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Koppandi O, Iovănescu D, Miuțescu B, Motofelea AC, Jigău OM, Papoi AI, Burciu C, Gadour E, Vuletici D, Miuțescu E. Prospective Assessment of Serum Lipid Alterations in Chronic Hepatitis C Patients Treated with Direct Acting Antivirals: Insights Six Months Post Sustained Virological Response. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2024; 60:1295. [PMID: 39202576 PMCID: PMC11355975 DOI: 10.3390/medicina60081295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2024] [Revised: 07/29/2024] [Accepted: 08/06/2024] [Indexed: 09/03/2024]
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is intricately linked with dysregulation of lipid metabolism. In particular, cholesterol plays a crucial role in HCV replication. Direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) therapy has revolutionized the hepatitis C treatment landscape, achieving high rates of sustained virological response (SVR). However, viral clearance comes with some alterations in lipid-related markers. This prospective study aimed to evaluate the impact of HCV clearance on lipid homeostasis and non-invasive liver fibrosis markers in hepatitis C patients treated with DAAs. Material and Methods: Fifty-two patients with varying degrees of fibrosis treated with DAAs therapy were evaluated at baseline and 24 weeks post-SVR. Lipid profiles and non-invasive liver fibrosis markers were assessed. Results: Our findings revealed an increase in total cholesterol, triglyceride, and LDLc (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol) levels at 24 weeks post-SVR, alongside an improvement in serum liver enzymes. Although improvements in liver stiffness were observed in non-invasive tests, there was an increase in lipid-related markers post-SVR. Conclusions: This suggests a potential increased cardiovascular risk despite improvements in liver function and fibrosis, highlighting the necessity for statin therapy in some cases and extended follow-ups for these patients. These findings underscore the importance of closely monitoring lipid profiles in chronic hepatitis C patients post-SVR, as well as the potential need for statin therapy to mitigate cardiovascular risk. Additionally, extended follow-up is essential to assess long-term outcomes and ensure the optimal management of these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oana Koppandi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, Western University “Vasile Goldiș” of Arad, Revoluţiei Boulevard 94, 310025 Arad, Romania; (O.K.); (O.M.J.); (A.I.P.); (C.B.); (E.M.)
- Multidisciplinary Doctoral School, Western University “Vasile Goldiș” of Arad, 310025 Arad, Romania
| | - Dana Iovănescu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, Western University “Vasile Goldiș” of Arad, Revoluţiei Boulevard 94, 310025 Arad, Romania; (O.K.); (O.M.J.); (A.I.P.); (C.B.); (E.M.)
| | - Bogdan Miuțescu
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Faculty of Medicine, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timișoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timișoara, Romania; (B.M.); (D.V.)
- Advanced Regional Research Center in Gastroenterology and Hepatology, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timișoara, 300041 Timișoara, Romania
| | - Alexandru Cătălin Motofelea
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timișoara, Romania;
| | - Oana Maria Jigău
- Department of Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, Western University “Vasile Goldiș” of Arad, Revoluţiei Boulevard 94, 310025 Arad, Romania; (O.K.); (O.M.J.); (A.I.P.); (C.B.); (E.M.)
- Multidisciplinary Doctoral School, Western University “Vasile Goldiș” of Arad, 310025 Arad, Romania
| | - Andreea Iulia Papoi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, Western University “Vasile Goldiș” of Arad, Revoluţiei Boulevard 94, 310025 Arad, Romania; (O.K.); (O.M.J.); (A.I.P.); (C.B.); (E.M.)
- Multidisciplinary Doctoral School, Western University “Vasile Goldiș” of Arad, 310025 Arad, Romania
| | - Călin Burciu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, Western University “Vasile Goldiș” of Arad, Revoluţiei Boulevard 94, 310025 Arad, Romania; (O.K.); (O.M.J.); (A.I.P.); (C.B.); (E.M.)
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Faculty of Medicine, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timișoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timișoara, Romania; (B.M.); (D.V.)
- Advanced Regional Research Center in Gastroenterology and Hepatology, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timișoara, 300041 Timișoara, Romania
| | - Eyad Gadour
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, King Abdulaziz Hospital-National Guard, Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia;
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Zamzam University College, Khartoum 11113, Sudan
| | - Deiana Vuletici
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Faculty of Medicine, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timișoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timișoara, Romania; (B.M.); (D.V.)
- Advanced Regional Research Center in Gastroenterology and Hepatology, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timișoara, 300041 Timișoara, Romania
| | - Eftimie Miuțescu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, Western University “Vasile Goldiș” of Arad, Revoluţiei Boulevard 94, 310025 Arad, Romania; (O.K.); (O.M.J.); (A.I.P.); (C.B.); (E.M.)
- Multidisciplinary Doctoral School, Western University “Vasile Goldiș” of Arad, 310025 Arad, Romania
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Liu CH, Chang YP, Fang YJ, Cheng PN, Chen CY, Kao WY, Lin CL, Yang SS, Shih YL, Peng CY, Tsai MC, Huang SC, Su TH, Tseng TC, Liu CJ, Chen PJ, Kao JH. Dynamic change of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease in patients with hepatitis C virus infection after achieving sustained virologic response with direct-acting antivirals. J Gastroenterol 2024; 59:609-620. [PMID: 38613690 DOI: 10.1007/s00535-024-02101-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Information on the dynamics of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) among hepatitis C virus patients achieving sustained virologic response (SVR12) with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) is limited. METHODS We enrolled 1512 eligible participants in this prospective study. MASLD was defined by a controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) of ≥248 dB/m utilizing vibration-controlled transient elastography in conjunction with presence of ≥1 cardiometabolic risk factor. The distribution of MASLD and the changes in CAP were evaluated before treatment and at SVR12. Forward stepwise logistic regression analyses were performed to determine factors significantly associated with the regression or emergence of MASLD. RESULTS The prevalence of MASLD decreased from 45.0% before treatment to 36.1% at SVR12. Among 681 participants with MASLD before treatment, 144 (21%) exhibited MASLD regression at SVR12. Conversely, among 831 participants without MASLD before treatment, 9 (1.1%) developed MASLD at SVR12. Absence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) [odds ratio (OR): 1.73, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.13-2.65, p = 0.011], age > 50 years (OR: 1.73, 95% CI: 1.11-2.68, p = 0.015), and alanine transaminase (ALT) ≤ 2 times the upper limit of normal (ULN) (OR: 1.56; 95% CI: 1.03-2.37, p = 0.035) were associated with the regression of MASLD. Presence of T2D was associated with the emergence of MASLD (OR: 5.83, 95% CI: 1.51-22.56, p = 0.011). CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of MASLD decreased after achieving SVR12 with DAAs. Patients with pre-existing T2D showed a diminished probability of MASLD regression and a heightened risk of MASLD emergence post-SVR12.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen-Hua Liu
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Yun-Lin Branch, Yunlin, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Ping Chang
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Jen Fang
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Yun-Lin Branch, Yunlin, Taiwan
| | - Pin-Nan Cheng
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Yi Chen
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Ditmanson Medical Foundation Chiayi Christian Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Yu Kao
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- TMU Research Center for Digestive Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Taipei Cancer Center, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Lin Lin
- Department of Gastroenterology, Taipei City Hospital, Ren-Ai Branch, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Sheng-Shun Yang
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Lueng Shih
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Yuan Peng
- Center for Digestive Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Chang Tsai
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- Institute of Medicine, School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Shang-Chin Huang
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital Bei-Hu Branch, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tung-Hung Su
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tai-Chung Tseng
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Jen Liu
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, 7 Chung-Shan South Road, Taipei, 10002, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Jer Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, 7 Chung-Shan South Road, Taipei, 10002, Taiwan
| | - Jia-Horng Kao
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
- Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
- Department of Medical Research, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, 7 Chung-Shan South Road, Taipei, 10002, Taiwan.
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Cespiati A, Coelho Rodrigues I, Santos I, Policarpo S, Carvalhana S, Fracanzani AL, Cortez-Pinto H. Effect of HCV eradication by DAAs on liver steatosis, carotid atherosclerosis, and associated metabolic comorbidities: A systematic review. Liver Int 2024; 44:1075-1092. [PMID: 38385567 DOI: 10.1111/liv.15876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS The beneficial effect of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) eradication by direct antiviral agents (DAAs) on liver fibrosis is well defined. Despite this, the impact of viral eradication in both hepatic and extra-hepatic metabolic features is underreached. This systematic review aimed to synthesize the evidence on the impact of HCV eradication by DAAs on liver steatosis, carotid atherosclerosis, glucidic impairment, dyslipidaemia, and weight gain. METHODS A systematic search of the existing literature (up to December 2022) identified 97 original studies that fulfilled the inclusion criteria. RESULTS Whereas total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) seem to increase after viral eradication, the cardiovascular damage expressed as carotid plaques and intima-media thickness seems to improve. Otherwise, the effect on liver steatosis, glucidic homeostasis, and weight seems to be strictly dependent on the presence of baseline metabolic disorders. CONCLUSION Despite high heterogeneity and relatively short follow-up of included studies, we can conclude that the presence of metabolic risk factors should be strictly evaluated due to their impact on liver steatosis, glucidic and lipid homeostasis, and on weight gain to better identify patients at risk of liver disease progression despite the virus eradication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annalisa Cespiati
- Unit of Medicine and Metabolic Disease, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Inês Coelho Rodrigues
- Departamento de Gastrenterologia, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte, Departamento de Dietética e Nutrição, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Inês Santos
- Laboratório de Nutrição, Faculdade de Medicina, Centro Académico de Medicina de Lisboa, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Faculdade de Medicina, Instituto de Saúde Ambiental (ISAMB), Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Sara Policarpo
- Laboratório de Nutrição, Faculdade de Medicina, Centro Académico de Medicina de Lisboa, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Serviço de Dietética e Nutrição, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte, E.P.E., Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Sofia Carvalhana
- Departamento de Gastrenterologia, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte, Departamento de Dietética e Nutrição, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte, Lisbon, Portugal
- Clínica Universitária de Gastrenterologia, Laboratório de Nutrição, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Anna Ludovica Fracanzani
- Unit of Medicine and Metabolic Disease, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Helena Cortez-Pinto
- Departamento de Gastrenterologia, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte, Departamento de Dietética e Nutrição, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte, Lisbon, Portugal
- Clínica Universitária de Gastrenterologia, Laboratório de Nutrição, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
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Mei T, Huang X, Tang S, Liu M, Zhang W, Yu H. Effects of sustained viral response on lipid in Hepatitis C: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lipids Health Dis 2024; 23:74. [PMID: 38461262 PMCID: PMC10924993 DOI: 10.1186/s12944-023-01957-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Direct-acting Antiviral Agents (DAAs) influence serum lipids of patients with Hepatitis C virus (HCV). This paper presents an analysis of the relevant literature to investigate the effects of DAAs in treating hepatitis C to achieve a sustained viral response (SVR) on lipid parameters. METHODS PubMed,Web of science, Embase and Central databases were searched, with a deadline of September 2023. Studies on the effects of sustained viral response on lipid parameters after DAAs treatment for hepatitis C were selected. The required information was extracted from the included studies, and then the Stata 12.0 was used to analyze the data quantitatively. RESULTS Of 32 studies, the results showed that total cholesterol (TC) levels increased from the end of treatment (WMD = 20.144, 95%CI = 3.404, 36.884,P = 0.018) to one year after treatment (WMD = 24.900, 95%CI = 13.669, 36.131, P < 0.001). From the end of treatment (WMD = 17.728, 95%CI = 4.375, 31.082, P = 0.009) to one year after treatment (WMD = 18.528, 95%CI = 7.622, 29.433, P < 0.001), the levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) were also increased. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels were elevated from 4 weeks after treatment (WMD = 6.665, 95%CI = 3.906, 9.424, P < 0.001) to 24 weeks after treatment (WMD = 3.159,95% CI = 0.176, 6.142, P = 0.038). Triglyceride (TG) levels showed no significant change after the treatment. CONCLUSIONS Hepatitis C patients who achieved SVR on DAAs showed the increase of lipid levels and the improvement of hepatic inflammation indicators AST and ALT. This may provide evidence-based medical evidence for the follow-up and monitoring of blood lipids and hyperlipidemia treatment. REGISTRATION PROSPERO CRD42020180793.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Mei
- Interventional Therapy Center for Oncology Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Xiaojie Huang
- Center for Infectious Diseases, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Shan Tang
- Department of Liver Disease, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Menglu Liu
- State Clinical Drug Trial Institution, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Wenyan Zhang
- State Clinical Drug Trial Institution, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Haibin Yu
- State Clinical Drug Trial Institution, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China.
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Ferreira J, Bicho M, Serejo F. Effects of HCV Clearance with Direct-Acting Antivirals (DAAs) on Liver Stiffness, Liver Fibrosis Stage and Metabolic/Cellular Parameters. Viruses 2024; 16:371. [PMID: 38543737 PMCID: PMC10974411 DOI: 10.3390/v16030371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) is a clinical and pathological syndrome with various causes and is characterized by varying degrees of hepatocellular necrosis and inflammation. It is a significant cause of liver transplantation and liver-related death worldwide. The hepatic manifestations of CHC are typically characterized by slowly progressing liver fibrosis, which is a non-specific and often disproportionate response to tissue damage. A large majority of HCV patients have extrahepatic manifestations with varying degrees of severity. HCV infection is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus, which increases insulin resistance, oxidative stress, and iron overload and causes chronic systemic inflammation. HCV infection is treated using direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) with cure rates of over 95 percent, minimal side effects, and shorter therapeutic courses. Despite the effective elimination of the virus, it seemed pertinent to understand to what extent HCV clearance eliminates or attenuates all the systemic alterations already induced by the virus during infection and chronicity. OBJECTIVES Our study aimed to determine whether eliminating HCV with DAAs alters the severity of liver disease (liver stiffness and liver fibrosis stage by TE) and the metabolic/cellular profile of patients with CHC. MATERIALS AND METHODS A group of 329 CHC patients from a Gastroenterology and Hepatology outpatient department were prospectively studied. Of these, 134 were also studied with DAAs. The liver fibrosis stage was evaluated by transient elastography (TE) using a FibroScan® device, and two groups were established for the analysis of liver stiffness (LS): mild and moderate stiffness (fibrosis F1 and F2; F1/2) and severe stiffness (fibrosis and cirrhosis F3 and F4; F3/4). Metabolic/cellular parameters were evaluated before and after antiviral treatment using standard methods: alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), γ-glutamyl-transpeptidase (γ-GT), haptoglobin (Hp), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), triglycerides (TG), free iron (Fe), transferrin saturation (TS), total iron binding capacity (TIBC), ferritin (Ft), glycemia, insulin, Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) and platelets count. The results were statistically analyzed using SPSS 24.0 for Windows. RESULTS Comparing the fibrosis stage before and after DAAs treatment, we verify a reduction in LS in 85.7% of patients and an improvement in liver fibrosis stage in 22.2% of them after DAAs treatment. Before DAAs treatment, patients showed a 2.410 risk for higher fibrosis stages (F3/4). Comparing metabolic/cellular parameters before and after DAAs treatment, patients showed lower ALP, AST, ALT, γGT, TG, Fe, TIBC, and Ft values and higher TC, LDL, and Hp values after treatment. As such, HCV elimination reduces iron overload and insulin resistance. On the other hand, it caused dyslipidemia, raising total cholesterol and LDL to levels outside the reference values. The improvement in the liver fibrosis stage by TE was mainly associated with higher baseline platelet count and HDL values and lower insulin resistance. CONCLUSIONS With this study, we were able to contribute to the knowledge of the effects of HCV elimination with DAAs on liver disease and metabolic profile to improve the quality of treatment and follow-up of these patients after HCV elimination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Ferreira
- Institute for Scientific Research Bento Rocha Cabral, 1250-047 Lisbon, Portugal;
- TERRA, ISAMB, Genetics Laboratory, Lisbon Medical School, University of Lisbon, 1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal;
| | - Manuel Bicho
- Institute for Scientific Research Bento Rocha Cabral, 1250-047 Lisbon, Portugal;
- TERRA, ISAMB, Genetics Laboratory, Lisbon Medical School, University of Lisbon, 1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal;
| | - Fátima Serejo
- TERRA, ISAMB, Genetics Laboratory, Lisbon Medical School, University of Lisbon, 1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal;
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department, Hospital de Santa Maria, 1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal
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Zhou XJ, Good SS, Pietropaolo K, Huang Q, Moussa A, Hammond JM, Sommadossi JP. Bemnifosbuvir (BEM, AT-527), a novel nucleotide analogue inhibitor of the hepatitis C virus NS5B polymerase. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2024; 33:9-17. [PMID: 38265202 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2024.2305137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) persists as a public health concern worldwide. Consequently, optimizing HCV therapy remains an important objective. While current therapies are generally highly effective, advanced antiviral agents are needed to maximize cure rates with potentially shorter treatment durations in a broader patient population, particularly those patients with advanced diseases who remain difficult to treat. AREAS COVERED This review summarizes the in vitro anti-HCV activity, preclinical pharmacological properties of bemnifosbuvir (BEM, AT-527), a novel prodrug that is metabolically converted to AT-9010, the active guanosine triphosphate analogue that potently and selectively inhibits several viral RNA polymerases, including the HCV NS5B polymerase. Results from clinical proof-of-concept and phase 2 combination studies are also discussed. EXPERT OPINION BEM exhibits potent pan-genotype activity against HCV, and has favorable safety, and drug interaction profiles. BEM is approximately 10-fold more potent than sofosbuvir against HCV genotypes (GT) tested in vitro. When combined with a potent NS5A inhibitor, BEM is expected to be a promising once-daily oral antiviral for chronic HCV infection of all genotypes and fibrosis stages with potentially short treatment durations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Jian Zhou
- Departments of Preclinical and Clinical Development, Atea Pharmaceuticals, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Steven S Good
- Departments of Preclinical and Clinical Development, Atea Pharmaceuticals, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Keith Pietropaolo
- Departments of Preclinical and Clinical Development, Atea Pharmaceuticals, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Qi Huang
- Departments of Preclinical and Clinical Development, Atea Pharmaceuticals, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Adel Moussa
- Departments of Preclinical and Clinical Development, Atea Pharmaceuticals, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Janet Mj Hammond
- Departments of Preclinical and Clinical Development, Atea Pharmaceuticals, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jean-Pierre Sommadossi
- Departments of Preclinical and Clinical Development, Atea Pharmaceuticals, Boston, MA, USA
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Hua R, Kong F, Li G, Wen X, Zhang Y, Yang X, Meng C, Xie W, Jiang Y, Wang X, Han X, Huang Y, Mao Q, Wang J, Guan Y, Chen J, Ma Y, Xiong Q, Ma H, Yan X, Rao H, Zhao Y, Sun T, Zhu L, Mao X, Lian J, Deng G, Xin Y, Wang Y, Ye Y, Xu B, Gao H, Tan Y, Li D, Yang D, Su M, Zhang X, Min J, Shi X, Wei L, Niu J. Alfosbuvir plus Daclatasvir for Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection in China. Infect Dis Ther 2023; 12:2595-2609. [PMID: 37856013 PMCID: PMC10651614 DOI: 10.1007/s40121-023-00872-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION A pan-genotypic and effective treatment regimen for patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection remains an unmet medical need in China. Alfosbuvir is a novel potent HCV NS5B polymerase inhibitor in development for the treatment of chronic HCV infection. We conducted a phase 3 study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of alfosbuvir in combination with daclatasvir in Chinese patients with HCV infection. METHODS All patients received 600 mg alfosbuvir tablets plus 60 mg daclatasvir tablets once daily for 12 weeks. The primary endpoint was sustained virological response 12 weeks after the end of treatment (SVR12). A follow-up visit was done at week 4 and 12, and those who achieved SVR12 were followed up at post-treatment week 24. RESULTS Of the 326 patients who received at least one dose of the study drug, 320 (98.2% [95% confidence interval (CI): 96.5%-99.5%]) achieved sustained virological response at post-treatment week 12 (SVR12), which was superior to the historical SVR12 rate of 88% (p < 0.0001). The SVR12 rates were similar regardless of most baseline characteristics. The most common adverse event (AE) (≥ 10%) was hypercholesterolemia. Serious adverse events (SAEs) were reported in 25 (7.7%) patients, none of which was judged to be related to the study drug. The majority of AEs were mild to moderate in severity. CONCLUSIONS Alfosbuvir plus daclatasvir for 12 weeks was highly effective and safe in Chinese patients infected with HCV genotype 1, 2, 3, or 6, suggesting that this regimen could be a promising option for HCV treatment in China irrespective of genotype. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrial.gov identifier, NCT04070235.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Hua
- Center of Infectious Diseases and Pathogen Biology, Department of Hepatology, Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of the Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Zoonotic Disease, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin, 130012, China
| | - Fei Kong
- Center of Infectious Diseases and Pathogen Biology, Department of Hepatology, Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of the Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Zoonotic Disease, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin, 130012, China
| | - Guangming Li
- Zhengzhou Sixth People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | | | - Yuexin Zhang
- The First Hospital Affiliated to Xinjiang Medical University, Urumchi, China
| | | | - Chenxin Meng
- The Sixth People's Hospital of Shenyang, Shenyang, China
| | - Wen Xie
- Beijing Ditan Hospital Affiliated with Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yongfang Jiang
- The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiaozhong Wang
- Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Urumchi, China
| | - Xueji Han
- Affiliated Hospital of Yanbian University, Yanbian, China
| | - Yan Huang
- Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Qing Mao
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Army Military Medical University, ChongQing, China
| | - Jiefei Wang
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Yujuan Guan
- Guangzhou Eighth People's Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiayu Chen
- The 940th Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force of PLA, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yingjie Ma
- Zhengzhou People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | | | - Hong Ma
- Beijing Friendship Hospital Affiliated with Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xuebing Yan
- The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Huiying Rao
- Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yingren Zhao
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Tong Sun
- The Fifthth People's Hospital of Wuxi, Wuxi, China
| | - Liying Zhu
- The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Xiaorong Mao
- The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jianqi Lian
- Tangdu Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University of the PLA, Xi'an, China
| | | | | | - Yifei Wang
- Tonghua Central Hospital, Tonghua, China
| | - Yinong Ye
- Foshan First People's Hospital, Foshan, China
| | - Bin Xu
- Beijing You'an Hospital Affiliated with Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Hainv Gao
- Shulan (Hangzhou) Hospital, Hangzhou, China
| | - Youwen Tan
- The Third People's Hospital of Zhenjiang, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Dongliang Li
- The 900Th Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force of PLA, Fuzhou, China
| | - Dongliang Yang
- Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Minghua Su
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | | | - Jie Min
- Nanjing Sanhome Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Nanjing, China
| | - Xinsheng Shi
- Nanjing Sanhome Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Nanjing, China
| | - Lai Wei
- Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, Beijing, China.
| | - Junqi Niu
- Center of Infectious Diseases and Pathogen Biology, Department of Hepatology, Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of the Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Zoonotic Disease, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin, 130012, China.
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8
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Tsai PS, Cheng YM, Wang CC, Kao JH. The impact of concomitant hepatitis C virus infection on liver and cardiovascular risks in patients with metabolic-associated fatty liver disease. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023; 35:1278-1283. [PMID: 37773778 DOI: 10.1097/meg.0000000000002558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients with hepatic steatosis are excluded from the diagnosis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The new name and diagnostic criteria of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) were proposed in 2020 to replace the original term NAFLD. The clinical outcome of MAFLD patients with concomitant chronic HCV infection requires further investigation. METHODS The participants from Taiwan bio-bank cohort were included. MAFLD is defined as the presence of fatty liver, plus any of the following three conditions: overweight/obesity, type 2 diabetes, or metabolic dysfunction. The patients with positive anti-HCV were considered chronic HCV infections. The severity of liver fibrosis was determined using the fibrosis-4 index and NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS). The risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) was assessed using intima-media thickness (IMT) or plaques of carotid duplex ultrasound. RESULTS A total of 18 907 participants (age 55.79 ± 10.42; males 31.9%) were included for final analysis. The prevalence of MAFLD and chronic HCV infections were 39.2% and 2.6%, respectively. According to the status of MAFLD and chronic HCV infection, they were distributed to four groups: 'dual etiology group', 'MAFLD alone', 'HCV alone', and healthy controls. Compared with the 'MAFLD alone' group, the 'dual etiology' group had a lower frequency of the male sex, reduced levels of serum triglyceride, total cholesterol, and LDL; but overall older age, a higher percentage of hypertension history. In addition, they had higher levels of serum aspartate aminotransferase, fibrosis-4 index, and NFS; but no difference in levels of alanine aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, fatty liver index, IMT, and the percentage of carotid plaques. Using binary logistic regression, chronic HCV infection was associated with more severe liver fibrosis, but not with carotid plaques in MAFLD patients. CONCLUSION MAFLD patients with concomitant HCV infection, a specific phenotype of MAFLD may include a higher risk of advanced liver fibrosis, but a similar risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease compared to those without.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Shan Tsai
- Department of Gastroenterology, Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation and School of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien
| | - Yu-Ming Cheng
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tung's Taichung MetroHarbor Hospital, Taichung
| | - Chia-Chi Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation and School of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien
| | - Jia-Horng Kao
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
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9
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Peschel G, Weigand K, Grimm J, Müller M, Krautbauer S, Höring M, Liebisch G, Buechler C. Gender-Specific Differences in Serum Sphingomyelin Species in Patients with Hepatitis C Virus Infection-Sphingomyelin Species Are Related to the Model of End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) Score in Male Patients. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24098402. [PMID: 37176109 PMCID: PMC10179471 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24098402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication depends on cellular sphingomyelin (SM), but serum SM composition in chronic HCV infection has been hardly analyzed. In this work, 18 SM species could be quantified in the serum of 178 patients with chronic HCV infection before therapy with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) and 12 weeks later, when therapy was completed. Six SM species were higher in the serum of females than males before therapy and nine at the end of therapy; thus, sex-specific analysis was performed. Type 2 diabetes was associated with lower serum levels of SM 36:2;O2 and 38:2;O2 in men. Serum SM species did not correlate with the viral load in both sexes. Of note, three SM species were lower in males infected with HCV genotype 3 in comparison to genotype 1 infection. These SM species normalized after viral cure. SM 38:1;O2, 40:1;O2, 41:1;O2, and 42:1;O2 (and, thus, total SM levels) were higher in the serum of both sexes at the end of therapy. In males, SM 39:1;O2 was induced in addition, and higher levels of all of these SM species were already detected at 4 weeks after therapy has been started. Serum lipids are related to liver disease severity, and in females 15 serum SM species were low in patients with liver cirrhosis before initiation of and after treatment with DAAs. The serum SM species did not correlate with the model of end-stage liver disease (MELD) score in the cirrhosis and the non-cirrhosis subgroups in females. In HCV-infected male patients, nine SM species were lower in the serum of patients with cirrhosis before DAA treatment and eleven at the end of the study. Most of the SM species showed strong negative correlations with the MELD score in the male cirrhosis patients before DAA treatment and at the end of therapy. Associations of SM species with the MELD score were not detected in the non-cirrhosis male subgroup. In summary, the current analysis identified sex-specific differences in the serum levels of SM species in HCV infection, in liver cirrhosis, and during DAA therapy. Correlations of SM species with the MELD score in male but not in female patients indicate a much closer association between SM metabolism and liver function in male patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georg Peschel
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine, Klinikum Fürstenfeldbruck, 82256 Fürstenfeldbruck, Germany
| | - Kilian Weigand
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gemeinschaftsklinikum Mittelrhein, 56073 Koblenz, Germany
| | - Jonathan Grimm
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Martina Müller
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Sabrina Krautbauer
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Marcus Höring
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Gerhard Liebisch
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Christa Buechler
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
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10
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Trifan A, Cuciureanu T, Nastasa R, Stratina E, Zenovia S, Muzica CM, Huiban L, Singeap AM, Chiriac S, Sfarti C, Cojocariu C, Girleanu I, Minea H, Stafie R, Rotaru A, Stanciu C. Changes in Components of Metabolic Syndrome after Antiviral Eradication in Hepatitis C Virus Infection. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:life13020534. [PMID: 36836890 PMCID: PMC9959799 DOI: 10.3390/life13020534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis C infection is a systemic disease that affects over 71 million patients all over the world and it is to be considered nowadays as a new cardiometabolic risk factor. This study aimed to evaluate the weight and metabolic changes after viral eradication in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. We conducted a prospective study between October 2017 to December 2021, in a tertiary care center, in which we included 132 patients with HCV or cirrhosis. All patients received treatment with direct antivirals (DAAs) and achieved sustained viral response at 12 weeks (SVR12). During the study, clinical laboratory data and Fibroscan examinations were recorded in all patients. The study group was evaluated at the initiation of antiviral treatment, at SVR12, and within an average follow-up period of 6 months to 12 months after the previous evaluation. Evaluation at SVR12 and the data recorded in the post-SVR surveillance period show a further increase in BMI compared with baseline measurements with a statistically significant difference (27.11 ± 3.22 vs. 27.415 ± 3.03 vs. 28.04 ± 1.11 kg/m2, p = 0.012). The same observation was noticed for waist circumference (WC) at post-SVR evaluation (87.6 ± 13.1 vs. 88.4 ± 13.6 cm, p = 0.031). Moreover, the study population registered an increase in the average total cholesterol (TC) values at post-SVR evaluation (177.01 ± 42.2 mg/dL, p = 0.014) compared to baseline. In addition, the serum level of triglycerides had been modified after viral clearance, with a minimal decrease in the mean values of triglycerides (TGD) at SVR-12 assessment (133.48 ± 41.8 mg/dL, p = 0.78), followed by a significant increase to the mean value of 145.4 ± 47.2 mg/dL (p = 0.026) in the third evaluation. Our study highlights that HCV eradication does not improve the lipid profile in the short term, and these patients still have an additional cardiovascular risk factor due to high levels of TC, TGD, and weight gain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anca Trifan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
- Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, “St. Spiridon” University Hospital, 700111 Iasi, Romania
| | - Tudor Cuciureanu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
- Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, “St. Spiridon” University Hospital, 700111 Iasi, Romania
- Correspondence: (T.C.); (R.N.)
| | - Robert Nastasa
- Department of Gastroenterology, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
- Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, “St. Spiridon” University Hospital, 700111 Iasi, Romania
- Correspondence: (T.C.); (R.N.)
| | - Ermina Stratina
- Department of Gastroenterology, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
- Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, “St. Spiridon” University Hospital, 700111 Iasi, Romania
| | - Sebastian Zenovia
- Department of Gastroenterology, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
- Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, “St. Spiridon” University Hospital, 700111 Iasi, Romania
| | - Cristina Maria Muzica
- Department of Gastroenterology, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
- Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, “St. Spiridon” University Hospital, 700111 Iasi, Romania
| | - Laura Huiban
- Department of Gastroenterology, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
- Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, “St. Spiridon” University Hospital, 700111 Iasi, Romania
| | - Ana-Maria Singeap
- Department of Gastroenterology, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
- Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, “St. Spiridon” University Hospital, 700111 Iasi, Romania
| | - Stefan Chiriac
- Department of Gastroenterology, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
- Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, “St. Spiridon” University Hospital, 700111 Iasi, Romania
| | - Catalin Sfarti
- Department of Gastroenterology, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
- Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, “St. Spiridon” University Hospital, 700111 Iasi, Romania
| | - Camelia Cojocariu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
- Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, “St. Spiridon” University Hospital, 700111 Iasi, Romania
| | - Irina Girleanu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
- Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, “St. Spiridon” University Hospital, 700111 Iasi, Romania
| | - Horia Minea
- Department of Gastroenterology, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
- Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, “St. Spiridon” University Hospital, 700111 Iasi, Romania
| | - Remus Stafie
- Department of Gastroenterology, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
- Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, “St. Spiridon” University Hospital, 700111 Iasi, Romania
| | - Adrian Rotaru
- Department of Gastroenterology, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
- Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, “St. Spiridon” University Hospital, 700111 Iasi, Romania
| | - Carol Stanciu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
- Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, “St. Spiridon” University Hospital, 700111 Iasi, Romania
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11
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Cheng PN, Sun HY, Feng IC, Chiu YC, Wang ST, Tan DC, Chiu HC, Chien SC, Young KC. Interdependence of glycemic and lipid modulation in cured chronic hepatitis C patients by direct-acting antiviral agents. JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY, IMMUNOLOGY, AND INFECTION = WEI MIAN YU GAN RAN ZA ZHI 2023; 56:20-30. [PMID: 35842406 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmii.2022.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2021] [Revised: 05/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection causes various liver diseases and metabolic disorders. With direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs), which effectively eradicate pan-genotypic HCV, hepatic and concomitant metabolic restorations are achieved. The study aims to evaluate the posttherapeutic benefits of lipid and glycemic homeostasis. METHODS Nighty-five chronic hepatitis C patients who achieved sustained virological response (SVR) by using DAAs were enrolled to collect plasma samples and fractionated lipoproteins at baseline, SVR, and during the post-SVR follow-ups for 6 months (pS6m) and 1 year (pS1yr). The lipid and glycemic parameters were analyzed to establish muturally modulatory relationships. RESULTS Plasma cholesterol (Chol) and glucose were elevated at SVR from baseline, whereas plasma Chol remained increased until pS1yr; however, glucose returned to the basal level. The post-SVR responses included a peak elevation of glycated hemoglobin at pS6m, a sustained elevation of triglyceride (Tg), and sustained declines in insulin, homeostasis model assessment (HOMA)-insulin resistance, and HOMA-beta levels until pS1yr. The changes in plasma Chol and high-density-lipoprotein Chol showed positive correlations, as did the plasma Tg with low-density-lipoprotein Tg and very-low-density-lipoprotein Tg per particle load. Very-low-density-lipoprotein was found to be loaded with increased Tg and Chol and underwent efficient Tg catabolism in the form of conversion into low-density-lipoprotein. Additionally, the posttherapeutic dynamics exhibited correlations of high-density-lipoprotein Chol with plasma glucose and HOMA-beta. CONCLUSION Irrespective of the baseline metabolic status, the posttherapeutic interdependent modulation of blood glycemic and lipid metabolic parameters were revealed in chronic hepatitis C patients following clearance of HCV viremia by DAA treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pin-Nan Cheng
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Hung-Yu Sun
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, China; Institute of Pathogen Biology and Immunology of College of Biology, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, Hunan University, Changsha, China; Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - I-Che Feng
- Department of Internal Medicine, Chi-Mei Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Yen-Cheng Chiu
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Sin-Tian Wang
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Dyoness Charmaine Tan
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Hung-Chih Chiu
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Chih Chien
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Kung-Chia Young
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; Center of Infectious Disease and Signaling Research, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
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12
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Omer S, Iftime A, Constantinescu I, Dina I. Low-Cost Predictors for Liver Function and Clinical Outcomes after Sustained Virological Response in Patients with HCV-Related Cirrhosis and Thrombocytopenia. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2023; 59:medicina59010146. [PMID: 36676770 PMCID: PMC9865508 DOI: 10.3390/medicina59010146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Secil Omer
- Department of Medical Semiology, Saint Joan Hospital Bucharest, Carol Davila University of Medicine, 042122 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Adrian Iftime
- Department of Biophysics, Carol Davila University of Medicine, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
- Correspondence:
| | - Ileana Constantinescu
- Department of Immunology and Transplant Immunology, Fundeni Clinical Institute Bucharest, Carol Davila University of Medicine, 022328 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Ion Dina
- Department of Medical Semiology, Saint Joan Hospital Bucharest, Carol Davila University of Medicine, 042122 Bucharest, Romania
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13
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Ramadan MS, Boccia F, Moretto SM, De Gregorio F, Gagliardi M, Iossa D, Durante-Mangoni E, Zampino R. Cardiovascular Risk in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C Treated with Direct Acting Antivirals. J Clin Med 2022; 11:5781. [PMID: 36233646 PMCID: PMC9572655 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11195781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) is associated with hepatic and extrahepatic complications, including cardiovascular disease (CVD). The effects of sustained virological response (SVR) and liver fibrosis on CVD risk are not well established. Aims: We aim to assess the dynamics of Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) and Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease 2013 (ASCVD) scores up to three years after direct acting antivirals (DAA) treatment and explore the time-dependent association between the two scores. Methods: We included consecutive CHC patients treated with DAA and followed up with them for three years. Outcomes were changes from baseline (before DAA) in ASCVD and FIB-4 scores, measured at the end of treatment, 12-, 24-, and 36-months follow-up. Results: In total, 91 patients with CHC were finally included (median age: 66 years (IQR = 58−72 years); 43% females). Median follow-up was 2 years (1−3 years) and all patients reached SVR. The ASCVD score did not significantly change from baseline (Mean = 17.2%, 95% CI 14.1, 20.3), but the FIB-4 score significantly decreased at any time-point by an average of 0.8 (95% CI 0.78, 0.82, p < 0.001). Elevated FIB-4 scores at one (β = 1.16, p < 0.001) and three years (β = 2.52, p < 0.001) were associated with an increased ASCVD score. Clinically, two participants- with non-decreasing FIB-4 scores after treatment- had acute coronary syndrome at the end of treatment and one year follow-up, respectively. Conclusions: In our study, we found that FIB-4 and ASCVD scores exhibited a positive correlation irrespective of time-point after treatment. Larger studies are essential to further investigate the utility of FIB-4 scores in cardiovascular risk assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Said Ramadan
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania ‘L. Vanvitelli’ Napoli, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Filomena Boccia
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania ‘L. Vanvitelli’, 81031 Naples, Italy
| | - Simona Maria Moretto
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania ‘L. Vanvitelli’, 81031 Naples, Italy
| | - Fabrizio De Gregorio
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania ‘L. Vanvitelli’, 81031 Naples, Italy
| | - Massimo Gagliardi
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania ‘L. Vanvitelli’, 81031 Naples, Italy
| | - Domenico Iossa
- Unit of Infectious and Transplant Medicine, AORN Ospedali dei Colli-Monaldi Hospital, Piazzale E. Ruggieri, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Emanuele Durante-Mangoni
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania ‘L. Vanvitelli’ Napoli, 80138 Naples, Italy
- Unit of Infectious and Transplant Medicine, AORN Ospedali dei Colli-Monaldi Hospital, Piazzale E. Ruggieri, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Rosa Zampino
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania ‘L. Vanvitelli’, 81031 Naples, Italy
- Unit of Infectious and Transplant Medicine, AORN Ospedali dei Colli-Monaldi Hospital, Piazzale E. Ruggieri, 80131 Naples, Italy
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14
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Höring M, Peschel G, Grimm J, Krautbauer S, Müller M, Weigand K, Liebisch G, Buechler C. Serum Ceramide Species Are Associated with Liver Cirrhosis and Viral Genotype in Patients with Hepatitis C Infection. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23179806. [PMID: 36077197 PMCID: PMC9456360 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23179806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection affects ceramide metabolism, and, here, we have evaluated associations of eight serum ceramide species with viral load, viral genotype, and disease markers in 178 patients with chronic HCV. In this cohort, ceramide d18:1;O2/16:0 was higher in the serum of the 20 diabetic patients compared to the patients without this complication. Moreover, ceramide d18:1;O2/24:0 was negatively correlated with age. Of note, all but ceramide d18:1;O2/16:0 and 26:0 were diminished in the serum of patients with liver cirrhosis and, with the exception of ceramide d18:1;O2/16:0, were negatively correlated with the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score. Most of the serum ceramides are carried in low-density lipoprotein (LDL), which rises following effective direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy. Ceramide d18:1;O2/24:0 recovered in parallel with LDL, whereas ceramide d18:1;O2/18:0 declined. Genotype-3-infected patients had the lowest ceramide levels, which were comparable to other genotypes after DAA treatment. Notably, ceramide d18:1;O2/23:0 and 24:0 were negatively correlated with the MELD score in patients with liver cirrhosis at the end of DAA therapy. Long-chain (LC) ceramides show adverse effects, whereas very-long-chain (VL) species have protective functions in the liver. The ratio of VL/LC ceramides was higher in non-cirrhosis patients than cirrhosis patients and further increased at the end of therapy in this subgroup. In summary, our study shows that serum ceramide levels are related to liver cirrhosis and viral genotype. Whether the more favorable serum ceramide profile in non-cirrhosis patients, before and after DAA therapy, is of pathophysiological importance needs further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcus Höring
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Georg Peschel
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine, Klinikum Fürstenfeldbruck, 82256 Fürstenfeldbruck, Germany
| | - Jonathan Grimm
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Sabrina Krautbauer
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Martina Müller
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Kilian Weigand
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gemeinschaftsklinikum Mittelrhein, 56073 Koblenz, Germany
| | - Gerhard Liebisch
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Christa Buechler
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-941-944-7009
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15
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Casas-Deza D, Martínez-Sapiña A, Espina S, Garcia-Rodriguez B, Fernandez-Bonilla EM, Sanz-Paris A, Gonzalez-Irazabal Y, Bernal-Monterde V, Arbones-Mainar JM. Evaluation of Cardiovascular Risk Factors after Hepatitis C Virus Eradication with Direct-Acting Antivirals in a Cohort of Treatment-Naïve Patients without History of Cardiovascular Disease. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11144049. [PMID: 35887813 PMCID: PMC9315656 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11144049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Revised: 07/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) produces changes at multiple levels in host metabolism, especially in lipid profile and cardio-metabolic risk. It is unclear how HCV eradication by direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) modifies those changes. Objective: To evaluate the impact of DAA treatment on different risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease. Methods: Prospective study with two-year follow-up. All patients treated with DAAs in the Liver Clinic of a tertiary hospital were included. Patients co-infected with HBV or HIV, with other causes of liver disease, on lipid-lowering treatment, pregnant, or with previous HCV treatment were excluded. The results were analyzed using linear mixed models. Results: 167 patients (53% female, 9.6% cirrhosis) were included. Low plasma lipid levels were observed before initiating HCV eradication. During the first year after treatment with DAA, we observed a sustained increase in cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol (only in men), and LDL-cholesterol levels. An ameliorated glycemic control was also observed with a decrease in fasting insulin and reduced HOMA. Iron metabolism and coagulation function also improved with lower levels of serum ferritin and prothrombin activity; these biochemical changes resulted in a new diagnosis of hypercholesterolaemia in 17.4% of patients, requiring initiation of statins in 15%. Two non-fatal cardiovascular events were observed during the first 2 years of follow-up. Conclusions: DAA treatments returned plasma lipids to the normal range without increasing either the occurrence of cardiovascular events or the consumption of lipid-lowering medication beyond what is normal in a sex- and age-matched population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Casas-Deza
- Gastroenterology Department, Miguel Servet University Hospital, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; (D.C.-D.); (S.E.); (E.M.F.-B.)
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria (IIS) Aragon, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; (B.G.-R.); (A.S.-P.); (Y.G.-I.)
| | - Ana Martínez-Sapiña
- Clinical Microbiology Department, Miguel Servet University Hospital, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain;
| | - Silvia Espina
- Gastroenterology Department, Miguel Servet University Hospital, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; (D.C.-D.); (S.E.); (E.M.F.-B.)
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria (IIS) Aragon, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; (B.G.-R.); (A.S.-P.); (Y.G.-I.)
| | - Beatriz Garcia-Rodriguez
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria (IIS) Aragon, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; (B.G.-R.); (A.S.-P.); (Y.G.-I.)
- Clinical Biochemistry Department, Miguel Servet University Hospital, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Eva M. Fernandez-Bonilla
- Gastroenterology Department, Miguel Servet University Hospital, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; (D.C.-D.); (S.E.); (E.M.F.-B.)
| | - Alejandro Sanz-Paris
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria (IIS) Aragon, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; (B.G.-R.); (A.S.-P.); (Y.G.-I.)
- Nutrition Department, Miguel Servet University Hospital, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Yolanda Gonzalez-Irazabal
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria (IIS) Aragon, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; (B.G.-R.); (A.S.-P.); (Y.G.-I.)
- Clinical Biochemistry Department, Miguel Servet University Hospital, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Vanesa Bernal-Monterde
- Gastroenterology Department, Miguel Servet University Hospital, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; (D.C.-D.); (S.E.); (E.M.F.-B.)
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria (IIS) Aragon, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; (B.G.-R.); (A.S.-P.); (Y.G.-I.)
- Correspondence: (V.B.-M.); (J.M.A.-M.)
| | - Jose M. Arbones-Mainar
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria (IIS) Aragon, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; (B.G.-R.); (A.S.-P.); (Y.G.-I.)
- Translational Research Unit, Miguel Servet University Hospital, Instituto Aragonés de Ciencias de la Salud (IACS), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Fisiopatología Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERObn), Instituto Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence: (V.B.-M.); (J.M.A.-M.)
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16
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Hua R, Kong F, Wen X, Xiong Q, Chen J, Meng C, Ma H, Tan Y, Huang Y, Jiang Y, Guan Y, Mao X, Wang J, Xin Y, Gao H, Xu B, Li C, Wu Q, Zhang X, Wang Z, Zhao L, Zhang Y, Li G, Niu J. Efficacy and safety of alfosbuvir plus daclatasvir in Chinese patients with hepatitis C virus genotypes 1, 2, 3, and 6 infection: An open-label, phase 2 study. J Viral Hepat 2022; 29:455-464. [PMID: 35080256 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Revised: 12/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
Alfosbuvir is a novel potent HCV NS5B polymerase inhibitor in development for the treatment of chronic HCV infection. Our previous studies indicated that alfosbuvir monotherapy was well-tolerated and druggable in healthy subjects and HCV-infected patients. Here, we evaluate the efficacy and safety of alfosbuvir in combination with daclatasvir in Chinese patients with HCV genotype 1, 2, 3 or 6. In this open-label study, patients with chronic HCV infection were randomly assigned with a 1:1:1 ratio to receive 12 weeks of daclatasvir 60 mg plus alfosbuvir at a dose of 400, 600 or 800 mg (Cohort A, B or C) daily. Randomization was stratified by HCV genotype and the presence or absence of cirrhosis at screening. The primary endpoint was a sustained virologic response 12 weeks after the end of treatment (SVR12). A total of 124 patients were enrolled in the study, all of whom were available for post-treatment week 12 assessments. SVR12 was achieved in 92.7% (38/41), 95.2% (40/42) and 100% (41/41) of patients in Cohort A, B and C respectively. The most common adverse events were hepatic steatosis, upper respiratory tract infection, hypercholesterolaemia, hypertriglyceridaemia, blood bilirubin increased, and total bile acids increased. There were no discontinuations due to adverse events, and no treatment-related serious adverse events were reported. Once-daily oral administration of alfosbuvir plus daclatasvir were highly effective and safe in Chinese patients infected with HCV genotype 1, 2, 3 or 6, suggesting this regimen could be a promising drug candidate for HCV treatment irrespective of genotype. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT04070235).
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Hua
- The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Fei Kong
- The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | | | | | - Jiayu Chen
- The 940th Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force of PLA, Lanzhou, China
| | - Chenxin Meng
- The Sixth People's Hospital of Shenyang, Shenyang, China
| | - Hong Ma
- Beijing Friendship Hospital Affiliated with Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Youwen Tan
- The Third People's Hospital of Zhenjiang, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Yan Huang
- Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yongfang Jiang
- The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yujuan Guan
- Guangzhou Eighth People's Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaorong Mao
- The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jiefei Wang
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Shanghai, China
| | | | - Hainv Gao
- Shulan (Hangzhou) Hospital, Hangzhou, China
| | - Bin Xu
- Beijing You'an Hospital Affiliated with Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Cheng Li
- Zhengzhou Sixth People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Qiong Wu
- Nanjing Sanhome Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Nanjing, China
| | - Xian Zhang
- Nanjing Sanhome Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhiqiang Wang
- Nanjing Sanhome Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Nanjing, China
| | - Liwen Zhao
- Nanjing Sanhome Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuexin Zhang
- The First Hospital Affiliated to Xinjiang Medical University, Urumchi, China
| | - Guangming Li
- Zhengzhou Sixth People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Junqi Niu
- The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
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17
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Kouroumalis E, Voumvouraki A. Hepatitis C virus: A critical approach to who really needs treatment. World J Hepatol 2022; 14:1-44. [PMID: 35126838 PMCID: PMC8790391 DOI: 10.4254/wjh.v14.i1.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/31/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction of effective drugs in the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has prompted the World Health Organization to declare a global eradication target by 2030. Propositions have been made to screen the general population and treat all HCV carriers irrespective of the disease status. A year ago the new severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 virus appeared causing a worldwide pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 disease. Huge financial resources were redirected, and the pandemic became the first priority in every country. In this review, we examined the feasibility of the World Health Organization elimination program and the actual natural course of HCV infection. We also identified and analyzed certain comorbidity factors that may aggravate the progress of HCV and some marginalized subpopulations with characteristics favoring HCV dissemination. Alcohol consumption, HIV coinfection and the presence of components of metabolic syndrome including obesity, hyperuricemia and overt diabetes were comorbidities mostly responsible for increased liver-related morbidity and mortality of HCV. We also examined the significance of special subpopulations like people who inject drugs and males having sex with males. Finally, we proposed a different micro-elimination screening and treatment program that can be implemented in all countries irrespective of income. We suggest that screening and treatment of HCV carriers should be limited only in these particular groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elias Kouroumalis
- Department of Gastroenterology, University of Crete Medical School, Heraklion 71500, Crete, Greece
| | - Argyro Voumvouraki
- First Department of Internal Medicine, AHEPA University Hospital, Thessaloniki 54621, Greece
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18
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Grewal T, Buechler C. Emerging Insights on the Diverse Roles of Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9 (PCSK9) in Chronic Liver Diseases: Cholesterol Metabolism and Beyond. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031070. [PMID: 35162992 PMCID: PMC8834914 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic liver diseases are commonly associated with dysregulated cholesterol metabolism. Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is a serine protease of the proprotein convertase family that is mainly synthetized and secreted by the liver, and represents one of the key regulators of circulating low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels. Its ability to bind and induce LDL-receptor degradation, in particular in the liver, increases circulating LDL-cholesterol levels in the blood. Hence, inhibition of PCSK9 has become a very potent tool for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia. Besides PCSK9 limiting entry of LDL-derived cholesterol, affecting multiple cholesterol-related functions in cells, more recent studies have associated PCSK9 with various other cellular processes, including inflammation, fatty acid metabolism, cancerogenesis and visceral adiposity. It is increasingly becoming evident that additional roles for PCSK9 beyond cholesterol homeostasis are crucial for liver physiology in health and disease, often contributing to pathophysiology. This review will summarize studies analyzing circulating and hepatic PCSK9 levels in patients with chronic liver diseases. The factors affecting PCSK9 levels in the circulation and in hepatocytes, clinically relevant studies and the pathophysiological role of PCSK9 in chronic liver injury are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Grewal
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia;
| | - Christa Buechler
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Regensburg University Hospital, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
- Correspondence:
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19
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Differential Expression of the Host Lipid Regulators ANGPTL-3 and ANGPTL-4 in HCV Infection and Treatment. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22157961. [PMID: 34360721 PMCID: PMC8348577 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22157961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Host lipid metabolism reprogramming is essential for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and progression to severe liver disease. Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) achieve a sustained virological response (SVR) in most patients, but virus eradication does not always protect against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Angiopoietin-like protein-3 (ANGPTL-3) and angiopoietin-like protein-4 (ANGPTL-4) regulate the clearance of plasma lipids by inhibiting cellular lipase activity and possess emerging roles in tumourigenesis. We used ELISA and RT-qPCR to investigate ANGPTL-3 and ANGPTL-4 expression in HCV patients with characterised fibrosis throughout the natural history of hepatitis C and in long-term HCV infection in vitro, before and after DAA treatment. ANGPTL-3 was decreased in patients with advanced fibrosis compared to other disease stages, while ANGPTL-4 was progressively increased from acute infection to cirrhosis and HCC, peaking at the advanced fibrosis stage. Only ANGPTL-3 mRNA was down-regulated during early infection in vitro, although both ANGPTLs were increased later. DAA treatment did not alter ANGPTL-3 levels in advanced fibrosis/cirrhosis and in HCV infection in vitro, in contrast to ANGPTL-4. The association between ANGPTLs and fibrosis in HCV infection was underlined by an inverse correlation between the levels of ANGPTLs and serum transforming growth factor- β (TGF-β). Collectively, we demonstrate the pivotal role of advanced fibrosis in defining the expression fate of ANGPTLs in HCV infection and after treatment and propose a role for ANGPTL-3 as a contributor to post-treatment deregulation of lipid metabolism that could predispose certain individuals to HCC development.
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20
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Shengir M, Elgara M, Sebastiani G. Metabolic and cardiovascular complications after virological cure in hepatitis C: What awaits beyond. World J Gastroenterol 2021; 27:1959-1972. [PMID: 34007133 PMCID: PMC8108037 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v27.i17.1959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 03/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The association between chronic hepatitis C (CHC) infection and extrahepatic manifestations (EHMs), particularly cardiometabolic diseases, has been extensively examined. However, there has still been insufficient evaluation for these EHMs after virological cure. Several multidirectional mechanisms have been proposed explaining the ability of hepatitis C virus (HCV) developing EHMs, cardiometabolic ones, as well as the effect of antiviral therapy to resolve these EHMs. Data on these manifestations after achieving sustained virologic response (SVR) are still conflicting. However, current evidence suggests that reversal of hepatic steatosis and its coexistent hypocholesterolemia after successful viral eradication led to unfavorable lipid profile, which increases cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Additionally, most observations showed that metabolic alterations, such as insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus (DM), undergo some degree of reduction after viral clearance. These changes seem HCV-genotype dependent. Interferon-based antiviral therapy and direct acting antiviral drugs were shown to minimize incidence of DM. Large epidemiological studies that investigated the effect of SVR on CVD showed great discrepancies in terms of results, with predominant findings indicating that CVD events decreased in patients with SVR compared to non-responders or untreated ones. In this review, we present a summary of the current knowledge regarding extrahepatic sequelae of CHC following SVR, which may have an impact on healthcare providers’ clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Shengir
- Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A0G4, Canada
| | - Mohamed Elgara
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha 3050, Qatar
| | - Giada Sebastiani
- Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Quebec H4A3J1, Canada
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