Hepatitis C News Update

Response to antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis C and risk of hepatocellular carcinoma occurrence in Japan: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies “In conclusion, our systematic review on the association between response to antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis C and HCC occurrence in a Japanese population suggests that eradication of HCV using antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis C reduces HCC occurrence.” Chronic Hepatitis C Linked to Faster Biological Aging “People with chronic hepatitis C experience faster biological aging, but sustained response to antiviral therapy partial reverses this acceleration, according to study results published in the Journal of Hepatology. However, people who go on to develop liver cancer even after being cured do not experience this reversal in epigenetic aging.” IDPH Launches Coalition in Effort to Eliminate Viral Hepatitis in Illinois “The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has launched a new effort to eliminate viral hepatitis in Illinois. Viral hepatitis is the leading cause of liver cancer and the most common reason for liver transplantation. Although it is a preventable disease, recent data indicates that the cases of hepatitis B and C have continued to rise in Illinois.” Efficacy and Safety of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors Alone or Combination with Programmed Death-1 Inhibitors in Treating of Hepatitis C-Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma “Conclusion: The patients having HCV-related uHCC after being treated with the TKI and PD-1 inhibitor combination therapy exhibited a better prognosis and manageable toxicity compared to the patients who underwent TKI monotherapy.” Proposals in US for prisoners to be offered short sentences for organ donations “Massachusetts is considering a Bill allowing current prisoners to donate their organs or bone marrow in exchange for a reduction in their sentence of 60 to 365 days. This raises serious concerns and a number of questions about the capability of prisoners to provide free and informed consent while incarcerated. Massachusetts argues that allowing living prisoner organ donation provides for the restoration of bodily autonomy for those incarcerated. Fundamental ethical questions arise here because providing prisoners with the choice between continued incarceration, or early release is not free consent.”