title: Combinations of simple baseline variables accurately predict sustained virological response in patients with recurrent hepatitis C after liver transplantation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The efficacy of antiviral therapy in patients with hepatitis C recurrence after liver transplantation (LT) is far from optimal and a careful selection of candidates with the best chances to achieve sustained virological response (SVR) is relevant. Moreover, investigating the effects of sustained viral clearance on clinical outcomes is particularly significant. We aimed to identify and combine the best baseline predictors of SVR and to assess the clinical outcomes of antiviral therapy after LT.
  
  
  METHODS
  We studied 144 hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected LT recipients who underwent antiviral therapy following transplantation. Baseline predictors of SVR including donor and recipient interleukin IL28B (IL28B) rs12979860 genotype were evaluated, and the long-term effects of antiviral therapy on clinical outcomes were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The presence of an IL28B CC genotype with either low viral load (VL), young donor age, or cyclosporine A (CsA)-based immunosuppression identified individuals with 69-80 % probabilities of SVR. In contrast, only 20% of recipients with a CT/TT IL28B genotype and either high VL, old donor age, or non-CsA immunosuppression achieved an SVR (p = 0.004). Regarding clinical outcomes, the 5-year cumulative probability of graft loss was 2% for the SVR patients and 48% for non-responders (p < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of simple combinations of baseline variables including IL28B polymorphisms identifies HCV-infected LT recipients with different probabilities of response to antiviral treatment. SVR is associated with improved clinical outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Liver Unit, Institut de Malalties Digestives, Hospital Clínic, CIBERehd, IDIBAPS, Villarroel 170, 08036, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Gonzalo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Crespo
authors.forename: José A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Carrión
authors.forename: Mairene
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Coto-Llerena
authors.forename: Zoe
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Mariño
authors.forename: Sabela
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lens
authors.forename: Sofía
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pérez-Del-Pulgar
authors.forename: Montserrat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: García-Retortillo
authors.forename: Rosa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Miquel
authors.forename: Jaime
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bosch
authors.forename: Miquel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Navasa
authors.forename: Xavier
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Forns
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents