Incidence of Liver and Non-liver Cancers After Hepatitis C Virus Eradication: A Population-Based Cohort Study

Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) offer a high rate of hepatitis C virus (HCV) eradication. However, concerns on the risk of cancer after HCV eradication remain.

A study, published in Drugs - Real World Outcomes, quantified the incidence of cancer in patients treated with HCV therapies in Catalonia, Spain and their matched controls.

Results showed that overall cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma incidence in Catalonia was significantly higher among HCV-treated patients compared with matched non-HCV-infected controls, and risks were higher in patients with cirrhosis. An increased awareness of the potential occurrence of uncommon malignant events and monitoring after HCV eradication therapy may benefit patients.