LT Erases Hepatitis C

[Tom_K]

September 14, 2007
Liver Transplant Erases Hepatitis C
Although re-infection with Hepatitis C usually recurs rapidly following a liver transplant, a Japanese woman has beaten the odds. This 60-year-old with Hepatitis C, cirrhosis, liver cancer and diabetes, is the first reported case where a liver transplant led to a complete recovery of Hepatitis C.

Hepatitis C gone after liver transplant

Posted : Fri, 31 Aug 2007 12:51:49 GMT

Author : Health News Editor
www.earthtimes.org


NAGASAKI, Japan, Aug. 31 A Japanese woman is the first reported case in which a complete recovery from hepatitis C-RNA was achieved after liver transplantation.

The 60-year-old woman with liver cirrhosis and liver cancer caused by hepatitis C had been diagnosed diabetic since 1995; and previous chemotherapies to remove cancer didn't bring any satisfactory result.

Dr. Tatsuki Ichikawa of the Nagasaki University Hospital, in Japan, was hesitant to give the woman a donated piece of the liver offered by her daughter fearing the new liver would get reinfected and progress rapidly to liver cancer. Previous data indicated that complete clearance of hepatitis C is necessary for a good outcome of a liver transplant.

To save the life of the patient, Ichikawa used a more powerful drug -- PEGylated IFN -- before liver transplantation and five weeks after the PEG-IFN treatment, the hepatitis antigen was no longer detectable from the patient but hepatitis-RNA persisted, even after 18 weeks of treatment, so liver transplantation was performed.

Unexpectedly, clearance of hepatitis C-RNA was achieved just one month after the successful liver transplantation and HCV was never detected in this patient thereafter, reported the case study published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology.

[Helen]

Hi Tom,
 Im glad you posted that, I know I heard about it SOMEWHERE but have no idea where. Its almost like a miracle. 

 Thanks, Helen 

[robin]

Any no meds other than the regular immunosuppressants used after TP were given? Any idea what immunusuppressants were used there? Keep your spirits high...robin

[hanklive39]

Hi All!!!

This is certainly NOT the first reported outcome!!! Maybe in Japan but, not the first in the world...

There are questions as Robin already found some to ask so, I'll just ask some more...
When was this woman transplanted and how long has she's been in post op recovery... In other words how long has she been post transplant???

On a personal note: For the first few years, I myself was undetectable, then slowly but surely, the dormant HCV cells that were hiding in various parts of my body at very low viral loads decided to replicate once again!!! So, please!!! We need to have more clarification and details, before the verdict is out on this woman...

I'm just being realistic and a bit cynical for good reason so, please do'nt condemm me for my skepticism here - Capish??? No offense to anyone especially the woman in Japan!!! May God continue to bless her!!! You're absolutely correct in saying that it's a miracle!!! The only question is; For how long?

Respectfully,
Henry

[Helen]

Actually a good question Hank, They dont say how long it was between the tp and v/l check.

[robin]

I wonder why they would even do a viral load test if she wasn't on some kind of med that has shown effectiveness against hepatitis C. They don't do them on me...it doesn't matter what the VL is unless you are treating (or so I was told). Keep your spirits high...robin