Thanks to the advent of interferon-free direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV), the causes of liver transplants are shifting in Europe, Healio reports. Additionally, survival rates are improving for those with HCV-related decompensated cirrhosis (the more advanced form of the severe liver disease).

Publishing their findings in the Journal of Hepatology, researchers analyzed data from the European Liver Transplant Registry on adult liver transplants conducted in Europe between January 2007 and June 2017. Out of 60,527 transplants, 36,382 were performed in people with HCV, hepatitis B virus (HBV), alcoholic steatohepatiits and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).

The study authors divided their findings into three eras defined by the evolution of hep C treatments, including the interferon period (2007 to 2010); the protease inhibitor period, when interferon was still used along with DAAs (2011 to 2013); and the interferon-free DAA period (2014 to 2017).

Liver transplants resulting from HCV-related disease decreased from 22.8 percent during the interferon era to 17.4 percent during the DAA era; during the same time, the rate of transplants driven by NASH increased.

During the DAA era, transplants driven by hep C declined from 21.1 percent during the first half of 2014 to 10.6 percent during the first half of 2017.

The three-year survival rates among those with HCV-related decompensated cirrhosis rose from 65.1 percent during the interferon era to 76.9 percent during the DAA era.

To read the Healio article, click here.

To read the study abstract, click here.