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Batsaikhan B, Huang CI, Yeh ML, Huang CF, Hou NJ, Lin ZY, Chen SC, Huang JF, Yu ML, Chuang WL, Lee JC, Dai CY. The effect of antiviral therapy on serum lipid profiles in chronic hepatitis C. Oncotarget 2018; 9:21313-21321. [PMID: 29765541 PMCID: PMC5940400 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.25092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2017] [Accepted: 03/22/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Low lipid profile is associated with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Chronic HCV infection is the main cause of liver injury and serum lipid levels during antiviral treatment. We aimed to evaluate the effect of antiviral treatment on the change of lipid profiles during HCV treatment. METHODS Total 863 patients who complete the interferon-based therapy in Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital were included in this study. The lipid profile measured and evaluated in baseline and after 6 months of the treatment. RESULTS Sustained virological response (SVR) was achieved in 81.2% of all patients. The baseline triglycerides (TG) levels in the SVR group and non SVR groups were similar. The TG levels at 6 months after cessation of the treatment was significantly elevated in SVR group (102.9±57.0 mg/dL, p=0.0001) but did not elevated in non SVR group (94.5±45.6 mg/dL, p=0.690) compared with baseline TG levels. After adjusting patients by four indexes for fibrosis (FIB4) in cut-off point 3.25, serum TG levels significantly increased in low FIB4 group (103.2±57.9 mg/dL, p=0.0001) but not in high FIB4 group (98.1±49.6 mg/dL, p=0.095) after 6 months end of the treatment. Serum TG level was increased greater in patients who had low FIB4 score and patients who achieved SVR (baseline 89.1±34.8 mg/dL; 6 months after treatment 104.3±59.3 mg/dL, paired T test p=0.0001). CONCLUSION The clearance of the HCV RNA is the main determinant of the increase of lipids after PegIFN/RBV treatment. However advanced fibrosis also has an effect in increase of lipids after the treatment.
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Lu MY, Huang CI, Hsieh MY, Hsieh TJ, Hsi E, Tsai PC, Tsai YS, Lin CC, Hsieh MH, Liang PC, Lin YH, Hou NJ, Yeh ML, Huang CF, Lin ZY, Chen SC, Huang JF, Chuang WL, Dai CY, Yu ML. Dynamics of PBMC gene expression in hepatitis C virus genotype 1-infected patients during combined peginterferon/ribavirin therapy. Oncotarget 2018; 7:61325-61335. [PMID: 27542257 PMCID: PMC5308654 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.11348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2016] [Accepted: 08/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) can replicate in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), which can produce interferon to defend against virus infection. We hypothesized that dynamic gene expression in PBMCs might impact the treatment efficacy of peginterferon/ribavirin in HCV patients. PBMCs were collected at baseline, 1st week and 4th week of treatment from 27 chronic HCV-1 patients with 48-week peginterferon/ribavirin therapy (screening dataset n = 7; validation dataset n = 20). A sustained virologic response (SVR) was defined as undetectable HCV RNA throughout the 24 weeks after end-of-treatment. A complete early virologic response (cEVR) was defined as negative HCV RNA at treatment week 12. Forty-three differentially expressed genes identified by Affymetrix microarray were validated by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Thirteen genes at week 1 and 24 genes at week 4 were upregulated in the SVR group compared with the non-SVR group. We selected 8 target genes (RSAD2, LOC26010, HERC5, HERC6, IFI44, SERPING1, IFITM3, and DDX60) at week 1 as the major components of the predictive model. This predictive model reliably stratified the responders and non-responders at week 1 (AUC = 0.89, p = 0.007 for SVR; AUC = 0.95, p = 0.003 for cEVR), especially among patients carrying the IL28B rs8099917 TT genotype (AUC = 0.89, p = 0.02 for SVR; AUC = 1.0, p = 0.008 for cEVR). The performance of this predictive model was superior to traditional predictors, including the rapid virologic response, viral load and IL28B genotype.
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Huang CI, Huang CF, Yeh ML, Lin YH, Liang PC, Liu SYV, Hsieh MH, Lin ZY, Chen SC, Huang JF, Chuang WL, Dai CY, Yu ML. Role of IL-28B genetic variants in HCV-related liver disease severity in patients with different viral genotypes. Medicine (Baltimore) 2018; 97:e9782. [PMID: 29517696 PMCID: PMC5882450 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000009782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2017] [Revised: 12/04/2017] [Accepted: 01/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Reports of the role of host interleukin 28B (IL-28B) genetic variants in liver disease severity in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) have obtained conflicting results. The impact of IL-28B in Asian patients with different viral genotypes remains elusive.We try to elucidate the effect of IL-28B genetic variants in a large Asian cohort with different viral genotypes.The association between the IL-28B rs8099917 genotype and liver fibrosis was investigated in 1288 patients with biopsy-proven CHC.Patients with hepatitis C virus genotype 1 (HCV-1) infection comprised 59.4% of the population. The remaining 40.6% (518 patients) did not have HCV-1 infection. Of the 1084 patients with the IL-28 genotype, 85.6% (928 patients) had the TT genotype. Univariate analysis revealed that, compared to patients without advanced liver fibrosis, patients with advanced liver fibrosis (Metavir fibrosis score 3-4) had an older age, a lower platelet count, a higher α-fetoprotein level, a higher alanine aminotransferase level, a higher incidence of diabetes, and a higher frequency of rs8099917 non-TT genotype carriage.Logistic regression analysis revealed that factors significantly associated with advanced liver fibrosis included age (odds ratio [OR]/95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.023/1.009-1.037, P = .001), diabetes (OR/CI: 1.736/1.187-2.539, P = .004), α-fetoprotein (OR/CI: 1.007/1.002-1.012, P = .009), platelet count (OR/CI: 0.991/0.988-0.993, P < .001), and carriage of the rs8099917 non-TT genotype (OR/CI: 0.585/0.400-0.856, P = .006). When patients were classified by viral genotype, factors that had significant independent associations with advanced liver fibrosis in patients with HCV-1 infection included diabetes (OR/CI: 2.379/1.452-3.896, P = .001), α-fetoprotein (OR/CI: 1.023/1.012-1.035, P < .001), platelet count (OR/CI: 0.99/0.987-0.994, P < .001), and carriage of the rs8099917 non-TT genotype (OR/CI: 0.529/0.328-0.854, P = .009). In patients who had advanced liver fibrosis but not HCV-1 infection, factors that had significant independent associations with advanced liver fibrosis included age (OR/CI: 1.039/1.016-1.063, P = .001) and platelet count (OR/CI: 0.99/0.986-0.995, P < .001); additionally, IL-28B genetic variants were not associated with liver disease severity.Unfavorable IL-28B genetic variants were associated with advanced liver disease. The genetic effect is limited to patients with HCV-1 infection.
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Dai CY, Tsai YS, Chou WW, Liu T, Huang CF, Wang SC, Tsai PC, Yeh ML, Hsieh MY, Huang CI, Vanson Liu SY, Huang JF, Chuang WL, Yu ML. The IL-6/STAT3 pathway upregulates microRNA-125b expression in hepatitis C virus infection. Oncotarget 2018; 9:11291-11302. [PMID: 29541414 PMCID: PMC5834265 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.24129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2017] [Accepted: 12/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS MicroRNA-125b (miR-125b) has been found to regulate inflammation and acts as an oncogene in many cancers. The mechanisms of miR-125b expression during hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection remain to be clarified. The present study aims to identify the factors that might regulate miR-125b expression in HCV infection. RESULTS High expression of miR-125b was found to correlate with HCV infection in replicon cells and in sera from HCV-infected patients, whereas the miR-125b inhibitor reduced HCV gene expression. The interleukin 6 (IL-6)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) pathway plays an inducible effect on miR-125b gene expression. STAT3 siRNA or inhibitor could reduce HCV replication. MATERIALS AND METHODS HCV replicon cells Con1 (type 1b) and Huh7/Ava5 (type 1b) were treated with 17-hydroxy-jolkinolide B (HJB) or STAT3 siRNA. Cell viability assay and Renilla Luciferase Assay were used. Fragments of the miR-125b-1 promoter were constructed for the luciferase reporter assay. PSMB8, PSMB9, miR-125b-1, and miR-125b-2 expression was determined using TaqMan® Gene Expression Assays. Western blot analysis was performed to assess protein abundance. CONCLUSIONS This study elucidates a novel pathway for miR-125b in the pathogenesis of chronic HCV infection and suggests it as a possible target for treating HCV infection.
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Dai CY, Lin CY, Tsai PC, Lin PY, Yeh ML, Huang CF, Chang WT, Huang JF, Yu ML, Chen YL. Impact of tumor size on the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients who underwent liver resection. J Chin Med Assoc 2018; 81:155-163. [PMID: 29217359 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcma.2017.06.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2017] [Revised: 06/01/2017] [Accepted: 06/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Health burdens of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are emerging quickly in the world, including in Taiwan. Surgical resection has been recognized as the first-line treatment for early tumors. This study aimed to investigate the prognostic risk factors for mortality and recurrence rate in Taiwan, which has a high prevalence of chronic viral hepatitis. METHODS A total of 397 HCC patients receiving tumor resection were consecutively examined in central Taiwan from 2008 to 2014. A hospital-based patient cohort was designed to collect serological markers to further assess liver function. We modified the Kaplan-Meier method according to the competing death risks for comparing recurrence and used multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression to adjust for significant risk factors. RESULTS In addition to advanced fibrosis, tumor size ≥5 cm was significantly associated with higher mortality within the 5-year period when compared with <5 cm (43.3% vs. 13.2%, p < 0.0001). Patients with tumor size ≥5 cm also easily progressed to early recurrence within two years when accounting for death as a competing risk (20.1% vs. 10.1%, p = 0.01). Higher AFP levels played a major role in further predicting higher mortality in those patients. We determined that there were a 4.5-fold and 2.2-fold higher mortalities in patients with size ≥5 cm/AFP ≥20 ng/mL and with size ≥5 cm/AFP< 20 ng/mL, respectively, when compared to patients with small tumors. CONCLUSION Tumor size ≥5 cm might be a good predicting factor for death and early recurrence when considering death as a competing risk.
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Yeh ML, Huang CI, Huang CF, Hsieh MH, Hsieh MY, Lin ZY, Chen SC, Huang JF, Kuo PL, Kuo HT, Dai CY, Yu ML, Chuang WL. Post-treatment alpha fetoprotein and platelets predict hepatocellular carcinoma development in dual-infected hepatitis B and C patients after eradication of hepatitis C. Oncotarget 2018; 9:12240-12249. [PMID: 29552306 PMCID: PMC5844742 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.24219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2017] [Accepted: 09/21/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
We investigated the long-term risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in dual-infected hepatitis B and C patients after eradication of hepatitis C virus (HCV). A total of 164 (62% male, median age, 50.5 years) hepatitis B and C dual-infected patients who achieved HCV sustained virological response were recruited. Half the patients were HCV genotype 1 with a median viral load of 5.5 log10 IU/mL, and 22.6%had an HBV DNA level ≥ 2000 IU/mL before therapy. HCC developed in 14 patients (8.5%), with an annual incidence of 1.38% per person-year. The 3-year, 5-year, 10-year, and 15-year cumulative probabilities were 2.5%, 5.1%, 12.6%, and 22.7%, respectively. Six months after treatment, a Cox regression hazard analysis revealed platelet level (HR: 0.98, 95% CI: 0.957–0.999, P = 0.038) and AFP level (HR: 1.20, 95% CI: 1.031–1.400, P = 0.019) to be independent factors in HCC. A higher 10-year cumulative risk of HCC was detected in patients with 6-month post-treatment AFP levels > 5.0 ng/mL and platelet levels < 130 x1000/µL (54.9%), compared to patients with neither (8.6%). Although the risk of HCC is low, surveillance of HCC is encouraged in dual-infected patients after eradication of HCV. Post-treatment AFP and platelet levels predict HCC development.
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Liang PC, Lin PC, Huang CI, Huang CF, Yeh ML, Zeng YS, Hsu WY, Hsieh MY, Lin ZY, Chen SC, Huang JF, Dai CY, Chuang WL, Chiou SS, Yu ML. The treatment outcome and impact on blood transfusion demand of Peg-interferon/ribavirin in thalassemic patients with chronic hepatitis C. J Formos Med Assoc 2018; 117:14-23. [PMID: 29097076 DOI: 10.1016/j.jfma.2017.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2016] [Revised: 07/29/2017] [Accepted: 10/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS Hepatitis C virus (HCV) prevails in patients with thalassemia. We aimed to investigate the efficacy, safety, and impact on red blood cells (RBC) transfusion demand of pegylated interferon (Peg-IFN)/ribavirin therapy in thalassemic patients with HCV. METHODS This retrospective study included 18 thalassemic patients (16 with HCV-1b, one HCV-1b/2b, and one HCV-2b) and 54 consecutive sex- and genotype-matched controls. Patients with HCV-2, or HCV-1 or mixed HCV-1/2 with lower viral loads plus rapid virological response (RVR) received 24-week Peg-IFN/ribavirin; whereas HCV-1 or mixed HCV-1/2 with higher viral loads or without RVR received 48-week regimens. RESULTS The rates of RVR, complete early virological response, and sustained virological response (SVR) in thalassemic patients were 72.2% (13/18), 94.1% (16/17), and 77.8% (14/18), which resembled those of controls (63.0%, 94.4%, and 81.5%, respectively). RVR was the only significant factor associated with SVR in thalassemic group, and was the strongest predictor for SVR among both groups (OR/95% CI = 14.7/2.20-98.6), followed by male gender and lower viral loads. More proportion of interleukin-28B-TT carriage were observed among thalassemic patients with SVR versus non-SVR (78.6% vs. 50.0%). Thalassemic patients experienced significantly less 80/80/80 adherence, more ribavirin reduction and serious adverse events than controls. Notably, there was a decreased post-treatment RBC transfusion demand versus baseline in thalassemic patients with SVR (5.21 vs. 5.64 units/month, p = 0.05), but not in those without SVR (6.33 vs. 6.56 units/month, p = 0.54). CONCLUSION Peg-IFN/ribavirin was effective and tolerable for thalassemic HCV patients. Successful antiviral therapy might have extra benefit of reducing the post-treatment transfusion demand.
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Liu TW, Tsai PC, Huang CI, Tsai YS, Wang SC, Ko YM, Lin CC, Chen KY, Liang PC, Lin YH, Hsieh MY, Hou NJ, Huang CF, Yeh ML, Lin ZY, Chen SC, Dai CY, Chuang WL, Huang JF, Yu ML. Identification of treatment-experienced hepatitis C patients with poor cost-effectiveness of pegylated interferon plus ribavirin from a real-world cohort. J Formos Med Assoc 2018; 117:54-62. [PMID: 28389143 DOI: 10.1016/j.jfma.2017.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2016] [Revised: 02/21/2017] [Accepted: 02/23/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/PURPOSE Pegylated interferon (PegIFN) plus ribavirin (RBV) combination therapy has been the standard of care since 2002. Although a better viral response has been achieved among chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients in Taiwan, approximately 25% of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1 (G1) patients and 15% of G2 patients failed to achieve a sustained virological response (SVR) at the first therapy. The actual cost-effectiveness of the retreatment remains elusive. The present study conducted a real-world cost-effectiveness analysis of a large cohort among different pre-specified subgroups of treatment-experienced CHC patients. METHODS A total of 117 patients with CHC who failed to achieve SVR at the first IFN-based therapy and received a second IFN-based therapy were enrolled. The inpatient and outpatient costs were acquired from National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan. The related medical care costs per treatment and per SVR were calculated. RESULTS We demonstrated that the average cost per SVR achieved was $13,722 in treatment-experienced CHC patients. Especially, patients with HCV G1 infection, baseline viral loads > 400,000 IU/mL, advanced hepatic fibrosis, not achieving a rapid viral response at week 4 or complete early viral response at week 12, had poorer cost-effectiveness for PegIFN/RBV retherapy, ranging from around $15,520 to as high as $72,546 per SVR achieved. CONCLUSION In the current study, we explored the real-world cost-effectiveness data of PegIFN/RBV for different subgroups of treatment-experienced HCV patients. These findings provide information for policy-makers for making decisions on treatment strategies of costly direct-acting antiviral agents for retreating CHC patients.
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Huang JF, Ko YM, Huang CF, Yeh ML, Dai CY, Hsieh MH, Huang CI, Yang HL, Wang SC, Lin ZY, Chen SC, Yu ML, Chuang WL. 25-Hydroxy vitamin D suppresses hepatitis C virus replication and contributes to rapid virological response of treatment efficacy. Hepatol Res 2017; 47:1383-1389. [PMID: 28225575 DOI: 10.1111/hepr.12878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2016] [Revised: 01/16/2017] [Accepted: 02/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
AIM 25-Hydroxy vitamin D (Vit D) plays a role in treatment outcomes in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. We aimed to clarify whether HCV replication is inhibited by Vit D in HCV replicon cells. Clinical implication was assessed for rapid virological response (RVR) and sustained virological response (SVR) among those patients receiving antiviral therapy. METHODS Cell survival and viral loads were observed in Con1 (genotype 1b) and J6/JFH (genotype 2a) cells treated with different doses of Vit D. Three groups of patients with different treatment responses were recruited to assess their Vit D levels: group A, RVR-/SVR-; group B, RVR+/SVR-; and group C, RVR+/SVR+. RESULTS The viral load of Con1 cells decreased by 69%, 80%, and 86% following treatment with 1 μM, 5 μM, and 10 μM Vit D, respectively (P < 0.0001). In J6/JFH cells, it decreased by 12%, 55%, and 80.5% following treatment with 1 μM, 5 μM, and 10 μM Vit D, respectively (P < 0.0001). There was a significant increase of Vit D between chronic hepatitis C groups, ranging from 4.4 ± 5.6 ng/mL in group A (n = 44), to 17.2 ± 11.6 ng/mL in group B (n = 44), and 32.5 ± 37.5 ng/mL of group C (n = 44) (P < 0.001). Advanced fibrosis (odds ratio = 0.13, 95% confidence interval = 0.04-0.41, P < 0.001) and Vit D deficiency (<10 ng/mL) (odds ratio = 0.11, 95% confidence interval = 0.03-0.43, P = 0.001) were predictive of SVR in the multivariate regression analysis. CONCLUSION Vitamin D decreases HCV replication and also contributes to early treatment viral kinetics.
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Huang CF, Yu ML. Treating hepatitis C in the elderly: pharmacotherapeutic considerations and developments. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2017; 18:1867-1874. [PMID: 29086615 DOI: 10.1080/14656566.2017.1400010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The seroprevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection tends to be higher in the elderly than in younger populations. Meanwhile, age per sec is an unfavorable determinant that has an impact on liver-related outcomes. Geriatric chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients would be viewed as a special population and have an urgent need for viral eradication. Areas covered: The antivirals for CHC have evolved from interferon (IFN)-based therapyto interferon-free DAAs. The treatment strategy, in terms of its clinical efficacy and drug safety, in the elderly is presented. Expert opinion: In the previous IFN era, the sustained virological response (SVR) rate of the elderly was lower. More unfavorable safety concerns attributing to the underlying liver disease severity and extra-hepatic presentations further compromised the treatment efficacy. In the IFN-free DAA era, data showing similar SVR rates and safety profiles between the elderly and their counterparts have been demonstrated. Notably, aging is an unfavorable factor for fibrosis regression and HCC development even after HCV eradication. The extent of the improvement of extra-hepatic manifestations in the elderly with SVR is also unclear. The long-term benefits of viral eradication by DAAs in the elderly await further explorations.
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Maaroufi A, Vince A, Himatt SM, Mohamed R, Fung J, Opare-Sem O, Workneh A, Njouom R, Al Ghazzawi I, Abdulla M, Kaliaskarova KS, Owusu-Ofori S, Abdelmageed MK, Adda D, Akin O, Al Baqali A, Al Dweik N, Al Ejji K, Al Kaabi S, Al Naamani K, Al Qamish J, Al Sadadi M, Al Salman J, AlBadri M, Al-Busafi SA, Al-Romaihi HE, Ampofo W, Antonov K, Anyaike C, Arome F, Bane A, Blach S, Borodo MM, Brandon SM, Bright B, Butt MT, Cardenas I, Chan HLY, Chen CJ, Chen DS, Chen PJ, Chien RN, Chuang WL, Cuellar D, Derbala M, Elbardiny AA, Estes C, Farag E, Gamkrelidze I, Garcia V, Genov J, Ghandour Z, Ghuloom M, Gomez B, Gunter J, Habeeb J, Hajelssedig O, Hamoudi W, Hrstic I, Hu CC, Huang CF, Hui YT, Jahis R, Jelev D, John AK, Kamel Y, Kao JH, Khamis J, Khattabi H, Khoudri I, Konysbekova A, Kotzev I, Lai MS, Lao WC, Layden J, Lee MH, Lesi O, Li M, Lo A, Loo CK, Lukšić B, Malu AO, Mateva L, Mitova R, Morović M, Murphy K, Mustapha B, Nde H, Nersesov A, Ngige E, Njoya O, Nonković D, Obekpa S, Oguche S, Okolo EE, Omede O, Omuemu C, Ondoa P, Phillips RO, Prokopenko YN, Razavi H, Razavi-Shearer D, Redae B, Reic T, Rinke de Wit T, Rios C, Robbins S, Roberts LR, Sanad SJ, Schmelzer JD, Sharma M, Simonova M, Su TH, Sultan K, Tan SS, Tchernev K, Tsang OTY, Tsang S, Tzeuton C, Ugoeze S, Uzochukwu B, Vi R, Wani HU, Wong VWS, Yacoub R, Yesmembetov KI, Youbi M, Yuen MF, Razavi-Shearer K. Historical epidemiology of hepatitis C virus in select countries-volume 4. J Viral Hepat 2017; 24 Suppl 2:8-24. [PMID: 29105285 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.12762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2017] [Accepted: 07/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Due to the introduction of newer, more efficacious treatment options, there is a pressing need for policy makers and public health officials to develop or adapt national hepatitis C virus (HCV) control strategies to the changing epidemiological landscape. To do so, detailed, country-specific data are needed to characterize the burden of chronic HCV infection. In this study of 17 countries, a literature review of published and unpublished data on HCV prevalence, viraemia, genotype, age and gender distribution, liver transplants and diagnosis and treatment rates was conducted, and inputs were validated by expert consensus in each country. Viraemic prevalence in this study ranged from 0.2% in Hong Kong to 2.4% in Taiwan, while the largest viraemic populations were in Nigeria (2 597 000 cases) and Taiwan (569 000 cases). Diagnosis, treatment and liver transplant rates varied widely across the countries included in this analysis, as did the availability of reliable data. Addressing data gaps will be critical for the development of future strategies to manage and minimize the disease burden of hepatitis C.
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Chan HLY, Chen CJ, Omede O, Al Qamish J, Al Naamani K, Bane A, Tan SS, Simonova M, Cardenas I, Derbala M, Akin O, Phillips RO, Abdelmageed MK, Abdulla M, Adda D, Al Baqali A, Al Dweik N, Al Ejji K, Al Ghazzawi I, Al Kaabi S, Al Sadadi M, Al Salman J, AlBadri M, Al-Busafi SA, Al-Romaihi HE, Ampofo W, Antonov K, Anyaike C, Arome F, Blach S, Borodo MM, Brandon SM, Bright B, Butt MT, Chen DS, Chen PJ, Chien RN, Chuang WL, Cuellar D, Elbardiny AA, Estes C, Farag E, Fung J, Gamkrelidze I, Garcia V, Genov J, Ghandour Z, Ghuloom M, Gomez B, Gunter J, Habeeb J, Hajelssedig O, Hamoudi W, Himatt SM, Hrstic I, Hu CC, Huang CF, Hui YT, Jahis R, Jelev D, John AK, Kaliaskarova KS, Kamel Y, Kao JH, Khamis J, Khattabi H, Khoudri I, Konysbekova A, Kotzev I, Lai MS, Lao WC, Layden J, Lee MH, Lesi O, Li M, Lo A, Loo CK, Lukšić B, Maaroufi A, Malu AO, Mateva L, Mitova R, Mohamed R, Morović M, Murphy K, Mustapha B, Nersesov A, Ngige E, Njouom R, Njoya O, Nonković D, Obekpa S, Oguche S, Okolo EE, Omuemu C, Ondoa P, Opare-Sem O, Owusu-Ofori S, Prokopenko YN, Razavi H, Razavi-Shearer D, Razavi-Shearer K, Redae B, Reic T, Rinke de Wit T, Rios C, Robbins S, Roberts LR, Sanad SJ, Schmelzer JD, Sharma M, Su TH, Sultan K, Tchernev K, Tsang OTY, Tsang S, Tzeuton C, Ugoeze S, Uzochukwu B, Vi R, Vince A, Wani HU, Wong VWS, Workneh A, Yacoub R, Yesmembetov KI, Youbi M, Yuen MF, Nde H. The present and future disease burden of hepatitis C virus infections with today's treatment paradigm: Volume 4. J Viral Hepat 2017; 24 Suppl 2:25-43. [PMID: 29105283 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.12760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2017] [Accepted: 07/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Factors influencing the morbidity and mortality associated with viremic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection change over time and place, making it difficult to compare reported estimates. Models were developed for 17 countries (Bahrain, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Colombia, Croatia, Dominican Republic, Ethiopia, Ghana, Hong Kong, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Morocco, Nigeria, Qatar and Taiwan) to quantify and characterize the viremic population as well as forecast the changes in the infected population and the corresponding disease burden from 2015 to 2030. Model inputs were agreed upon through expert consensus, and a standardized methodology was followed to allow for comparison across countries. The viremic prevalence is expected to remain constant or decline in all but four countries (Ethiopia, Ghana, Jordan and Oman); however, HCV-related morbidity and mortality will increase in all countries except Qatar and Taiwan. In Qatar, the high-treatment rate will contribute to a reduction in total cases and HCV-related morbidity by 2030. In the remaining countries, however, the current treatment paradigm will be insufficient to achieve large reductions in HCV-related morbidity and mortality.
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Chen DS, Hamoudi W, Mustapha B, Layden J, Nersesov A, Reic T, Garcia V, Rios C, Mateva L, Njoya O, Al-Busafi SA, Abdelmageed MK, Abdulla M, Adda D, Akin O, Al Baqali A, Al Dweik N, Al Ejji K, Al Ghazzawi I, Al Kaabi S, Al Naamani K, Al Qamish J, Al Sadadi M, Al Salman J, AlBadri M, Al-Romaihi HE, Ampofo W, Antonov K, Anyaike C, Arome F, Bane A, Blach S, Borodo MM, Brandon SM, Bright B, Butt MT, Cardenas I, Chan HLY, Chen CJ, Chen PJ, Chien RN, Chuang WL, Cuellar D, Derbala M, Elbardiny AA, Estes C, Farag E, Fung J, Gamkrelidze I, Genov J, Ghandour Z, Ghuloom M, Gomez B, Gunter J, Habeeb J, Hajelssedig O, Himatt SM, Hrstic I, Hu CC, Huang CF, Hui YT, Jahis R, Jelev D, John AK, Kaliaskarova KS, Kamel Y, Kao JH, Khamis J, Khattabi H, Khoudri I, Konysbekova A, Kotzev I, Lai MS, Lao WC, Lee MH, Lesi O, Li M, Lo A, Loo CK, Lukšić B, Maaroufi A, Malu AO, Mitova R, Mohamed R, Morović M, Murphy K, Nde H, Ngige E, Njouom R, Nonković D, Obekpa S, Oguche S, Okolo EE, Omede O, Omuemu C, Ondoa P, Opare-Sem O, Owusu-Ofori S, Phillips RO, Prokopenko YN, Razavi H, Razavi-Shearer D, Razavi-Shearer K, Redae B, Rinke de Wit T, Robbins S, Roberts LR, Sanad SJ, Sharma M, Simonova M, Su TH, Sultan K, Tan SS, Tchernev K, Tsang OTY, Tsang S, Tzeuton C, Ugoeze S, Uzochukwu B, Vi R, Vince A, Wani HU, Wong VWS, Workneh A, Yacoub R, Yesmembetov KI, Youbi M, Yuen MF, Schmelzer JD. Strategies to manage hepatitis C virus infection disease burden-Volume 4. J Viral Hepat 2017; 24 Suppl 2:44-63. [PMID: 29105286 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.12759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2017] [Accepted: 07/03/2017] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The hepatitis C virus (HCV) epidemic was forecasted through 2030 for 17 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East, and interventions for achieving the Global Health Sector Strategy on viral hepatitis targets-"WHO Targets" (65% reduction in HCV-related deaths, 90% reduction in new infections and 90% of infections diagnosed by 2030) were considered. Scaling up treatment and diagnosis rates over time would be required to achieve these targets in all but one country, even with the introduction of high SVR therapies. The scenarios developed to achieve the WHO Targets in all countries studied assumed the implementation of national policies to prevent new infections and to diagnose current infections through screening.
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Yeh ML, Huang CF, Hsieh MH, Ko YM, Chen KY, Liu TW, Lin YH, Liang PC, Hsieh MY, Lin ZY, Chen SC, Huang CI, Huang JF, Kuo PL, Dai CY, Yu ML, Chuang WL. Reactivation of hepatitis B in patients of chronic hepatitis C with hepatitis B virus infection treated with direct acting antivirals. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2017; 32:1754-1762. [PMID: 28230928 DOI: 10.1111/jgh.13771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2016] [Revised: 02/13/2017] [Accepted: 02/20/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Hepatitis B virus (HBV) may reactivate when treating chronic hepatitis C (CHC) with direct acting antivirals (DAA). We aim to investigate the risk of HBV reactivation during DAA therapy. METHODS Chronic hepatitis C patients receiving pan-oral DAA therapy from December 2013 to August 2016 were evaluated. Fifty-seven patients that had a past HBV infection (negative hepatitis B surface antigen [HBsAg] and positive hepatitis B core antibody) and seven patients that had a current HBV infection (positive HBsAg) were enrolled. Serum HBV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) markers were regularly measured. The endpoints were the HCV sustained virological response (SVR) and the HBV virological/clinical reactivation. RESULTS The overall SVR12 rate was 96.9%, and two patients, one with positive HBsAg, had a relapse of HCV. No episodes of HBV virological reactivation were observed among the patients with a past HBV infection. For the seven patients with a current HBV infection, HBV virological reactivation was found in four (57.1%) of the seven patients. Clinical reactivation of HBV was observed in one patient with pretreatment detectable HBV DNA and recovered after entecavir administration. For the other three patients with HBV virological reactivation, the reappearance of low level HBV DNA without clinical reactivation was observed. HBsAg levels demonstrated only small fluctuations in all the patients. CONCLUSIONS There was a minimal impact of hepatitis B core antibody seropositivity on HCV efficacy and safety. For CHC patients with current HBV infection, the risk of HBV reactivation was present, and monitoring the HBV DNA level during therapy is warranted.
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Yeh ML, Huang CI, Huang CF, Hsieh MY, Lin ZY, Huang JF, Dai CY, Yu ML, Chen SC, Chuang WL. The impact of an additional extra-hepatic primary malignancy on the outcomes of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0184878. [PMID: 28957337 PMCID: PMC5619714 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0184878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2017] [Accepted: 09/03/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The impact of additional extra-hepatic primary cancer (EHPC) on the outcomes of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains uncertain. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the cancer registration database from a tertiary hospital in Southern Taiwan. Patients who were diagnosed with HCC from 2008 to 2012 were enrolled. Overall survival (OS), HCC-specific survival and recurrence after curative therapy were analyzed and compared between the patients with and the patients without EHPC. Results EHPC was found in 121/1506 (8.0%) patients. HCC patients with EHPC were older, more likely to be classified as Child-Pugh A, less likely to have viral hepatitis B or C, more likely to be single, had early stage HCC and received curative therapy for HCC. The OS did not significantly differ between the patients with and without EHPC(p = 0.061). However, significantly higher HCC-specific survival was observed in patients with EHPC (p<0.001), and a higher rate of non-HCC mortality was demonstrated in patients with EHPC (54.4% vs 9.3%). The subgroup analysis revealed better OS in patients with EHPC who were older than 65, had viral hepatitis B or C, had non-stage 1 HCC, had non-early stage BCLC and received non-curative therapy. Conversely, patients with HCC stage 1 who received curative therapy exhibited worse OS if they also had EHPC. The analysis of recurrence after curative therapy showed no difference between the two groups. Conclusions Our results implied that EHPC did not affect OS, but HCC-related survival was better in patients with EHPC. Based on these findings, the management of additional primary cancer is warranted.
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Huang JF, Huang CF, Yeh ML, Dai CY, Hsieh MH, Yang JF, Huang CI, Lin YH, Liang PC, Lin ZY, Chen SC, Yu ML, Chuang WL. The outcomes of glucose abnormalities in chronic hepatitis C patients receiving interferon-free direct antiviral agents. Kaohsiung J Med Sci 2017; 33:567-571. [PMID: 29050674 DOI: 10.1016/j.kjms.2017.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2017] [Revised: 05/23/2017] [Accepted: 07/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) have been widely used for chronic hepatitis C (CHC) treatment recently. The characteristics of glucose abnormalities after DAAs therapy however, remain elusive. We aimed to elucidate the mutual impact between treatment response and parameters of glucose abnormalities after DAAs therapy in CHC patients. CHC patients who received DAAs therapy were recruited. The primary outcome measurements were their insulin resistance (IR) and beta-cell function assessed by the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) method before treatment and at end-of-follow-up (EOF). Sixty-five CHC patients (19 males, mean age = 59.8 ± 10.3 years) were consecutively enrolled. They included 47 (72.3%) patients of genotype-1 infection. The treatment regimens among patients were sofosbuvir in 30 patients, paritaprevir-ritonavir/ombitasvir/dasabuvir in 23 patients, and asunaprevir/daclatasvir in 12 patients respectively. The overall sustained virological response rate was 98.5%. The mean IR at EOF was 2.6 ± 1.8, which was not significantly different from baseline level (2.7 ± 2.9, P = 0.75). There was a significant improvement of beta-cell function at EOF compared to baseline (107.7 ± 86.8 to 86.7 ± 44.5, P = 0.05). The amelioration of beta-cell function at EOF was significantly observed among 23 patients of high baseline IR (166.7 ± 111.3 of baseline vs 105.7 ± 48.2 of EOF, P = 0.04). Six (60%) of the 10 pre-diabetic patients at baseline achieved a normoglycemic state at EOF. Successful eradication of HCV by DAAs might improve glucose abnormalities in CHC patients, particularly among those who had high IR.
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Huang CF, Yeh ML, Huang CI, Lin YJ, Tsai PC, Lin ZY, Chan SY, Chen SC, Yang HI, Huang JF, Lu SN, Dai CY, Jen CL, Yuan Y, L’Italien G, Wang LY, Lee MH, Yu ML, Chuang WL, Chen CJ. Risk of hepatitis C virus related hepatocellular carcinoma between subjects with spontaneous and treatment-induced viral clearance. Oncotarget 2017; 8:43925-43933. [PMID: 28159934 PMCID: PMC5546450 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.14937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2016] [Accepted: 12/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS Both spontaneous hepatitis C virus (HCV) clearance and the achievement of sustained virological response (SVR) by anti-viral therapy greatly reduce the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The current study aimed to compare the risk of HCC between the two patient groupsMethods: A total of 313 subjects with spontaneous HCV clearance (SC) and 564 age- and sex-matched patients in the treatment-induced SVR group were enrolled for analysis. RESULTS Nineteen (2.2%) of the 877 patients developed HCC during 6,963 person-years of follow-up. Fourteen (2.5%) SVR patients and 5 (1.6%) SC patients developed HCC (P=0.004). Cox regression analysis of factors predictive of HCC included SVR (versus SC: hazard ratio [HR]/ 95% confidence interval [CI]: 5.83/1.27-26.88), diabetes (HR/CI:3.41/1.21-9.58), and age (HR/CI: 1.07/1.01-1.14). Of the 564 SVR patients, eleven (5.9%) of the 187 patients with fibrosis stage 2-4 (F2-4) and 2 (0.9%) of the 226 patients with F01 developed HCC (P=0.01). Compared to SC subjects, only SVR patients with F2-4 (P<0.001) but not F0-1(P=0.60) had a higher risk of HCC development. Cox-regression analysis using liver fibrosis as a variable demonstrated that factors associated with HCC included SVR with F2-4 (versus SC: HR/CI: 10.06/2.20-45.98), diabetes (HR/CI:3.23/1.14-9.19), and age (HR/CI: 1.08 1.02-1.15). CONCLUSIONS Compared to subjects with spontaneous viral clearance, subjects with antiviral treatment-induced HCV viral clearance remain at high risk for HCC development, especially if they have significant hepatic fibrosis. These results may provide important information for decision-making regarding the prioritization of current direct antiviral agents in resource-limited countries.
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Huang CI, Huang CF, Yeh ML, Lin YH, Liang PC, Hsieh MH, Dai CY, Hsieh MY, Lin ZY, Chen SC, Huang JF, Yu ML, Chuang WL. Serum Wisteria floribunda agglutinin-positive Mac-2-binding protein expression predicts disease severity in chronic hepatitis C patients. Kaohsiung J Med Sci 2017; 33:394-399. [PMID: 28811008 DOI: 10.1016/j.kjms.2017.05.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2017] [Revised: 05/04/2017] [Accepted: 05/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Wisteria floribunda agglutinin-positive Mac-2 binding protein (WFA+-M2BP) has recently been developed as a promising liver fibrosis glyco biomarker. We assessed its efficacy in evaluating liver disease severity in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) in Taiwan. The association between WFA+-M2BP and histological features was evaluated among those CHC patients underwent liver biopsy. We also aimed to clarify the factors determining the performance of WFA+-M2BP in CHC. A total of 229 CHC patients were consecutively recruited. The mean value of WFA+-M2BP in patients from F0 to F4 was 1.68, 2.23, 3.45, 3.48, 3.77 respectively (linear trend P = 0.008). Linear regression analysis revealed that alanine aminotransferase (odds ratio [OR]: 0.03, 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 0.02-0.05, P < 0.001), AST (OR: -0.1, 95% CI: -0.02 to -0.01, P < 0.001), and liver fibrosis (OR: 0.30, 95% CI: 0.01-0.59, P = 0.043) were the independent factors correlated to serum WFA+-M2BP level. The optimal cutoff values of WFA+-M2BP for fibrosis stages F1, F2, F3, and F4 were 1.42, 1.61, 1.42, and 2.67, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that the platelet count (OR/CI: -0.009/0.986-0.996, P = <0.001), r-glutamyl transferase (OR/CI: 0.007/1.000-1.013, P = 0.036), and WFA+-M2BP (OR/CI: 0.187/1.057-1.374, P = 0.005). We concluded that WFA+-M2BP is a competent noninvasive marker for liver fibrosis assessment in CHC patients.
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Yu ML, Chen YL, Huang CF, Lin KH, Yeh ML, Huang CI, Hsieh MH, Lin ZY, Chen SC, Huang JF, Dai CY, Chuang WL. Paritaprevir/ritonavir/ombitasvir plus dasabuvir with ribavirin for treatment of recurrent chronic hepatitis C genotype 1 infection after liver transplantation: Real-world experience. J Formos Med Assoc 2017; 117:518-526. [PMID: 28662883 DOI: 10.1016/j.jfma.2017.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2017] [Revised: 05/17/2017] [Accepted: 06/12/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS The registered trial has demonstrated that paritaprevir/ritonavir/ombitasvir plus dasabuvir (PrOD) with ribavirin was effective for recurrent hepatitis C virus genotype 1 (HCV-1) infection after liver transplantation in patients with mild fibrosis; however, the real-world efficacy and safety of this regimen have not been determined. METHODS The efficacy (sustained virological response, SVR12, undetectable HCV RNA 12 weeks post-treatment) and safety were evaluated in 12 patients with recurrent HCV-1 infection after liver transplantation. RESULTS Nine patients were treated for 24 weeks, and three patients (two treatment-naïve patients and one interferon-intolerant patient) were treated for 12 weeks. HCV RNA was undetectable at treatment day 1, week 1, week 4, week 12, and at the end of treatment in 8.3% (n = 1), 25% (n = 3), 83.3% (n = 10), 100% (n = 12), and 100% (n = 12) of patients, respectively. All twelve patients achieved SVR12. Treatment was temporarily stopped in one patient because of leucopenia. The other patient with minimal fibrosis experienced an elevation in alanine aminotransferase concentration, which returned to normal levels after dose reduction. Seven (58.3%) patients required RBV dose reduction and two (16.7%) required transient RBV discontinuation during treatment. There were no serious adverse events, and most adverse events were related to ribavirin. No patient developed graft rejection or deterioration in hepatic or renal function during treatment. Treatment efficacy and safety were comparable between patients with and without advanced liver fibrosis. CONCLUSION PrOD plus ribavirin had a highly satisfactory real-world efficacy and safety profile in the treatment of recurrent HCV-1 infection after liver transplantation in Asian patients.
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Lee MH, Huang CF, Lai HC, Lin CY, Dai CY, Liu CJ, Wang JH, Huang JF, Su WP, Yang HC, Kee KM, Yeh ML, Chuang PH, Hsu SJ, Huang CI, Kao JT, Chen CC, Chen SH, Jeng WJ, Yang HI, Yuan Y, Lu SN, Sheen IS, Liu CH, Peng CY, Kao JH, Yu ML, Chuang WL, Chen CJ. Clinical Efficacy and Post-Treatment Seromarkers Associated with the Risk of Hepatocellular Carcinoma among Chronic Hepatitis C Patients. Sci Rep 2017; 7:3718. [PMID: 28623331 PMCID: PMC5473811 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-02313-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2016] [Accepted: 04/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
This follow-up study enrolled chronic hepatitis C patients to evaluate the treatment efficacy and to identify post-treatment seromarkers associated with risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) among patients with a sustained virological response (SVR) or nonsustained virological response (NSVR). A total of 4639 patients who received pegylated interferon and ribavirin during 2004-2013 were followed until December 2014. HCC was confirmed through health examinations and data linkage with a national database. A total of 233 HCC cases were reported after 26,163 person-years of follow-up, indicating an incidence of 8.9 per 1000 person-years: 6.9 for SVR and 21.6 for NSVR per 1000 person-years. The associated risk of HCC in patients with SVR was 0.37 (0.22-0.63) for those without cirrhosis and 0.54 (0.31-0.92) for those with cirrhosis compared with their respective counterparts with NSVR. Among patients with SVR, advanced age, male gender, cirrhosis, decreased platelet count, and increased aspartate aminotransferase and α-fetoprotein levels were associated with HCC (p < 0.001). The treatment of chronic hepatitis C patients before they developed cirrhosis showed a higher efficacy than did the treatment of those who had already developed cirrhosis. Patients with SVR may still have a risk of HCC and need to be regularly monitored.
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Jang TY, Lin PC, Huang CI, Liao YM, Yeh ML, Zeng YS, Liang PC, Hsu WY, Tsai SP, Lin ZY, Chen SC, Huang JF, Dai CY, Huang CF, Chiou SS, Chuang WL, Yu ML. Seroprevalence and clinical characteristics of viral hepatitis in transfusion-dependent thalassemia and hemophilia patients. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0178883. [PMID: 28598970 PMCID: PMC5466320 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0178883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2017] [Accepted: 05/19/2017] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS Transfusion dependent subjects are at a great risk of viral hepatitis infection. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence and factors associated with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among transfusion-dependent patients in Taiwan. METHODS A total of 140 patients (67 thalassemic patients, 70 hemophilic patients, two patients with hereditary spherocytosis and one patient with von Willebrand disease) were prospectively enrolled to evaluate the prevalence and factors associated with viral hepatitis and spontaneous HCV clearance. All patients were tested for HBV and HCV serology and virology. Two consecutive serum samples, at least 1 year apart, were collected to clarify HCV seroclearance. RESULTS The seropositivity rate of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), HCV antibody (anti-HCV), and both HBsAg/anti-HCV were 6.4%, 45.7% and 5%, respectively. Logistic regression analysis of factors associated with anti-HCV seropositivity included age (odds ratio/95% confidence interval [OR/CI]: 1.12/1.07-1.18, P<0.001), serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (OR/CI: 1.04/1.02-1.06, P<0.001) and platelet counts (OR/CI: 0.995/0.991-0.998, P = 0.002). Age was the only factor independently associated with HBsAg seropositivity (OR/CI: 1.08/1.02-1.14.4, P = 0.007). Compared to patients born before 1992, the seroprevalence of HCV among thalassemic patients decreased dramatically in those born after 1992 (46.0% vs. 11.8%, p = 0.012). The seroprevalence of HCV among hemophilic patients also decreased significantly when comparing patients born before 1987 to those born after 1987 (79.5% vs. 11.5%, p<0.001). Similarly, the seroprevalence of HBV decreased significantly in the post-vaccination cohort compared to its counterpart (13.1%, vs. 1.3%, p = 0.005). The spontaneous clearance of HCV was observed in 25.4% (15/59) of patients, and ALT was the only factor associated with it (OR/CI 0.98/0.96-1.00, P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS Both HBV and HCV infections are prevalent among transfusion-dependent thalassemic and hemophilic patients in Taiwan. Nevertheless, seroprevalence decreased significantly and dramatically for HCV after universal blood screening and for HBV after implementation of a universal mass vaccination program.
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Tsai PC, Liu TW, Tsai YS, Ko YM, Chen KY, Lin CC, Huang CI, Liang PC, Lin YH, Hsieh MY, Hou NJ, Huang CF, Yeh ML, Lin ZY, Chen SC, Dai CY, Chuang WL, Huang JF, Yu ML. Identification of groups with poor cost-effectiveness of peginterferon plus ribavirin for naïve hepatitis C patients with a real-world cohort and database. Medicine (Baltimore) 2017; 96:e6984. [PMID: 28562549 PMCID: PMC5459714 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000006984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND For decades, peginterferon and ribavirin (PegIFN/RBV) have been the standard-of-care for chronic hepatitis C virus (CHC) infection. However, the actual cost-effectiveness of this therapy remains unclear. We purposed to explore the real-world cost effectiveness for subgroups of treatment-naïve CHC patients with PegIFN/RBV therapy in a large real-world cohort using a whole population database. METHODS A total of 1809 treatment-naïve chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients (829 HCV genotype 1 [G1] and 980 HCV G2) treated with PegIFN/RBV therapies were linked to the National Health Insurance Research Database, covering the entire population of Taiwan from 1998 to 2013 to collect the total medical-care expenses of outpatient (antiviral agents, nonantiviral agents, laboratory, and consultation costs) and inpatient (medication, logistic, laboratory, and intervention costs) visits. The costs per treatment and the cost per sustained virological response (SVR) achieved were calculated. RESULTS The average medical-care cost was USD $4823 (±$2984) per treatment and $6105 (±$3778) per SVR achieved. With SVR rates of 68.6% and 87.8%, the cost/SVR was significantly higher in G1 than those in G2 patients, respectively ($8285 vs $4663, P < .001). Treatment-naïve G1 patients of old ages, those with advanced fibrosis, high viral loads, or interleukin-28B unfavorable genotypes, or those without a rapid virological response (RVR: undetectable HCV RNA at week 4), or those with complete early virological response (cEVR: undetectable HCV RNA at week 12). Treatment-naïve G2 patients with high viral loads or without RVR or cEVR incurred significantly higher costs per SVR than their counterparts. The cost/SVR was extremely high among patients without RVR and in patients without cEVR. CONCLUSION We investigated the real-world cost effectiveness data for different subgroups of treatment-naïve HCV patients with PegIFN/RBV therapies, which could provide useful, informative evidence for making decisions regarding future therapeutic strategies comprising costly direct-acting antivirals.
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Huang CF, Huang CI, Yeh ML, Wang SC, Chen KY, Ko YM, Lin CC, Tsai YS, Tsai PC, Lin ZY, Chen SC, Dai CY, Huang JF, Chuang WL, Yu ML. Diversity of the association of serum levels and genetic variants of MHC class I polypeptide-related chain A with liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C. Oncotarget 2017; 8:32618-32625. [PMID: 28427234 PMCID: PMC5464814 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.15941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2016] [Accepted: 02/22/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS Genetic variants of MHC class I polypeptide-related chain A (MICA) at rs2596542 have been associated with hepatocellular carcinoma. The linkage between serum MICA (sMICA) and liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C is elusive. RESULTS Linear regression analysis revealed that sMICA were independently correlated to α-fetoprotein (β: 0.149; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.001, 0.003; P = 0.007)and MICA rs2596542 GG genotype (β: 0.209; 95% CI: 0.153, 0.483; P < 0.001). While patients were stratified by MICA genetic variants, advanced fibrosis was the only factor independently correlated to sMICA among A allele carriers (β: 0.234; 95% CI: 0.107, 0.543; P = 0.004) but not among non-A allele carriers. Logistic regression analysis revealed that factors associated with advanced liver fibrosis was sMICA (OR/CI: 2.996/1.428-6.287, P = 0.004) and platelet counts (OR/CI: 0.988/0.982-0.994, P < 0.001) in MICA rs2596542 A allele carriers. sMICA > 50 pg/mL provided a positive predictive value of 72 % in predicting advanced liver fibrosis (F3-4) and of 90% in significant fibrosis (> F2) in MICA rs2596542 A allele carriers. MATERIALS AND METHODS Serum level and single nucleotide polymorphism at rs2596542 of MICA were tested for the association with liver fibrosis in 319 biopsy proven chronic hepatitis C patients. CONCLUSIONS Levels of sMICA were highly correlated to liver disease severity in chronic hepatitis C patients who carried the MICA rs738409 A allele. Patients possessing the genetic predisposition had a higher likelihood of progressed liver fibrosis if they expressed higher sMICA levels.
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Huang JF, Yeh ML, Huang CF, Huang CI, Tsai PC, Tai CM, Yang HL, Dai CY, Hsieh MH, Chen SC, Yu ML, Chuang WL. Cytokeratin-18 and uric acid predicts disease severity in Taiwanese nonalcoholic steatohepatitis patients. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0174394. [PMID: 28472039 PMCID: PMC5417412 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0174394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2017] [Accepted: 03/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Identification of disease severity remains a challenge in the management of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Cytokeratin-18 (CK18), is a recently developed non-invasive biomarker for NASH. We aimed to assess the performance of CK18 in disease severity prediction among Taiwanese NASH patients. METHODS A total of 76 biopsy-proven NASH patients (54 males, age = 41.0 ± 13.5 years) were consecutively recruited. The optimal cutoff values of CK18 for each stage of fibrosis were correlated with their histopathological manifestations. RESULTS There were 23 (30.3%) patients of Metavir fibrosis stage 0 (F0), 32 (42.1%) patients of F1, 14 (18.4%) patients of F2, and 7 (9.2%) patients of F3-4, respectively. The CK18 levels among those patients of F0, F1, F2, F3-4 were 86.7 ± 75.6 U/L, 122.4 ± 123.8 U/L, 160.7 ± 120.4 U/L, and 507.3 ± 343 U/L, respectively (trend for P<0.001). The adjusted optimal cutoff value for F2 prediction was 312.5 U/L, yielding the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and the accuracy of 96.4%, 28.6%, 77.9%, 75%, and 77.6%, respectively (P = 0.009). For the prediction of advanced fibrosis (F3-4), the adjusted optimal cutoff value was 374.5 U/L, yielding the sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and the accuracy of 97.1%, 54.1%, 95.7%, 66.7%, and 77.6%, respectively (P = 0.003). Among those patients without hyperuricemia, the PPV, NPV, and accuracy of CK18 reached 100%, 95.8%, and 96%, respectively (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS CK18 combined with uric acid measurement is a promising non-invasive biomarker for prediction of disease severity in NASH patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01068444.
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Lin TY, Yeh ML, Huang CI, Chen YL, Dai CY, Huang JF, Lin ZY, Chen SC, Huang CF, Yu ML, Chuang WL. Pegylated interferon plus ribavirin combination therapy in postliver transplant recipients with recurrent hepatitis C virus infection. Kaohsiung J Med Sci 2017; 33:284-289. [PMID: 28601232 DOI: 10.1016/j.kjms.2017.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2016] [Revised: 02/01/2017] [Accepted: 03/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Posttransplant hepatitis C virus (HCV) recurrence is universal in chronic hepatitis C recipients. Antiviral therapy is suggested after liver transplant to halt disease progression. Pegylated interferon plus ribavirin therapy remains the standard of care in many areas where direct antiviral agents are poorly accessible. This study aimed to assess the treatment efficacy and safety of the regimen for Taiwanese patients with post-transplant HCV recurrence. Nine patients with HCV recurrence postliver transplantation were allocated. Patients received either pegylated interferon α-2a 180 μg/wk or pegylated interferon α-2b 1.5 mg/kg/wk plus ribavirin for 24-48 weeks. The primary endpoint was the achievement of sustained virological response (SVR), defined as undetectable HCV RNA throughout 6 months of follow-up after the end of treatment. The safety profiles were also documented. The rates of rapid virological response, early virological response, end-of-treatment virological response, and SVR were 33%, 63%, 75%, and 56% respectively. Of the four patients who failed antiviral treatment, the treatment responses were nonresponse (n = 1), loss of follow-up (n = 1), and relapse (n = 2). Three patients terminated therapy early due to severe adverse events, including severe anemia, intra-abdomen infection, and hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence. One of the three patients who terminated treatment early at Week 6 experienced rapid virological response followed by SVR. Pegylated interferon/ribavirin combination allowed a chance for cure with a fair SVR rate in Taiwanese chronic hepatitis C patients postliver transplantation. Early identification of side effects and careful monitoring during therapy might enhance the treatment efficacy.
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