Home Forums Main Forum Experts Corner DAAs and Liver Cancer Risk

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  • #20965
    avatar876.jpegGaj
    • Guardian Angel
    • ★★★★★
    @gaj

    Here is a link through to the PDF of the draft manuscript that Price refers to above for the retrospective study by S. Pol et al . A much larger study group compared to the previous study that was announced at Barcelona. Per the summary below it appears they found insufficient evidence to support a direct connection between DAAs and increased risk.

    “In conclusion, we did not find any evidence that DAA treatment increases the risk of recurrence of HCC in DAA-treated patients compared with untreated patients. In another study, we have also observed a decreased risk of HCC over time in cirrhotic or non cirrhotic patients achieving SVR after DAAs [14].. The prospective follow-up of a large number of patients included in three distinct cohorts of patients reflecting various clinical profiles ensures the quality of our analyses and the confidence in our conclusions.”

    http://www.natap.org/2016/HCV/061716_01.htm

    Of course, for those of us in this situation and indeed anyone with cirrhosis the above doesn’t remove the need for regular and ongoing surveillance of our livers.


    G3a since ’78 – Dx ’12 – F4 (2xHCC)
    24wk Tx – PEG/Riba/Dac 2013 relapsed
    24wk Tx – Generic Sof/Dac/Riba 2015/16 relapsed
    16wk Tx – 12/01/17 -> 03/05/17 NS3/NS5a + Generic Sof
    SVR7 – 22/06/17 UND
    SRV12 – 27/07/17 UND
    SVR24 – 26/10/17 UND
    :cheer: :cheer: :cheer:

    #20966
    Avatar photoHazel
    • Guardian Angel
    • ★★★★★
    @hazel

    Glad to see that thanks Gaj, i keep seeing links to that DAA cancer risk story/headline all the time, and it is misleading. It could put people off treating, which would be crazy, as HCV is the big risk. But I will be monitoring, as you say.


    Genotype 3 30 years, 2x treatment interferon/ribavirin non responder. Cirrhosis 17 years. Fibroscan, decompensating, 40 down to 22 by 29/3/16- now down to 6.5, normal, no cirrhosis. Started Buyers Club Sof/Dac 14 Nov 15. SVR 12 29/0716

    #21013
    Avatar photoSven
    • Guardian Angel
    • ★★★★★
    @sven

    Do you think that Big Pharma could be using this “gossip” method through sleezy channels to discourage people form using generics with the C word as a detriment? After all, it would benefit them in the short term and long term as brand name meds will only go down in price due to new meds reaching the market place so they benefit in both ways. Yes it is a radical theory and far fetched, but co’s like GS know how to make/take money from anyone, very sleazily too.
    Word of mouth has many benefits, even the lower levels of society who love money more than life itself can throw in shill gossipers to poison markets for their benefit, is not unheard of.
    Ok I maybe on a tangent but it is possible, maybe far fetched, but possible.


    Contracted HCV 1980’s
    Geno Type 1a
    F3 ( doc says once treated I’ll be F2 maybe F1)
    Meds shipped 6/17/2016 arrived early 7/2016

    Viral count – 3,471,080

    4 week quantitative bloods: August 17, 2016. I have been diagnosed as <15 (told undetected)

    8 week quantitative bloods: September 14th. I have been diagnosed as <15 (told undetected)

    11 week PCR RNA Qualitative bloods: September 26th 2016 – Undetected

    December 19th 2016: Cured!
    Viral count: zero!!!
    2018 viral count: still zero!
    Cured!

    #21014
    Avatar photoHazel
    • Guardian Angel
    • ★★★★★
    @hazel

    I hadn’t thought of that Sven but maybe- what I just tried was click through a few links to various online articles -within facebook- and in every case the related article that popped up first on offer was that DAA and cancer risk one. But presumably that would be bad news for Harvoni advertising too so I think more likely that we all react to a negative headline, so that story has been looked at more, and is circulating off the number of clicks it gets.


    Genotype 3 30 years, 2x treatment interferon/ribavirin non responder. Cirrhosis 17 years. Fibroscan, decompensating, 40 down to 22 by 29/3/16- now down to 6.5, normal, no cirrhosis. Started Buyers Club Sof/Dac 14 Nov 15. SVR 12 29/0716

    #21016
    avatar876.jpegGaj
    • Guardian Angel
    • ★★★★★
    @gaj

    Hi Sven,

    Short answer is “No”. :lol:

    The longer answer is that all the studies discussed in this thread were retrospective and conducted via major Hepatology research centres and as a result almost certainly 100% of patients would have used branded DAAs rather than generics so Big Pharma would be shooting itself in the foot to attempt the approach you are suggesting. What we are seeing here is just the normal scientific process of continuing research. One group of researchers think they find some sort of problem in a small study then their peers review that finding and often set up a larger study group that either proves or disproves the original researchers findings. Later, another group of researchers will probably review this area again with an even larger group of patients, just the same as even today there are researchers studying the effects of Aspirin though we already know so much about it.

    Also readers should be aware that the studies so far have shown that achieving SVR reduces the risks of getting liver cancer in the first place for those with HCV. What we have been discussing here is the much smaller number of cases where a patient has already had a Hepatocellular carcinoma and then uses DAAs…..and based on the latest and larger study(s) that doesn’t seem to be a problem either.


    G3a since ’78 – Dx ’12 – F4 (2xHCC)
    24wk Tx – PEG/Riba/Dac 2013 relapsed
    24wk Tx – Generic Sof/Dac/Riba 2015/16 relapsed
    16wk Tx – 12/01/17 -> 03/05/17 NS3/NS5a + Generic Sof
    SVR7 – 22/06/17 UND
    SRV12 – 27/07/17 UND
    SVR24 – 26/10/17 UND
    :cheer: :cheer: :cheer:

    #21017
    Avatar photofitz
    • Guardian Angel
    • ★★★★★
    @fitz

    There is no question that disinformation is a tool used by Big Pharma. The rationale for their entire pricing structure is based upon it.

    To assume the other guy – in this case, Big Pharma – won’t use every dirty trick at their disposal to undermine and discredit the competition simply isn’t realistic.

    One never has to overthink what the payoff for them is, and should never assume that they will play fair.

    ETA: Good watching out, Sven!

    #21804
    Serg
    • Topics: 4
    • Replies: 66
    • Total: 70
    • Recovery Champion
    • ★★★★
    @serg

    “Unexpected high incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhotic patients with sustained virologic response following interferon-free direct-acting antiviral treatment” – http://www.journal-of-hepatology.eu/article/S0168-8278(16)30271-9/fulltext

    Unfortunately, there are two cases of occurence of HCC after sof-dac treatment on russian-spoken forum, without previous history of HCC.


    Probably infected in 1977
    2005 – diagnosed with HCV 1b, compensated F4, 15 mln viral load, ALT 320
    2005-2006 – PegIFN/rib 48 weeks treatment, relapse
    2016 – compensated F4, MELD 8-9, ALT 100-160
    2018 – compensated F4, MELD 8, ALT 91

    #21806
    Avatar photobeaches
    • Guardian Angel
    • ★★★★★
    @beaches

    Hi Serg

    The paper says the patients already had advanced liver disease – could it be possible they had the DAAs too late?


    Genotype 1a
    Diagnosed in 2004, had HCV for all my adult life. Until 2016!!!!
    Harvoni treatment, started 19 March 2016
    4 week results Bilirubin 12 down from 14 pre treatment,
    Gamma 25 down from 52, ALT 19 down from 63, AST 19 down from 47,
    VL <15 down from a lazy 6 million or so

    EOT Results
    Bilirubin 10, GGT 18, ALT 19, AST 21, VL UND

    12 Weeks post EOT
    Bilirubin 11, GGT 16, ALT 22, AST 20, VL UND
    Cured baby

    #21858
    dope-on-a-rope.jpgDr James
    • Guardian Angel
    • ★★★★★
    @fixhepc

    Liver inflammation – killing liver cells – kills cancer cells and normal cells so it is not entirely surprising that treating the HCV, and the damage it is causing, has this result.

    It’s important to remember that in the absence of treatment liver cell death, liver failure and decompensated cirrhosis is the outcome.

    Treating early, before cirrhosis, is a good option.

    With cirrhosis the alternative to treatment is allowing the disease to run its course, and that tends to end badly once this stage is reached.


    YMMV

    #21864
    Serg
    • Topics: 4
    • Replies: 66
    • Total: 70
    • Recovery Champion
    • ★★★★
    @serg

    A possible question is – whether DAA treatment increases probability of getting HCC for cirrhotics (comparing to “no treatment”;) or not? If yes, then things may become complicated… 6.6% per year for treated and 5.2% for people with SVR (data from http://www.journal-of-hepatology.eu/article/S0168-8278(16)30271-9/fulltext) may seems quite high. Survival with beginning (MELD < 11) compensated HCV-cirrhosis may seems as 80% for 10 years (http://www.nature.com.sci-hub.cc/ajg/journal/v104/n5/abs/ajg200931a.html). If i correctly understand, with annual 5.2% (if these data are correct), probability of getting HCC with SVR after DAA treatment during 10 years may be close to 50% for cirrhotics.


    Probably infected in 1977
    2005 – diagnosed with HCV 1b, compensated F4, 15 mln viral load, ALT 320
    2005-2006 – PegIFN/rib 48 weeks treatment, relapse
    2016 – compensated F4, MELD 8-9, ALT 100-160
    2018 – compensated F4, MELD 8, ALT 91

    #21866
    avatar876.jpegGaj
    • Guardian Angel
    • ★★★★★
    @gaj

    Hi Serg,

    The choice isn’t one or the other, cirrhosis itself drives increased HCC risk and more so as it progresses. And keep in mind that HCC also has a survival rate, one which is improving all the time due to earlier diagnosis and better treatment options so the comparison survival rate after 10 years isn’t 80% vs 50% as you seem to imply.

    The other question is what “survival” with cirrhosis will actually look like after 10 years of continuing liver damage from HCV…..and does that really mean “living”?

    As you say it is complicated, more so because we don’t have all the answers but waiting till we do may not be the best option either.


    G3a since ’78 – Dx ’12 – F4 (2xHCC)
    24wk Tx – PEG/Riba/Dac 2013 relapsed
    24wk Tx – Generic Sof/Dac/Riba 2015/16 relapsed
    16wk Tx – 12/01/17 -> 03/05/17 NS3/NS5a + Generic Sof
    SVR7 – 22/06/17 UND
    SRV12 – 27/07/17 UND
    SVR24 – 26/10/17 UND
    :cheer: :cheer: :cheer:

    #21869
    Serg
    • Topics: 4
    • Replies: 66
    • Total: 70
    • Recovery Champion
    • ★★★★
    @serg

    Hi Gaj,

    My concern is – if DAA treatment increases HCC risk (compared to “no treatment”;), then, whether benefits of treatment outweigh its harm “in long-term perspective” or not? It seems, that data from studies look like little bit controversial…

    I was diagnosed with HCV-cirrhosis in 2005 and up to now cirrhosis is compensated, and i had not events of decompensation (such as ascites, variceal bleeding, HCC etc.) My lab report (regarding to liver function) is not worse than in 2005. I feel relatively good and not sure that SVR “itself” will sufficiently improve my health… Of course, i want to achieve SVR (and already bought generics for the therapy), but possibility of increased HCC risk after DAA treatment is my main worry. Good managing of HCC requires good medical facilities, it may be difficult for many people in my country. Hope that, really, DAA treatment is not increases HCC risk.


    Probably infected in 1977
    2005 – diagnosed with HCV 1b, compensated F4, 15 mln viral load, ALT 320
    2005-2006 – PegIFN/rib 48 weeks treatment, relapse
    2016 – compensated F4, MELD 8-9, ALT 100-160
    2018 – compensated F4, MELD 8, ALT 91

    #21871
    Avatar photobeaches
    • Guardian Angel
    • ★★★★★
    @beaches

    Hi Serg

    Re the cirrhosis, I’d say having it would be like sitting on a time bomb.

    I’m lucky to have been F0 every time I was tested so it’s easy for me to say.

    Although I wasn’t able to clear the virus prior to Tx I was doing my best to address all the side issues like trouble with joints, thryoid problems, vitamin D deficiency and a host of other things but at age 60 it became more and more clear that I was living on borrowed time.

    It’s a big call for you.

    You have the ‘known’ which is the condition of your liver and what will happen in the future vs the unknown, which is the question is the cure worse than the disease.


    Genotype 1a
    Diagnosed in 2004, had HCV for all my adult life. Until 2016!!!!
    Harvoni treatment, started 19 March 2016
    4 week results Bilirubin 12 down from 14 pre treatment,
    Gamma 25 down from 52, ALT 19 down from 63, AST 19 down from 47,
    VL <15 down from a lazy 6 million or so

    EOT Results
    Bilirubin 10, GGT 18, ALT 19, AST 21, VL UND

    12 Weeks post EOT
    Bilirubin 11, GGT 16, ALT 22, AST 20, VL UND
    Cured baby

    #21872
    avatar876.jpegGaj
    • Guardian Angel
    • ★★★★★
    @gaj

    I don’t have answers for your ‘if’ question Serg, and it is just a question not a conclusion. I don’t think anyone does at the moment but hopefully in time we will have enough results and studies to be more confident but until then we need to make the best decision for our own situation we can based on what we know now which includes that HCV and cirrhosis progression and HCC occurrence are difficult to predict but the first two usually worsen with time and can lead to the third.

    One thing I will point out is that the study you linked above raises a lot of questions but I’m not sure it provides any answers or any great confidence in its statistics. Some of the variables in that study are:

    – We don’t know the exact selection criteria for the total cohort of the study other than that some were in AURIC which specifically excluded interferon and Ribavirin but they then tell us others used Ribavirin.
    – Nine different DAA combinations were involved in those diagnosed. And we don’t even know if that was the total for the overall cohort these patients emerged from.
    – Three patients had prior HCCs.
    – Five of the nineteen relapsed which is high for DAAs.
    – One was diagnosed with bone metastasis and subsequently developed a HCC.
    – One of those who relapsed was retreated with a second, different (and 10th) DAA combination at which point he developed a HCC.
    – The total size of the cohort was just under 200 patients which I believe gives a margin of error of about +/-5% so the real results could have been 0.2% – 11.6% risk.
    I realise they excluded some of those from their calculations but that raises questions of why they list them in the first place?

    While this study is interesting it seems to raise more questions than it answers so I’m not sure that you should place too much confidence in the percentages that are quoted in it.


    G3a since ’78 – Dx ’12 – F4 (2xHCC)
    24wk Tx – PEG/Riba/Dac 2013 relapsed
    24wk Tx – Generic Sof/Dac/Riba 2015/16 relapsed
    16wk Tx – 12/01/17 -> 03/05/17 NS3/NS5a + Generic Sof
    SVR7 – 22/06/17 UND
    SRV12 – 27/07/17 UND
    SVR24 – 26/10/17 UND
    :cheer: :cheer: :cheer:

    #21903
    Serg
    • Topics: 4
    • Replies: 66
    • Total: 70
    • Recovery Champion
    • ★★★★
    @serg

    Hi beaches, I wish you to achieve SVR with your therapy!

    Yes, cirrhosis is something like time bomb, and question is – whether cure is worse than disease or not. I have some problems with joints too (not very serious), some sleep disorder – but i am not sure that HCV is a cause of such problems instead of other factors… Some of my friends have much more serious joint problems without HCV infection. Really, if i correctly understand, “medical evidence” for many “extrahepatic manifestations” of HCV is not very strong.


    Probably infected in 1977
    2005 – diagnosed with HCV 1b, compensated F4, 15 mln viral load, ALT 320
    2005-2006 – PegIFN/rib 48 weeks treatment, relapse
    2016 – compensated F4, MELD 8-9, ALT 100-160
    2018 – compensated F4, MELD 8, ALT 91

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