Survival Rates After HCV-related Liver Transplant Rise on Administration of DAAs
Investigators from Catalonia reported in the Journal of Hepatology that survival rate among hepatitis C virus (HCV) positive patients undertaking liver transplant have significantly risen after the administration of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). DAAs also lead to a fall in the number of people with HCV requiring a liver transplant. The authors note, “Although not unexpected considering the efficacy of these drugs, our findings suggest for the first time that the main problem of LT [liver transplant] programmes around the world, hepatitis C recurrence, will no longer impact on patient and graft survival. These results support and recognize those public health programmes that have permitted widespread access to DAA to hepatitis C patients with advanced liver disease, and encourage the policies aimed to expand the access to all patients with HCV infection.” DAAs have transformed the management and prognosis of chronic HCV infection in patients. The therapy can attain cure rates