Ricerc@Sapienza

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) causes B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders (LPDs) expressing stereotyped B-cell receptors (BCRs) endowed with rheumatoid factor (RF) activity and putatively recognizing the HCV E2 protein. To further untangle the shaping and function of these BCRs, we analyzed immunoglobulin gene rearrangements of monoclonal B cells from 13 patients with HCV-associated LPDs and correlated their features with the clinical outcomes of antiviral therapy.

Although studies suggest decreased incident hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after treatment with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, data are conflicting regarding risk and aggressiveness of recurrence in patients who have a history of treated HCC. This review analyses data available in literature in order to elucidate the impact of DAAs on the risk of HCC recurrence after successful treatment of the tumor. Overall 24 papers were identified.

Introduction: Concerns were raised about a high occurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after successful treatment of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) by direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). Areas covered: The authors summarize the clinical studies reporting the occurrence rate and risk factors of HCC after DAAs in CHC. Expert opinion: The recent introduction of all-oral DAAs has substantially changed the scenario of CHC, achieving a sustained virological response (SVR) in >90% of cases.

Modern hepatic steatosis classification includes large droplet macrovesicular (L-MaS), small droplet macrovesicular (S-MaS) and true microvesicular (MiS). Based on previous classification simply describing macrovesicular and microvesicular steatosis, donor livers with ≤30% of hepatocytes with macrosteatosis, which should represent L-MaS, are considered safe to be transplanted, while microsteatosis is usually not considered a risk factor for graft loss.