Roles of Iron and HFE Mutations on Severity and Response to Therapy During Retreatment of Advanced Chronic Hepatitis C

Background & Aims: Iron overload may cause or contribute to hepatic injury and fibrosis. Mutations in the HFE gene may influence development or progression of chronic liver disease by increasing iron stores or modulating immune responses. The aim of this work was to assess the influence of HFE mutations and serum and hepatic measures of iron status on baseline features and response to lead-in therapy in subjects with advanced chronic hepatitis C enrolled in the Hepatitis C Anti-viral Long-term Treatment to prevent Cirrhosis (HALT-C) Trial. Methods: Entry criteria included an Ishak fibrosis score >2 and lack of iron overload (Scheuer iron grade