Daclatasvir plus sofosbuvir, with or without ribavirin, for hepatitis C virus genotype 3 in a French early access programme.

Background & Aims: Optimally effective treatment for hepatitis C virus genotype 3 (GT3) is urgently needed, particularly in advanced liver disease. Daclatasvir plus sofosbuvir was efficacious in phase 3 studies. Real-world data for daclatasvir+sofosbuvir in advanced GT3 infection are presented from the French Temporary Authorisation for Use programme, which allowed patients in need without other treatment options access to daclatasvir ahead of its market authorization.

IL-26 is overexpressed in chronically HCV-infected patients and enhances TRAIL-mediated cytotoxicity and interferon production by human NK cells.

Objective: Interleukin-26 (IL-26) is a member of the IL-10 cytokine family, first discovered based on its peculiar expression by virus-transformed T cells. IL-26 is overexpressed in chronic inflammation (rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's disease) and induces proinflammatory cytokines by myeloid cells and some epithelial cells. We thus investigated the expression and potential role of IL-26 in chronic HCV infection, a pathology associated with chronic inflammation.

Reproducibility of liver stiffness measurement by ultrasonographic elastometry.

Background & Aims: Fibroscan is a noninvasive device that assesses liver fibrosis by liver stiffness evaluation (LSE) with ultrasonographic elastometry. We evaluated LSE reproducibility and its influencing factors.

Methods: LSE was performed by 4 experienced physicians (>100 LSEs) in 46 patients with chronic liver disease at 4 different anatomic sites.

Learning curve and interobserver reproducibility evaluation of liver stiffness measurement by transient elastography.

Background/aims: Fibroscan allows liver stiffness examination (LSE) that is well correlated with fibrosis stages. Our main objective was to evaluate LSE learning curve.

Methods: LSE results of five novice observers with different medical status were compared with those of five expert observers (physicians with >100 examinations) in 250 patients with chronic liver disease.

Reproducibility of blood tests of liver fibrosis in clinical practice.

Objectives: To evaluate the inter-laboratory reproducibility of blood test for liver fibrosis: FibroMeter, Fibrotest, APRI and their composites variables.

Design And Methods: Four studies, including 147 patients, were performed: study #1 included 2 metachronous blood samples and 2 laboratories; studies #2, #3 and #4 included synchronous samples with assays delayed at day 1 in 12 laboratories, at day 0 in 10 laboratories and at day 0 or 1 in 2 laboratories, respectively. Agreement was evaluated by the intraclass correlation coefficient (r(ic)).

A novel panel of blood markers to assess the degree of liver fibrosis.

The objective was to develop new blood tests to characterize different fibrosis parameters in viral and alcoholic chronic liver diseases. Measurements included 51 blood markers and Fibrotest, Fibrospect, ELFG, APRI, and Forns scores. The clinically significant fibrosis was evaluated via Metavir staging (F2-F4), and image analysis was used to determine the area of fibrosis.