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RESEARCH PRODUCT

Comparison of two non-contemporaneous HCV-liver transplant cohorts: Strategies to improve the efficacy of antiviral therapy

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Background & Aims In a previous study, advanced fibrosis was associated with worsening efficacy of antiviral therapy in HCV-transplant patients. We aimed at assessing whether changes in treatment policy, that is starting therapy at lesser stages of fibrosis, have resulted in improved efficacy. Methods Efficacy (rapid, early, end-of-treatment, and sustained viral response (SVR)) and tolerability (peginterferon (pIFN)/ribavirin (RBV) doses, premature discontinuation, dose reductions, anemia, growth factors, transfusions) were compared between two non-contemporaneous cohorts of post-LT naive patients treated with pIFN-RBV: Group 1 (n=44), a historical cohort of patients treated during the period 2005–2007 and Group 2 (n=70), patients treated more recently (2007–2010), where treatment was started once there was evidence of fibrosis. Results SVR increased from 25% to 54% ( p =0.002) due to a reduction in relapse rate. Comparing both cohorts, a decrease in the number of cirrhotic patients together with an increase in platelet count was observed in recent years. Additional non-intentional changes included: (i) an increase of patients treated under cyclosporine immunosuppression, (ii) treatment-related factors with an increase in patients treated with initial full pIFN and RBV doses, who developed anemia and hence required dose modifications and erythropoietin. Baseline factors associated with SVR were younger donor age, lack of cirrhosis or severe necroinflammation and the use of RBV at full doses at initiation while on-treatment variables were adherence and viral kinetics. Conclusions Treatment in the absence of cirrhosis is associated with higher SVR warranting strict disease progression monitoring. A more aggressive approach, particularly regarding RBV dosage, is also associated with improved efficacy. Further studies are required to assess whether switching to cyclosporine will result in improved SVR.