Challenges in managing hepatitis C virus infection in cancer patients

Table 1 Differences on hepatitis C virus infection in cancer patients compared to those without cancer

Occurrence of occult infection

Higher risk of developing early cirrhosis

Higher rate of fibrosis progression

Development of viral reactivation

No standard of care treatment

Worse virological outcome

Table 2 Side effects of drugs used to treat hepatitis C virusinfection that can be exacerbated in hepatitis C virus-infected cancer patients

Drugs	Side effects
Interferon and ribavirin	Fatigue
	Flu-like syndrome
	Nausea and vomiting
	Low-grade fever
	Weight loss
	Irritability
	Insomnia
	Depression
	Anemia
	Thrombocytopenia
	Neutropenia
	Pruritus
	Rashes
	Dyspnea
	Poor appetite
	Difficulty concentrating
	Severe infections (bacterial, fungal, or viral)
First generation protease inhibitors
Boceprevir	Anemia
	Renal impairment
Telaprevir	Anemia
	Rash
	Gastrointestinal side effects (diarrhea and rectal burning)
	Renal impairment