Illustration of a healthy liver emerging from dissipating viruses, symbolizing successful hepatitis C treatment after liver transplant.

Direct Antiviral Agents: A Game Changer for Liver Transplant Recipients with Hepatitis C

Kai Mendoza in Health & Wellness November 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover how direct antiviral agents (DAAs) are transforming liver transplantation outcomes for hepatitis C patients in Korea, offering hope and improved quality of life."

The landscape of liver transplantation (LT) in Korea is evolving, with a rising number of recipients requiring care for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections. Post-transplant HCV recurrence poses significant challenges, often leading to cirrhosis and diminished long-term survival rates. In the absence of effective interventions, the recurrence of HCV can cause graft dysfunction, graft loss, and increased mortality.

Direct antiviral agents (DAAs) have emerged as a revolutionary approach to HCV treatment in liver transplant recipients. Before DAAs, interferon-based regimens were the standard, yet these treatments had limited success due to tolerability issues and side effects such as anemia. DAAs have demonstrated the ability to achieve sustained virological response (SVR), which significantly improves clinical outcomes in LT recipients.

This article delves into a 2-center study conducted in Korea, evaluating the efficacy and safety of DAAs in HCV-infected liver transplant recipients. The study aims to provide insights into the potential of DAAs in improving patient outcomes and transforming the landscape of post-transplant care. This analysis will shed light on how DAA treatments can positively impact the lives of individuals undergoing liver transplantation.

How DAAs are Revolutionizing HCV Treatment After Liver Transplants

Illustration of a healthy liver emerging from dissipating viruses, symbolizing successful hepatitis C treatment after liver transplant.

Before the advent of direct antiviral agents (DAAs), liver transplant recipients infected with hepatitis C faced limited treatment options. Interferon (IFN)-based regimens were the primary approach, but their effectiveness was hampered by lower sustained virological response (SVR) rates and significant side effects. Many patients were unable to tolerate these regimens due to IFN-induced side effects and ribavirin (RBV)-induced anemia.

The introduction of DAAs has transformed the treatment landscape, providing non-IFN regimens that achieve higher rates of HCV cure and fewer adverse events. These medications have shown remarkable success in clinical trials and real-world settings, offering new hope to liver transplant recipients with hepatitis C. DAAs have revolutionized HCV treatment in liver transplant recipients, boasting:

Higher rates of HCV cure
Fewer adverse events
Improved tolerability
Better clinical outcomes

The study's findings underscore the effectiveness and safety of DAAs in liver transplant recipients in Korea. The outcomes of this study could provide valuable insights into the safety and efficacy of these regimens in Asia, potentially influencing treatment strategies and improving patient care.

The Future of HCV Treatment in Liver Transplant Recipients

Direct antiviral agents (DAAs) represent a significant advancement in the treatment of hepatitis C in liver transplant recipients. With high SVR rates and improved tolerability, DAAs offer renewed hope for patients facing HCV recurrence after transplantation. As research continues and clinical experience expands, the use of DAAs is poised to further improve outcomes and transform the landscape of post-transplant care.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.4174/astr.2018.95.3.147, Alternate LINK

Title: Use Of Direct Antiviral Agents In Liver Transplant Recipients With Hepatitis C Virus In Korea: 2-Center Experience

Subject: Surgery

Journal: Annals of Surgical Treatment and Research

Publisher: The Korean Surgical Society

Authors: Jong Man Kim, Kwang-Woong Lee, Dong-Hyun Sinn, Gyu-Seong Choi, Nam-Joon Yi, Choon Hyuck David Kwon, Kyung-Suk Suh, Jae-Won Joh

Published: 2018-01-01

Everything You Need To Know

What are direct antiviral agents (DAAs) and how do they work?

Direct antiviral agents (DAAs) are medications specifically designed to target and inhibit the hepatitis C virus (HCV). This mechanism of action is crucial because it directly interferes with the virus's ability to replicate and spread within the liver transplant recipient's body. This targeted approach minimizes damage to the new liver and prevents the progression of liver disease, ultimately improving patient outcomes and quality of life.

What is sustained virological response (SVR) and why is it important for liver transplant recipients?

Sustained virological response (SVR) is important because it signifies the eradication of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) from the body of a liver transplant recipient. Achieving SVR through direct antiviral agents (DAAs) means the virus is no longer detectable in the patient's blood, preventing further liver damage, reducing the risk of cirrhosis, and improving long-term survival rates. SVR is the ultimate goal of HCV treatment.

What treatments were used before direct antiviral agents (DAAs) and what were their limitations?

Prior to direct antiviral agents (DAAs), interferon-based regimens were the primary treatment for hepatitis C virus (HCV) in liver transplant recipients. However, these regimens had limited success due to lower sustained virological response (SVR) rates and significant side effects such as anemia, often leading to poor tolerability and reduced effectiveness. Direct antiviral agents (DAAs) represent a major improvement over interferon-based treatments.

What are the advantages of using direct antiviral agents (DAAs) compared to previous treatments?

Direct antiviral agents (DAAs) offer several advantages over previous treatments for hepatitis C virus (HCV) in liver transplant recipients. These benefits include higher rates of HCV cure, fewer adverse events, improved tolerability, and better overall clinical outcomes. The introduction of direct antiviral agents (DAAs) has revolutionized the treatment landscape, offering new hope and improved quality of life for liver transplant recipients with hepatitis C.

How have direct antiviral agents (DAAs) changed the outcomes of liver transplantation for hepatitis C patients?

Direct antiviral agents (DAAs) have had a significant impact on the outcomes of liver transplantation for patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV). The high sustained virological response (SVR) rates achieved with direct antiviral agents (DAAs) have led to improved graft survival, reduced complications, and enhanced long-term survival rates. The advent of direct antiviral agents (DAAs) has transformed the landscape of post-transplant care, offering renewed hope for liver transplant recipients facing HCV recurrence.