Patient Age, Sex, and Inflammatory Bowel Disease Phenotype Associate With Course of Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis

Impact of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Subtypes on the Post-liver Transplant Outcomes of Patients with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Liver transplant patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis often present with concurrent inflammatory bowel disease. The effect of comorbid conditions on post-transplant prognosis was evaluated.

METHODS

The 2005-2019 United Network of Organ Sharing Standard Transplant Analysis and Research database was used to identify patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis. Patients were categorized as having Crohn's Disease, ulcerative colitis, unclassified inflammatory bowel disease, or no inflammatory bowel disease. Baseline characteristics were assessed between cohorts, and outcomes were examined using Cox regression. Outcomes included all-cause mortality, graft failure, infection-induced mortality, and organ system-delineated mortality. Supplementary analyses with unique exclusion and stratification criteria were also performed.

RESULTS

Among 2829 patients undergoing transplant, 1360 were considered to have ulcerative colitis, 372 were considered to have Crohn's Disease, and 69 were considered to have an unclassified form of inflammatory bowel disease. Primary sclerosing cholangitis patients with some form of inflammatory bowel disease had no increased risk for any outcomes. However, patients with ulcerative colitis had lower risks of general infectious (aHR 0.65 95%CI 0.44-0.95) and sepsis-induced (aHR 0.56 95%CI 0.35-0.91) mortality, whereas patients with Crohn's Disease had higher risks of sepsis-induced mortality (aHR 2.13 95%CI 1.22-3.70). Supplementary analyses showed effect modification by abdominal surgery history and era.

CONCLUSION

The type of inflammatory bowel disease in liver transplant patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis was found to portend risk difference for infection-induced mortality, with ulcerative colitis found to be protective and Crohn's Disease predictive of increased mortality secondary to infectious etiologies. These associations warrant further investigation.

NOTCH signalling - a core regulator of bile duct disease?

The Notch signalling pathway is an evolutionarily conserved mechanism of cell-cell communication that mediates cellular proliferation, fate determination and maintenance of stem/progenitor cell populations across tissues. Although it was originally identified as a critical regulator of embryonic liver development, NOTCH signalling activation has been associated with the pathogenesis of a number of paediatric and adult liver diseases. It remains unclear, however, what role NOTCH actually plays in these pathophysiological processes and whether NOTCH activity represents the reactivation of a conserved developmental programme that is essential for adult tissue repair. In this Review, we explore the concepts that NOTCH signalling reactivation in the biliary epithelium is a reiterative and essential response to bile duct damage and that, in disease contexts in which biliary epithelial cells need to be regenerated, NOTCH signalling supports ductular regrowth. Furthermore, we evaluate the recent literature on NOTCH signalling as a critical factor in progenitor-mediated hepatocyte regeneration, which indicates that the mitogenic role for NOTCH signalling in biliary epithelial cell proliferation has also been co-opted to support other forms of epithelial regeneration in the adult liver.

Liver transplant in primary sclerosing cholangitis: Current trends and future directions

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a chronic and progressive immune-mediated cholangiopathy causing biliary tree inflammation and scarring, leading to liver cirrhosis and end-stage liver disease. Diagnosis of PSC is challenging due to its nonspecific symptoms and overlap with other liver diseases. Despite the rising incidence of PSC, there is no proven medical therapy that can alter the natural history of the disease. While liver transplantation (LT) is the most effective approach for managing advanced liver disease caused by PSC, post-transplantation recurrence of PSC remains a challenge. Therefore, ongoing research aims to develop better therapies for PSC, and continued efforts are necessary to improve outcomes for patients with PSC. This article provides an overview of PSC's pathogenesis, clinical presentation, and management options, including LT trends and future aspects. It also highlights the need for improved therapeutic options and ethical considerations in providing equitable access to LT for patients with PSC. Additionally, the impact of liver transplant on the quality of life and psychological outcomes of patients with PSC is discussed. Ongoing research into PSC's pathogenesis and post-transplant recurrence is crucial for improved understanding of the disease and more effective treatment options.

[Sex-specific differences in gastroenterological diseases]

Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract present with substantial sex differences that have a potential impact on patient outcome. This fact is not sufficiently addressed either in basic research or in clinical studies. For example, most animal studies utilize male animals. Despite differences in incidence, sex may affect complication rates, prognosis, or therapeutic response. The incidence of gastrointestinal cancers is frequently higher in males, but this observation cannot solely rely on a distinct risk behaviour. Here, differences in immune response and p53 signalling may be factors responsible for this finding. Nevertheless, taking sex differences into account and improving our understanding of relevant mechanisms is crucial and will most likely have a substantial impact on disease outcome. This overview aims to highlight sex differences in the context of various gastroenterological diseases, primarily to enhance awareness. Attention to sex-specific differences is essential to improve individualized treatment.

A Rare Case of Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis Overlapped With Autoimmune Hepatitis and Ulcerative Colitis

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a liver disease of idiopathic origin, displaying a diverse and varied nature, which leads to cholestasis. It is characterized by continuous, advancing inflammation and fibrosis in the bile ducts. PSC is closely linked with inflammatory bowel disease and poses a risk for colon, bile duct, and gallbladder cancer. Unfortunately, there is currently no effective medical treatment available for this condition. In some cases, the disease may progress to end-stage liver failure, making liver transplantation a possible necessity for affected individuals. PSC association with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is very rare. This is a case of PSC that is overlapped with AIH. Screening colonoscopy showed colitis, and a biopsy was consistent with ulcerative colitis without any colitis symptoms, emphasizing the need for ruling out any other associated conditions, which respond well to the effective treatment to avoid morbidity and mortality in PSC.

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): a condition exemplifying the crosstalk of the gut-liver axis

The close relationship between primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) provides a good opportunity to comprehend the gut-liver axis. The gut and the liver have reciprocal interactions, including how gut inflammation influences the liver through immune cells and the microbiota and how the microbiota in the gut modifies bile acids, which are produced and secreted from the liver. PSC-IBD shows distinct clinical findings from classical IBD. In addition, a distinct genetic predisposition and unique microbiota composition suggest that PSC-IBD is an independent disease entity. Understanding the pathogenesis of PSC-IBD helps to develop novel and effective therapeutic agents. Given the high risk of malignancies associated with PSC-IBD, it is critical to identify patients at high risk and implement appropriate surveillance and monitoring strategies. In this review, we provide an overview of PSC-IBD, which exemplifies the gut-liver axis.

Association of serum IgG4 and disease outcomes in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

Background

The etiology of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is multifactorial and thought to be influenced by inappropriate activation of the gut mucosal immune system. As the only immunoglobulin G (IgG) subclass unable to activate the classical complement cascade, the role of IgG4 in IBD pathophysiology as an immunomodulator is controversial. This study aimed to determine the association of low, normal and high IgG4 levels with the outcomes of IBD patients.

Methods

This was a retrospective study of a multisite tertiary care center database evaluating patients with IBD who had an IgG4 level drawn between 2014 and 2021. Subjects were divided into low, normal, and high IgG4 level groups for evaluation of demographic and clinical indicators of IBD activity and severity.

Results

Of 284 patients with IBD, 22 had low (7.7%), 16 high (5.6%), and 246 (86.6%) normal IgG4 levels. There was no difference in IBD subtype, mean age, age at IBD diagnosis, or smoking between the 3 groups. There was no difference in number of hospitalizations (P=0.20), C-reactive protein levels, need for intestinal resection (P=0.85), or presence of primary sclerosing cholangitis (P=0.15), pancreatitis (P=0.70), or perianal disease (P=0.68) between the groups. Significantly more patients in the low IgG4 group had previous exposure to vedolizumab compared to the other groups and more patients in the low IgG4 group received vedolizumab (P=0.04), azathioprine (P=0.04) and prednisone (P=0.03) during the 5-year follow up.

Conclusion

In this study, a low serum IgG4 level was associated with higher rates of vedolizumab, azathioprine, and steroid use.

Recent Advances in the Management of Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a chronic cholestatic liver disease characterized by fibroinflammatory damage to the biliary tree, typically in the setting of inflammatory bowel disease, with an increased risk of liver failure and cholangiocarcinoma. A complex pathophysiology, heterogeneity in clinical features, and the rare nature of the disease have contributed to the lack of effective therapy to date. However, recent innovations in the characterization and prognostication of patients with PSC, in addition to new tools for medical management and emerging pharmacologic agents, give rise to the potential for meaningful progress in the next several years. This review summarizes current concepts in PSC and highlights particular areas in need of further study.

The role of serology, liver function tests and imaging in screening of primary sclerosing cholangitis: the HelPSCreen score

OBJECIVES

At present, no sensitive or specific screening test exists for primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). PSC screening is mainly based on elevated alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We aimed to produce a screening score based on laboratory tests to predict the likelihood of PSC. Moreover, we evaluated the additional roles of liver histology and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) in the diagnosis of PSC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The data of 385 patients who came for their first endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) to confirm PSC diagnosis were retrieved from the PSC registry of the Helsinki University Hospital. Overall, 69 patients referred for ERC with suspected PSC, in whom PSC was excluded by ERC or liver biopsy and MRCP, served as controls. We included patients' demographics and 13 laboratory test results in the analysis. Variables with significant odds ratios were selected for multivariate logistic regression, which was used to create a novel scoring system for PSC. The presence of IBD, serum perinuclear anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies, and ALP levels demonstrated the highest predictive value for PSC. A score was assigned for each statistically significant predictor.

RESULTS

The optimal cut-off point for the score was ≥3, with an AUC of 0.83 (95%CI: 0.78-0.88). The addition of liver histology or MRCP findings to the score did not add a predictive value.

CONCUSIONS

In conclusion, we created a novel, simple scoring system to screen the probability of PSC. The HelPSCreen-score may help to assess the disease prevalence and to target further investigations in patients suspected of PSC.

Liquid biopsy-based protein biomarkers for risk prediction, early diagnosis, and prognostication of cholangiocarcinoma

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), heterogeneous biliary tumours with dismal prognosis, lacks accurate early diagnostic methods especially important for individuals at high-risk (i.e. those with primary sclerosing cholangitis [PSC]). Here, we searched for protein biomarkers in serum extracellular vesicles (EVs).

METHODS

EVs from patients with isolated PSC (n = 45), concomitant PSC-CCA (n = 44), PSC who developed CCA during follow-up (PSC to CCA; n = 25), CCAs from non-PSC aetiology (n = 56), and hepatocellular carcinoma (n = 34) and healthy individuals (n = 56) were characterised by mass spectrometry. Diagnostic biomarkers for PSC-CCA, non-PSC CCA, or CCAs regardless of aetiology (Pan-CCAs) were defined and validated by ELISA. Their expression was evaluated in CCA tumours at a single-cell level. Prognostic EV biomarkers for CCA were investigated.

RESULTS

High-throughput proteomics of EVs identified diagnostic biomarkers for PSC-CCA, non-PSC CCA, or Pan-CCA, and for the differential diagnosis of intrahepatic CCA and hepatocellular carcinoma, which were cross-validated by ELISA using total serum. Machine learning-based algorithms disclosed CRP/FIBRINOGEN/FRIL for the diagnosis of PSC-CCA (local disease [LD]) vs. isolated PSC (AUC = 0.947; odds ratio [OR] =36.9) and, combined with carbohydrate antigen 19-9, overpowers carbohydrate antigen 19-9 alone. CRP/PIGR/VWF allowed the diagnosis of LD non-PSC CCAs vs. healthy individuals (AUC = 0.992; OR = 387.5). It is noteworthy that CRP/FRIL accurately diagnosed LD Pan-CCA (AUC = 0.941; OR = 89.4). Levels of CRP/FIBRINOGEN/FRIL/PIGR showed predictive capacity for CCA development in PSC before clinical evidence of malignancy. Multi-organ transcriptomic analysis revealed that serum EV biomarkers were mostly expressed in hepatobiliary tissues, and single-cell RNA sequencing and immunofluorescence analysis of CCA tumours showed their presence mainly in malignant cholangiocytes. Multivariable analysis unveiled EV prognostic biomarkers, with COMP/GNAI2/CFAI and ACTN1/MYCT1/PF4V associated negatively and positively with patients' survival, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Serum EVs contain protein biomarkers for the prediction, early diagnosis, and prognostication of CCA that are detectable using total serum, representing a tumour cell-derived liquid biopsy tool for personalised medicine.

IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS

The accuracy of current imaging tests and circulating tumour biomarkers for cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) diagnosis is far from satisfactory. Most CCAs are considered sporadic, although up to 20% of patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) develop CCA during their lifetime, constituting a major cause of PSC-related death. This international study has proposed protein-based and aetiology-related logistic models with predictive, diagnostic, or prognostic capacities by combining two to four circulating protein biomarkers, moving a step forward into personalised medicine. These novel liquid biopsy tools may allow the (i) easy and non-invasive diagnosis of sporadic CCAs, (ii) identification of patients with PSC with higher risk for CCA development, (iii) establishment of cost-effective surveillance programmes for the early detection of CCA in high-risk populations (e.g. PSC), and (iv) prognostic stratification of patients with CCA, which, altogether, may increase the number of cases eligible for potentially curative options or to receive more successful treatments, decreasing CCA-related mortality.

Incidence and adverse clinical events of primary sclerosing cholangitis with ulcerative colitis

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to conduct a nationwide population-based study to estimate the incidence of primary sclerosing cholangitis in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC-PSC) and investigate healthcare use, medication use, surgery, cancer, and death as adverse clinical events of UC-PSC.

METHODS

We identified incident cases of UC with (UC-PSC) or without PSC (UC-alone) between 2008 and 2018 using health insurance claims data in Korea. Univariate (crude hazard ratio (HR)) and multivariate analyses were performed to compare the risk of adverse clinical events between groups.

RESULTS

A total of 14,406 patients with UC using population-based claims data were detected in the cohort. Overall, 3.38% (487/14,406) of patients developed UC-PSC. During a mean follow-up duration of approximately 5.92 years, the incidence of PSC in patients with UC was 185 per 100,000 person-years. The UC-PSC group showed statistically more frequent healthcare use (hospitalization and emergency department visits: HRs, 5.986 and 9.302, respectively; P < .001), higher immunomodulator and biologic use (azathioprine, infliximab, and adalimumab: HRs, 2.061, 3.457, and 3.170, respectively; P < .001), and higher surgery rate (operation for intestinal obstruction, and colectomy: HRs, 9.728 and 2.940, respectively; P < .001) than did the UC-alone group. The UC-PSC group also showed significantly higher colorectal cancer and biliary tract cancer (HRs, 2.799 and 36.343, respectively; P < .001) and mortality (HR, 4.257) rates than did the UC-alone group.

CONCLUSION

Patients with UC-PSC have higher risks of colorectal cancer, biliary tract cancer, and death than do patients with UC-alone. Although considered a rare disease, managing this complex and costly disease requires recognition of the impact of increased burden on healthcare services.

Colectomy in patients with ulcerative colitis is not associated to future diagnosis of primary sclerosing cholangitis

BACKGROUND

Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) is a hepatobiliary disease closely related to ulcerative colitis (UC). In PSC patients, colectomy has been linked to improved prognosis, especially following liver transplantation. This suggests an involvement of the gut-liver axis in PSC etiology.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to investigate the association between colectomy and the risk of future PSC in an epidemiological setting.

METHOD

Through nationwide registers, we identified all adults diagnosed with UC in Sweden 1990-2018 and retrieved information on PSC diagnosis and colectomy. Within the UC cohort (n = 61,993 patients), we matched 5577 patients with colectomy to 15,078 without colectomy. Matching criteria were sex, age at UC onset (±5 years), year of UC onset (±3 years), and proctitis at the time of colectomy. Incidence rates of PSC per 1000-person year were calculated, and the Cox proportional hazard regression model estimated hazard ratios (HRs) for PSC until 31 December 2019.

RESULTS

During the follow-up, 190 (3.4%) colectomized UC patients and 450 (3.0%) UC comparators developed PSC, yielding incidence rates of 2.6 and 2.4 per 1000 person-years (HR 1.07 [95% CI 0.90-1.28]). The cumulative incidence of colectomy decreased remarkably over calendar periods, but the cumulative incidence of PSC remained unchanged. The risk of developing PSC in colectomized versus comparators changed over time (HR 0.68 [95% CI; 0.48-0.96] in 1990-97 and HR 2.10 [95% CI; 1.37-3.24] in 2011-18).

CONCLUSIONS

In UC patients, colectomy was not associated with a decreased risk of subsequent PSC. The observed differences in the risk of PSC development over calendar periods are likely due to changes in PSC-diagnosis and UC-treatment.

Immunomodulatory Effects of Microbiota-Derived Short-Chain Fatty Acids in Autoimmune Liver Diseases

Nonpathogenic commensal microbiota and their metabolites and components are essential to maintain a tolerogenic environment and promote beneficial health effects. The metabolic environment critically impacts the outcome of immune responses and likely impacts autoimmune and allergic responses. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are the main metabolites produced by microbial fermentation in the gut. Given the high concentration of SCFAs in the gut and portal vein and their broad immune regulatory functions, SCFAs significantly influence immune tolerance and gut-liver immunity. Alterations of SCFA-producing bacteria and SCFAs have been identified in a multitude of inflammatory diseases. These data have particular significance in primary biliary cholangitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, and autoimmune hepatitis because of the close proximity of the liver to the gut. In this focused review, we provide an update on the immunologic consequences of SCFA-producing microbiota and in particular on three dominant SCFAs in autoimmune liver diseases.

The Role of hsa-miR-125b-5p Interaction with S1P/Ceramide Axis in the Potential Development of Inflammation-Associated Colon Cancer in Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is characterised by the co-occurrence of inflammatory bowel diseases, particularly ulcerative colitis (UC). We investigated how the interaction of miR-125b with the sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P)/ceramide axis may predispose patients with PSC, PSC/UC, and UC to carcinogenesis in the ascending and sigmoid colons. The overexpression of miR-125b was accompanied by the upregulation of S1P, ceramide synthases, ceramide kinases, and the downregulation of AT-rich interaction domain 2 in the ascending colon of PSC/UC, which contributed to the progression of high microsatellite instability (MSI-H) colorectal carcinoma. We also showed that the overexpression of sphingosine kinase 2 (SPHK2) and the genes involved in the glycolytic pathway in the sigmoid colon of UC led to the upregulation of Interleukin 17 (IL-17). In vitro stimulation of human intestinal epithelial cells (Caco-2, HT-29, and NCM460D) with lipopolysaccharide suppressed miR-125b and increased proinflammatory cytokines, whereas the induction of miR-125b activity by either a miR-125b mimetic or lithocholic acid resulted in the inhibition of miR-125b targets. In summary, miR-125b overexpression was associated with an imbalance in the S1P/ceramide axis that can lead to MSI-H cancer progression in PSC/UC. Furthermore, SPHK2 overexpression and a change in the cellular metabolic flux are important players in inflammation-associated colon cancer in UC.

Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw: A disease of significant importance for older patients

BACKGROUND

Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) is clinically defined as a non-healing jawbone ulcerative-necrotic lesion appearing after dental therapy or minor trauma in patients treated previously with anti-resorptive, anti-angiogenic or immunomodulators. Older patients with osteoporosis and cancer receive these pharmacological agents regularly. As these patients are long-term survivors, efficient treatment is of paramount importance for their quality of life.

METHODS

Literature searches via PubMed were conducted to identify relevant MRONJ studies. Basic information on MRONJ classification, clinical features, and pathosphysiology is presented herein as well as various clinical studies dealing with MRONJ in patients with osteoporosis and cancer. Lastly, we discuss current managment of patients and new trends in treatment of MRONJ.

RESULTS

Although close follow-up and local hygiene have been advocated by some authors, severe forms of MRONJ are not responsive to conservative therapy. At present, there is no "gold standard" therapy for this condition. However, as the physiopathological basis of MRONJ is represented by the anti-angiogenic action of various pharmacological agents, new methods to increase and promote local angiogenesis and vascularization have recently been successfully tested in vitro, limited preclinical studies, and in a pilot clinical study.

CONCLUSIONS

It appears that the best method implies application on the lesion of endothelial progenitor cells as well as pro-angiogenic factors such as Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and other related molecules. More recently, scaffolds in which these factors have been incorporated have shown positive results in limited trials. However, these studies must be replicated to include a large number of cases before any official therapeutic protocol is adopted.

Bile Duct Colonization With Enterococcus sp. Associates With Disease Progression in Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is characterized by chronic inflammation of the biliary mucosa. Bile ducts in PSC are often colonized with bacteria. Although accumulating evidence demonstrates the importance of microbiota for mucosal immunity, little is known about the impact of bile duct colonization with bacteria on the clinical course of PSC.

METHODS

Bile samples were sent to culture during endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography before the administration of peri-interventional antibiotics. Procedures during overt bacterial cholangitis or with prior antibiotic treatment were excluded. The primary endpoint was defined as a composite clinical endpoint of decompensated cirrhosis and/or liver transplantation or death.

RESULTS

A cohort of 189 patients with 591 bile fluid cultures was included. In multivariable Cox regression analysis, the presence of Enterococci (present in 28% of the patients), but not of other bacterial species, conferred risk of disease progression with a hazard ratio of 3.61 (95% confidence interval, 1.6-8.11; P = .002) to reach the composite clinical endpoint. Fungobilia, present in 19.6% of patients, was confirmed to associate with disease progression with a hazard ratio of 3.25 (95% confidence interval, 1.87-5.66; P < .001) to reach the composite clinical endpoint.

CONCLUSIONS

The novel association of biliary colonization by Enterococci with disease progression underlines the importance of microbiota-mucosal interplay for the pathogenesis of PSC. These results should stimulate further mechanistic studies on the role of microbiota in PSC and highlight potential new therapeutic targets for a disease without effective treatment options.

Adult Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) subjects have worse biliary disease at diagnosis compared to pediatric PSC subjects

INTRODUCTION

Adult Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) subjects have worse outcomes compared to pediatric PSC subjects. The reasons for this observation are not completely understood.

METHODS

In this single-center, retrospective (2005-17) study we compared clinical information, laboratory data, and previously published MRCP-based scores between 25 pediatric (0-18 years at diagnosis) and 45 adult (19 years and above) subjects with large duct PSC at the time of diagnosis. For each subject, radiologists determined MRCP-based parameters and scores after reviewing the MRCP images.

RESULTS

The median age at diagnosis for pediatric subjects was 14 years, while that of adult subjects was 39 years. At the time of diagnosis, adult subjects had a higher incidence of biliary complications like cholangitis and high-grade biliary stricture (27% vs. 6%, p = 0.003) and higher serum bilirubin (0.8 vs. 0.4 mg/dl, p = 0.01). MRCP analysis showed that adult subjects had a higher incidence of hilar lymph node enlargement (24.4% vs. 4%, p = 0.03) at diagnosis. Adult subjects had worse sum-IHD score (p = 0.003) and average-IHD score (p = 0.03). Age at diagnosis correlated with higher average-IHD (p = 0.002) and sum-IHD (p = 0.002) scores. Adult subjects had worse Anali score without contrast (p = 0.01) at diagnosis. MRCP-based extrahepatic duct parameters and scores were similar between groups.

DISCUSSION

Adult PSC subjects may have higher severity of disease at diagnosis compared to pediatric subjects. Future prospective cohort studies are required to confirm this hypothesis.

Mutational Landscape of Cholangiocarcinoma According to Different Etiologies: A Review

Recent next-generation sequencing (NGS) studies on large cohorts of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) patients have clearly revealed the extreme intra- and inter-tumoral molecular heterogeneity that characterizes this malignancy. The lack of a stereotyped molecular signature in CCA makes the identification of actionable therapeutic targets challenging, making it mandatory to have a better understanding of the origin of such heterogeneity in order to improve the clinical outcome of these patients. Compelling evidence has shown that the CCA genomic landscape significantly differs according to anatomical subtypes and the underlying etiology, highlighting the importance of conducting molecular studies in different populations of CCA patients. Currently, some risk factors have been recognized in CCA development, while others are emerging from recent epidemiological studies. Nevertheless, the role of each etiologic factor in driving CCA genetic heterogeneity still remains unclear, and available studies are limited. In an attempt to shed more light on this issue, here we review the current literature data on the mutational spectrum of this disease according to different etiologies.

Protective and aggressive bacterial subsets and metabolites modify hepatobiliary inflammation and fibrosis in a murine model of PSC

OBJECTIVE

Conflicting microbiota data exist for primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and experimental models.

GOAL

define the function of complex resident microbes and their association relevant to PSC patients by studying germ-free (GF) and antibiotic-treated specific pathogen-free (SPF) multidrug-resistant 2 deficient (mdr2-/- ) mice and microbial profiles in PSC patient cohorts.

DESIGN

We measured weights, liver enzymes, RNA expression, histological, immunohistochemical and fibrotic biochemical parameters, faecal 16S rRNA gene profiling and metabolomic endpoints in gnotobiotic and antibiotic-treated SPF mdr2-/- mice and targeted metagenomic analysis in PSC patients.

RESULTS

GF mdr2-/- mice had 100% mortality by 8 weeks with increasing hepatic bile acid (BA) accumulation and cholestasis. Early SPF autologous stool transplantation rescued liver-related mortality. Inhibition of ileal BA transport attenuated antibiotic-accelerated liver disease and decreased total serum and hepatic BAs. Depletion of vancomycin-sensitive microbiota exaggerated hepatobiliary disease. Vancomycin selectively decreased Lachnospiraceae and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) but expanded Enterococcus and Enterobacteriaceae. Antibiotics increased Enterococcus faecalis and Escherichia coli liver translocation. Colonisation of GF mdr2-/- mice with translocated E. faecalis and E. coli strains accelerated hepatobiliary inflammation and mortality. Lachnospiraceae colonisation of antibiotic pretreated mdr2-/- mice reduced liver fibrosis, inflammation and translocation of pathobionts, and SCFA-producing Lachnospiraceae and purified SCFA decreased fibrosis. Faecal Lachnospiraceae negatively associated, and E. faecalis/ Enterobacteriaceae positively associated, with PSC patients' clinical severity by Mayo risk scores.

CONCLUSIONS

We identified novel functionally protective and detrimental resident bacterial species in mdr2-/- mice and PSC patients with associated clinical risk score. These insights may guide personalised targeted therapeutic interventions in PSC patients.

Protective potential of the gallbladder in primary sclerosing cholangitis

Background & Aims

Gallbladder enlargement is common in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). The gallbladder may confer hepatoprotection against bile acid overload, through the sequestration and cholecystohepatic shunt of bile acids. The aim of this study was to assess the potential impact of the gallbladder on disease features and bile acid homeostasis in PSC.

Methods

Patients with PSC from a single tertiary center who underwent liver MRI with three-dimensional cholangiography and concomitant analyses of serum bile acids were included. Gallbladder volume was measured by MRI and a cut-off of 50 ml was used to define gallbladder enlargement. Bile acid profiles and PSC severity, as assessed by blood tests and MRI features, were compared among patients according to gallbladder size (enlarged vs. normal-sized) or presence (removed vs. conserved). The impact of cholecystectomy was also assessed in the Abcb4 knockout mouse model of PSC.

Results

Sixty-one patients with PSC, all treated with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), were included. The gallbladder was enlarged in 30 patients, whereas 11 patients had been previously cholecystectomized. Patients with enlarged gallbladders had significantly lower alkaline phosphatase, a lower tauro-vs. glycoconjugate ratio and a higher UDCA vs. total bile acid ratio compared to those with normal-sized gallbladders. In addition, gallbladder volume negatively correlated with the hydrophobicity index of bile acids. Cholecystectomized patients displayed significantly higher aspartate aminotransferase and more severe bile duct strictures and dilatations compared to those with conserved gallbladder. In the Abcb4 knockout mice, cholecystectomy caused an increase in hepatic bile acid content and in circulating secondary bile acids, and an aggravation in cholangitis, inflammation and liver fibrosis.

Conclusion

Altogether, our findings indicate that the gallbladder fulfills protective functions in PSC.

Impact and implications

In patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), gallbladder status impacts on bile acid homeostasis and disease features. We found evidence of lessened bile acid toxicity in patients with PSC and enlarged gallbladders and of increased disease severity in those who were previously cholecystectomized. In the Abcb4 knockout mouse model of PSC, cholecystectomy causes an aggravation of cholangitis and liver fibrosis. Overall, our results suggest that the gallbladder plays a protective role in PSC.

Longitudinal analysis of transplant candidates with primary sclerosing cholangitis in an Asian liver transplant center

BACKGROUND

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a rare disease in Asia, and few studies have investigated the disease in this ethnicity, particularly in wait-listed patients for liver transplantation (LT). We aimed to investigate the prognostic factors and outcomes of wait-listed patients with PSC in an Asian transplant center.

METHODS

Survival was retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTS

Eighteen (10 male and 8 female) wait-listed patients with PSC, with a median age at diagnosis of 44.5 years, were included. Compared with men, women had significantly higher aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index scores (3.28 vs. 1.13; P  = 0.012) and bilirubin levels (7.68 vs. 4.03 mg/dl; P  = 0.043) and more often presented with decompensating events, including ascites [5 (63%) vs. 1 (10%); P  = 0.043] and splenomegaly [8 (100%) vs. 4 (40%); P  = 0.013]. Compared with the non-LT group, the LT group exhibited a superior survival rate for women ( P  = 0.004) but not for men. In the univariable analysis, significant risk factors associated with overall survival included malignancies with a hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) of 5.53 (1.00-30.51) and esophageal varices (EV) [4.18 (1.05-16.61)], whereas female gender [25.00 (1.49-500.00)], LT [0.09 (0.01-0.80)] and EV [39.03 (2.92-521.96)] were indicated in the multivariable analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

For Asian wait-listed patients with PSC, EV and female gender were the risk factors related to overall survival, and LT was the protective factor. Our experiences suggested that LT brings more benefits in female patients. Strategies are needed to provide equivalent transplant benefits.

[Diversity in gastroenterology - A focus on inflammatory bowel diseases]

Factors related to patient diversity may play a major role in the pathogenesis and clinical manifestation of intestinal and liver diseases and should be considered during diagnostic workup and therapeutic decisions. Here we discuss how diversity factors such as gender, ethnicity, age and socioeconomic parameters may affect the manifestation and disease course of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD, i.e. Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis). Consideration of such factors may help to pave the path towards personalized medicine approaches in clinical practice.

The Optimal Management of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Patients with Cancer

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have an increased risk of cancer secondary to chronic inflammation and long-term use of immunosuppressive therapy. With the aging IBD population, the prevalence of cancer in IBD patients is increasing. As a result, there is increasing concern about the impact of IBD therapy on cancer risk and survival, as well as the effects of cancer therapies on the disease course of IBD. Managing IBD in patients with current or previous cancer is challenging since clinical guidelines are based mainly on expert consensus. Evidence is rare and mainly available from registries or observational studies. In contrast, excluding patients with previous/or active cancer from clinical trials and short-term follow-up can lead to an underestimation of the cancer or cancer recurrence risk of approved medications. The present narrative review aims to summarize the current evidence and provide practical guidance on the management of IBD patients with cancer.

Primary sclerosing cholangitis and overlap features of autoimmune hepatitis: a coming of age or an age-ist problem?

Autoimmune liver diseases are siloed into three syndromes that define clinical practice. These classifiers can, and are, challenged by variant presentations across all ages, something inevitable to disease definitions that rely on interpreting inherently variable semi-quantitative/qualitative clinical, laboratory, pathological or radiological findings. Furthermore this remains premised by an ongoing absence of definable disease aetiologies. Clinicians thus encounter individuals with biochemical, serological, and histological manifestations that are common to both primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), often labelled as 'PSC/AIH-overlap'. In childhood the term 'autoimmune sclerosing cholangitis (ASC)' may be used, and some propose this to be a distinct disease process. In this article we champion the concept that ASC and PSC/AIH-overlap are not distinct entities. Rather, they represent inflammatory phases of PSC frequently manifesting earlier in disease course, most notably in younger patients. Ultimately, disease outcome remains that of a more classical PSC phenotype observed in later life. Thus, we argue that it is now time to align disease names and descriptions used by clinicians across all patient subpopulations, to help care become uniform and ageless. This will enhance collaborative studies and contribute ultimately to rational treatment advances.

Disease burden in primary sclerosing cholangitis in the Netherlands: A long-term follow-up study

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a progressive, cholestatic liver disease which greatly impacts the lives of individuals. Burden of disease due to shortened life expectancy and impaired quality of life is ill-described. The aim of this study was to assess long-term disease burden in a large population-based registry with regard to survival, clinical course, quality adjusted life years (QALYs), medical consumption and work productivity loss.

METHODS

All PSC patients living in a geographically defined area covering ~50% of the Netherlands were included, together with patients from the three liver transplant centres. Survival was estimated by competing risk analysis. Proportional shortfall of QALYs during disease course was measured relative to a matched reference cohort using validated questionnaires. Work productivity loss and medical consumption were evaluated over time.

RESULTS

A total of 1208 patients were included with a median follow-up of 11.2 year. Median liver transplant-free survival was 21.0 years. Proportional shortfall of QALYs increased to 48% >25 years after diagnosis. Patients had on average 12.4 hospital contact days among which 3.17 admission days per year, annual medical costs were €12 169 and mean work productivity loss was 25%.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data quantify for the first time disease burden in terms of QALYs lost, clinical events, medical consumption, costs as well as work productivity loss, and show that all these are substantial and increase over time.

Prospective surveillance for cholangiocarcinoma in unselected individuals with primary sclerosing cholangitis

BACKGROUND & AIMS

The evidence for hepatobiliary tumour surveillance in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is scarce. In this study, we aimed to prospectively evaluate cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) surveillance with yearly MRI with cholangiopancreatography (MRI/MRCP) in a nationwide cohort.

METHODS

In total, 512 patients with PSC from 11 Swedish hospitals were recruited. The study protocol included yearly clinical follow-ups, liver function tests and contrast-enhanced MRI/MRCP and carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9. Patients with severe/progressive bile duct changes on MRI/MRCP were further investigated with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. Patients were followed for 5 years or until a diagnosis of CCA, liver transplantation (LT) and/or death. Risk factors associated with CCA were analysed with Cox regression.

RESULTS

Eleven patients (2%) were diagnosed with CCA, and two (0.5%) with high-grade bile duct dysplasia. Severe/progressive bile duct changes on MRI/MRCP were detected in 122 patients (24%), of whom 10% had an underlying malignancy. The primary indication for LT (n = 54) was biliary dysplasia in nine patients (17%) and end-stage liver disease in 45 patients (83%), of whom three patients (7%) had unexpected malignancy in the explants. The median survival for patients with CCA was 13 months (3-22 months). Time to diagnosis of high-grade dysplasia and/or hepatobiliary malignancy was significantly associated with severe/progressive bile duct changes on MRI/MRCP (hazard ratio 10.50; 95% CI 2.49-44.31) and increased levels of CA19-9 (hazard ratio 1.00; 95% CI 1.00-1.01).

CONCLUSION

In an unselected cohort of patients with PSC, yearly CA19-9 and MRI/MRCP surveillance followed by ERCP was ineffective in detecting cancer early enough to support long-term survival. Given the low occurrence of CCA, studies on individualised strategies for follow-up and improved diagnostic methods for PSC-related CCA are warranted.

IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS

A prospective nationwide 5-year study was conducted to evaluate yearly cholangiocarcinoma surveillance using MRI and CA19-9 in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis. Only 2% of the patients were diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma during follow-up and their prognosis remained poor despite surveillance. This surveillance strategy failed to detect cancer early enough to support long-term survival. Therefore, individualised strategies and improved diagnostic methods will be required to improve the early detection of cholangiocarcinoma in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis.

Risk stratification in primary sclerosing cholangitis

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a chronic liver disorder commonly affecting young patients and associated with uncertain prognosis and elevated risk of end-stage liver disease and hepatobiliary cancer. Rate of progression in PSC is heterogeneous and accurately predicting the disease course is of paramount importance to clinical practice and interventional trial design. So far, efforts have brought to the development of models looking at short-to-middle-term outcome using composite models including clinical, laboratory, radiological and histological parameters with limited performance. In the era of whole genome sequencing and digital innovation, the time is ripe for the development of stratified medicine in PSC. Efforts should be directed toward developing well-phenotyped cohorts of patients with longitudinal follow-up across sustained periods of time, application of novel image-processing technology, and biomarker discovery using multiomics platforms.

Outcomes of immunomodulator and advanced therapies for primary sclerosing cholangitis-associated inflammatory bowel disease

BACKGROUND

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) coexists in up to 80% of patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). The aim of this study is to investigate the outcomes of immunomodulator (IMM)/advanced therapies for the treatment of PSC-IBD.

METHODS

This was a single-center, retrospective study of patients with PSC from 1 January 2012 to 1 April 2021. Adult patients (age ≥ 18 years) with PSC-IBD were included. Primary outcomes were rates and predictors of IMM/advanced therapies to treat PSC-IBD. Secondary outcomes included rates of cholangitis, PSC-IBD clinical remission, and endoscopic healing.

RESULTS

A total of 106 patients with PSC were reviewed and 72 (68%) with confirmed PSC-IBD were included in the study. The median age was 48 years (IQR, 33-59.5) and 69.4% were male. Overall, 28 patients (38.9%) required IMM/advanced therapies to treat PSC-IBD (22 biologic/small molecule therapy and six thiopurine monotherapy). Patients in the IMM/advanced therapies group were more likely to have small bowel involvement (32.1% vs. 4.6%; P = 0.002). In the IMM/advanced therapies group, clinical remission was achieved in 78.6% but endoscopic healing in only 50%. The rate of acute ascending cholangitis was 42.9% in the IMM/advanced therapies group compared with 31.8% in the non-IMM/advanced therapies group (P = 0.34).

CONCLUSION

In our cohort, up to a third of patients with PSC-IBD required IMM/advanced therapies with only 50% of these patients achieving endoscopic healing. The use of IMM/advanced therapies was not associated with a higher risk of cholangitis, but larger studies are needed to investigate the risk with different classes of advanced therapies.

Open challenges in the management of autoimmune hepatitis

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a rare autoimmune disease of the liver with many open questions as regards its etiopathogenesis, natural history and clinical management. The classical picture of AIH is chronic hepatitis with fluctuating elevation of serum transaminases and Immunoglobulin G levels, the presence of circulating autoantibodies and typical histological features. However, atypical presentations do occur and are not well captured by current diagnostic scores, with important consequences in terms of missed diagnoses and delayed treatments. AIH is treated with corticosteroids and immunosuppressive drugs but up to 40% of patients do not achieve full biochemical response and are at risk of progressing to cirrhosis and liver failure. Moreover, standard therapies are associated by significant side-effects which may impair the quality of life of patients living with AIH. However, advances in the understanding of the underlying immunology of AIH is raising the prospect of novel therapies and optimization of existing therapeutic approaches to reduce side-effect burdens and potentially restore immunological tolerance. In this review we outlined the clinical characteristics, etiopathogenesis and management of AIH and current challenges in the diagnosis and management of AIH and provided evidence underlying the evolution of diagnostic and clinical management protocols.

A shared mucosal gut microbiota signature in primary sclerosing cholangitis before and after liver transplantation

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Several characteristic features of the fecal microbiota have been described in primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), whereas data on mucosal microbiota are less consistent. We aimed to use a large colonoscopy cohort to investigate key knowledge gaps, including the role of gut microbiota in PSC with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), the effect of liver transplantation (LT), and whether recurrent PSC (rPSC) may be used to define consistent microbiota features in PSC irrespective of LT.

APPROACH AND RESULTS

We included 84 PSC and 51 liver transplanted PSC patients (PSC-LT) and 40 healthy controls (HCs) and performed sequencing of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene (V3-V4) from ileocolonic biopsies. Intraindividual microbial diversity was reduced in both PSC and PSC-LT versus HCs. An expansion of Proteobacteria was more pronounced in PSC-LT (up to 19% relative abundance) than in PSC (up to 11%) and HCs (up to 8%; Q FDR  < 0.05). When investigating PSC before (PSC vs. HC) and after LT (rPSC vs. no-rPSC), increased variability (dispersion) in the PSC group was found. Five genera were associated with PSC before and after LT. A dysbiosis index calculated from the five genera, and the presence of the potential pathobiont, Klebsiella , were associated with reduced LT-free survival. Concomitant IBD was associated with reduced Akkermansia .

CONCLUSIONS

Consistent mucosal microbiota features associated with PSC, PSC-IBD, and disease severity, irrespective of LT status, highlight the usefulness of investigating PSC and rPSC in parallel, and suggest that the impact of gut microbiota on posttransplant liver health should be investigated further.

The microbiota and the gut-liver axis in primary sclerosing cholangitis

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) offers unique opportunities to explore the gut-liver axis owing to the close association between liver disease and colonic inflammation. It is well established that the gut microbiota in people with PSC differs from that of healthy individuals, but details of the microbial factors that demarcate PSC from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) without PSC are poorly understood. In this Review, we aim to provide an overview of the latest literature on the gut microbiome in PSC and PSC with IBD, critically examining hypotheses on how microorganisms could contribute to the pathogenesis of PSC. A particular emphasis will be put on pathogenic features of the gut microbiota that might explain the occurrence of bile duct inflammation and liver disease in the context of IBD, and we postulate the potential existence of a specific yet unknown factor related to the gut-liver axis as causative in PSC. Available data are scrutinized in the perspective of therapeutic approaches related to the gut-liver axis.

Post-Transplant Immunosuppression in Autoimmune Liver Disease

Autoimmune liver diseases (AILDs) are a group of conditions where immune-mediated liver damage can lead to the need for transplantation. Collectively, they account for almost a quarter of all liver transplants. Outcomes in terms of graft and patient survival for all liver transplants have improved markedly over decades with improvements in patient selection, surgical techniques and longer-term care and this is also seen in patients with AILDs. The current five- and ten-year survival rates post-transplant in autoimmune disease are excellent, at 88% and 78%, respectively. A key factor in maintaining good outcomes post liver transplant for these autoimmune conditions is the immunosuppression strategy. These patients have increased the rates of rejection, and autoimmune conditions can all recur in the graft ranging from 12 to 60% depending on the population studied. Immunosuppressive regimens are centred on calcineurin inhibitors, often combined with low dose corticosteroids, with or without the addition of antimetabolite therapy. There is no clear evidence-based immunosuppressive regimen for these conditions, and a tailored approach balancing the individuals' immunological profile against the risks of immunosuppression is often used. There are disease-specific considerations to optimised graft function including the role of ursodeoxycholic acid in both primary biliary cholangitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis and the role and timing of colectomy in primary sclerosing cholangitis in inflammatory bowel disease patients. However, unmet needs still exist in the management of AILDs post liver transplantation particularly in building the evidence base for optimal immunosuppression as well as mitigating the risk of recurrent disease.

Implications of gut microbiota in autoimmune liver diseases

Autoimmune liver diseases (AILD) are a group of immune-mediated liver inflammatory diseases with three major forms including autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). Interaction of both genetic and environmental factors leads to the breakdown of self-tolerance, hence resulting in hyper-responsive of autoantibodies and aggressive autoreactive immune cells. Genetic studies have identified dozens of risk loci associated with initiation and development of AILD. However, the role of exogenous factors remains unclear. Recently, both infectious and inflammatory diseases have been associated with microbiota, which colonizes multiple mucosal surfaces and participates in human physiological process and function in immune system, particularly influencing liver, and biliary system via gut-liver axis. Emerging evidence on the role of gut microbiota has expanded our knowledge of AILD in both pathogenesis and potential therapeutic targets, along with putative diagnosis biomarkers. Herein we review the relationship between host and gut microbiota, discuss their potential roles in disease onset and progression, and summarize the compositional and functional alterations of the microbiota in AILD. We also highlighted the microbiota-based therapeutics such as antibiotics and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT).

Gender Differences in Psychological Symptoms and Quality of Life in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease in China: A Multicenter Study

OBJECTIVE

To explore the gender differences in the psychological symptoms, sleep quality, and quality of life of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

METHODS

A unified questionnaire was developed to collect clinical data on the psychology and quality of life of IBD patients from 42 hospitals in 22 provinces in China from September 2021 to May 2022. The general clinical characteristics, psychological symptoms, sleep quality, and quality of life of IBD patients of different genders were analyzed via a descriptive statistical analysis. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted, and independent influencing factors were screened to construct a nomogram to predict the quality of life. The consistency index (C-index), receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, area under the ROC curve (AUC), and calibration curve were used to evaluate the discrimination and accuracy of the nomogram model. Decision curve analysis (DCA) was used to evaluate the clinical utility.

RESULTS

A total of 2478 IBD patients (1371 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and 1107 patients with Crohn's disease (CD)) were investigated, including 1547 males (62.4%) and 931 females (37.6%). The proportion of anxiety in females was significantly higher than in males (IBD: 30.5% vs. 22.4%, p < 0.001; UC: 32.4% vs. 25.1%, p = 0.003; CD: 26.8% vs. 19.9%, p = 0.013), and there were differences in the severity of anxiety between the genders (IBD: p < 0.001; UC: p < 0.001; CD: p = 0.050). The proportion of depression in females was higher than in males (IBD: 33.1% vs. 27.7%, p = 0.005; UC: 34.4% vs. 28.9%, p = 0.031; CD: 30.6% vs. 26.6%, p = 0.184), and there were differences in the severity of depression between the genders (IBD: p = 0.004; UC: p = 0.022; CD: p = 0.312). The proportion suffering from sleep disturbances among females was slightly higher than among males (IBD: 63.2% vs. 58.4%, p = 0.018; UC: 63.4% vs. 58.1%, p = 0.047; CD: 62.7% vs. 58.6%, p = 0.210), and the proportion of females with a poor quality of life was higher than that of males (IBD: 41.8% vs. 35.2%, p = 0.001; UC: 45.1% vs. 39.8%, p = 0.049; CD: 35.4% vs. 30.8%, p = 0.141). The AUC values of the female and male nomogram prediction models for predicting poor quality of life were 0.770 (95% CI: 0.7391-0.7998) and 0.771 (95% CI: 0.7466-0.7952), respectively. The calibration diagrams of the two models showed that the calibration curves fitted well with the ideal curve, and the DCA that showed nomogram models could bring clinical benefits.

CONCLUSIONS

There were significant gender differences in the psychological symptoms, sleep quality, and quality of life of IBD patients, suggesting that females need more psychological support. In addition, a nomogram model with high accuracy and performance was constructed to predict the quality of life of IBD patients of different genders, which is helpful for the timely clinical formulation of personalized intervention plans that can improve the prognosis of patients and save medical costs.

Optimizing Circulating Tumour DNA Use in the Perioperative Setting for Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma: Diagnosis, Screening, Minimal Residual Disease Detection and Treatment Response Monitoring

In this review, we present the current evidence and future perspectives on the use of circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) in the diagnosis, management and understanding the prognosis of patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) undergoing surgery. Liquid biopsies or ctDNA maybe utilized to: (1) determine the molecular profile of the tumour and therefore guide the selection of molecular targeted therapy in the neoadjuvant setting, (2) form a surveillance tool for the detection of minimal residual disease or cancer recurrence after surgery, and (3) diagnose and screen for early iCCA detection in high-risk populations. The potential for ctDNA can be tumour-informed or -uninformed depending on the goals of its use. Future studies will require ctDNA extraction technique validations, with standardizations of both the platforms and the timing of ctDNA collections.

Gamma-glutamyl transferase and disease course in pediatric-onset primary sclerosing cholangitis: A single-center cohort study

Background and Aims

Patients with pediatric-onset primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) are at risk of developing hepatic complications with liver transplantation as only curative treatment. Complications usually occur over many years, underlining the need for reliable surrogate markers to predict the clinical course. Recently, gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) has been suggested to allow prediction of the clinical course. In a single-center cohort study, we tested the potency of GGT in this respect.

Methods

We used longitudinal data of patients from our academic center, diagnosed with pediatric-onset PSC between 2000 and 2020. Patients with a GGT decrease from baseline >25% (n = 36) were compared with those who did not have this decrease (n = 7). We performed Kaplan-Meier analysis and log-rank testing to assess the occurrence of portal hypertensive or biliary complications, hepatobiliary malignancies, liver transplantation, or death.

Results

The median age diagnosis was 15.2 years and 12.1 years in the group with ≤25% decrease of GGT and the group with >25% decrease, respectively (p = 0.078). The probability of developing ≥1 complications in the first 5 years after diagnosis was 50% in the group with ≤25% decrease of GGT and 20% in the group with >25% decrease of GGT (p = 0.031). The use of medication was not associated with the development of complications.

Conclusion

In a retrospective cohort study, we report that a GGT decrease of >25% within 1 year of diagnosis of pediatric-onset PSC is associated with a lower occurrence of complications within 5 years. Our results provide further support for the recently hypothesized predictive value of first-year GGT change in predicting the disease course in pediatric-onset PSC.

Primary sclerosing cholangitis and pancreatic cancer: A retrospective cohort study of United States veterans

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is associated with hepatobiliary and colorectal cancers, but it remains uncertain if PSC increases the risk for pancreatic cancer. While some European studies have suggested an increased risk of pancreatic cancer in PSC patients, other studies have not. And these studies did not well account for presence or absence of concomitant inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The purpose of this study is to investigate the prevalence of pancreatic cancer in United States veterans with PSC both with and without IBD.

Methods

This retrospective study used International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes to identify patients with PSC, IBD, and pancreatic cancer from the Veterans Affairs (VA) Corporate Data Warehouse. The prevalence of pancreatic cancer in patients with PSC only, IBD only, PSC with IBD, and neither PSC nor IBD were compared. Logistic regression was used to control for age, gender, chronic pancreatitis, diabetes mellitus, and tobacco and alcohol use.

Results

A total of 946 patients with PSC were identified from a population of over 9 million veterans. 486 (51.4%) of these had concurrent IBD. Additionally 112,653 patients with IBD without PSC were identified. When adjusted for confounding factors, patients with PSC had a significantly higher prevalence of pancreatic cancer compared to the general population and those with IBD without PSC (2.4% vs. 0.2% and 0.5%, respectively).

Conclusions

Veterans with PSC, particularly those without concomitant IBD, have a high prevalence of pancreatic cancer compared to the general veteran population. Our findings support the need for multicenter prospective studies investigating the benefits of screening for pancreatic cancer in patients with PSC.

Understanding illness experiences of patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis: a qualitative analysis within the SOMA.LIV study

BACKGROUND

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a rare cholestatic liver disease with a largely unpredictable course. Due to limited treatment options, individuals may for many years suffer from distressing symptoms and the emotional burden of an uncertain future. The need to shift from cure to care of PSC has spurred an interest into patients' health-related quality of life. Qualitative research in this context remains scarce. Hence, this study aimed to enrich the clinical understanding about the lived experience of PSC through a qualitative approach.

METHODS

A total of 20 patients with PSC were recruited at a specialist centre for autoimmune liver disease in Germany and engaged in semi-structured telephone-based interviews between March and June 2022. Verbatim transcripts were interpreted using inductive thematic analysis.

RESULTS

An overarching concept of 'a wave-like experience' was formulated to illustrate the dual and shifting nature of living with PSC. Reflecting upon this central idea, three major themes were generated to address important aspects of participants' illness experiences: 'Invisible presence' focused on perceptions of suffering from a seemingly hidden illness that periodically reveals itself through specific trigger events. 'Embracing the threat' captured the psycho-emotional response shift to this chronic disease from a predominantly negative to a coping-oriented pattern with regular setbacks. 'Between control and constraints' uncovered restrictions that PSC enforces onto patients' lives and their desire for controllability.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study provides an in-depth look at the fluctuating tensions arising from a life with PSC. Insights on perceived invisibility, disease-related triggers of emotional distress and the complexity behind self-management highlight opportunities for enhanced clinical support of this patient group.

Environmental chemicals and endogenous metabolites in bile of USA and Norway patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a complex bile duct disorder. Its etiology is incompletely understood, but environmental chemicals likely contribute to risk. Patients with PSC have an altered bile metabolome, which may be influenced by environmental chemicals. This novel study utilized state-of-the-art high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) with bile samples to provide the first characterization of environmental chemicals and metabolomics (collectively, the exposome) in PSC patients located in the United States of America (USA) (n = 24) and Norway (n = 30). First, environmental chemical- and metabolome-wide association studies were conducted to assess geographic-based similarities and differences in the bile of PSC patients. Nine environmental chemicals (false discovery rate, FDR < 0.20) and 3143 metabolic features (FDR < 0.05) differed by site. Next, pathway analysis was performed to identify metabolomic pathways that were similarly and differentially enriched by the site. Fifteen pathways were differentially enriched (P < .05) in the categories of amino acid, glycan, carbohydrate, energy, and vitamin/cofactor metabolism. Finally, chemicals and pathways were integrated to derive exposure-effect correlation networks by site. These networks demonstrate the shared and differential chemical-metabolome associations by site and highlight important pathways that are likely relevant to PSC. The USA patients demonstrated higher environmental chemical bile content and increased associations between chemicals and metabolic pathways than those in Norway. Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)-118 and PCB-101 were identified as chemicals of interest for additional investigation in PSC given broad associations with metabolomic pathways in both the USA and Norway patients. Associated pathways include glycan degradation pathways, which play a key role in microbiome regulation and thus may be implicated in PSC pathophysiology.

Impact on follow-up strategies in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Evidence for the benefit of scheduled imaging for early detection of hepatobiliary malignancies in primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is limited. We aimed to compare different follow-up strategies in PSC with the hypothesis that regular imaging improves survival.

METHODS

We collected retrospective data from 2975 PSC patients from 27 centres. Patients were followed from the start of scheduled imaging or in case of clinical follow-up from 1 January 2000, until death or last clinical follow-up alive. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality.

RESULTS

A broad variety of different follow-up strategies were reported. All except one centre used regular imaging, ultrasound (US) and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Two centres used scheduled endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in addition to imaging for surveillance purposes. The overall HR (CI95%) for death, adjusted for sex, age and start year of follow-up, was 0.61 (0.47-0.80) for scheduled imaging with and without ERCP; 0.64 (0.48-0.86) for US/MRI and 0.53 (0.37-0.75) for follow-up strategies including scheduled ERCP. The lower risk of death remained for scheduled imaging with and without ERCP after adjustment for cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) or high-grade dysplasia as a time-dependent covariate, HR 0.57 (0.44-0.75). Hepatobiliary malignancy was diagnosed in 175 (5.9%) of the patients at 7.9 years of follow-up. Asymptomatic patients (25%) with CCA had better survival if scheduled imaging had been performed.

CONCLUSIONS

Follow-up strategies vary considerably across centres. Scheduled imaging was associated with improved survival. Multiple factors may contribute to this result including early tumour detection and increased endoscopic treatment of asymptomatic benign biliary strictures.

Concurrent inflammatory bowel disease and primary sclerosing cholangitis: a review of pre- and post-transplant outcomes and treatment options

Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) is a chronic cholestatic liver disease which is associated with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) in 70% of cases. It seems PSC/IBD is a distinct phenotype that is different from PSC, and IBD alone. Hence, we review the epidemiology, pathogenesis, natural course and management of PSC/IBD before and after LT for PSC. Extensive colitis, rectal sparing, backwash ileitis, and mild symptoms are the characteristics of IBD coexisting with PSC. Moreover, PSC patients with concurrent IBD have higher risk of cholangiocarcinoma, and colorectal neoplasia predominantly in right colon and at younger age. Therefore, it is essential to monitor these individuals continuously. It is interesting to note that the course of IBD (ulcerative colitis) after liver transplantation (LT) for PSC varies greatly, and some patients may develop worsening colitis after LT despite immunosuppressive regimens. As well, management of these patients was discussed in this review.

Hepatobiliary Impairments in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: The Current Approach

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) refers to chronic conditions with a low mortality but high disability. The multisystemic nature of these diseases can explain the appearance of some extraintestinal manifestations, including liver damage. Abnormal liver biochemical tests can be identified in approximately one third of patients with IBD and chronic liver disease in 5% of them. Among the liver diseases associated with IBD are primary sclerosing cholangitis, cholelithiasis, fatty liver disease, hepatic amyloidosis, granulomatous hepatitis, drug-induced liver injury, venous thromboembolism, primary biliary cholangitis, IgG4-related cholangiopathy, autoimmune hepatitis, liver abscesses or the reactivation of viral hepatitis. The most common disease is primary sclerosing cholangitis, a condition diagnosed especially in patients with ulcerative colitis. The progress registered in recent years in the therapeutic management of IBD has not eliminated the risk of drug-induced liver disease. Additionally, the immunosuppression encountered in these patients increases the risk of opportunistic infections, including the reactivation of viral hepatitis. Currently, one of the concerns consists of establishing an efficiency and safety profile of the use of direct-acting antiviral agents (DAA) among patients with hepatitis C and IBD. Early diagnosis and optimal treatment of liver complications can improve the prognoses of these patients.

Primary sclerosing cholangitis-A long night's journey into day

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Increased Risk of Non-conventional and Invisible Dysplasias in Patients with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis and Inflammatory Bowel Disease

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis and inflammatory bowel disease [termed PSC-IBD] have a higher risk of developing colorectal neoplasia than those with IBD alone. The mechanism by which concomitant PSC increases the risk of colorectal neoplasia remains unknown. Seven distinct non-conventional dysplastic subtypes have been recently described in IBD, including crypt cell dysplasia, hypermucinous dysplasia, goblet cell-deficient dysplasia, dysplasia with increased Paneth cell differentiation [DPD], sessile serrated lesion [SSL]-like dysplasia, traditional serrated adenoma [TSA]-like dysplasia, and serrated dysplasia, not otherwise specified [NOS]. Despite the lack of high-grade morphological features, crypt cell, hypermucinous, and goblet cell-deficient dysplasias often show molecular features characteristic of advanced neoplasia [i.e. aneuploidy and KRAS mutations] and are more frequently associated with advanced neoplasia than conventional dysplasia on follow-up. We aimed to characterise clinicopathological features of dysplasia found in PSC-IBD patients.

METHODS

A cohort of 173 PSC-IBD patients were analysed. All dysplastic lesions were subtyped as either conventional or non-conventional dysplasia. The clinicopathological features of PSC-IBD patients with neoplasia were also compared with those of non-PSC IBD patients with neoplasia.

RESULTS

There were 109 [63%] men and 64 [37%] women, with a mean age of 26 years at IBD diagnosis and a long history of IBD [mean duration: 14 years]. Ulcerative colitis was the most common IBD subtype [80%], and the majority of patients [92%] had a history of pancolitis. A total of 153 dysplastic lesions were detected in 54 [31%] patients, 35 [65%] of whom had multifocal dysplasia. One additional patient presented with colorectal cancer [CRC] without a history of dysplasia. Dysplasia was often non-conventional [n = 93; 61%], endoscopically/grossly invisible [n = 101; 66%], and right/proximal-sided [n = 90; 59%]. All seven non-conventional subtypes were identified, including 46 [30%] crypt cell dysplasia, 23 [15%] hypermucinous dysplasia, 12 [8%] goblet cell-deficient dysplasia, seven [5%] DPD, three [2%] TSA-like dysplasia, one [1%] SSL-like dysplasia, and one [1%] serrated dysplasia NOS. Follow-up information was available for 86 lesions, of which 32 [37%] were associated with subsequent detection of advanced neoplasia [high-grade dysplasia or CRC] within a mean follow-up time of 55 months. PSC-IBD patients with neoplasia were more likely to have pancolitis [98%, p = 0.039] and a longer IBD duration [mean: 17 years, p = 0.021] than those without neoplasia [89% and 12 years, respectively]. When compared with a cohort of non-PSC IBD patients with neoplasia, the PSC-IBD group with neoplasia was more often associated with non-conventional [61%, p <0.001], invisible [66%, p <0.001], and right/proximal-sided [59%, p = 0.045] dysplasias [vs 25%, 21%, and 47%, respectively, for the non-PSC IBD group]. The rate of advanced neoplasia was nearly 2-fold higher in the PSC-IBD group [37%] compared with the non-PSC IBD group [22%] [p = 0.035].

CONCLUSIONS

Nearly a third of PSC-IBD patients developed dysplasia, which is often associated with non-conventional dysplastic features, invisible endoscopic/gross appearance, right/proximal-sided colon, multifocality, and advanced neoplasia on follow-up. These findings underscore the importance of recognising these non-conventional subtypes by practising pathologists and the need for careful and frequent endoscopic surveillance, with random biopsies, in PSC-IBD patients.

Role of intestinal flora in primary sclerosing cholangitis and its potential therapeutic value

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is an autoimmune disease characterized by chronic cholestasis, a persistent inflammation of the bile ducts that leads to sclerotic occlusion and cholestasis. Gut microbes, consisting of microorganisms colonized in the human gut, play an important role in nutrient intake, metabolic homeostasis, immune regulation, and immune regulation; however, their presence might aid PSC development. Studies have found that gut-liver axis interactions also play an important role in the pathogenesis of PSC. Patients with PSC have considerably reduced intestinal flora diversity and increased abundance of potentially pathogenic bacteria. Dysbiosis of the intestinal flora leads to increased intestinal permeability, homing of intestinal lymphocytes, entry of bacteria and their associated metabolites, such as bile acids, into the liver, stimulation of hepatic immune activation, and promotion of PSC. Currently, PSC effective treatment is lacking. However, a number of studies have recently investigated the targeted modulation of gut microbes for the treatment of various liver diseases (alcoholic liver disease, metabolic fatty liver, cirrhosis, and autoimmune liver disease). In addition, antibiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation, and probiotics have been reported as successful PSC therapies as well as for the treatment of gut dysbiosis, suggesting their effectiveness for PSC treatment. Therefore, this review briefly summarizes the role of intestinal flora in PSC with the aim of providing new insights into PSC treatment.

Good outcomes of living donor liver transplant in primary sclerosing cholangitis: an experience from North India

BACKGROUND

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a chronic cholestatic liver disease. In the absence of effective medical therapy, liver transplant is the definitive treatment for advanced stage. However, recurrence of PSC after liver transplant is of concern which can lead to graft failure and may require retransplant. There are limited data on outcomes of living donor liver transplant (LDLT) in PSC. Also, in LDLT as donors are genetically related there can be an increased risk of recurrence. We conducted this retrospective study to analyze the outcomes of LDLT in PSC at a tertiary liver transplant center in north India.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective analysis of 3213 transplant recipients who underwent LDLT from January 2006 to May 2021. Of these 26 (0.80%) patients had PSC as indication for liver transplantation (PSC = 24, PSC-AIH overlap = 2). Data analysis was done to look for baseline demographics, clinical details, transplant outcomes, PSC recurrence, and survival.

RESULTS

Mean age of study group was 42 (± 13.8) years and 19 patients (73.1%) were males. All patients had decompensated cirrhosis at the time of transplant. Mean CTP score and MELD score were 9.5 (± 1.8) and 18.9 (± 7.1), respectively. Sixteen patients received modified right lobe graft, seven extended right lobe graft and five patients received left lateral graft. Median graft weight and mean graft to recipient weight ratio (GRWR) were 633.5 (IQR 473.5-633.5) grams and 1.23 (± 0.42), respectively. Most common biliary anastomosis was hepaticojejunostomy, done in 19 (73.1%) while duct to duct anastomosis was performed in 7 (26.9%) patients. Median follow-up was 96 (36-123) months. One patient had ulcerative colitis and none had cholangiocarcinoma. Two (7.7%) patients had bile leak during early post-transplant period. Three (11.1%) patients developed graft rejection and were managed successfully with steroid pulses. Three patients died during early post-transplant period while seven deaths occurred during long-term follow-up including one death due to COVID-19. Five (21.73%) patients had recurrence of PSC of which two patients had graft loss including one after retransplantation. The one year graft and patient survival rate was 88.5%.

CONCLUSION

LDLT can be performed in PSC with good long-term outcomes with a risk of PSC recurrence in about one-fifth patients.

The clinical significance of biliary findings in magnetic resonance enterography of patients with inflammatory bowel disease

PURPOSE

Given the association of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), we aimed to investigate the clinical relevance of abnormal hepatobiliary findings on magnetic resonance enterography (MRE) of IBD patients considering the risk of over- or underestimation of PSC at MRE.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Using the MRE dataset of patients referring to a tertiary hospital and the National Registry of Crohn's and Colitis, 69 MREs, including 23 IBD-PSC, 23 IBD-without PSC, and 23 healthy controls (HC), were retrospectively reviewed by 2 experienced radiologists blinded to the clinical data, to evaluate hepatobiliary abnormalities. Sensitivity, specificity, and likelihood ratios were calculated.

RESULTS

Bile duct irregularities were the most common finding in the IBD-PSC group, with a frequency of 91%. Intra- and extrahepatic bile duct (IHBD and EHBD) irregularities were observed in 87% and 78% of PSC patients, respectively. Higher frequency of IHBD and EHBD wall thickening, bile duct dilation, EHBD stricture, and periportal oedema were observed in the IBD-PSC group. Peribiliary T2-weighted hyperintensities and contrast-enhancement were significantly more common in the IBD-PSC group than in the IBD and HC groups (48% and 35%, respectively) (p < 0.001). Detection of biliary irregularities on MRE had a specificity of 94% (95% CI: 82-99%), a sensitivity of 91% (95% CI: 72-99%), and a positive likelihood ratio of 14.0 (95% CI: 4.7-42.1) for the diagnosis of PSC.

CONCLUSIONS

This study emphasizes the importance of assessing and reporting hepatobiliary abnormalities visible in the MRE of patients with IBD to avoid a delayed diagnosis of PSC.

PR3-ANCAs Detected by Third-Generation ELISA Predicts Severe Disease and Poor Survival in Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis

A highly sensitive detection of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies to serine proteinase-3 (PR3-ANCAs) aids in the serological diagnosis of autoimmune liver disorders and the prediction of severity in primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). Here, we evaluate a novel third-generation ELISA for the detection of PR3-ANCAs. In total, 309 patients with PSC, 51 with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), and 120 healthy blood donors (BD) were analyzed. For the survival analysis in PSC, the outcome was defined as liver-transplantation-free survival during the follow-up. Positive PR3-ANCA levels were found in 74/309 (24.0%) of patients with PSC. No BDs and one patient with PBC demonstrated PR3-ANCA positivity. PR3-ANCAs were revealed as independent predictors for a poor PSC outcome (study endpoint: liver transplantation/death, log-rank test, p = 0.02). PR3-ANCA positivity, lower albumin levels, and higher bilirubin concentrations were independent risks of a poor survival (Cox proportional-hazards regression analysis, p < 0.05). The Mayo risk score for PSC was associated with PR3-ANCA positivity (p = 0.01) and the disease severity assessed with a model of end-stage liver disease (MELD) and extended MELD-Na (p < 0.05). PR3-ANCAs detected by a third-generation ELISA are diagnostic and prognostic markers for PSC. Their wider use could help to identify patients who are at-risk of a more severe disease.