Changes of liver fibrosis markers in patients with treatment by antiviral therapy

Recently, most patients with chronic hepatitis C have become possible to achieve sustained virological response (SVR) due to progress of antiviral therapy. However, risk of hepatic carcinoma remains even after SVR. Liver fibrosis is one of most important risk factors of hepatic carcinoma, and it is necessary to evaluate the progression of liver fibrosis. Although liver biopsy has been used for diagnostics of liver fibrosis, it is difficult to perform frequently because of serious invasive complication. Recently, the novel liver fibrosis markers such as M2BPGi was developed using serum. We examined the alteration of liver fibrosis markers, Mac-2 binding protein glycosylation isomer (M2BPG0 and Enhanced Liver Fibrosis (ELF) score, in the patients with antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis C. Serum M2BPGi levels and ELF score was correlated with fibrosis stages evaluated by histological examination. Moreover, measurement of M2BPGi levels and ELF score higher diagnostic ability compared to the number of platelets. In addition, serum M2BPGi levels and ELF score were significantly increased after pegylated-interferon therapy. It showed that serum M2BPGi levels and ELF score are different variation depending on antiviral therapy. The alteration of serum M2BPGi levels and ELF score was depend on antiviral therapies. We concluded that it is necessary to reveal usefulness as monitoring marker for hepatic carcinoma in patients with SVR.