Timing of Hepatitis C Antiviral Therapy in Liver Transplant Recipients With Direct-acting Agents

Exp Clin Transplant. 2016 Jun;14(3):243-51.

Abstract

Chronic hepatitis C virus infection is a substantial health care burden worldwide and is the leading cause of liver transplant in adults. In patients with detectable hepatitis C virus RNA at the time of transplant, interferon-based therapies for hepatitis C virus were poorly tolerated with low virologic response rates. Although reinfection after transplant is inevitable, the recent advent of direct-acting antiviral agents has revolutionized treatment of hepatitis C virus in the pre- and posttransplant settings. These antiviral agents have been shown to have high-sustained virologic response rates, shorter courses of treatment, and decreased frequencies of adverse effects. Here, we review the current literature on the use of direct-acting agents for treatment of patients with hepatitis C virus before and after liver transplant.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antiviral Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Antiviral Agents / adverse effects
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • End Stage Liver Disease / diagnosis
  • End Stage Liver Disease / surgery*
  • End Stage Liver Disease / virology
  • Hepacivirus / drug effects*
  • Hepacivirus / pathogenicity
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / diagnosis
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / drug therapy*
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / virology
  • Humans
  • Liver Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Recurrence
  • Risk Factors
  • Sustained Virologic Response
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Virus Activation / drug effects

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents