title: Sustained virologic response to antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis C virus infection: a cure and so much more.
abstract: Sustained virologic response (SVR) is defined as aviremia 24 weeks after completion of antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. In analyses of SVR durability, the incidence of late relapse is extremely low (<1%). Histologic regression of both necroinflammation and fibrosis has been demonstrated in paired liver biopsy samples in SVR-achieving patients. More noteworthy is the sustained responder's favorable prognosis even with baseline cirrhosis; despite mostly retrospective analyses, relative to nonresponders or to those untreated, patients with SVR have significantly fewer liver-related complications, less hepatocellular carcinoma, and fewer liver-related deaths. Although HCV is associated with insulin resistance, successful eradication of HCV appears to reduce the risk of impaired fasting glucose and diabetes development. In summary, chronic HCV infection is curable with SVR attainment, and with cure comes improved liver histology and more favorable clinical outcomes, in comparison with patients who do not achieve the same therapeutic milestone.
authors.affiliation: Center for Hepatitis C, Atlanta Medical Center, Atlanta, Georgia 30312, USA. brianpearlman@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Brian L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Pearlman
authors.forename: Nomi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Traub
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents