Ledipasvir/Sofosbuvir Treatment for Hepatitis C in HCT Recipients.

The prevalence of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection was reported to range between 10% and up to 30% prior to institution of routine HCV screening in recipients of HCT (hematopoietic cell transplantation). In an Italian prospective study 6% of HCT candidates were positive for HCV RNA. HCV in recipients of HCT carries both short-term and long-term consequences. In the short-term those with HCV after hematopoietic cell transplantation have been associated with risk for sinusoidal obstruction syndrome especially in patients with some level of hepatic dysfunction going in to the transplant. In addition, the type of conditioning chemotherapy (e.g., busulfan) and radiation may increase risk for sinusoidal obstruction syndrome. The rate of hematopoietic recovery was found to be lower in HCV infected recipients, with delayed neutrophil and platelet engraftment. In the long-term, HCV may flare up once immunosuppression is being tapered off. The issue of reactivation of viral hepatitis (HBV and HCV) after HCT has been well documented. The risk for HCV reactivation in allogenic HCT in one study was reported at 100% by 12 months after HCT, with risk for death related to HCV of 8%. Also, of concern is rapid progression of liver disease in long-term survivors of HCV+ HCT. In such patients, cumulative incidence of cirrhosis has been reported in up to 11% and 24% at 15 and 20 years after HCT respectively. Hepatitis C infection is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, due to the short-term and long-term complications associated with it. Treatment of hepatitis C virus with direct-acting antiviral (DAA) agents pre-hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) in candidates with hepatitis C may lead to reduction of both short-term and long-term complications from it. Treatment with DAA's pre-HCT in candidates with hepatitis C would potentially prevent complications of hepatitis C infection; prevent reactivation of hepatitis C post-HCT, prevent delay in hematopoietic recovery (especially neutrophils and platelet), possibly reduce risk for sinsusoidal obstruction syndrome, prevent relapse of malignancy that could be related to hepatitis C (non-Hodgkin lymphoma), reduce non-relapse mortality and long-term complications (cirrhosis).