Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40462644›Full record

ArticleClinical and molecular hepatology2025

Distinct inflammatory imprint in non-cirrhotic and cirrhotic patients before and after direct-acting antiviral therapy.

Moana Witte, Carlos Oltmanns, Jan Tauwaldt, Hagen Schmaus, Jasmin Mischke, Gordon Grabert, Mara Bretthauer, Lennart M Roesner, Thomas Werfel, Katja Deterding and 5 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Clinical and molecular hepatology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
5citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

5 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Hepatitis C elimination: is it time to redefine the goals?Nature reviews. Gastroenterology & hepatology · 2026
    Article
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  5. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

15 authors.

Moana WitteDepartment of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School (MHH), Hannover, Germany.
Carlos OltmannsDepartment of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School (MHH), Hannover, Germany.
Jan TauwaldtDepartment of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School (MHH), Hannover, Germany.
Hagen SchmausDepartment of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School (MHH), Hannover, Germany.
Jasmin MischkeDepartment of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School (MHH), Hannover, Germany.
Gordon GrabertDivision Data Science in Biomedicine, Peter L. Reichertz Institute for Medical Informatics of Technische Universität Braunschweig and Hannover Medical School, Braunschweig, Germany.
Mara BretthauerDivision Data Science in Biomedicine, Peter L. Reichertz Institute for Medical Informatics of Technische Universität Braunschweig and Hannover Medical School, Braunschweig, Germany.
Lennart M RoesnerDepartment of Dermatology and Allergy, Hannover Medical School (MHH), Hannover, Germany.
Thomas WerfelDepartment of Dermatology and Allergy, Hannover Medical School (MHH), Hannover, Germany.
Katja DeterdingDepartment of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School (MHH), Hannover, Germany.
Benjamin MaasoumyDepartment of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School (MHH), Hannover, Germany.
Heiner WedemeyerDepartment of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School (MHH), Hannover, Germany.
Tim KacprowskiDivision Data Science in Biomedicine, Peter L. Reichertz Institute for Medical Informatics of Technische Universität Braunschweig and Hannover Medical School, Braunschweig, Germany.
Anke R M KraftDepartment of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School (MHH), Hannover, Germany.
Markus CornbergDepartment of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School (MHH), Hannover, Germany.

Funding

Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft 390874280Else Kröner-Fresenius-Stiftung 2020_ EKPK.20German Center for Infection Research TTU 05.708_00German Center for Infection Research TTU-IICH-07-808German Federal Ministry of Education and Research 031L0294AGerman Federal Ministry of Education and Research 031L0294C
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

BACKGROUND/

aimsHepatitis C virus (HCV) infection remains a global health challenge, leading to chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Despite the high efficacy of direct-acting antiviral therapy in achieving sustained virologic response (SVR), concerns persist regarding long-term immune alterations and residual risks, particularly in cirrhotic patients.

methodsThis study investigates 75 soluble immune mediator (SIM) profiles in 102 chronic HCV patients, stratified by cirrhosis status, at therapy initiation, end of treatment, and long-term follow-up (median 96 weeks). Findings were compared with 51 matched healthy controls and validated in an independent cohort of 47 cirrhotic patients, 17 of whom developed HCC.

resultsWe observed significant SIM alterations at baseline, with cirrhotic patients displaying a more profoundly dysregulated inflammatory milieu. Despite an overall decline in inflammatory markers following SVR, persistent alterations were evident, particularly in cirrhotic patients. Notably, those with liver stiffness exceeding 14 kPa exhibited sustained inflammatory dysregulation, correlating with liver elastography values. Key SIM such as interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, urokinase plasminogen activator, and hepatocellular growth factor remained elevated and were associated with HCC development. Network analysis highlighted their roles in liver fibrosis, regeneration, and carcinogenesis.

conclusionThese findings underscore the importance of early antiviral intervention to prevent cirrhosis-related sequelae. Future studies should explore the mechanistic pathways linking chronic inflammation, fibrosis, and oncogenesis to identify predictive biomarkers and novel therapeutic targets. Addressing persistent immune alterations post-HCV clearance may improve long-term outcomes, particularly in patients with advanced liver disease.

Indexed as

Antiviral AgentsHepatitis C, ChronicLiver CirrhosisAdultAgedBiomarkersCarcinoma, HepatocellularCase-Control StudiesFemaleHepacivirusHumansInflammationInterleukin-6Interleukin-8LiverLiver NeoplasmsAntiviral AgentsBiomarkersInterleukin-6Interleukin-8CirrhosisDirect-acting antiviral therapyHepatitis C virusHepatocellular carcinomaSoluble inflammatory marker

Identifiers

PMID40462644
PMCPMC12538141

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.