The impact of achieving a sustained virological response with direct-acting antivirals on serum autotaxin levels in chronic hepatitis C patients

Background Autotaxin (ATX) is an emerging biomarker for liver fibrosis. Achievement of sustained virological response (SVR) by direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) results in hepatic fibrosis regression in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients. In this context, the clinical implications of ATX have not yet been well-defined. In this study, we aimed to assess the impact of achieving SVR with DAA therapy on serum ATX levels and whether these levels can reflect the regression of hepatic fibrosis in CHC patients. We evaluated serum ATX levels at baseline and 12 weeks post-DAA therapy in 48 CHC patients. We compared ATX with FIB4 score and AST-to-Platelet Ratio Index (APRI) as regards the detection of grade F3–4 fibrosis. Results Serum ATX levels were significantly declined in 47 patients after the achievement of SVR12 ( p < 0.001). The diagnostic ability of ATX for the detection of grade F3–4 fibrosis was inferior to FIB4 and APRI scores at baseline and SVR12. Conclusion Achievement of SVR with DAA therapy causes a significant decline in serum autotaxin concentrations, suggesting early regression of hepatic fibrosis in CHC patients. However, its diagnostic capability for routine patient monitoring and follow-up is still under debate.