Treating hepatitis C infection in liver transplant recipients. 2006

Norah A Terrault, and Marina Berenguer
Department of Medicine/Gastroenterology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA. Norah.Terrault@ucsf.edu

Chronic infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a growing problem worldwide, with up to 300 million individuals infected, and those with chronic infection are at risk for cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. HCV infection is the most common indication for liver transplantation in the United States and Europe. Unfortunately, although transplantation is effective for treating decompensated cirrhosis and limited hepatocellular carcinoma associated with hepatitis C, HCV reinfection is virtually the rule among transplant recipients. Reinfection of the graft is associated with more rapidly progressive disease, with a median time to cirrhosis of 8 to 10 yr. Unfortunately, treatment of chronic HCV in liver transplant recipients is suboptimal. Combination therapy with interferon (pegylated and nonpegylated forms) plus ribavirin appears to provide maximum benefits. Drug therapy is usually administered for recurrent disease. No prophylactic therapy is available. Preemptive regimens offer no distinctive advantages over treatments begun for recurrent disease. Overall, treatment is poorly tolerated, with frequent need for dose reductions, especially from cytopenias, and drug discontinuations in up to 50% of patients. Optimizing drug doses is important in maximizing sustained virological response rates. Future therapies may include ribavirin alternatives with lower rates of anemia, alternative interferons with lower rates of cytopenias, and new antiviral drugs that can be used alone or in combination with either interferon or ribavirin to enhance sustained virological response rates and improve tolerability. Liver Transpl 12:1192-1204, 2006. (c) 2006 AASLD.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007372 Interferons Proteins secreted by vertebrate cells in response to a wide variety of inducers. They confer resistance against many different viruses, inhibit proliferation of normal and malignant cells, impede multiplication of intracellular parasites, enhance macrophage and granulocyte phagocytosis, augment natural killer cell activity, and show several other immunomodulatory functions. Interferon
D008103 Liver Cirrhosis Liver disease in which the normal microcirculation, the gross vascular anatomy, and the hepatic architecture have been variably destroyed and altered with fibrous septa surrounding regenerated or regenerating parenchymal nodules. Cirrhosis, Liver,Fibrosis, Liver,Hepatic Cirrhosis,Liver Fibrosis,Cirrhosis, Hepatic
D012086 Reoperation A repeat operation for the same condition in the same patient due to disease progression or recurrence, or as followup to failed previous surgery. Revision, Joint,Revision, Surgical,Surgery, Repeat,Surgical Revision,Repeat Surgery,Revision Surgery,Joint Revision,Revision Surgeries,Surgery, Revision
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000998 Antiviral Agents Agents used in the prophylaxis or therapy of VIRUS DISEASES. Some of the ways they may act include preventing viral replication by inhibiting viral DNA polymerase; binding to specific cell-surface receptors and inhibiting viral penetration or uncoating; inhibiting viral protein synthesis; or blocking late stages of virus assembly. Antiviral,Antiviral Agent,Antiviral Drug,Antivirals,Antiviral Drugs,Agent, Antiviral,Agents, Antiviral,Drug, Antiviral,Drugs, Antiviral
D012254 Ribavirin A nucleoside antimetabolite antiviral agent that blocks nucleic acid synthesis and is used against both RNA and DNA viruses. Ribovirin,Tribavirin,ICN-1229,Rebetol,Ribamide,Ribamidil,Ribamidyl,Ribasphere,Vilona,Viramide,Virazide,Virazole,ICN 1229,ICN1229
D016031 Liver Transplantation The transference of a part of or an entire liver from one human or animal to another. Grafting, Liver,Hepatic Transplantation,Liver Transplant,Transplantation, Hepatic,Transplantation, Liver,Hepatic Transplantations,Liver Grafting,Liver Transplantations,Liver Transplants,Transplant, Liver
D053208 Kaplan-Meier Estimate A nonparametric method of compiling LIFE TABLES or survival tables. It combines calculated probabilities of survival and estimates to allow for observations occurring beyond a measurement threshold, which are assumed to occur randomly. Time intervals are defined as ending each time an event occurs and are therefore unequal. (From Last, A Dictionary of Epidemiology, 1995) Kaplan-Meier Survival Curve,Kaplan-Meier Analysis,Kaplan-Meier Survival Curves,Kaplan-Meier Test,Product-Limit Method,Analysis, Kaplan-Meier,Curve, Kaplan-Meier Survival,Curves, Kaplan-Meier Survival,Estimate, Kaplan-Meier,Kaplan Meier Analysis,Kaplan Meier Survival Curve,Kaplan Meier Survival Curves,Kaplan Meier Test,Method, Product-Limit,Methods, Product-Limit,Product Limit Method,Product-Limit Methods,Survival Curve, Kaplan-Meier,Survival Curves, Kaplan-Meier,Test, Kaplan-Meier
D019698 Hepatitis C, Chronic INFLAMMATION of the LIVER in humans that is caused by HEPATITIS C VIRUS lasting six months or more. Chronic hepatitis C can lead to LIVER CIRRHOSIS. Chronic Hepatitis C

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