In a report, researchers discussed the evolving role of noninvasive tests (NITs) in assessing liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C (HCV) patients, particularly in the context of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatments. Historically, liver biopsy was the gold standard for this assessment. However, with the development and validation of NITs, which are used to evaluate advanced fibrosis, the approach to monitoring liver fibrosis in patients with HCV has become more complex.

The report highlights the importance of ongoing monitoring and the need to define clear cutoff values for predicting liver-related complications following a sustained virological response to treatment. The primary objective is to offer a comprehensive overview of the different NITs available for liver fibrosis evaluation in HCV patients.

Reference: Bojanic K, Bogojevic MS, Vukadin S, et al. Noninvasive Fibrosis Assessment in Chronic Hepatitis C Infection: An Update. J Clin Transl Hepatol. 2023 Oct 28;11(5):1228-1238. doi: 10.14218/JCTH.2022.00365. Epub 2023 May 11. PMID: 37577224; PMCID: PMC10412701.