1
|
McDonald SA, Hickman M, Dillon JF, Yeung A, McAuley A, Fraser A, Hayes PC, Hutchinson SJ. A transient positive association between direct-acting antiviral therapy for hepatitis C infection and drug-related hospitalization among people who inject drugs: Self-controlled case-series analysis of national data. Addiction 2024; 119:369-378. [PMID: 37726951 DOI: 10.1111/add.16344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment has an established positive effect on liver outcomes in people with hepatitis C infection; however, there is insufficient evidence regarding its effects on the 'extra-hepatic' outcomes of drug-related hospitalization and mortality (DRM) among people who inject drugs (PWID). We investigated associations between these outcomes and DAA treatment by comparing post-treatment to baseline periods using a within-subjects design to minimize selection bias concerns with cohort or case-control designs. DESIGN This was a self-controlled case-series study. SETTING Scotland, 1 January 2015-30 November 2020. PARTICIPANTS The study population of non-cirrhotic, DAA-treated PWID was identified using a data set linking Scotland's hepatitis C diagnosis, HCV clinical databases, national inpatient/day-case hospital records and the national deaths register. Three principal outcomes (drug overdose admission, non-viral injecting related admission and drug-related mortality) were defined using ICD codes. MEASUREMENTS Self-controlled case-series methodology was used to estimate the relative incidence (RI) of each outcome associated with time on treatment and up to six 90-day exposure risk periods thereafter. FINDINGS A total of 6050 PWID were treated with DAAs in the sampling time-frame. Compared with the baseline period, there was a significantly lowered risk of a drug overdose hospital admission in the second to fifth exposure risk periods only [relative incidence (RI) = 0.86, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.80-0.99; 0.89, 95% CI = 0.80-0.99; 0.86, 95% CI = 0.77-0.96; 0.88, 95% CI = 0.78-0.99, respectively]. For non-viral injecting-related admission, there was a reduced risk in the first, third and fourth exposure risk periods (RI = 0.76, 95% CI = 0.64-0.90; 0.75, 95% CI = 0.62-0.90; 0.79, 95% CI = 0.66-0.96, respectively). There was no evidence for reduced DRM risk in any period following treatment end. CONCLUSIONS Among people who inject drugs in Scotland, direct-acting antiviral treatment appears to be associated with a small, non-durable reduction in the risk of drug-related hospital admission, but not drug-related mortality. Direct-acting antiviral therapy, despite high effectiveness against liver disease, does not appear to offer a panacea for reducing other drug-related health harms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Scott A McDonald
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK
- Public Health Scotland, Glasgow, UK
| | - Matthew Hickman
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - John F Dillon
- School of Medicine, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Alan Yeung
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK
- Public Health Scotland, Glasgow, UK
| | - Andrew McAuley
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK
- Public Health Scotland, Glasgow, UK
| | | | | | - Sharon J Hutchinson
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK
- Public Health Scotland, Glasgow, UK
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Masaoka R, Gyotoku Y, Shirahashi R, Suda T, Tamano M. Combining the age-male-albumin-bilirubin-platelets score and shear wave elastography stratifies carcinogenic risk in hepatitis C patients after viral clearance. World J Clin Cases 2023; 11:5204-5214. [PMID: 37621583 PMCID: PMC10445062 DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v11.i22.5204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The treatment of hepatitis C with direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) produces a high rate of sustained virological response (SVR) with fewer adverse events than interferon (IFN) therapy with a similar effect in inhibiting carcinogenesis as IFN therapy. The age-male-albumin-bilirubin-platelets (aMAP) score is useful for stratifying the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in chronic hepatitis patients, and the velocity of shear waves (Vs) measured by shear wave elastography has also been shown to be useful for diagnosing the level of fibrotic progression in hepatitis C and predicting carcinogenic risk. Combining these two may improve the prediction of carcinogenic risk. AIM To determine whether combining the aMAP score with Vs improves carcinogenic risk stratification in medium-to-high-risk hepatitis C patients. METHODS This retrospective, observational study involved hepatitis C patients treated with DAAs who achieved SVR. Vs was measured before treatment (baseline), at the end of treatment (EOT), and 12 wk (follow-up 12) and 24 wk (follow-up 24) after treatment. The patients were followed for at least six months after EOT to determine whether cancer developed. Multiple regression analysis was used to identify factors contributing to hepatic carcinogenesis. The diagnostic performances of clinical parameters for predicting the presence of hepatocellular carcinoma were evaluated using receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses. RESULTS A total of 279 patients (mean age 65.9 years, 118 males, 161 females) were included in the analysis. Multiple regression analysis was performed with carcinogenesis as the target variable and alanine aminotransferase, platelets, α-fetoprotein, Vs, and the Fib-4 index as explanatory variables; only Vs was found to be significant (P = 0.0296). The cut-off value for Vs for liver carcinogenesis calculated using the ROC curve was 1.53 m/s. Carcinoma developed in 2.0% (3/151) of those with Vs < 1.53 m/s and in 10.5% (9/86) of those with Vs ≥ 1.53 m/s. CONCLUSION In hepatitis C patients after SVR, combining the aMAP score and Vs to stratify the risk of carcinogenesis is more efficient than uniform surveillance of all patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rion Masaoka
- Department of Gastroenterology, Dokkyo Medical University Saitama Medical Center, Koshigaya 343-8555, Saitama, Japan
| | - Yoshinori Gyotoku
- Department of Gastroenterology, Dokkyo Medical University Saitama Medical Center, Koshigaya 343-8555, Saitama, Japan
| | - Ryosaku Shirahashi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Dokkyo Medical University Saitama Medical Center, Koshigaya 343-8555, Saitama, Japan
| | - Toshikuni Suda
- Department of Gastroenterology, Dokkyo Medical University Saitama Medical Center, Koshigaya 343-8555, Saitama, Japan
| | - Masaya Tamano
- Department of Gastroenterology, Dokkyo Medical University Saitama Medical Center, Koshigaya 343-8555, Saitama, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Yuan Q, Hong S, Leya G, Roth E, Tsoulfas G, Williams WW, Madsen JC, Elias N. Analysis of the effects of donor and recipient hepatitis C infection on kidney transplant outcomes in the United States. World J Transplant 2023; 13:44-57. [PMID: 36908306 PMCID: PMC9993188 DOI: 10.5500/wjt.v13.i2.44] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND As Hepatitis C virus infection (HCV+) rates in kidney donors and transplant recipients rise, direct-acting antivirals (DAA) may affect outcomes.
AIM To analyze the effects of HCV+ in donors, recipients, or both, on deceased-donor (DD) kidney transplantation (KT) outcomes, and the impact of DAAs on those effects.
METHODS The Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network data of adult first solitary DD-KT recipients 1994-2019 were allocated into four groups by donor and recipient HCV+ status. We performed patient survival (PS) and death-censored graft survival (DCGS) pairwise comparisons after propensity score matching to assess the effects of HCV+ in donors and/or recipients, stratifying our study by DAA era to evaluate potential effect modification.
RESULTS Pre-DAA, for HCV+ recipients, receiving an HCV+ kidney was associated with 1.28-fold higher mortality (HR 1.151.281.42) and 1.22-fold higher death-censored graft failure (HR 1.081.221.39) compared to receiving an HCV- kidney and the absolute risk difference was 3.3% (95%CI: 1.8%-4.7%) for PS and 3.1% (95%CI: 1.2%-5%) for DCGS at 3 years. The HCV dual-infection (donor plus recipient) group had worse PS (0.56-fold) and DCGS (0.71-fold) than the dual-uninfected. Donor HCV+ derived worse post-transplant outcomes than recipient HCV+ (PS 0.36-fold, DCGS 0.34-fold). In the DAA era, the risk associated with HCV+ in donors and/or recipients was no longer statistically significant, except for impaired PS in the dual-infected vs dual-uninfected (0.43-fold).
CONCLUSION Prior to DAA introduction, donor HCV+ negatively influenced kidney transplant outcomes in all recipients, while recipient infection only relatively impaired outcomes for uninfected donors. These adverse effects disappeared with the introduction of DAA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qing Yuan
- Department of Urology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China
- Transplant Center and Center for Transplantation Sciences, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, United States
| | - Shanjuan Hong
- Transplant Center and Center for Transplantation Sciences, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, United States
| | - Gregory Leya
- Transplant Center and Center for Transplantation Sciences, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, United States
| | - Eve Roth
- Transplant Center and Center for Transplantation Sciences, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, United States
| | - Georgios Tsoulfas
- Department of Surgery, Aristototle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki 541 24, Greece
| | - WW Williams
- Transplant Center and Center for Transplantation Sciences, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, United States
- Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, United States
| | - Joren C Madsen
- Transplant Center and Center for Transplantation Sciences, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, United States
- Division of Cardiac Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, United States
| | - Nahel Elias
- Transplant Center and Center for Transplantation Sciences, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, United States
- Division of Transplant Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, United States
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Mezina A, Krishnan A, Woreta TA, Rubenstein KB, Watson E, Chen PH, Rodriguez-Watson C. Longitudinal assessment of liver stiffness by transient elastography for chronic hepatitis C patients. World J Clin Cases 2022; 10:5566-5576. [PMID: 35979107 PMCID: PMC9258363 DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v10.i17.5566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Revised: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Liver fibrosis is a common pathway of liver injury and is a feature of most chronic liver diseases. Fibrosis progression varies markedly in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV). Liver stiffness has been recommended as a parameter of fibrosis progression/regression in patients with HCV.
AIM To investigate changes in liver stiffness measured by transient elastography (TE) in a large, racially diverse cohort of United States patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC).
METHODS We evaluated the differences in liver stiffness between patients treated with direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy and untreated patients. Patients had ≥ 2 TE measurements and no prior DAA exposure. We used linear regression to measure the change in liver stiffness between first and last TE in response to treatment, controlling for age, sex, race, diabetes, smoking status, human immunodeficiency virus status, baseline alanine aminotransferase, and baseline liver stiffness. Separate regression models analyzed the change in liver stiffness as measured by kPa, stratified by cirrhosis status.
RESULTS Of 813 patients, 419 (52%) initiated DAA treatment. Baseline liver stiffness was 12 kPa in 127 (16%). Median time between first and last TE was 11.7 and 12.7 mo among treated and untreated patients, respectively. There was no significant change in liver stiffness observed over time in either the group initiating DAA treatment (0.016 kPa/month; CI: -0.051, 0.084) or in the untreated group (0.001 kPa/mo; CI: -0.090, 0.092), controlling for covariates. A higher baseline kPa score was independently associated with decreased liver stiffness.
CONCLUSION DAA treatment was not associated with a differential change in liver stiffness over time in patients with CHC compared to untreated patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anya Mezina
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, United States
| | - Arunkumar Krishnan
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, United States
| | - Tinsay A Woreta
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, United States
| | - Kevin B Rubenstein
- Mid-Atlantic Permanente Research Institute, Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlantic States, Rockville 20852, United States
| | - Eric Watson
- Mid-Atlantic Permanente Research Institute, Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlantic States, Rockville 20852, United States
| | - Po-Hung Chen
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, United States
| | - Carla Rodriguez-Watson
- Mid-Atlantic Permanente Research Institute, Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlantic States, Rockville 20852, United States
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21287, United States
- Innovation in Medical Evidence Development and Surveillance (IMEDS) Program, Reagan-Udall Foundation for the FDA, Washington, 20036, United States
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Gyotoku Y, Shirahashi R, Suda T, Tamano M. Role of liver stiffness measurements in patients who develop hepatocellular carcinoma after clearance of the hepatitis C virus. J Med Ultrason (2001) 2022. [PMID: 35129720 DOI: 10.1007/s10396-021-01188-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To measure changes in liver stiffness over time due to direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy in hepatitis C patients using shear wave elastography (SWE). METHODS Patients with hepatitis C treated with DAA therapy in a university medical center between July 2015 and April 2020 were evaluated. Shear wave velocity (Vs) of the liver was measured using SWE. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), platelet count, and α-fetoprotein (AFP) were measured at the same time, and the FIB-4 index was estimated. Absence of hepatocellular carcinoma was confirmed at baseline and end of therapy. Imaging was then performed every 6 months. Patient characteristics were compared between patients who did and did not develop carcinoma. RESULTS The mean age of the 229 patients (93 men) was 65.6 years. Eight patients developed carcinoma during follow-up (mean 32.6 ± 19.5 months). Significant differences were found between the groups in terms of AFP, platelet count, and Fib-4 index at baseline; the pre-treatment data had the best relationship with hepatocarcinogenesis. Mean Vs decreased significantly during DAA therapy, and then decreased further. Liver stiffness 6 months after treatment ended had the best relationship with hepatocarcinogenesis. CONCLUSION In patients with a sustained virological response, risk of developing cancer can be predicted by measuring Vs approximately 6 months after treatment.
Collapse
|
6
|
Herderschee J, Heinonen T, Fenwick C, Schrijver IT, Ohmiti K, Moradpour D, Cavassini M, Pantaleo G, Roger T, Calandra T. High-dimensional immune phenotyping of blood cells by mass cytometry in patients infected with hepatitis C virus. Clin Microbiol Infect 2021; 28:611.e1-611.e7. [PMID: 34474121 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2021.08.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection affects the immune system. Whether elimination of HCV with direct-acting antivirals (DAA) restores immunity is unclear. We used mass cytometry to get a broad and in-depth assessment of blood cell populations of patients with chronic HCV before and after DAA therapy. METHODS Before and 12 weeks after sustained virological response (SVR12) to DAA therapy, 22 cell populations were analysed by mass cytometry in blood collected from ten healthy control individuals and 20 HCV-infected patients with (ten patients) or without (ten patients) human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. RESULTS HCV infection altered the frequency of 14/22 (64%) blood cell populations. At baseline, the frequencies (median, interquartile range (IQR); control, HCV, HCV/HIV) of intermediate monocytes (1.2, IQR 0.47-1.46; 1.76, IQR 0.83-2.66; 0.78, IQR 0.28-1.77), non-classical monocytes (1.11, IQR 0.49-1.26; 0.9, IQR 0.18-0.99; 0.54, IQR 0.28-1.77), conventional dendritic cells type 2 (0.55, IQR 0.35-0.59; 0.31, IQR 0.16-0.38; 0.19, IQR 0.11-0.36) and CD56dim natural killer cells (8.08, IQR 5.34-9.79; 4.72, IQR 2.59-6.05) 3.61, IQR 2.98-5.07) were reduced by 35% to 65%, particularly in HCV/HIV co-infected patients. In contrast, activated double-negative T cells (0.07, IQR 0.06-0.10; 0.10, IQR 0.09-0.19; 0.19, IQR 0.12-0.25), activated CD4 T cells (0.28, IQR 0.21-0.36; 0.56, IQR 0.33-0.77; 0.40, IQR 0.22-0.53) and activated CD8 T cells (0.23, IQR 0.14-0.42; 0.74, IQR 0.30-1.65; 0.80, IQR 0.58-1.16) were increased 1.4 to 3.5 times. Upon stimulation with Toll-like receptor ligands, the expression of cytokines was up-regulated in 7/9 (78%) and 17/19 (89%) of the conditions in HCV- and HCV/HIV-infected patients, respectively. Most alterations persisted at SVR12. CONCLUSIONS Chronic HCV and HCV/HIV infections induce profound and durable perturbations of innate and adaptive immune homeostasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jacobus Herderschee
- Infectious Diseases Service, Department of Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Tytti Heinonen
- Infectious Diseases Service, Department of Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Craig Fenwick
- Division of Immunology and Allergy, Department of Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Irene T Schrijver
- Infectious Diseases Service, Department of Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Khalid Ohmiti
- Division of Immunology and Allergy, Department of Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Darius Moradpour
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Cavassini
- Infectious Diseases Service, Department of Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Giuseppe Pantaleo
- Division of Immunology and Allergy, Department of Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; Swiss Vaccine Research Institute, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Thierry Roger
- Infectious Diseases Service, Department of Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Thierry Calandra
- Infectious Diseases Service, Department of Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Valerio H, Alavi M, Law M, Tillakeratne S, Amin J, Janjua NZ, Krajden M, George J, Matthews GV, Hajarizadeh B, Degenhardt L, Grebely J, Dore GJ. High hepatitis C treatment uptake among people with recent drug dependence in New South Wales, Australia. J Hepatol 2021; 74:293-302. [PMID: 32931879 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2020.08.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Revised: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS High HCV treatment uptake among people at most risk of transmission is essential to achieve elimination. We aimed to characterise subpopulations of people with HCV based on drug dependence, to estimate direct-acting antiviral (DAA) uptake in an unrestricted treatment era, and to evaluate factors associated with treatment uptake among people with recent drug dependence. METHODS HCV notifications in New South Wales, Australia (1995-2017) were linked to opioid agonist therapy (OAT), hospitalisations, incarcerations, HIV notifications, deaths, and prescription databases. Drug dependence was defined as hospitalisation due to injectable drugs or receipt of OAT, with indicators in 2016-2018 considered recent. Records were weighted to account for spontaneous clearance. Logistic regression was used to analyse factors associated with treatment uptake among those with recent drug dependence. RESULTS 57,467 people were estimated to have chronic HCV throughout the DAA era. Treatment uptake was highest among those with recent (47%), compared to those with distant (38%), and no (33%) drug dependence. Among those with recent drug dependence, treatment was more likely among those with HIV (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.71; 95% CI 1.24-2.36), recent incarceration (aOR 1.10; 95% CI 1.01-1.19), and history of alcohol use disorder (aOR 1.22; 95% CI 1.13-1.31). Treatment was less likely among women (aOR 0.78; 95% CI 0.72-0.84), patients of Indigenous ethnicity (aOR 0.75; 95% CI 0.69-0.81), foreign-born individuals (aOR 0.86; 95% CI 0.78-0.96), those with outer-metropolitan notifications (aOR 0.90; 95% CI 0.82-0.98), HBV coinfection (aOR 0.69; 95% CI 0.59-0.80), and >1 recent hospitalisation (aOR: 0.91; 95% CI 0.84-0.98). CONCLUSIONS These data provide evidence of high DAA uptake among people with recent drug dependence, including those who are incarcerated. Enhancing this encouraging initial uptake among high-risk populations will be essential to achieve HCV elimination. LAY SUMMARY To facilitate HCV elimination, those at highest risk of infection and transmission are a treatment priority. This study shows the successes of Australia's universal provision of DAA therapy in reducing the barriers to treatment which have historically persisted among people who inject drugs. Despite higher DAA therapy uptake among those with recent drug dependence, gaps remain. Strategies which aim to reduce marginalisation and increase treatment uptake to ensure equitable HCV elimination must be advanced.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Maryam Alavi
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Matthew Law
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Janaki Amin
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia; Department of Health Systems and Populations, Maquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Naveed Z Janjua
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, Canada; School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Mel Krajden
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, Canada; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Jacob George
- Storr Liver Centre, Westmead Millennium Institute, University of Sydney and Westmead Hospital, Westmead, Australia
| | | | | | - Louisa Degenhardt
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Rao H, Liu H, Wu E, Yang M, Feng B, Lin A, Fei R, Fontana RJ, Wei L, Lok AS. Comparison of clinical outcomes and impact of SVR in American and Chinese patients with chronic hepatitis C. JHEP Rep 2020; 2:100136. [PMID: 32715286 PMCID: PMC7369613 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2020.100136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Revised: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 05/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background & Aims Chronic HCV infection is an important cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and liver failure in the US but limited data are available in China. We compared the incidence of clinical outcomes among adults with chronic HCV infection in the US and China and examined factors associated with outcomes. Methods A parallel prospective study of 2 cohorts of patients with HCV RNA+ recruited in 1 site in the US (UMHS) and 3 sites (PUHSC) in China between September 2011 and July 2015 was carried out. Composite liver outcomes (liver-related deaths, HCC, liver transplantation or liver decompensation), were analysed using competing-risk Cox proportional hazards model to determine incidence and associated factors. Results A total of 795 UMHS and 854 PUHSC patients were followed for a median of 3.06 and 3.99 years, respectively. At enrolment, a significantly higher percentage of UMHS patients had cirrhosis (45.4% vs. 16.2%). The 5-year cumulative incidence of composite liver outcomes was significantly higher in UMHS than in PUHSC patients (25.3% vs. 6.6%, p <0.0001). Stratification by stage of liver disease at enrolment showed this difference persisted only in the subgroup without cirrhosis due to higher aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index (APRI) in the UMHS cohort. A total of 493 UMHS and 502 PUHSC patients received HCV treatment, and sustained virologic response (SVR) was achieved in 88.0% UMHS and 86.8% PUHSC treated-patients. SVR as time-dependent variable was associated with 80% lower risk of composite liver outcomes among patients with decompensated cirrhosis but not the overall cohorts. Conclusions When accounting for disease severity at entry, the incidence of composite liver outcomes was similar in patients with HCV in the US and China. Achievement of SVR had the greatest short-term impact on patients with decompensated cirrhosis. Lay summary Patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection were recruited from centres in the United States and China. During follow-up, a higher percentage of the American patients had clinical outcomes: liver failure, liver cancer, liver transplant or liver-related deaths than the Chinese patients, mainly because more American patients had cirrhosis at enrolment. Older age and more advanced liver disease were associated with higher incidence of outcomes overall and viral clearance after hepatitis C treatment was associated with a lower incidence of outcomes in patients with advanced cirrhosis. Our findings highlight the importance of improving diagnosis and treatment of hepatitis C before advanced liver disease develops. The incidence of clinical outcomes in US and Chinese patients with chronic HCV infection was compared. Outcome rates were higher in the US cohort, in which cirrhosis was more common. SVR rates were similar in the 2 cohorts. SVR decreased the incidence of clinical outcomes in patients with decompensated cirrhosis over a median 3-year follow-up.
Collapse
Key Words
- AFP, alpha fetoprotein
- AIC, Akaike Information Criterion
- ALB, albumin
- ALP, alkaline phosphatase
- ALT, alanine aminotransferase
- APRI, aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index
- AST, aspartate aminotransferase
- BMI, body mass index
- Cirrhosis
- DAA, direct-acting antiviral
- Decompensation
- Direct-acting antiviral therapy
- FIB-4, fibrosis-4
- HCC, hepatocellular carcinoma
- HCV, hepatitis C virus
- Hepatocellular carcinoma
- INR, international normalized ratio
- LT, liver transplantation
- LrD, liver-related deaths
- MELD, model for end-stage liver disease
- PUHSC, Peking University Health Science Center
- SVR, sustained virologic response
- TBIL, total bilirubin
- UMHS, University of Michigan Health System
- anti-HBc, antibody to HBcAg
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Huiying Rao
- Peking University People's Hospital, Peking University Hepatology Institute, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Huixin Liu
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Elizabeth Wu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Ming Yang
- Peking University People's Hospital, Peking University Hepatology Institute, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Bo Feng
- Peking University People's Hospital, Peking University Hepatology Institute, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Andy Lin
- The Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Ran Fei
- Peking University People's Hospital, Peking University Hepatology Institute, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Robert J Fontana
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Lai Wei
- Peking University People's Hospital, Peking University Hepatology Institute, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Anna S Lok
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Iliescu EL, Mercan-Stanciu A, Toma L. Safety and efficacy of direct-acting antivirals for chronic hepatitis C in patients with chronic kidney disease. BMC Nephrol 2020; 21:21. [PMID: 31948406 PMCID: PMC6966843 DOI: 10.1186/s12882-020-1687-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This is a real-world evidence study that aims to analyze the efficacy, tolerability and safety profile of paritaprevir/ombitasvir/ritonavir and dasabuvir, in patients with renal impairment. METHODS We conducted an observational prospective study, on 232 patients with chronic kidney disease, undergoing treatment with paritaprevir/ombitasvir/ritonavir and dasabuvir, for chronic hepatitis C infection - genotype 1b. Renal and liver function were assessed at the beginning of therapy, monthly during treatment and three months after therapy completion. RESULTS All patients achieved sustained virologic response. Common side effects were nausea, fatigue and headache. Close monitoring of tacrolimus blood levels and dose reduction was required in kidney transplant recipients. CONCLUSIONS HCV therapy in the setting of renal dysfunction has always been a challenging topic. Direct-acting antivirals have shown promising effects, demonstrating good tolerance and efficacy in patients with HCV infection and renal impairment. Sustained virologic response within our study population was 100%.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elena Laura Iliescu
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Fundeni Clinical Institute, 022328, Bucharest, Romania.
| | - Adriana Mercan-Stanciu
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Fundeni Clinical Institute, 022328, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Letitia Toma
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Fundeni Clinical Institute, 022328, Bucharest, Romania
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Lin YC, Chiu WN, Chang TS, Huang TJ, Chen MY. Liver Health Literacy and Health Status Among Adults With Hepatitis C: Implications for the Nursing Profession as Part of the 2030 Global Elimination Goal. J Nurs Scholarsh 2019; 52:128-135. [PMID: 31750620 DOI: 10.1111/jnu.12533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To explore the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection as well as the levels of liver health literacy and association with the health status of people with HCV through the nurse-led community health development goal of global elimination. METHODS A community-based, cross-sectional study was conducted between July 2018 and June 2019 in coastal Western Yunlin County, Taiwan. This study was conducted at five townships, and serum HCV antibody (anti-HCV) screening was used for the identification of potentially infected people by a collaborating local hospital. RESULTS Of the 1,963 adults from rural areas enrolled in this study, 321 (16.4%) were anti-HCV positive, 237 (73.8%) reported that they were unaware of their HCV positivity, and none of them were provided information on direct-acting antiviral agent therapy. The levels of anti-HCV positivity were higher among female patients (p < .05), elderly people (p < .001), those with a low education level (p < .001), and those from the Sihu Township within Yunlin County (p < .001). Participants with anti-HCV positivity tended to have lower intakes of vegetables (p < .01) and fruit (p < .05), a greater number of comorbidities (p < .05), as well as a greater incidence of abnormal liver (p < .001) and renal function (p < .001) compared to those with anti-HCV negativity. Multivariable linear regression analysis showed that the presence of HCV infection and a greater number of metabolic syndrome components were associated with poor liver and renal function. CONCLUSIONS These findings showed a high prevalence of HCV infection among adults living in rural areas, who had low literacy levels on hepatitis, unhealthy lifestyles, and abnormal liver and renal function. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Clinicians and primary healthcare providers should initiate efforts to increase the levels of liver health literacy by increasing the accessibility to infection confirmation tests and reducing the number of barriers to the reception of antiviral treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Chih Lin
- Department of Family Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Yunlin, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Nan Chiu
- Department of Hepato-Gastroenterology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Yunlin, Taiwan
| | - Te-Sheng Chang
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan, and Assistant Professor, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Tung-Jung Huang
- Department of Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Yunlin, Taiwan, and Department of Respiratory Care, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Chiayi, Taiwan
| | - Mei-Yen Chen
- Department of Nursing, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Chiayi, Taiwan, and Department of Nursing, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan, and Research Fellow, Department of Cardiology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Yunlin, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Abdelnabi M, Almaghraby A, Saleh Y, Abd Elsamad S. Hepatocellular carcinoma with a direct right atrial extension in an HCV patient previously treated with direct-acting antiviral therapy: a case report. Egypt Heart J 2019; 71:5. [PMID: 31659529 PMCID: PMC6821414 DOI: 10.1186/s43044-019-0012-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2019] [Accepted: 07/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is considered the third-leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Most cases of HCC are usually associated with liver cirrhosis due to various causes such as alcohol or more commonly viral hepatitis. Usually, patients remain asymptomatic for a long time, and symptoms are usually related to the cirrhosis itself or secondary to tumor extension. Intra-cardiac involvement with HCC rarely develops with a very poor prognosis. The occurrence and recurrence of HCC in cirrhotic patients treated with direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy (sofosbuvir) have been discussed in a few trials so far with no valid answer. CASE PRESENTATION We are reporting a case of recurrent HCC with an accidentally discovered direct right atrial extension with tumor thrombus through the inferior vena cava (IVC) in a cirrhotic patient previously treated with DAA. Unfortunately, due to his critical general condition, he died within days. CONCLUSION Cardiac involvement in HCC rarely occurs and usually develops in advanced stages of HCC with very poor reported prognosis. Data regarding the relation between DAA and HCC development is controversial.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mahmoud Abdelnabi
- Cardiology and Angiology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Internal Medicine, Medical Research Institute, University of Alexandria, 165 El-Horeya Rd, Al Ibrahimeyah Qebli WA Al Hadrah Bahri, Qesm Bab Sharqi, Alexandria Governorate, 21561 Egypt
| | - Abdallah Almaghraby
- Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Alexandria, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Yehia Saleh
- Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Alexandria, Alexandria, Egypt
- Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI USA
| | - Sherif Abd Elsamad
- Cardiology and Angiology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Internal Medicine, Medical Research Institute, University of Alexandria, 165 El-Horeya Rd, Al Ibrahimeyah Qebli WA Al Hadrah Bahri, Qesm Bab Sharqi, Alexandria Governorate, 21561 Egypt
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Emmanuel B, El-Kamary SS, Magder LS, Stafford KA, Charurat ME, Poonia B, Chairez C, McLaughlin M, Hadigan C, Masur H, Kottilil S. Immunological recovery in T-cell activation after sustained virologic response among HIV positive and HIV negative chronic Hepatitis C patients. Hepatol Int 2019; 13:270-276. [PMID: 30835046 PMCID: PMC10900133 DOI: 10.1007/s12072-019-09941-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2018] [Accepted: 02/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rapid decreases in activated CD4+ and CD8+ (HLA-DR + and CD38+ co-expressed) T-lymphocytes have been described within 1-2 weeks of initiating direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy among chronic Hepatitis C (CHC) patients. However, it is not known whether these changes are maintained past sustained virologic response (SVR), particularly in those who are HIV/HCV-coinfected. METHODS We investigated the changes in immune parameters of T-lymphocytes from pre-DAA therapy to post-SVR among HIV negative and HIV positive patients with CHC. Repeated measurements of activated CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were analyzed by flow cytometry at pre-DAA therapy, DAA therapy, end of treatment, SVR, and post-SVR. A general linear model for repeated measurements was used to estimate the mean outcome at each timepoint and change between timepoints. RESULTS HCV-monoinfected (n = 161) and HIV/HCV-coinfected (n = 59) patients who achieved SVR with DAA therapy were predominately middle aged, male, black, and non-cirrhotic. At pre-DAA therapy, HCV-monoinfected patients had significantly higher CD4+ T cells and CD4+:CD8+ T-cell ratio, while significantly lower CD8+ and activated CD4+ and CD8+ T cells compared to HIV/HCV-coinfected patients (p < 0.0001). HCV-monoinfected and HIV/HCV-coinfected patients had a significant mean decrease from pre-DAA therapy to post-SVR year 1 for activated CD4+ (HCV-monoinfected: 4.8-3.9%, p < 0.0001; HIV/HCV-coinfected: 6.6-4.5%, p < 0.0001) and activated CD8+ T cells (HCV-monoinfected V: 13.8-11.8%, p = 0.0002; HIV/HCV-coinfected: 18.0-12.4%, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION This longitudinal study showed CHC patients treated with DAA therapy had continued decrease of T-lymphocytes from start of DAA therapy to after achievement of SVR suggesting improvement as HCV clearance normalizes activated T-cell phenotype.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Emmanuel
- Division of Clinical Care and Research, Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 725 W. Lombard Street, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Samer S El-Kamary
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Laurence S Magder
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Kristen A Stafford
- Division of Clinical Care and Research, Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 725 W. Lombard Street, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Man E Charurat
- Department of Epidemiology and Prevention, Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Bhawna Poonia
- Division of Clinical Care and Research, Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 725 W. Lombard Street, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Cheryl Chairez
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, USA
| | - Mary McLaughlin
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, USA
| | - Colleen Hadigan
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, USA
| | - Henry Masur
- Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, USA
| | - Shyam Kottilil
- Division of Clinical Care and Research, Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 725 W. Lombard Street, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Valerio H, McAuley A, Innes H, Palmateer N, Goldberg DJ, Munro A, Taylor A, Hutchinson SJ. Determinants of hepatitis C antiviral effectiveness awareness among people who inject drugs in the direct-acting antiviral era. Int J Drug Policy 2018; 52:115-22. [PMID: 29414462 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2017.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2017] [Revised: 12/14/2017] [Accepted: 12/18/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Although people who inject drugs (PWID) are at greatest risk of hepatitis C (HCV), treatment uptake in this population has historically been low. Highly effective direct acting antiviral (DAA) treatments for HCV have recently become available. Our aim was to assess the awareness among PWID of these new therapies and their effectiveness. METHODS A national survey of PWID attending injecting equipment provision sites in Scotland during 2015-2016 included questions to gauge the awareness in this population of antiviral treatment and the high cure rates associated with new therapies (defined here as >80%). RESULTS Among 2623 PWID, 92% had ever been tested for HCV. After excluding those ever treated for HCV (n = 226), 79% were aware of HCV treatment. Awareness was more likely among those who had ever been tested and self-reported either a positive (adjusted odds ratio: 16.04, 95%CI 10.57-24.33) or negative (3.11, 2.30-4.22) test result, compared to those who were never tested. The minority of all respondents (17%) were aware of high cure rates. This awareness was more likely among those who had ever been in HCV specialist care (9.76, 5.13-18.60) and those who had not been in specialist care but had been tested and self-reported either a positive (3.91, 2.20-7.53) or negative (2.55, 1.35-4.81) test result, compared to those who had never been tested. CONCLUSION We found poor awareness of the high cure rates associated with DAAs among PWID in Scotland, despite relatively high rates of HCV testing in this population. Increased effort is needed to ensure population groups with high risk of HCV infection are fully informed of the highly effective antiviral medications now available to treat this chronic disease.
Collapse
|
14
|
Dias C, Duarte-Ribeiro F, Pipa S, Barbosa AR, Mota M, Rosas Vieira F. Hepatocellular carcinoma after direct-acting antiviral therapy for chronic HCV infection: Is it a real risk? IDCases 2018; 14:e00450. [PMID: 30191133 PMCID: PMC6125765 DOI: 10.1016/j.idcr.2018.e00450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2018] [Revised: 08/29/2018] [Accepted: 08/29/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The newer oral treatments for chronic hepatitis C virus infection are one of the greatest revolutions in modern medicine. These drugs promise to eradicate the infection, showing high cure rates even in difficult to treat populations with very few side effects. Nevertheless, some cases of recurrence and de novo hepatocellular carcinoma after treatment with these drugs have been reported. We describe two cases of patients treated with direct-acting antiviral agents that developed hepatocarcinoma during follow-up post-treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cátia Dias
- Corresponding author at: Rua Dr.º Francisco Sá Carneiro, 1228 1º esquerdo, São Cosme, 4420-132 Gondomar, Porto, Portugal.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Gadiparthi C, Cholankeril G, Perumpail BJ, Yoo ER, Satapathy SK, Nair S, Ahmed A. Use of direct-acting antiviral agents in hepatitis C virus-infected liver transplant candidates. World J Gastroenterol 2018; 24:315-322. [PMID: 29391754 PMCID: PMC5776393 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v24.i3.315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2017] [Revised: 12/05/2017] [Accepted: 12/12/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the advent of direct acting antiviral (DAA) agents, chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment has evolved at a rapid pace. In contrast to prior regimen involving ribavirin and pegylated interferon, these newer agents are highly effective, well-tolerated, have shorter course of therapy and safer essentially in all HCV patients including those with advanced liver disease and following liver transplantation. Clinicians caring for HCV-infected patients on the liver transplant (LT) waitlist are often faced with a dilemma whether to treat HCV infection before or after liver transplantation. Sustained virological response (SVR) rates following HCV treatment may improve hepatic function sufficiently enough to negate the need for LT in certain patients. On the other hand, the decrease in MELD without improvement in quality of life in certain patients may lead to delay or dropout from potentially curative LT surgery list. In this context, our review focuses on the approach to and optimal timing of DAA-based treatment of HCV infection in LT candidates in the peri-transplant period.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chiranjeevi Gadiparthi
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center, Memphis, TN 38104, United States
| | - George Cholankeril
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94304, United States
| | - Brandon J Perumpail
- Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19129, United States
| | - Eric R Yoo
- Department of Medicine, Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, San Jose, CA 95128, United States
| | - Sanjaya K Satapathy
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center, Memphis, TN 38104, United States
| | - Satheesh Nair
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center, Memphis, TN 38104, United States
| | - Aijaz Ahmed
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94304, United States
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Cholankeril G, Joseph-Talreja M, Perumpail BJ, Liu A, Yoo ER, Ahmed A, Goel A. Timing of Hepatitis C Virus Treatment in Liver Transplant Candidates in the Era of Direct-acting Antiviral Agents. J Clin Transl Hepatol 2017; 5:363-367. [PMID: 29226102 PMCID: PMC5719193 DOI: 10.14218/jcth.2017.00007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2017] [Revised: 07/30/2017] [Accepted: 08/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection remains the leading indication for liver transplantation (LT) in the United States. While most patients with chronic HCV infection remain asymptomatic, up to one-third develop progressive liver disease resulting in cirrhosis. LT is often the only curative treatment once significant hepatic decompensation develops. However, antiviral therapy for HCV infection has advanced markedly in the past 5 years with the discovery and approval of direct-acting antiviral agents. These new regimens are well tolerated, of short duration and highly effective, unlike the traditional treatment with pegylated-interferon and ribavirin. As achieving sustained virological response becomes increasingly attainable for a majority of HCV-infected patients, concerns have been raised regarding the optimal timing of treatment for HCV infection in the setting of end-stage liver disease and during the peri-transplant period. On one hand, HCV treatment may improve hepatic function and negate the need for LT in some, which is crucial given the scarcity of donor organs and mortality on the waiting list in certain regions. On the other hand, HCV treatment may result in lowering the priority for LT without improving quality of life, thereby delaying potentially curative LT surgery. This review evaluates the evidence supporting the use of direct-acting antiviral agents in the period before and following LT.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- George Cholankeril
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Mairin Joseph-Talreja
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Brandon J. Perumpail
- Department of Medicine, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Andy Liu
- Department of Medicine, California Pacific Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Eric R. Yoo
- Department of Medicine, Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, San Jose, CA, USA
| | - Aijaz Ahmed
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- *Correspondence to: Aijaz Ahmed, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Stanford University School of Medicine, 750 Welch Road, Suite #210, Stanford, CA 94304, USA. Tel: +1-650-498-6091, Fax: +1-650-498-5692, E-mail:
| | - Aparna Goel
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Yek C, de la Flor C, Marshall J, Zoellner C, Thompson G, Quirk L, Mayorga C, Turner BJ, Singal AG, Jain MK. Effectiveness of direct-acting antiviral therapy for hepatitis C in difficult-to-treat patients in a safety-net health system: a retrospective cohort study. BMC Med 2017; 15:204. [PMID: 29151365 PMCID: PMC5694912 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-017-0969-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2017] [Accepted: 10/31/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) have revolutionized chronic hepatitis C (HCV) treatment, but real-world effectiveness among vulnerable populations, including uninsured patients, is lacking. This study was conducted to characterize the effectiveness of DAAs in a socioeconomically disadvantaged and underinsured patient cohort. METHODS This retrospective observational study included all patients undergoing HCV treatment with DAA-based therapy between April 2014 and June 2016 at a large urban safety-net health system (Parkland Health and Hospital System, Dallas, TX, USA). The primary outcome was sustained virologic response (SVR), with secondary outcomes including treatment discontinuation, treatment relapse, and loss to follow-up. RESULTS DAA-based therapy was initiated in 512 patients. The cohort was socioeconomically disadvantaged (56% uninsured and 13% Medicaid), with high historic rates of alcohol (41%) and substance (50%) use, and mental health disorders (38%). SVR was achieved in 90% of patients (n = 459); 26 patients (5%) were lost to follow-up. SVR was significantly lower in patients with decompensated cirrhosis (82% SVR; OR 0.37, 95% CI 0.16-0.85) but did not differ by insurance status (P = 0.98) or alcohol/substance use (P = 0.34). Reasons for treatment failure included loss to follow-up (n = 26, 5%), viral relapse (n = 16, 3%), non-treatment-related death (n = 7, 1%), and treatment discontinuation (n = 4, 1%). Of patients with viral relapse, 6 reported non-compliance and have not been retreated, 5 have been retreated and achieved SVR, 4 have undergone resistance testing but not yet initiated retreatment, and 1 was lost to follow-up. CONCLUSIONS Effective outcomes with DAA-based therapy can be achieved in difficult-to-treat underinsured populations followed in resource-constrained safety-net health systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christina Yek
- Parkland Health and Hospital System, Dallas, Texas, USA.,University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Carolina de la Flor
- Parkland Health and Hospital System, Dallas, Texas, USA.,University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - John Marshall
- Parkland Health and Hospital System, Dallas, Texas, USA.,University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | | | | | - Lisa Quirk
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Christian Mayorga
- Parkland Health and Hospital System, Dallas, Texas, USA.,University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Barbara J Turner
- University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Amit G Singal
- Parkland Health and Hospital System, Dallas, Texas, USA.,University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Mamta K Jain
- Parkland Health and Hospital System, Dallas, Texas, USA. .,University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Dore GJ. Commentary on Gountas et al. (2017): Time to focus on empirical evidence for HCV treatment as prevention. Addiction 2017; 112:1300-1301. [PMID: 28586555 DOI: 10.1111/add.13796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2017] [Accepted: 02/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gregory J Dore
- The Kirby Institute, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Gane EJ, DeJesus E, Janczewska E, George J, Diago M, Da Silva MH, Reesink H, Nikitin I, Hinrichsen H, Bourgeois S, Ferenci P, Shukla U, Kalmeijer R, Lenz O, Fevery B, Corbett C, Beumont M, Jessner W. Simeprevir with peginterferon α-2a/ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C virus genotype 1 infection in treatment-experienced patients: an open-label, rollover study. BMC Infect Dis 2017; 17:389. [PMID: 28577353 PMCID: PMC5457573 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-017-2444-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2017] [Accepted: 05/07/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background This Phase 3, open-label, rollover study (NCT01323244) investigated the efficacy and safety of simeprevir plus peginterferon α-2a (PegIFNα-2a) and ribavirin (RBV) in a well-characterized population of HCV genotype 1 (GT1)-infected treatment-experienced patients. Methods Patients who had failed PegIFNα/RBV treatment in the placebo arm of a previous Phase 2/3 simeprevir study (Phase 2/3 group, n = 125), or had been exposed to HCV direct-acting antivirals (simeprevir or other) for up to 14 days in a selected Phase 1 study (Phase 1 group, n = 16), were eligible. Phase 2/3 group patients were classified according to prior relapse, breakthrough, or non-response (null response, partial response, non-classifiable non-response) to PegIFNα/RBV. Eight patients in the Phase 1 group received short-term (≤14 days) simeprevir. Treatment comprised simeprevir 150 mg once daily (QD) plus PegIFNα-2a/RBV for 12 weeks followed by PegIFNα-2a/RBV for 12 or 36 weeks (using response-guided therapy [RGT] to determine total treatment duration in Phase 2/3 prior relapsers or breakthrough) or 36 weeks fixed (Phase 2/3 group non-responders and Phase 1 group). The primary endpoint was sustained virologic response 12 weeks after planned end of treatment (SVR12). Results Phase 2/3 group: SVR12 rate was 69.6% (87/125) overall; 92.7% (51/55), 60.0% (6/10), 64.3% (18/28), and 36.7% (11/30) in patients with prior relapse, viral breakthrough, partial response, or null response, respectively. SVR12 rates were similar for patients with HCV GT1a (66.0% [33/50]) and GT1b infection (72.0% [54/75]) and among HCV GT1a-infected patients with/without a baseline Q80K polymorphism (66.7% [8/12] and 65.8% [25/38], respectively). The majority of RGT-eligible patients (prior viral relapse or breakthrough) met RGT criteria (89.2% [58/65]); of these, 89.7% (52/58) achieved SVR12. Overall, 16.0% (20/125) of patients experienced on-treatment failure and 14.4% (18/125) experienced post-treatment failure (15 relapses, 3 missing data). Phase 1 group (simeprevir-naïve and -experienced patients combined): SVR12 rate was 37.5% (6/16). Safety and tolerability findings were comparable to those of the feeder studies. Conclusions The majority of RGT-eligible patients met criteria for shortening treatment to 24 weeks in total. Simeprevir 150 mg QD with PegIFNα-2a/RBV led to a high SVR rate among prior relapsers with HCV GT1 infection. No new safety signals were noted. Trial registration NCT01323244. (date of registration: March 24, 2011). Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12879-017-2444-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Edward J Gane
- New Zealand Liver Transplant Unit, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand.
| | | | - Ewa Janczewska
- Outpatients Clinic for Hepatology, ID Clinic, Myslowice, Poland
| | - Jacob George
- Storr Liver Centre, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead Hospital and University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | | | | | - Henk Reesink
- Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Igor Nikitin
- Institution of Russian Academy of Sciences Central Clinical Hospital, Moscow, Russia
| | | | | | - Peter Ferenci
- Allgemeines Krankenhaus der Stadt Wien, Universitätsklinik für Innere Medizin III, Wien, Austria
| | - Umesh Shukla
- Janssen Research & Development, LLC, Titusville, NJ, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
20
|
Beck KR, Kim N, Khalili M. Sofosbuvir-Containing Regimens for Chronic Hepatitis C Are Successful in the Safety-Net Population: A Real-World Experience. Dig Dis Sci 2016; 61:3602-3608. [PMID: 27743164 PMCID: PMC5106301 DOI: 10.1007/s10620-016-4340-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2016] [Accepted: 10/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vulnerable populations are disproportionately affected by hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and experience high rates of health disparity. There are no data on real-world experience with highly efficacious direct-acting anti-HCV treatment in this population. AIMS We aimed to evaluate the real-world experience with sofosbuvir-based regimens among a vulnerable HCV-infected population. METHODS HCV treatment response was assessed among 204 patients who completed 12-24 weeks of sofosbuvir-based regimens (in combination with pegylated interferon and ribavirin, simeprevir, ledipasvir, or daclatasvir) at the San Francisco safety-net healthcare system liver specialty clinic between January 2014 and December 2015. Virologic response during therapy was assessed at weeks 4 and 8, end of therapy, and 12-week treatment discontinuation (SVR 12). RESULTS Patient characteristics were median age 58 years, 60 % male, 42 % Caucasian (21 % black, 19 % Hispanic), 72 % had genotype 1 (23 % genotype 2 or 3), and the median baseline log10 HCV viral load was 6.1 IU/ml and alanine transaminase 63 U/l. Cirrhosis was present in 36 % (of whom 40 % were decompensated), and 18 % were HCV treatment-experienced. Overall, SVR 12 was achieved in 97 % (99 % genotype 1, 100 % genotype 2, 84 % genotype 3). Five of six (83 %) patients who relapsed had decompensated cirrhosis, and 67 % were also non-adherent to therapy. On-treatment virologic response did not impact SVR. CONCLUSIONS High rates of sustained virologic response can be achieved in safety-net HCV-infected patients. Access to DAA-based regimens is critical to addressing HCV-related health disparity in this at-risk population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kendall R Beck
- Department of Medicine, San Francisco General Hospital, University of California San Francisco, 1001 Potrero Avenue, NH 3-D, San Francisco, CA, 94110, USA
| | - Nicole Kim
- Department of Medicine, San Francisco General Hospital, University of California San Francisco, 1001 Potrero Avenue, NH 3-D, San Francisco, CA, 94110, USA
| | - Mandana Khalili
- Department of Medicine, San Francisco General Hospital, University of California San Francisco, 1001 Potrero Avenue, NH 3-D, San Francisco, CA, 94110, USA.
- Liver Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|