Boceprevir in liver transplant recipients

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Virology
• Transplant Medicine

Background:

• Recurrent hepatitis C (HCV) post-liver transplant is a growing concern.
• Protease inhibitors are being explored as a treatment option alongside standard therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the safety and efficacy of boceprevir combined with peginterferon and ribavirin.
• To assess treatment outcomes in liver transplant recipients with recurrent HCV genotype 1.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 20 liver transplant recipients.
• Treatment with peginterferon, ribavirin, and boceprevir.
• Monitoring of viral load, adverse events, and laboratory parameters.

Main Results:

• 50% overall sustained viral response (SVR).
• Higher SVR rates (71-83%) observed in patients with low or undetectable viral loads at week 4.
• Common adverse events included anemia (80%) and neutropenia, requiring growth factors in most patients.

Conclusions:

• Boceprevir-based antiviral therapy requires vigilant monitoring in liver transplant recipients.
• Anemia and neutropenia were frequent, necessitating growth factor support.
• Promising on-treatment viral responses warrant further long-term investigation.