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Mehtani R, Rathi S. Recurrence of Primary Disease After Adult Liver Transplant - Risk Factors, Early Diagnosis, Management, and Prevention. J Clin Exp Hepatol 2024; 14:101432. [PMID: 38975605 PMCID: PMC11222954 DOI: 10.1016/j.jceh.2024.101432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Liver transplantation offers a new lease of life to patients with end-stage liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma. However, the implantation of an exogenous allograft and the accompanying immunosuppression bring their own challenges. Moreover, the persistence of risk factors for the initial liver insult place the new graft at a higher risk of damage. With the increasing number of liver transplants along with the improvement in survival posttransplant, the recurrence of primary disease in liver grafts has become more common. Pre-2015, the most common disease to recur after transplant was hepatitis C. However, directly acting antivirals have nearly eliminated this problem. The greatest challenge of disease recurrence we now face are those of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, alcohol-related liver disease, and primary sclerosing cholangitis. We focus on the epidemiology and pathophysiology of the recurrence of primary disease after transplant. We also discuss means of early identification, risk stratification, prevention, and management of recurrent primary disease after liver transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohit Mehtani
- Department of Hepatology, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Faridabad, Haryana, India
| | - Sahaj Rathi
- Department of Hepatology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
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Montano-Loza AJ, Corpechot C, Burra P, Schramm C, Selzner N, Ronca V, Oo YH. Recurrence of autoimmune liver diseases after liver transplantation: Review and expert opinion statement. Liver Transpl 2024:01445473-990000000-00399. [PMID: 38857316 DOI: 10.1097/lvt.0000000000000419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024]
Abstract
Autoimmune liver diseases (AILDs) constitute the fourth most common indication for liver transplantation (LT) across the world. In general, the outcomes after LT are acceptable; however, disease recurrence after LT is common for all AILD, which can negatively affect graft and overall survival. Several questions persist, including the risk factors associated with recurrent disease, optimal antirejection medications, strategies to reduce the risk of recurrence, and how to best incorporate these strategies into clinical practice. For that reason, we assembled an international group of experts to review evidence to address these outstanding questions regarding LT for AILD. Survival rates after LT are ~90% and 70% at 1 and 5 years, and recurrent disease occurs in 10%-50% of patients with AILD. In patients with disease recurrence, graft survival decreased by 18% and 28% and overall survival by 8% and 12% at 5 and 10 years after LT, respectively. Recurrent autoimmune hepatitis is associated with high aminotransferases and immunoglobulin G (IgG) before LT, lymphoplasmacytic infiltrates in the explants, and may be associated with the absence of steroids after LT. However, the efficiency and safety of triple immunosuppressive maintenance therapy is still debatable. Younger age at diagnosis with primary biliary cholangitis or LT is associated with primary biliary cholangitis recurrence. Preventive use of ursodeoxycholic acid reduces the risk of recurrence and has a benefit in graft and patient survival. Episodes of systemic inflammation, including T-cell-mediated rejection, active ulcerative colitis, and episodes of cholangitis, are associated with recurrent PSC. Recurrent disease for AILD is associated with worse graft and patient survival. Patients with autoimmune hepatitis could be considered for long-term low-dose predniso(lo)ne, whereas patients with primary biliary cholangitis should be placed on preventive ursodeoxycholic acid after LT. There are no specific treatments for PSC recurrence; however, adequate control of inflammatory bowel disease and optimal immunosuppression to avoid T-cell-mediated rejection should be encouraged.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aldo J Montano-Loza
- Division of Gastroenterology and Liver Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Christophe Corpechot
- Reference Center for Inflammatory Biliary Diseases and Autoimmune Hepatitis, European Reference Network for Hepatological Diseases (ERN RARE-LIVER), Saint-Antoine Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris; Inserm UMR_S938, Saint-Antoine Research Center, Sorbonne University, Paris, France
| | - Patrizia Burra
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, European Reference Network for Hepatological Diseases (ERN RARE-LIVER), University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Christoph Schramm
- Martin Zeitz Center for Rare Diseases, and 1st Department of Medicine, European Reference Network for Hepatological Diseases (ERN RARE-LIVER), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Nazia Selzner
- Ajmera Transplant Center, University of Toronto, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Vincenzo Ronca
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Milan, Italy
- IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Ye H Oo
- Center for Liver and Gastro Research & National Institute of Health Research Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, University of Birmingham; Centre for Rare Disease and ERN Rare Liver Centre, Liver Transplant and Hepatobiliary Unit, University Hospital Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
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Henson JB, King LY. Post-Transplant Management and Complications of Autoimmune Hepatitis, Primary Biliary Cholangitis, and Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis including Disease Recurrence. Clin Liver Dis 2024; 28:193-207. [PMID: 37945160 PMCID: PMC11033708 DOI: 10.1016/j.cld.2023.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Autoimmune liver diseases have unique post-transplant considerations. These recipients are at increased risk of rejection, and recurrent disease may also develop, which can progress to graft loss and increase mortality. Monitoring for and managing these complications is therefore important, though data on associated risk factors and immunosuppression strategies has in most cases been mixed. There are also other disease-specific complications that require management and may impact these decisions, including inflammatory bowel disease in PSC. Further work to better understand the optimal management strategies for these patients post-transplant is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline B Henson
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, DUMC Box 3913, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Lindsay Y King
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, DUMC Box 3923, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
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