TY - JOUR
T1 - α-fetoprotein levels after interferon therapy predict regression of liver fibrosis in patients with sustained virological response
AU - Tachi, Yoshihiko
AU - Hirai, Takanori
AU - Ishizu, Youji
AU - Honda, Takashi
AU - Kuzuya, Teiji
AU - Hayashi, Kazuhiko
AU - Ishigami, Masatoshi
AU - Goto, Hidemi
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2016 Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Foundation and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.
PY - 2016/5/1
Y1 - 2016/5/1
N2 - Background and Aims:: Eradicating chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection improves liver fibrosis and reduces hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) incidence in chronic HCV patients. We evaluated the relationship between fibrosis regression, as assessed by sequential biopsies, and clinical factors of patients with sustained virological response (SVR). Methods:: We retrospectively enrolled 130 patients (74 men; 60.1±8.1years) with chronic HCV treated with interferon and ribavirin therapy who achieved SVR. To evaluate the change in fibrosis stage over time, all patients underwent a pre-therapy initial biopsy and a second biopsy after achieving SVR. Results:: The mean time between biopsies was 5.5±1.2years. Fibrosis stage regressed in 55 patients (42.3%), remained stable in 69 (53.1%), and progressed in 6 (4.6%). The mean fibrosis stage significantly decreased, from 2.01±0.99 units to 1.61±1.24 units (P<0.001). Aspartate aminotransferase, γ-glutamyltransferase, and α-fetoprotein (AFP) levels at 24weeks after the end of treatment (EOT) were significantly lower, and the platelet count at 24weeks after the EOT was significantly higher in patients with fibrosis regression than in those without. Logistic regression analysis confirmed that lower AFP levels (<5.4ng/mL) at 24weeks after the EOT (odds ratio [OR], 4.626; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.557-13.153; P=0.006) and HCV genotype 2 (OR, 2.198; 95% CI, 1.010-4.786; P=0.047) were significant independent predictive factors for regressed fibrosis after SVR. Conclusions:: Lower post-treatment AFP levels and HCV genotype 2 significantly correlated with liver fibrosis regression after SVR.
AB - Background and Aims:: Eradicating chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection improves liver fibrosis and reduces hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) incidence in chronic HCV patients. We evaluated the relationship between fibrosis regression, as assessed by sequential biopsies, and clinical factors of patients with sustained virological response (SVR). Methods:: We retrospectively enrolled 130 patients (74 men; 60.1±8.1years) with chronic HCV treated with interferon and ribavirin therapy who achieved SVR. To evaluate the change in fibrosis stage over time, all patients underwent a pre-therapy initial biopsy and a second biopsy after achieving SVR. Results:: The mean time between biopsies was 5.5±1.2years. Fibrosis stage regressed in 55 patients (42.3%), remained stable in 69 (53.1%), and progressed in 6 (4.6%). The mean fibrosis stage significantly decreased, from 2.01±0.99 units to 1.61±1.24 units (P<0.001). Aspartate aminotransferase, γ-glutamyltransferase, and α-fetoprotein (AFP) levels at 24weeks after the end of treatment (EOT) were significantly lower, and the platelet count at 24weeks after the EOT was significantly higher in patients with fibrosis regression than in those without. Logistic regression analysis confirmed that lower AFP levels (<5.4ng/mL) at 24weeks after the EOT (odds ratio [OR], 4.626; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.557-13.153; P=0.006) and HCV genotype 2 (OR, 2.198; 95% CI, 1.010-4.786; P=0.047) were significant independent predictive factors for regressed fibrosis after SVR. Conclusions:: Lower post-treatment AFP levels and HCV genotype 2 significantly correlated with liver fibrosis regression after SVR.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84964510313&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84964510313&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/jgh.13245
DO - 10.1111/jgh.13245
M3 - Article
C2 - 27123974
AN - SCOPUS:84964510313
SN - 0815-9319
VL - 31
SP - 1001
EP - 1008
JO - Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology (Australia)
JF - Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology (Australia)
IS - 5
ER -