19 Nov 2025 • Sustained virologic response (SVR) after direct-acting antiviral therapy was strongly associated with improved survival in hepatitis C virus infection, even in those with active hepatocellular carcinoma, according to a study of 2,205 adults.

SVR reduced overall mortality by 55% (aHR 0.45), with benefit shaped by tumor stage. In active early-stage HCC (BCLC 0/A), 3-year survival was 71.7% versus 39.9% without SVR. For those without active tumors, the largest survival advantage emerged in BCLC B/C disease, where 3-year survival was 76.2% after SVR compared with 24.7%.

Early antiviral treatment is critical for early-stage HCC, while advanced disease requires tumor control first to fully leverage the survival impact of viral clearance.

Source: European Journal of Cancer | Read Full Story