Reduced Risk for Hepatocellular Carcinoma After Successful Anti-HCV Therapy in Patients with Cirrhosis

Does treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection with direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) reduce the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with cirrhosis? Data are conflicting, and some have even shown an increased risk for HCC post–DAA therapy.

In an industry-funded study, researchers analyzed prospectively collected data on HCC incidence in over 2200 patients with HCV-related cirrhosis who underwent DAA therapy. Most patients (91%) had Child-Pugh class A cirrhosis, and 10% had Child-Pugh class B cirrhosis. The sustained virologic response (SVR) rate of DAA therapy was 95%. After a mean follow-up of 14 months, results were as follows:

• Four percent of patients developed HCC (at a mean of 10 months after DAA therapy [ran…