Effects of Interferon Treatment Response on Liver Complications of Chronic Hepatitis C: 9-year Follow-Up Study

Abstract

Response to antiviral therapy, and particularly SVR, appears to reduce liver complications in chronic hepatitis C. However, in the absence of an antiviral treatment response, a course of interferon does not reduce risks of liver cancer or liver failure.

Sustained virological response to interferon plus ribavirin reduces liver‐related complications and mortality in patients coinfected with human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis C virus†

“…However, after adjustment for the fibrosis score, serum albumin concentration, and mode of transmission in a multivariate model, treatment response failed to reach significance (P ϭ 0.058) as a predictor of outcome. 11 Another multinational cohort study analyzed 479 consecutive patients with chronic hepatitis C with advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis that was treated with IFN or PEG-IFN with or without ribavirin. The authors found that SVR was associated 18 ( with a statistically significant reduction in the hazard of clinical events, mainly liver failure.…”

“…5,6 For this reason, all HIVinfected individuals with positive HCV RNA determinations should be considered as candidates for anti-HCVtreatment, providing HIV infection is wellcontrolled and there are no contraindications to therapy with interferon or ribavirin. [7][8][9][10] It is known that response to antiviral therapy appears to reduce liver complications in chronic hepatitis C 11,12 ; however, little is known about the clinical consequences of achieving a sustained virological response (SVR) following therapy with interferon plus ribavirin in coinfected patients. Our objective was to determine the effect of achieving an SVR on clinical outcomes including mortality and liver-related complications in patients coinfected with HIV/HCV.…”

Clinical progression of hepatitis C virus–related chronic liver disease in human immunodeficiency virus–infected patients undergoing highly active antiretroviral therapy

“…Interferon therapy, particularly when sustained virological response is achieved, seems to lead to a better hepatic outcome in HCV-monoinfected patients. 24,25 In coinfected subjects with sustained virological response, hepatic decompensations are seen very uncommonly. 10 Therefore, the findings of this study concerning this topic are in line with those found in monoinfected patients and with the few data available in HCV/ HIV coinfection.…”

Sustained virological response to interferon-α is associated with improved outcome in HCV-related cirrhosis: A retrospective study

“…22,23 The only study suggesting a cause-effect relationship between IFN, HCV eradication and the prevention of clinical decompensation did not conduct separate analyses for patients with cirrhosis versus those with chronic hepatitis. 24 Indeed, it is expected that IFN therapy might also lower the risk of HCC in patients with chronic HCV infection, since this drug combines antiviral and antiproliferative properties. Although IFN therapy prevented HCC in selected, it is not clear whether or not the achievement of a SVR might lower the risk of liver cancer in patients with complete cirrhosis.…”