantification of cytokines/chemokines and metalloproteinase inhibitors in the pretreatment (M1) and in the evaluation of SVR (M2). After exclusion criteria application, 16 patients included were once more evaluated in M3 (like M1) and classified into regressors (R) or non-regressors (NR), decrease or not ≥ 25% stiffness, respectively. The results from ROC curve, machine learning (ML) and linear discriminant analysis showed that TCD4 + lymphocytes (absolute) are the most important biomarkers for the prediction of the regression (AUC = 0.90). NR patients presented levels less than R of liver stiffness since baseline, whereas NK cells were increased in NR. Therefore, it was concluded that there is a difference in the profile of circulating immune cells in R and NR, thus allowing the development of a predictive model of regression of liver stiffness after SVR. These findings should be validated in greater numbers of patients.

HCV Cure With Direct-Acting Antivirals Improves Liver and Immunological Markers in HIV/HCV-Coinfected Patients

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) cure after all-oral direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy greatly improves the liver and immune system. We aimed to assess the impact of this HCV clearance on immune system-related markers in plasma and the gene expression profile in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/HCV-coinfected patients with advanced cirrhosis. We performed a prospective study on 33 HIV/HCV-coinfected patients at baseline and 36 weeks after the sustained virological response. Gene expression was evaluated by RNA-seq analysis on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and plasma biomarkers by multiplex immunoassays. We found a decrease in plasma biomarkers (PD1, PDL1, CXCL10, CXCL8, IL12p70, IL10, and TGFβ) and liver disease markers (stiffness measurement (LSM), hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG), and transaminases, among others). Furthermore, decreased plasma levels of CXCL8, CXCL10, IL10, and PD1 were associated with reduced LSM values. We also found two upregulated (HAS1 and IRG1) and 15 downregulated (CXCL11, CCL8, CCL7, CCL2, ADARB2, RRAD, MX1, SIGLEC1, IFI44L, IFI44, IFI27, IFI6, IFIT3, IFIT1B, and IFIT1) genes at the end of follow-up, all interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) grouped into four pathways (“cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction”, “viral protein interaction with cytokine and cytokine receptor”, “chemokine signaling pathway”, and “hepatitis C”). Additionally, the decrease in most of these ISGs was significantly related to reduced LSM and HVPG values. In conclusion, HIV/HCV-coinfected patients with advanced-HCV-related cirrhosis who eradicated HCV following DAA therapy exhibited an improvement in liver disease markers and a significant decrease in plasma biomarkers and gene expression related to antiviral/inflammatory response, particularly in levels of several chemokines and ISGs.

Impact of modern antiviral therapy of chronic hepatitis B and C on clinical outcomes of liver disease

Chronic infections with the hepatitis B and C viruses have significant worldwide health and economic impacts. Previous treatments for hepatitis C such as interferon and ribavirin therapy were ineffective and poorly tolerated by patients. The introduction of directly acting curative antiviral therapy for hepatitis C and the wider use of nucleos(t)ide analogues for suppression of chronic Hepatitis B infection have resulted in many positive developments. Decreasing the prevalence of hepatitis B and C have concurrently reduced transmission rates and hence, the number of new infections. Antiviral treatments have decreased the rates of liver decompensation and as a result, lowered hospitalisation and mortality rates for both chronic hepatitis B and C infection. The quality of life of chronically infected patients has also been improved significantly by modern treatment. Antiviral therapy has stopped the progression of liver disease to cirrhosis in certain patient cohorts and prevented ongoing hepatocellular damage in patients with existing cirrhosis. Longer term benefits of antiviral therapy include a reduced risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma and decreased number of patients requiring liver transplantation. This review article assesses the literature and summarises the impact of modern antiviral therapy of chronic hepatitis B and C on clinical outcomes from liver disease.

Liver stiffness regression after sustained virological response by direct-acting antivirals reduces the risk of outcomes

The role of liver stiffness measurement (LSM) after sustained virological response (SVR) in HCV patients treated by direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) remains unclear. We aimed to evaluate LSM regression value after SVR and to identify risk factors associated with liver related complications (LRC) or death. This retrospective study analyzed patients with LSM ≥ 10 kPa with LSM by transient elastography pre-DAAs and post-SVR. Patients with previous hepatic decompensation were excluded. Medical records were reviewed to identify primary outcomes. Kaplan-Meier curves and time-to-event Cox proportional-hazard models were performed. 456 patients [65% female, 62 years (IQR 57-68)] were included. During a follow-up of 2.3 years (IQR 1.6-2.7), 28 patients developed 37 outcomes [rate = 29.0 (95% CI 20.0-42.0) per 1000 person-years]. The cumulative incidence of outcomes was significantly lower in patients who regressed LSM ≥ 20% [3.4% (95% CI 1.8-7.0) vs. 9.0% (5.5-14.5), p = 0.028]. In a multivariate Cox-model [HR(95% CI)], male gender [HR = 3.00 (1.30-6.95), p = 0.010], baseline albumin < 3.5 mg/dL [HR = 4.49 (1.95-10.34), p < 0.001] and baseline unfavorable Baveno-VI [HR = 4.72 (1.32-16.83), p = 0.017] were independently associated and LSM regression ≥ 20% after SVR had a trend to reduce the risk of LRC or death [HR = 0.45 (0.21-1.02), p = 0.058]. The use of simple parameters before DAAs and repetition of LSM post-SVR can identify patients with different risks for severe outcome after HCV eradication.

Successful HCV Therapy Reduces Liver Disease Severity and Inflammation Biomarkers in HIV/HCV-Coinfected Patients With Advanced Cirrhosis: A Cohort Study

Background: Eradication of hepatitis C virus (HCV) promotes an improvement in liver disease and the deactivation of the immune system. Here, we aimed to evaluate the changes in liver disease scores and plasma biomarkers following HCV clearance with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) in HIV-infected patients with advanced HCV-related cirrhosis.

Methods: We performed an observational study of 50 patients with advanced cirrhosis who received DAAs therapy. Variables were assessed at baseline and 48 weeks after HCV treatment completion. Epidemiological and clinical data were collected through an online form. Liver stiffness measurement (LSM), hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG), and Child-Pugh-Turcotte (CTP) were evaluated by physicians. Plasma biomarkers were measured by multiplex immunoassay.

Results: We found significant decreases in severity scores of liver disease [LSM (q-value < 0.001), HVPG (q-value = 0.011), and CTP (q-value = 0.045)] and plasma biomarkers [LBP (q-value < 0.001), IP-10 (q-value < 0.001), IL-8 (q-value < 0.001), IL-18 (q-value < 0.001), IL-1RA (q-value = 0.013), OPG (q-value < 0.001), sVCAM-1 (q-value < 0.001), sICAM-1 (q-value < 0.001), PAI-1 (q-value = 0.001), and VEGF-A (q-value = 0.006)]. We also found a significant direct association between the change in LSM values and the change in values of LBP (q-value < 0.001), IP-10 (q-value < 0.001), MCP-1 (q-value = 0.008), IL-8 (q-value < 0.001), IL-18 (q-value < 0.001), OPG (q-value = 0.004), sVCAM-1 (q-value < 0.001), sICAM-1 (q-value < 0.001), and PAI-1 (q-value = 0.002). For CTP values, we found significant positive associations with IP-10 (q-value = 0.010), IL-6 (q-value = 0.010), IL-1RA (q-value = 0.033), and sICAM-1 (q-value = 0.010).

Conclusion: The HCV eradication with all-oral DAAs in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients with advanced cirrhosis promoted an improvement in the severity of advanced cirrhosis and plasma biomarkers (inflammation, coagulopathy, and angiogenesis). The decrease in plasma biomarkers was mainly related to the reduction in LSM values.

Diabetes influences liver stiffness in chronic hepatitis C patients with and without virological cure: A longitudinal study

OBJECTIVES

The aim was to prospectively assess the variation in liver stiffness (LS) and the associated factors for LS progression in a cohort of naïve, non-responder (NR), and sustained virological response (SVR) chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients.

METHODS

This was a longitudinal study on CHC patients prospectively followed with serial elastography (Fibroscan®). The LS progression rate was determined, and the associated factors for progression were assessed using multiple linear regression analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 406 patients were followed up for 44 (35-53) months [naïve (29%), NR (24%), and SVR (47%)]. At the end of the follow-up period, the SVR group had a significant decrease in LS [11.8 (9.2) vs. 8.8 (8.4) kPa (p<0.001)], the NR group had a significant increase in LS [6.6 (5.2) vs. 7.1 (4.5) kPa (p=0.069)], and the naïve group had no change in LS [6.3 (3.0) vs. 6.0 (3.8) kPa (p=0.22)]. The related factors for LS progression were lack of SVR (p=0.002) and diabetes (p=0.05). In the non-diabetic SVR group, a negative rate of progression (-0.047 kPa/month) was observed, whereas in the diabetic SVR group, a positive rate of progression (+0.037 kPa/month) was observed. The highest rate of progression was observed in NR with diabetes at the rate of +0.044 kPa/month.

CONCLUSION

LS in diabetes patients progresses despite SVR, suggesting the need for a close follow-up of this group post-treatment considering the risk of progression of liver disease even after SVR.

Effectiveness of direct-acting agents for chronic hepatitis C treatment in South America: A systematic review and meta-analysis

The effectiveness of direct-acting agents (DAAs) for hepatitis C treatment in limited-resource settings remains unclear. We estimated the pooled sustained virological response rates of DAA therapy in South America. We searched online databases for studies that reported 12-week sustained virological response (SVR12) to hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment in individuals living in South America. Pooled SVR12 in intention-to-treat (ITT) and per-protocol were estimated. Additionally, using all studies with available data, the pooled relative risk (RR) of SVR12 using a random-effects model (DerSimonian-Laird) was estimated to compare effectiveness of DAAs in patients with or without cirrhosis, HIV co-infection or previous HCV therapy. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I² statistics. We identified 20 studies [14 manuscripts and 6 conference abstracts] comprising 7393 individuals from five countries [Brazil (n = 11), Argentina (n = 4), Chile (n = 1), Colombia (n = 1) and Peru (n = 1)] and two South-American collaborations. The pooled overall SVR12 rates [95% confidence interval (CI)] were 92.6% [90.2-94.7] and 95.5% [94.3-96.6] by ITT (11 studies; n = 4,153; I²  = 84.2%) and per-protocol analysis (15 studies; n = 4,833; I²  = 64.5%), respectively. The RR of SVR12 was similar in patients with or without HIV co-infection [4 studies; RR = 1.03 (0.99-1.07)] and those naive compared with treatment experimented-individuals [9 studies; RR = 1.01 (1.00-1.03)], but significantly higher in patients without cirrhosis compared with those with cirrhosis [11 studies; RR = 1.04 (1.02-1.05), P < .001]. DAAs are highly effective for HCV treatment in South America. The use of DAAs should be considered in limited-resource settings to decrease the burden of liver disease in HCV-infected patients. PROSPERO[CRD 42019134603].

Plasma IP-10 and IL-6 are linked to Child-Pugh B cirrhosis in patients with advanced HCV-related cirrhosis: a cross-sectional study

We aimed to evaluate the association of plasma biomarkers linked to inflammation (bacterial translocation, inflammatory response, and endothelial dysfunction), coagulopathy, and angiogenesis with the severity of liver cirrhosis (assessed by the Child-Pugh-Turcotte score, CTP) and Child-Pugh B cirrhosis (CTP 7–9) in patients with advanced hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related cirrhosis. We carried out a cross-sectional study in 97 patients with advanced HCV-related cirrhosis (32 HCV-monoinfected and 65 HIV/HCV-coinfected). Plasma biomarkers were measured by ProcartaPlex multiplex immunoassays. The outcome variable was the CTP score and the Child-Pugh B cirrhosis (CTP 7–9). HIV/HCV-coinfected patients and HCV-monoinfected patients with advanced HCV-related cirrhosis had near-equivalent values of plasma biomarkers. Higher values of plasma biomarkers linked to an inflammatory response (IP-10, IL-8, IL-6, and OPG), endothelial dysfunction (sVCAM-1 and sICAM-1), and coagulopathy (D-dimer) were related to higher CTP values. The most significant biomarkers to detect the presence of Child-Pugh B cirrhosis (CTP 7–9) were IP-10 (p-value= 0.008) and IL-6 (p-value=0.002). The AUC-ROC values of IP-10, IL-6, and both biomarkers combined (IP-10+IL-6) were 0.78, 0.88, and 0.96, respectively. In conclusion, HIV infection does not appear to have a significant impact on the analyzed plasma biomarkers in patients with advanced HCV-related cirrhosis. However, plasma biomarkers linked to inflammation (inflammatory response and endothelial dysfunction) were related to the severity of liver cirrhosis (CTP score), mainly IP-10 and IL-6, which discriminated patients with Child-Pugh B concerning Child-Pugh A.

Effectiveness of implementing a decentralized delivery of hepatitis C virus treatment with direct-acting antivirals: A systematic review with meta-analysis

Direct-acting agents (DAAs) for hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment are safe and highly effective. Few studies described the sustained virologic response rates of treatment conducted by non-specialists. We performed a systematic review and meta‐analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of decentralized strategies of HCV treatment with DAAs. PubMed, Embase, Scopus and LILACS were searched until March-2019. Studies were screened by two researchers according to the following inclusion criteria: HCV treatment using DAAs on real-life cohort studies or clinical trials conducted by non-specialized health personnel. The primary endpoint was the sustained virologic response rate at week 12 after the end-of-treatment (SVR12), which is binary at the patient level. Data were extracted in duplicate using electronic-forms and quality appraisal was performed with the NIH Quality Assessment Tool. Heterogeneity was assessed by I² statistics. Random-effects meta-analysis models were used for pooling SVR12 rates. Publication bias was assessed using funnel plots. Among the 130 selected studies, nine papers were included for quantitative synthesis. The quality-appraisal was good for two, fair for three and poor for four studies. The pooled relative risk (RR) of SVR12 was not statistically different between decentralized strategy and treatment by specialists [RR = 1.05; 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 0.98–1.1; I² = 45% (95% CI: 0–84%), p = 0.145]. SVR12 rate for decentralized HCV treatment was 81% [SVR12 95% CI: 72–89%; I² = 93% (95% CI: 88–96%)] and 95% [SVR12 95%CI: 92–98%; I² = 77% (95% CI: 52–89%)] with intention to treat analysis and per-protocol analysis, respectively. SVR12 rates using DAAs managed by non-specialized health personnel were satisfactory and similar to those obtained by specialists. This new delivery strategy can improve access to HCV treatment, especially in resource-limited settings. PROSPERO #: CRD42019122609.