Unexpected data from new studies show that direct-acting antiviral agents might promote tumour occurrence in patients with cirrhosis, or recurrence in patients with presumed cure of hepatocellular carcinoma. In view of the potential clinical implications, this controversy calls for a thorough and expeditious consideration of the hypothetical oncogenic activity of novel HCV drugs.
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Acknowledgements
J.M.L. is supported by grants from the European Commission Horizon 2020 (HEPTROMIC, proposal number 259744; HEPCAR, proposal number 667273–2), the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation, the Spanish National Health Institute (SAF-2013-41027-R) and the Asociación Española contra el Cáncer. A.V. is the recipient of the American Association of the Study of the Liver Foundation Alan Hofmann Clinical and Translational Award.
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Llovet, J., Villanueva, A. Effect of HCV clearance with direct-acting antiviral agents on HCC. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 13, 561–562 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrgastro.2016.140
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nrgastro.2016.140
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