Highlights
The following points summarize the core clinical findings regarding the use of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) in managing hepatitis C virus (HCV)-associated indolent lymphomas: 1. Prospective trials consistently demonstrate a 100% sustained virologic response (SVR) rate in patients treated with DAAs. 2. Hematologic response rates (ORR) range from 45% to 67%, with complete responses occurring in approximately 20% to 67% of cases without the need for traditional chemotherapy. 3. Long-term follow-up from the BArT study indicates a 6-year progression-free survival (PFS) of 66%, with a remarkable finding of zero relapses among patients who achieved a complete response. 4. These findings provide definitive evidence of a causative link between HCV and lymphomagenesis, supporting the use of DAAs as a primary, first-line therapy for this patient population.
Introduction: The Intersection of HCV and Lymphomagenesis
The epidemiological association between chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas (NHL) has been recognized for over two decades. In highly endemic regions such as Italy, Japan, and the southern United States, the prevalence of HCV among patients with marginal zone lymphomas (MZL) or diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCL) is significantly higher than in the general population. In Italy, specifically, approximately 20% to 30% of MZL cases are HCV-positive. Historically, the treatment of these patients relied on interferon-based regimens, which were often poorly tolerated and yielded inconsistent hematologic outcomes. The advent of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) has revolutionized the management of chronic HCV, offering high cure rates and minimal toxicity. Emerging evidence now suggests that DAAs may serve a dual purpose: eradicating the virus and concurrently treating the underlying indolent B-cell malignancy.
The BArT Study: Establishing the Efficacy of DAAs as Primary Therapy
The Fondazione Italiana Linfomi (FIL) conducted the BArT study, the first prospective, multicenter, phase II trial to evaluate genotype-appropriate DAAs in untreated HCV-positive patients with indolent lymphomas. This study addressed a critical unmet need for evidence-based strategies in patients who did not require immediate conventional antilymphoma treatment (e.g., those without high tumor burden or symptomatic disease).
Study Design and Patient Population
The study enrolled 40 patients, with a median age of 68 years. The most common histological subtype was marginal zone lymphoma (27 cases), and extranodal involvement was observed in 35% of the cohort. Patients were treated with genotype-guided DAA regimens, including ledipasvir/sofosbuvir, sofosbuvir plus ribavirin, and sofosbuvir/velpatasvir. The primary objective was the achievement of sustained virologic response (SVR), while secondary objectives focused on the overall response rate (ORR) of the lymphoma and progression-free survival (PFS).
Key Results and Hematologic Outcomes
The virologic results were exceptional, with 100% of patients (40/40) achieving SVR. More significantly, the lymphoma responded favorably to viral eradication alone. The ORR for the lymphoma was 45%, comprising 8 patients (20%) with a complete response (CR) and 10 patients (25%) with a partial response (PR). Stability was observed in 16 patients, while only 6 showed progression. Safety was another major highlight, with only two grade 3-4 adverse events reported, underscoring the tolerability of DAAs compared to traditional immunochemotherapy.
Long-term Durability: Six-Year Follow-up of the BArT Cohort
A recent 6-year update of the BArT study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, provides the most robust evidence to date regarding the long-term impact of DAAs. With extended follow-up, the durability of the hematologic response became clear. The 6-year progression-free survival (PFS) was reported at 66%. Crucially, the study noted that no relapses occurred in patients who had initially achieved a complete response. This suggests that for a subset of patients, viral eradication via DAAs may result in a functional cure of the indolent lymphoma, or at least a very prolonged remission that bypasses the need for cytotoxic agents.
Cross-Continental Validation: The US Prospective Observational Data
The findings of the BArT study are echoed by prospective observational data from the United States. A study conducted between 2014 and 2021 at a major center evaluated 9 chemotherapy-naïve patients with HCV-associated indolent NHL. Similar to the Italian cohort, 100% of patients achieved SVR12. The oncologic impact was even more pronounced in this small group, with an ORR of 67% and a complete response rate of 67%. The 5-year duration of response (DOR), overall survival (OS), and PFS rates were 100%, 83%, and 67%, respectively. These results reinforce the concept that HCV-associated NHL is a late extrahepatic complication of the infection and that removing the viral stimulus can halt or reverse the lymphoproliferative process.
Mechanistic Insights: Why Does Viral Clearance Lead to Lymphoma Regression?
The biological plausibility of using antivirals to treat lymphoma rests on the theory of chronic antigenic stimulation. It is hypothesized that the HCV envelope protein E2 interacts with the CD81 receptor on B-cells, leading to continuous B-cell receptor (BCR) signaling. This chronic stimulation drives B-cell expansion and increases the risk of genetic aberrations, such as the t(14;18) translocation or mutations in tumor suppressor genes, eventually leading to malignant transformation. By eradicating the virus with DAAs, the primary antigenic stimulus is removed. In the absence of this trigger, the B-cell clones that have not yet acquired complete autonomy (as is common in indolent subtypes like MZL) may undergo apoptosis or return to a quiescent state. This mechanism is supported by the fact that hematological responses are significantly associated with the eradication of the virus; patients who fail to achieve SVR rarely show a lymphoma response.
Clinical Implications and Expert Commentary
The shift toward using DAAs as first-line therapy for HCV-associated indolent lymphomas represents a significant advancement in personalized medicine. For clinicians, the implications are clear: every patient with an indolent B-cell lymphoma should be screened for HCV. If positive, and if the lymphoma does not require immediate cytoreduction due to life-threatening complications, a course of DAAs should be the initial management strategy. This approach spares patients the side effects of chemotherapy, such as myelosuppression, infection, and secondary malignancies, while effectively curing the underlying viral infection. However, limitations remain. Not all patients respond hematologically, suggesting that in some cases, the lymphoma may have evolved to become independent of the viral stimulus. Furthermore, while the 6-year data is promising, continued monitoring is necessary to determine if very late relapses occur.
Conclusion
The cumulative evidence from 2012 to the present confirms that HCV eradication through DAA therapy is an effective and safe primary treatment for HCV-associated indolent B-cell lymphomas. With 100% virologic success and substantial, durable hematologic response rates, DAAs have effectively changed the treatment algorithm. Future research should focus on identifying molecular biomarkers that can predict which patients are most likely to achieve a complete hematologic response, further refining the selection process for this non-chemotherapeutic approach.
References
1. Merli M, et al. Direct-Acting Antiviral Agents in Hepatitis C-Associated Indolent Lymphomas. N Engl J Med. 2026;394(1):93-96. 2. Merli M, et al. Direct-Acting Antivirals as Primary Treatment for Hepatitis C Virus-Associated Indolent Non-Hodgkin Lymphomas: The BArT Study of the Fondazione Italiana Linfomi. J Clin Oncol. 2022;40(35):4060-4070. 3. George M, et al. Direct-Acting Antivirals Induce Lymphoproliferative Disease Response in HCV-Infected Patients With Indolent B-Cell Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma: A Prospective Observational Study. Hematol Oncol. 2025;43(2):e70044. 4. Arcaini L, et al. Indolent B-cell lymphomas associated with HCV infection: clinical and virological features and role of antiviral therapy. Clin Dev Immunol. 2012;2012:638185. Funding and clinicaltrials.gov: The BArT study was supported by the Fondazione Italiana Linfomi and is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02836925).
