If confirmed by further studies evaluating liver histology and/or hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG), GA-MRI may serve as a clinically useful biomarker for monitoring the improvement in liver function associated with regression of hepatic inflammation and possibly with regression of HCV-induced hepatic fibrosis and portal hypertension after successful HCV eradication with IFN-free regimens. This evidence concerns the gene IFNA1 and portal hypertension.