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Eradication of Hepatitis C Virus Reduces the Risk of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Patients with Compensated Cirrhosis

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Abstract

Background

The effect of a sustained virological response (SVR) to interferon (IFN) on clinical outcomes of hepatitis C virus (HCV)–related cirrhosis is controversial. Aims: Evaluate the effect of SVR to IFN on the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and mortality in patients with compensated HCV-induced cirrhosis.

Methods

A cohort of 130 consecutive patients (92 men, mean age 51.7 years) with histologically proven cirrhosis who received one or more courses of IFN monotherapy or combination therapy with ribavirin were analyzed. SVR was defined as undetectable serum HCV RNA by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) 24 weeks after IFN discontinuation. HCC was assessed by alfa-fetoprotein and ultrasound every 6 months. Predictors of clinical outcomes, defined as HCC, orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) and mortality, were assessed by Cox regression analysis.

Results

The mean follow-up was 6.4 ± 4.0 years (range 1–18). HCC developed in 21 patients: one with SVR versus 20 with non-SVR (P = 0.017). Logistic regression analysis showed that non-SVR (odds ratio [OR] = 27.0; confidence interval [CI], 1.6–452.1), male (OR = 11.6; CI, 1.8–75.4), and greater number of treatments (OR = 4.7; CI, 1.4–16.0) increased the probability of HCC development. Multivariate analysis found that SVR was associated with lower risk of HCC (HR 0.09; CI, 0.01–0.77), OLT (HR 0.04; CI, 0.003–0.63) and any event (HR 0.11; CI, 0.02–0.46) as compared to non-SVR.

Conclusions

In compensated HCV-related cirrhosis, SVR markedly reduces the risk of HCC and improves survival. Clearance of the virus should be intensively attempted in these patients.

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Abbreviations

HCC:

Hepatocellular carcinoma

HBV:

Hepatitis B virus

HCV:

Hepatitis C virus

IFN:

Interferon

RNA:

Ribonucleic acid

SVR:

Sustained virological response

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Dr. Carlos Ferreira for his inestimable technical assistance in the preparation of the manuscript.

Potential financial conflicts of interest

Consultancies: J. Velosa (Roche, Gilead, Bristol-Myers Squibb), F. Serejo (Schering-Plough), R. Marinho (Roche, Gilead, Bristol-Myers Squibb).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Serviço de Gastrenterologia e Hepatologia, Hospital de Santa Maria, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Professor Egas Moniz, 1649-035, Lisbon, Portugal

    José Velosa, Fátima Serejo, Rui Marinho & Joana Nunes

  2. Unidade Transplante Hepático, Hospital Curry Cabral, Lisbon, Portugal

    Helena Glória

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  1. José Velosa
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  2. Fátima Serejo
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Correspondence to José Velosa.

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Velosa, J., Serejo, F., Marinho, R. et al. Eradication of Hepatitis C Virus Reduces the Risk of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Patients with Compensated Cirrhosis. Dig Dis Sci 56, 1853–1861 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-011-1621-2

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