| Theme | The Forefront of Hepatitis C Treatment | |
|---|---|---|
| Title | Antiviral Therapy for HCV Related Cirrhosis | |
| Publish Date | 2012/10 | |
| Author | Masataka Seike | Liver Disease Consultation Unit, Oita University Hospital |
| [ Summary ] | HCV related cirrhosis is a major risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma and death. Recently, the indications for IFN therapy were expanded to include HCV related cirrhosis. Antiviral therapy provides clinical benefits for prevention or reduction of fibrosis and retardation of cirrhosis progression as well as HCC. HCV-infected patients with compensated cirrhosis are considered as candidates for IFN treatment. Although antiviral therapy may be the most beneficial form of treatment for patients with cirrhosis, current treatment to achieve SVR in those with cirrhosis is difficult and response rates for patients with cirrhosis are lower than for those not having cirrhosis. Patients with hypersplenism often cannot receive full-dose, long-term IFN therapy because of pancytopenia. Laparoscopic splenectomy and partial splenic embolization are useful treatments for patients with HCV and hypersplenism. There are only a few studies assessing the efficacy of antiviral therapy for patients with decompensated cirrhosis. | |