Exploring the liver microenvironment following successful therapy for HCV: gene expression profiling and residual T cell infiltration.

ABSTRACT:

Background & aims

Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) revolutionized hepatitis C (HCV) treatment. Yet, some patients present with persistent inflammation and still face adverse outcomes, including cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, despite achieving sustained virologic response (SVR).

Approach & results

This study examined liver biopsies from 22 patients before and after DAA treatment to assess gene and protein expression changes linked to disease progression. Pre-treatment, patients exhibited two distinct profiles: one characterized by high pro-inflammatory and antiviral gene expression (pre-hot), and another with weaker expression (pre-cold). Patients with pre-hot profiles were initially associated with poor outcomes (OR = 14.0, 95% CI: 1.31-178.5; p = 0.049), but this lo

SUBMITTER: Millian DE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12640901 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature