Single-Center Experience in Pre-transplant Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Treatment Among Living Donor Liver Transplant Candidates: Bridging the Direct-Acting Antivirals (DAA)

Ann Transplant. 2017 Sep 22:22:570-574. doi: 10.12659/aot.905649.

Abstract

BACKGROUND Treatment with DAAs before deceased donor liver transplantation has been shown to be an effective strategy to prevent post-transplant HCV recurrence, with a 95% cure-rate among individuals who achieve undetectable HCV VL for ≥30 days pre- transplant. This strategy has not been evaluated in LDLT. MATERIAL AND METHODS We evaluated outcomes in LDLT recipients treated with DAAs pre-transplant and bridged with 4 weeks of post-transplant SOF. All cases of LDLT at Johns Hopkins (1/1/2014-3/1/15) were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS There were 4 HCV+ LDLT cases treated with DAAs pre- and post-transplant. Pre-transplant DAA regimens included SOF plus SIM in 2 cases of HCC and SOF plus RBV in 2 cases of ESLD. All patients achieved negative VL by week 7 of treatment and all patients had at least 30 days of HCV RNA negativity at the time of LDLT. Patient 4 had a delay in LDLT due to uncontrolled pulmonary hypertension, and experienced viral breakthrough because of treatment interruption. Due to concerns for SOF resistance, a salvage regimen of LDV-SOF and SIM was used. Post-LDLT patients 1-3 received 4 weeks of SOF monotherapy and patient 4 received 14 weeks of LDV-SOF. Three patients achieved SVR12. One died from non-HCV related complications at 4 months post-LDLT. CONCLUSIONS Our preliminary experience suggests that bridging DAAs pre- and post-LDLT is an effective strategy to prevent HCV recurrence. With delays in transplant and prolonged use of SOF/RBV, there is a risk of viral breakthrough, but a salvage strategy of triple DAA therapy can be effective.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Hepacivirus
  • Hepatitis C / drug therapy
  • Hepatitis C / prevention & control*
  • Humans
  • Liver Transplantation / methods*
  • Living Donors*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Secondary Prevention
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents