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July 2017 Update: Any Link Between Hepatitis C Drugs and Liver Cancer?

July 13, 2017 By Law Offices of Thomas J. Lamb, P.A.


A recent study from the July 2017 edition of Gastroenterology sought to investigate the relationship between Direct Acting Antiviral Agents (DAA) — such as Harvoni, Sovaldi, Viekira Pak, and Technivie — and liver cancer, or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Previously, the medical literature on this subject was relatively sparse, as well as conflicting.

The following studies claim that DAA treatment is associated with an elevated risk of liver cancer recurrence:

  • April 2016: Journal of Hepatology
  • June 2016: Journal of Hepatology
  • April 2017: Practice Update

However, the studies listed below either found insufficient evidence to declare a link between DAA and liver cancer recurrence, or evidence to the contrary:

  • May 2016: Journal of Hepatology
  • November 2016: Practice Update
  • April 2017: Health Canada

The most recent study, titled “Risk of Hepatocellular Cancer in HCV Patients Treated with Direct Acting Antiviral Agents,” tips the scale, so to speak, by providing further evidence that DAA treatment does not entail a higher risk of liver cancer.

The conclusions of this study are as follows:

Among patients treated with DAA, [sustained virologic response (SVR)] was associated with a considerable reduction in the risk of HCC. We did not find any evidence to suggest that DAAs promote HCC. However, in patients with SVR, the absolute HCC risk remained high in patients with established cirrhosis. These patients should be considered for ongoing HCC surveillance.

Otherwise put, these researchers found that DAA treatment does not promote liver cancer.  In fact, they observed that DAA treatment is associated with a reduction in the risk of liver cancer.  However, those with cirrhosis who have undergone DAA treatment may still be at an elevated risk.
A quote from the researchers who conducted this study — excerpted from a recent Healio article — provides the following information:
“Our data highlight the potential consequences of delaying treatment — either by lack of access or by patient/provider choice — on subsequent risk of HCC, and support treatment of all patients with HCV prior to their progression to advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis. Delaying treatment until patients progress to cirrhosis might be associated with substantial downstream costs incurred as part of life long HCC surveillance and/or management of HCC,” the researchers concluded. “We did not find any evidence to suggest that DAAs promote HCC either during or after treatment.”
Though at this juncture it seems as though DAA treatment does not lead to an increased risk of liver cancer recurrence, we will continue to monitor the medical literature for more information on this debate.

 

Written by: Heather Helmendach, Legal Assistant
Law Offices of Thomas J. Lamb, P.A.


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Filed Under: Unsafe Drugs Tagged With: direct-acting antivirals, drug injury lawsuits, drug side effects, Harvoni, hep c drugs, hepatitis c drugs, hepatocellular carcinoma, Liver Cancer, Sovaldi, Technivie, Viekira Pak

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