Evaluation for the liver fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma incidence after HCV elimination in patients with chronic hepatitis C

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K08820
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 54030:Infectious disease medicine-related
• Research Institution: Kyushu University
• Principal Investigator: Ogawa Eiichi 九州大学, 医学研究院, 助教 (70621283)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: C型肝炎ウイルス

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study has focused on the longitudinal outcomes related to steatohepatitis for patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection who have treated with direct-acting antivirals. For patients achieving HCV elimination, PNPLA3 gene associated with steatohepatitis was strongly associated with the HCV-related complications. Moreover, hepatic reserve at baseline was also associated with the risk of progression to decompensated cirrhosis. Our results enable us to predict the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma and progression to decompensation after HCV cure, especially for those with preferable hepatic reserve at baseline.

Free Research Field

感染症、総合診療

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

C型慢性肝炎は比較的容易にウイルス排除が可能な時代となったものの、治療後に肝病態が悪化したり、肝癌を発症する例が後を絶たず、その要因を明らかにすることが求められている。本研究において、脂肪性肝炎の存在、その遺伝的背景、さらには治療開始時の肝病態が長期予後に大きく関連することが判明した。これらは将来的な肝癌抑止のために有効な手法を検討する重要な知見と考えられる。