Does Treating Hemochromatosis in Patients with Advanced Liver Fibrosis Improve Fibrosis?

Patients with hemochromatosis who are homozygous for the C282Y mutation of the homeostatic iron regulator gene (HFE) have high risk for liver-related complications. Therapy, typically venesection, has been shown to reduce iron burden in the liver, thus reducing the risk for liver-related complications. It is unclear if treatment of hemochromatosis in those with advanced fibrosis promotes fibrosis regression and thus lowers long-term liver cancer risk.

To study this issue, researchers conducted a retrospective analysis of outcomes in 106 patients homozygous for the C282Y mutation of HFE who had stage 3 or 4 fibrosis and were undergoing maintenance therapy for hemochromatosis. Patients had a baseline liver biopsy and at least one biopsy during…