Background: Post-transplant hepatitis C is a major challenge after liver transplantation (LT). Antiviral therapy is associated with lower efficacy in the post-transplant setting.
Aims: The purpose of this study was to determine the safety and effect of intravenous interferon (IFN) during the anhepatic phase of LT on hepatitis C viral load.
Methods: Fifteen consecutive subjects undergoing liver transplant for hepatitis C cirrhosis were enrolled in the study, ten of which received study drug and five subjects served as controls. Cases received weight-based ribavirin and subcutaneous IFN at time of incision followed by intravenous IFN at the start of the anhepatic phase. Adverse events and viral levels were recorded. Repeated measures ANOVA was employed to test for differences over time, between the groups, and time by group interaction.
Results: All subjects had genotype 1 virus. Hepatitis C viral load was lower at week 4 in cases compared to controls (769,004 ± 924,082 IU/ml and 2,329,896 ± 3,731,749 IU/ml, respectively), but did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.50). Three subjects developed adverse events related to IFN including pulmonary edema, rejection, and neutropenia.
Conclusions: Intravenous IFN administered during the anhepatic phase of liver transplant did not prevent graft reinfection and was associated with manageable adverse events. This regimen could be further studied if direct acting antiviral agents alone are insufficient for treating post-transplant hepatitis C.