HCV and Iron Excess: The Interaction and how to Handle it

Mild to moderate hepatic iron overload is frequently present in patients with chronic hepatitis C. There is a growing body of literature suggesting that excess hepatic iron may contribute to more rapid progression of liver disease and potentially to development of hepatocellular carcinoma. However,...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inClinical Dilemmas in Viral Liver Disease pp. 82 - 87
Main Authors Maliken, Bryan D, Kowdley, Kris V
Format Book Chapter
LanguageEnglish
Published Oxford, UK Wiley‐Blackwell 31.03.2010
Subjects
combination therapy
haemochromatosis
hepatitis C virus
hepatocellular carcinoma
interferon
iron overload
phlebotomy
ribavirin
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Summary:Mild to moderate hepatic iron overload is frequently present in patients with chronic hepatitis C. There is a growing body of literature suggesting that excess hepatic iron may contribute to more rapid progression of liver disease and potentially to development of hepatocellular carcinoma. However, there remains a paucity of data demonstrating the benefit of iron depletion as a treatment for chronic hepatitis C. Hepatic iron content in chronic hepatitis does not predict the response rate to interferon and ribavirin combination therapy in either treatment‐naive or treatment‐experienced patients. However, the presence of HFE haemochromatosis mutations does increase the risk of advanced hepatic fibrosis especially among C282Y homozygotes. Therefore, measurement of serum iron stores and appropriate use of HFE genotyping is indicated as part of the routine evaluation in patients with chronic hepatitis C.
ISBN:9781405179058
1405179058
DOI:10.1002/9781444319590.ch19