Hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence after direct antiviral agent treatment: A European multicentre study

The introduction of direct antiviral drugs (DAAs) has revolutionized the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV), with sustained virologic response rates of more than 90% in most patient populations. [1] Pawlotsky J.-M. New hepatitis C therapies: the toolbox, strategies, and challenges. Gastroenterology. 2014; 146: 1176-1192 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (430) Google Scholar However, it has been suggested that interferon-free HCV eradication may be more harmful than beneficial in a subgroup of patients. In patients with prior curative hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) therapy, an increased tumour recurrence rate following DAA-based HCV therapy has been reported. 2 Reig M. et al. Unexpected high rate of early tumor recurrence in patients with HCV-related HCC undergoing interferon-free therapy. J Hepatol. 2016; 65: 719-726 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (737) Google Scholar , 3 Conti F. et al. Early occurrence and recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma in HCV-related cirrhosis treated with direct-acting antivirals. J Hepatol. 2016; 65: 727-733 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (644) Google Scholar