The Impact of Antiviral Therapy and the Influence of Metabolic Cofactors on the Outcome of Chronic HCV Infection

Natural history of HCV related chronic hepatitis is influenced and modified by many factors: virus features, coinfections and host characteristics. In particular, a peculiar genetic background of the host by conditioning the occurrence of intracellular metabolic derangements (i.e., insulin resistanc...

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Main Authors: Marcello Persico, Savino Bruno, Andrea Costantino, Marta Mazza, Piero Luigi Almasio
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2011-01-01
Series:International Journal of Hepatology
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.4061/2011/314301
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author Marcello Persico
Savino Bruno
Andrea Costantino
Marta Mazza
Piero Luigi Almasio
author_facet Marcello Persico
Savino Bruno
Andrea Costantino
Marta Mazza
Piero Luigi Almasio
author_sort Marcello Persico
collection DOAJ
description Natural history of HCV related chronic hepatitis is influenced and modified by many factors: virus features, coinfections and host characteristics. In particular, a peculiar genetic background of the host by conditioning the occurrence of intracellular metabolic derangements (i.e., insulin resistance) might contribute to accelerate the rate of progression to cirrhosis and eventually the occurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and death. Likely, direct interplays between virus genotype and host genetic background might be hypothesized at this level. Morbidity and mortality in cirrhosis is primarily associated with complications of liver cirrhosis (ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, jaundice, and gastroesophageal bleeding) and HCC occurrence. Therefore the main goal of therapy is to clear viral infection and decrease liver necro-inflammation that directly relates to development of cirrhosis and HCC. Among patients treated with Interferon-based therapy, those with sustained viral response showed a significant reduction of progression to cirrhosis and development of HCC. However, a residual risk of hepatocellular carcinoma still remains indicating the need for careful follow-up using ultrasonography every six months in cirrhotic patients, even in those showing persistently normal ALT and undetectable HCV RNA levels after antiviral therapy.
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spelling doaj-art-5fcce90b6b7b458badaf64e4c3d19c482025-08-20T02:23:51ZengWileyInternational Journal of Hepatology2090-34482090-34562011-01-01201110.4061/2011/314301314301The Impact of Antiviral Therapy and the Influence of Metabolic Cofactors on the Outcome of Chronic HCV InfectionMarcello Persico0Savino Bruno1Andrea Costantino2Marta Mazza3Piero Luigi Almasio4Internal Medicine and Hepatology Division, Second University of Naples, Via Del Parco Carelli 36, 80123 Naples, ItalyDepartment of Internal Medicine, AO Fatebenefratelli e Oftalmico, Corso di Porta Nuova 23, 20121 Milano, ItalyGastroenterology & Hepatology Unit, Di.Bi.M.I.S., University of Palermo, Piazza delle Cliniche, 2, 90127 Palermo, ItalyGastroenterology & Hepatology Unit, Di.Bi.M.I.S., University of Palermo, Piazza delle Cliniche, 2, 90127 Palermo, ItalyGastroenterology & Hepatology Unit, Di.Bi.M.I.S., University of Palermo, Piazza delle Cliniche, 2, 90127 Palermo, ItalyNatural history of HCV related chronic hepatitis is influenced and modified by many factors: virus features, coinfections and host characteristics. In particular, a peculiar genetic background of the host by conditioning the occurrence of intracellular metabolic derangements (i.e., insulin resistance) might contribute to accelerate the rate of progression to cirrhosis and eventually the occurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and death. Likely, direct interplays between virus genotype and host genetic background might be hypothesized at this level. Morbidity and mortality in cirrhosis is primarily associated with complications of liver cirrhosis (ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, jaundice, and gastroesophageal bleeding) and HCC occurrence. Therefore the main goal of therapy is to clear viral infection and decrease liver necro-inflammation that directly relates to development of cirrhosis and HCC. Among patients treated with Interferon-based therapy, those with sustained viral response showed a significant reduction of progression to cirrhosis and development of HCC. However, a residual risk of hepatocellular carcinoma still remains indicating the need for careful follow-up using ultrasonography every six months in cirrhotic patients, even in those showing persistently normal ALT and undetectable HCV RNA levels after antiviral therapy.http://dx.doi.org/10.4061/2011/314301
spellingShingle Marcello Persico
Savino Bruno
Andrea Costantino
Marta Mazza
Piero Luigi Almasio
The Impact of Antiviral Therapy and the Influence of Metabolic Cofactors on the Outcome of Chronic HCV Infection
International Journal of Hepatology
title The Impact of Antiviral Therapy and the Influence of Metabolic Cofactors on the Outcome of Chronic HCV Infection
title_full The Impact of Antiviral Therapy and the Influence of Metabolic Cofactors on the Outcome of Chronic HCV Infection
title_fullStr The Impact of Antiviral Therapy and the Influence of Metabolic Cofactors on the Outcome of Chronic HCV Infection
title_full_unstemmed The Impact of Antiviral Therapy and the Influence of Metabolic Cofactors on the Outcome of Chronic HCV Infection
title_short The Impact of Antiviral Therapy and the Influence of Metabolic Cofactors on the Outcome of Chronic HCV Infection
title_sort impact of antiviral therapy and the influence of metabolic cofactors on the outcome of chronic hcv infection
url http://dx.doi.org/10.4061/2011/314301
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