Long-term maintenance of sustained virological response in liver transplant recipients treated for recurrent hepatitis C

BackgroundThe recurrence of hepatitis C viral infection is common after liver transplant, and achieving a sustained virological response to antiviral treatment is desirable for reducing the risk of graft loss and improving patients’ survival.AimTo investigate the long-term maintenance of sustained virological response in liver transplant recipients with hepatitis C recurrence.Methods436 Liver transplant recipients (74.1% genotype 1) who underwent combined antiviral therapy for hepatitis C recurrence were retrospectively evaluated.ResultsThe overall sustained virological response rate was 40% (173/436 patients), and the mean follow-up after liver transplantation was 11 ± 3.5 years (range, 5–24). Patients with a sustained virological response demonstrated a 5-year survival rate of 97% and a 10-year survival rate of 93%; all but 6 (3%) patients remained hepatitis C virus RNA-negative during follow-up. Genotype non-1 (p = 0.007), treatment duration >80% of the scheduled period (p = 0.027), and early virological response (p = 0.002), were associated with the maintenance of sustained virological response as indicated by univariate analysis. Early virological response was the only independent predictor of sustained virological response maintenance (p = 0.008).ConclusionsSustained virological response achieved after combined antiviral treatment is maintained in liver transplant patients with recurrent hepatitis C and is associated with an excellent 5-year survival.