Effect of antiviral treatment on serum markers of liver fibrosis in HIV-hepatitis C virus-coinfected patients: the Fibrovic 2 Study - ANRS HC02.
BACKGROUND
Non-invasive liver fibrosis scores have been proposed as alternatives to liver biopsy (LB) in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients. Here, we aimed to assess the effect of antiviral treatment on non-invasive serological markers of liver fibrosis in HIV-HCV-coinfected patients.


METHODS
We included 114 HIV-HCV-coinfected patients with LBs performed before and 6 months after the end of treatment (week 72; W72). Fibrotest, the Forn's index, age-platelet ratio index, SHASTA, FIB-4, Hepa-score and Fibrometer scores were assessed. There were 29 (25%) patients who achieved sustained virological response (SVR).


RESULTS
At baseline (BL), all non-invasive fibrosis scores except the Forn's index did not show significantly lower values in SVR patients. At W72, all non-invasive scores, except Hepascore, showed a significant decrease in SVR patients (P<0.01). There was a significant difference in fibrosis stages on LBs between BL and W72 in SVR and non-SVR patients.


CONCLUSIONS
In HIV-HCV-coinfected patients, HCV clearance is associated with a significant reduction in non-invasive fibrosis serological markers, which most likely reflect the histological improvement associated with SVR. If confirmed, such results will reinforce the reliability of these markers in the follow-up after HCV treatment.
Halfon
Philippe
P
Laboratoire Alphabio, Service de Maladies Infectieuses, Hôpital Ambroise Paré, Marseille, France. philippe.halfon@alphabio.fr
Carrat
Fabrice
F
Bédossa
Pierre
P
Lambert
Jérôme
J
Pénaranda
Guillaume
G
Perronne
Christian
C
Pol
Stanislas
S
Cacoub
Patrice
P
D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D001706:Biopsy; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000187:drug effects; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D015415:Biomarkers; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D012254:Ribavirin; C417083:peginterferon alfa-2b