Doctors "frustrated" by Slater's case

Jack Slater lived only 18 months with his new liver. And almost from the time the transplant was done, he was facing a major challenge.

The hepatitis virus that had devastated his health in the first place remained in his body and attacked his new liver. That happens to virtually all hepatitis C transplant patients. But in Mr. Slater's case, it came on like gangbusters.

"We are very frustrated with the outcome of his case. We wish we understood it better," said Dr. Robert Carithers, the medical director of the University of Washington's liver-transplant program.

More than 70 percent of hepatitis C patients survive at least five years after transplant. About a third have normal livers 15 years later.

But 10 to 15 percent develop liver scarring from the virus within about seven years. Even so, most still live years longer.

"Usually after a transplant, the patient starts feeling better right away," said Carithers. "In his situation, he never felt any better. He never got his energy back. Nothing went right for Mr. Slater. ... He was among the worst 1 to 2 percent."

Carithers said researchers have struggled for years to understand why liver-transplant patients' outcomes vary so greatly.

UW scientists have studied more than 500 liver-transplant patients with hepatitis C over the past 16 years. They found no differences in strength of the viruses from patient to patient. Now they are analyzing the immune responses of humans and chimpanzees to the virus.

"The single biggest problem in liver transplantation is trying to understand this," said Carithers.

Solving the problem is crucial. About half of the 6,400 liver transplants a year in the U.S. — including 140 in Washington state — are done for patients with hepatitis C.

Warren King: 206-464-2247 or wking@seattletimes.com