Hepatocellular Carcinoma Recurrence Post Direct-Acting Antiviral and Its Relation to Time of Treating Chronic HCV Infection

Abstract

Background: There is a documented relationship between Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) recurrence and Direct‐Acting Antiviral  (DAAs).

Objective: This study's overarching goal was to determine whether there is a correlation between the length of time between HCV  treatments and the frequency of recurrence of HCC following successful ablation of HCC.

Patients and Methods: This retrospective study included 400 cases with chronic HCV infection and HCC who had a complete response to  treatment. The patients also had to have attended the clinic for HCC recurrence during this time. A total of 200 cases with recurrent HCC  were randomly assigned to one of four categories and then exposed to DAA (case group). Fifty patients in each of Groups 1, 2, and 3  began treatment 3, 6, 9, and 12 months following their curative HCC therapy, while 200 patients with recurrent HCC who were not  exposed to DAAs served as the control group.

Results: The case group's recurrence rate increased significantly throughout the first six  months, then decreased during the second half of the study.

Conclusion: It appears that the recurrence of HCC in individuals exposed to  DAAs is more rapid and aggressive than in those who are not exposed to DAAs. We advise waiting at least one year after an ablative  treatment's complete response before beginning DAA treatment.