Maurizio Biselli
Italy
Review Article
Direct Antiviral Agents for the Treatment of Hcv Reinfection after Liver Transplantation
Author(s): Annagiulia Gramenzi, Marco DallÂagata, Maurizio Biselli and Mauro Bernardi
Annagiulia Gramenzi, Marco Dallagata, Maurizio Biselli and Mauro Bernardi
Recurrence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection after liver transplantation (LT) is almost universal and leads to cirrhosis in up to 30% of patients by five years. Considering the increasing shortage of donor organs and the accelerated progression of HCV in transplant recipients, the development of effective strategies to treat or prevent HCV recurrence are of paramount importance. Therapy with pegylated–interferon plus ribavirin, although less efficacious than in immunocompetent patients, is currently the treatment of choice of LT recipients with histologically proven recurrence of hepatitis C. However, this combination therapy results in a sustained virological response in around 30-45% of patients and is poorly tolerated. The new classes of potent and direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) will certainly improve the results of pre- and post-transplant antiviral therapy. The ai.. View More»
DOI:
10.4172/2167-0889.1000118