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Suzuki T, Matsuura K, Nagura Y, Ito K, Ogawa S, Kawamura H, Fujiwara K, Nagaoka K, Iio E, Watanabe T, Kataoka H, Tanaka Y. MicroRNA-223-3p levels in serum-derived extracellular vesicles predict regression of M2BPGi-based liver fibrosis after hepatitis C virus eradication by direct-acting antiviral agents. J Gastroenterol 2024; 59:719-731. [PMID: 38739200 DOI: 10.1007/s00535-024-02115-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We retrospectively investigated microRNA (miRNA) levels in serum-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) as predictive indicators for regression of liver fibrosis, after achievement of a sustained virological response (SVR) by direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy for chronic hepatitis C (CHC). METHODS The study subjects were recruited from a historical cohort of 108 CHC patients whose pretreatment serum Mac-2-binding protein glycosylation isomer (M2BPGi) levels were ≥ 2.0 cut-off index (COI). We classified patients with M2BPGi levels < 1.76 and ≥ 1.76 COI at 2 years after the end of treatment (EOT) into the regression and non-regression groups, respectively. Eleven of the patients were assigned to the discovery set, and we comprehensively investigated the miRNAs contained in serum-derived EVs at 24 weeks after the EOT (EOT24W), using RNA sequencing. The remaining 97 patients were assigned to the validation set, and reproducibility was verified by quantitative real-time PCR. RESULTS Through analysis of the discovery and validation sets, we identified miR-223-3p and miR-1290 as candidate predictors. Subsequently, we analyzed various clinical data, including these candidate miRNAs. Multivariate analyses revealed that the levels of miR-223-3p at EOT24W were significantly associated with regression of M2BPGi-based liver fibrosis (Odds ratio: 1.380; P = 0.024). Consistent results were obtained, even when the serum M2BPGi levels were aligned by propensity score matching and in patients with advanced M2BPGi-based liver fibrosis (pretreatment M2BPGi levels ≥ 3.3 COI). CONCLUSIONS The miR-223-3p level in serum-derived EVs at EOT24W is a feasible predictor of regression of M2BPGi-based liver fibrosis after achievement of an SVR by DAA therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takanori Suzuki
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, 1, Kawasumi, Mizuho, Nagoya, Aichi, 467-8601, Japan
| | - Kentaro Matsuura
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, 1, Kawasumi, Mizuho, Nagoya, Aichi, 467-8601, Japan.
| | - Yoshihito Nagura
- Department of Gastroenterology, Kasugai Municipal Hospital, Kasugai, Japan
| | - Kyoko Ito
- Department of Virology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Shintaro Ogawa
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Hayato Kawamura
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, 1, Kawasumi, Mizuho, Nagoya, Aichi, 467-8601, Japan
| | - Kei Fujiwara
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, 1, Kawasumi, Mizuho, Nagoya, Aichi, 467-8601, Japan
| | - Katsuya Nagaoka
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Etsuko Iio
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Takehisa Watanabe
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Hiromi Kataoka
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, 1, Kawasumi, Mizuho, Nagoya, Aichi, 467-8601, Japan
| | - Yasuhito Tanaka
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
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Mendoza YP, Tsouka S, Semmler G, Seubnooch P, Freiburghaus K, Mandorfer M, Bosch J, Masoodi M, Berzigotti A. Metabolic phenotyping of patients with Advanced Chronic Liver Disease for better characterization of Cirrhosis Regression. J Hepatol 2024:S0168-8278(24)02334-1. [PMID: 38944391 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2024.06.028] [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: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/01/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Regression of cirrhosis has been observed in patients with viral and non-viral etiologies of liver disease in whom the underlying cause of liver injury was effectively suppressed. However, the understanding of the factors contributing to reversibility of fibrosis and cirrhosis is limited. Our aims were to assess clinical factors, perform genotyping of known variants, and comprehensive metabolic phenotyping to characterize the regression of fibrosis in patients with compensated advanced chronic liver disease (cACLD). METHODS In a case-control pilot study with 81 cACLD patients, we compared individuals exhibiting histological or clinical evidence of cACLD regression ("regressors"; n=44) with those showing no improvement ("non-regressors"; n=37) after a minimum of 24 months of successful therapy of the cause of liver disease. Data were validated using an external validation cohort (n=30). RESULTS Regardless of the cause of cACLD, the presence of obesity (OR 0.267 95%CI:0.072-0.882; P=0.049), high liver stiffness (OR 0.960, 95%CI:0.925-0.995; P=0.032), and carriage of GCKR variant rs1260326 (OR 0.148, 95%CI:0.030-0.773; P=0.019) are associated with a reduced likelihood of fibrosis regression in a subgroup of 60 ACLD patients genotyped for known genetic variants. Using liver tissue transcriptomics, we identified metabolic pathways differentiating regressors from non-regressors, with top pathways associated to lipid metabolism -especially fatty acids, bile acids, phospholipids, triacylglycerides (biosynthesis), and the carnitine shuttle. In the entire discovery cohort, we further measured metabolites within the defined pathways, which led to identifying 33 circulating markers differentiating regressors from non-regressors after etiological therapy. The validation cohort confirmed 14 of the differentially expressed markers. CONCLUSIONS We identified and validated a group of lipid biomarkers associated with regression of fibrosis that could be used as non-invasive biomarker for detecting regression of fibrosis in cACLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuly P Mendoza
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Switzerland; Department for BioMedical Research, Visceral Surgery and Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland; Graduate School for Health Sciences (GHS), University of Bern
| | - Sofia Tsouka
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Georg Semmler
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Patcharamon Seubnooch
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Katrin Freiburghaus
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Mattias Mandorfer
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jaime Bosch
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Switzerland; Department for BioMedical Research, Visceral Surgery and Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Mojgan Masoodi
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Annalisa Berzigotti
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Switzerland; Department for BioMedical Research, Visceral Surgery and Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland.
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Tonon M, Gagliardi R, Zeni N, Piano S. Recompensation of cirrhosis in candidates of transplant: Tips and tricks for delisting. Liver Transpl 2024:01445473-990000000-00391. [PMID: 38926937 DOI: 10.1097/lvt.0000000000000409] [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: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Liver transplantation (LT) is the most successful treatment for patients with decompensated cirrhosis. The availability of effective and safe etiological treatments has altered the natural history of decompensated cirrhosis. Recently, the concept of recompensation has been defined. Patients who achieve recompensation may be removed from the waiting list for LT. Therefore, achieving an etiological cure is the cornerstone in the treatment of patients with decompensated cirrhosis. However, most patients improve their liver function after an etiologic cure, and only a proportion of patients achieve true recompensation after an etiological cure. Some patients maintain a condition of "MELD purgatory," that is, an improvement in the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score without relevant clinical improvement that prevents delisting and may be even detrimental because lower Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score delays LT. Herein, we review the available evidence regarding recompensation and the management of recompensated patients on the waiting list for LT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Tonon
- Unit of Internal Medicine and Hepatology, Department of Medicine-DIMED, University and Hospital of Padova, Padova, Italy
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Celsa C, Veneziano M, Di Giorgio FM, Cannova S, Lombardo A, Errigo E, Landro G, Simone F, Sinagra E, Calvaruso V. Non-Invasive Diagnostic Tests for Portal Hypertension in Patients with HBV- and HCV-Related Cirrhosis: A Comprehensive Review. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2024; 60:690. [PMID: 38792873 PMCID: PMC11123262 DOI: 10.3390/medicina60050690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2024] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
Clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) in patients with compensated advanced chronic liver disease indicates an increased risk of decompensation and death. While invasive methods like hepatic venous-portal gradient measurement is considered the gold standard, non-invasive tests (NITs) have emerged as valuable tools for diagnosing and monitoring CSPH. This review comprehensively explores non-invasive diagnostic modalities for portal hypertension, focusing on NITs in the setting of hepatitis B and hepatitis C virus-related cirrhosis. Biochemical-based NITs can be represented by single serum biomarkers (e.g., platelet count) or by composite scores that combine different serum biomarkers with each other or with demographic characteristics (e.g., FIB-4). On the other hand, liver stiffness measurement and spleen stiffness measurement can be assessed using a variety of elastography techniques, and they can be used alone, in combination with, or as a second step after biochemical-based NITs. The incorporation of liver and spleen stiffness measurements, alone or combined with platelet count, into established and validated criteria, such as Baveno VI or Baveno VII criteria, provides useful tools for the prediction of CSPH and for ruling out high-risk varices, potentially avoiding invasive tests like upper endoscopy. Moreover, they have also been shown to be able to predict liver-related events (e.g., the occurrence of hepatic decompensation). When transient elastography is not available or not feasible, biochemical-based NITs (e.g., RESIST criteria, that are based on the combination of platelet count and albumin levels) are valid alternatives for predicting high-risk varices both in patients with untreated viral aetiology and after sustained virological response. Ongoing research should explore novel biomarkers and novel elastography techniques, but current evidence supports the utility of routine blood tests, LSM, and SSM as effective surrogates in diagnosing and staging portal hypertension and predicting patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ciro Celsa
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, Department of Health Promotion, Mother & Child Care, Internal Medicine & Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (M.V.); (F.M.D.G.); (S.C.); (A.L.); (E.E.); (G.L.); (F.S.); (V.C.)
- Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Marzia Veneziano
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, Department of Health Promotion, Mother & Child Care, Internal Medicine & Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (M.V.); (F.M.D.G.); (S.C.); (A.L.); (E.E.); (G.L.); (F.S.); (V.C.)
| | - Francesca Maria Di Giorgio
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, Department of Health Promotion, Mother & Child Care, Internal Medicine & Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (M.V.); (F.M.D.G.); (S.C.); (A.L.); (E.E.); (G.L.); (F.S.); (V.C.)
| | - Simona Cannova
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, Department of Health Promotion, Mother & Child Care, Internal Medicine & Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (M.V.); (F.M.D.G.); (S.C.); (A.L.); (E.E.); (G.L.); (F.S.); (V.C.)
| | - Antonino Lombardo
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, Department of Health Promotion, Mother & Child Care, Internal Medicine & Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (M.V.); (F.M.D.G.); (S.C.); (A.L.); (E.E.); (G.L.); (F.S.); (V.C.)
| | - Emanuele Errigo
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, Department of Health Promotion, Mother & Child Care, Internal Medicine & Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (M.V.); (F.M.D.G.); (S.C.); (A.L.); (E.E.); (G.L.); (F.S.); (V.C.)
| | - Giuseppe Landro
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, Department of Health Promotion, Mother & Child Care, Internal Medicine & Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (M.V.); (F.M.D.G.); (S.C.); (A.L.); (E.E.); (G.L.); (F.S.); (V.C.)
| | - Fabio Simone
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, Department of Health Promotion, Mother & Child Care, Internal Medicine & Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (M.V.); (F.M.D.G.); (S.C.); (A.L.); (E.E.); (G.L.); (F.S.); (V.C.)
| | - Emanuele Sinagra
- Gastroenterology and Endoscopy Unit, Fondazione Istituto G. Giglio, 90015 Cefalù, Italy;
| | - Vincenza Calvaruso
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, Department of Health Promotion, Mother & Child Care, Internal Medicine & Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (M.V.); (F.M.D.G.); (S.C.); (A.L.); (E.E.); (G.L.); (F.S.); (V.C.)
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Lai JCT, Liang LY, Wong GLH. Noninvasive tests for liver fibrosis in 2024: are there different scales for different diseases? Gastroenterol Rep (Oxf) 2024; 12:goae024. [PMID: 38605932 PMCID: PMC11009030 DOI: 10.1093/gastro/goae024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 02/25/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is the common pathway from various chronic liver diseases and its progression leads to cirrhosis which carries a significant risk for the development of portal hypertension-related complications and hepatocellular carcinoma. It is crucial to identify and halt the worsening of liver fibrosis given its important prognostic implication. Liver biopsy is the gold standard for assessing the degree of liver fibrosis but is limited due to its invasiveness and impracticality for serial monitoring. Many noninvasive tests have been developed over the years trying to assess liver fibrosis in a practical and accurate way. The tests are mainly laboratory- or imaging-based, or in combination. Laboratory-based tests can be derived from simply routine blood tests to patented laboratory parameters. Imaging modalities include ultrasound and magnetic resonance elastography, in which vibration-controlled transient elastography is the most widely validated and adopted whereas magnetic resonance elastography has been proven the most accurate liver fibrosis assessment tool. Nonetheless, noninvasive tests do not always apply to all liver diseases, nor does a common cut-off value of a test mean the same degree of liver fibrosis in different scenarios. In this review, we discuss the diagnostic and prognostic performance, as well as the confounders and limitations, of different noninvasive tests on liver fibrosis assessment in various liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jimmy Che-To Lai
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Medical Data Analytics Centre, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Lilian Yan Liang
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Medical Data Analytics Centre, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Grace Lai-Hung Wong
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Medical Data Analytics Centre, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
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Raverdy V, Tavaglione F, Chatelain E, Caiazzo R, Saponaro C, Lassailly G, Verkindt H, Baud G, Marciniak C, Chetboun M, Oukhouya-Daoud N, Gnemmi V, Leteurtre E, Duhamel A, Philippe M, Marot G, Romeo S, Pattou F. Performance of non-invasive tests for liver fibrosis resolution after bariatric surgery. Metabolism 2024; 153:155790. [PMID: 38219973 DOI: 10.1016/j.metabol.2024.155790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS The value of non-invasive tests for monitoring the resolution of significant liver fibrosis after treatment is poorly investigated. We compared the performances of six non-invasive tests to predict the resolution of significant fibrosis after bariatric surgery. METHODS Participants were individuals with obesity submitted to needle liver biopsy at the time of bariatric surgery, and 12 and/or 60 months after surgery. We calculated the fibrosis-4 index (FIB-4), NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS), AST to platelet ratio index (APRI), Hepatic fibrosis score (HFS), Fibrotic NASH index (FNI), and Liver risk score (LRS) at each time point, and compared their performances for predicting significant fibrosis (F ≥ 2) and its resolution following surgery. RESULTS At baseline, 2436 patients had liver biopsy, including 261 (10.7 %) with significant fibrosis. Overall, 672 patients had pre- and post-operative biopsies (564 at M12 and 328 at M60). The fibrosis stage decreased at M12 and M60 (p < 0.001 vs M0). Resolution of significant fibrosis occurred in 58/121 (47.9 %) at M12 and 32/50 (64 %) at M60. The mean value of all tests decreased after surgery, except for FIB-4. Performances for predicting fibrosis resolution was higher at M60 than at M12 for all tests, and maximal at M60 for FNI and LRS: area under the curve 0.843 (95%CI 0.71-0.95) and 0.92 (95%CI 0.84-1.00); positive likelihood ratio 3.75 (95 % CI 1.33-10.59) and 4.58 (95 % CI 1.65-12.70), respectively. CONCLUSIONS Results showed the value and limits of non-invasive tests for monitoring the evolution of liver fibrosis after an intervention. Following bariatric surgery, the best performances to predict the resolution of significant fibrosis were observed at M60 with tests combining liver and metabolic traits, namely FNI and LRS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Violeta Raverdy
- Service de chirurgie générale et endocrinienne, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Lille, Lille, France; European Genomic Institute for Diabetes, UMR 1190 Translational Research for Diabetes, Inserm, CHU Lille, University of Lille, Lille, France
| | - Federica Tavaglione
- Operative Unit of Clinical Medicine and Hepatology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Campus Bio-Medico, Rome, Italy; Research Unit of Clinical Medicine and Hepatology, Department of Medicine and Surgery, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Estelle Chatelain
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, US 41-UAR 2014-PLBS, billille, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Robert Caiazzo
- Service de chirurgie générale et endocrinienne, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Lille, Lille, France; European Genomic Institute for Diabetes, UMR 1190 Translational Research for Diabetes, Inserm, CHU Lille, University of Lille, Lille, France
| | - Chiara Saponaro
- European Genomic Institute for Diabetes, UMR 1190 Translational Research for Diabetes, Inserm, CHU Lille, University of Lille, Lille, France
| | - Guillaume Lassailly
- CHU Lille, Univ. Lille, Inserm INFINITE-U1286, Department of Hepato-Gastroenterology, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Helene Verkindt
- Service de chirurgie générale et endocrinienne, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Lille, Lille, France; European Genomic Institute for Diabetes, UMR 1190 Translational Research for Diabetes, Inserm, CHU Lille, University of Lille, Lille, France
| | - Gregory Baud
- Service de chirurgie générale et endocrinienne, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Lille, Lille, France; European Genomic Institute for Diabetes, UMR 1190 Translational Research for Diabetes, Inserm, CHU Lille, University of Lille, Lille, France
| | - Camille Marciniak
- Service de chirurgie générale et endocrinienne, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Lille, Lille, France; European Genomic Institute for Diabetes, UMR 1190 Translational Research for Diabetes, Inserm, CHU Lille, University of Lille, Lille, France
| | - Mikael Chetboun
- Service de chirurgie générale et endocrinienne, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Lille, Lille, France; European Genomic Institute for Diabetes, UMR 1190 Translational Research for Diabetes, Inserm, CHU Lille, University of Lille, Lille, France
| | - Naima Oukhouya-Daoud
- Service de chirurgie générale et endocrinienne, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Lille, Lille, France; European Genomic Institute for Diabetes, UMR 1190 Translational Research for Diabetes, Inserm, CHU Lille, University of Lille, Lille, France
| | - Viviane Gnemmi
- CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, UMR9020-U1277 - CANTHER - Cancer Heterogeneity Plasticity and Resistance to Therapies, Univ. Lille, Lille, France; Department of Pathology, CHU Lille, Univ. Lille, Lille, France
| | - Emmanuelle Leteurtre
- CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, UMR9020-U1277 - CANTHER - Cancer Heterogeneity Plasticity and Resistance to Therapies, Univ. Lille, Lille, France; Department of Pathology, CHU Lille, Univ. Lille, Lille, France
| | - Alain Duhamel
- Univ. Lille, CHU Lille, ULR 2694 - METRICS: Évaluation des technologies de santé et des pratiques médicales, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Mathurin Philippe
- CHU Lille, Univ. Lille, Inserm INFINITE-U1286, Department of Hepato-Gastroenterology, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Guillemette Marot
- Univ. Lille, CHU Lille, ULR 2694 - METRICS: Évaluation des technologies de santé et des pratiques médicales, F-59000 Lille, France; Inria, MODAL: Models for Data Analysis and Learning, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Stefano Romeo
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, Wallenberg Laboratory, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden; Clinical Nutrition Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University Magna Graecia, Catanzaro, Italy; Department of Cardiology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - François Pattou
- Service de chirurgie générale et endocrinienne, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Lille, Lille, France; European Genomic Institute for Diabetes, UMR 1190 Translational Research for Diabetes, Inserm, CHU Lille, University of Lille, Lille, France.
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Li X, Xu X, Tao S, Su Y, Wen L, Wang D, Liu J, Feng Q. Gut microbes combined with metabolomics reveal the protective effects of Qijia Rougan decoction against CCl 4-induced hepatic fibrosis. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1347120. [PMID: 38606180 PMCID: PMC11007057 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1347120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: The occurrence and development of Hepatic fibrosis (HF) are closely related to the gut microbial composition and alterations in host metabolism. Qijia Rougan decoction (QJ) is a traditional Chinese medicine compound utilized clinically for the treatment of HF with remarkable clinical efficacy. However, its effect on the gut microbiota and metabolite alterations is unknown. Therefore, our objective was to examine the impact of QJ on the gut microbiota and metabolism in Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced HF. Methods: 40% CCl4 was used to induce HF, followed by QJ administration for 6 weeks. Serum biochemical analyses, histopathology, immunohistochemistry, RT-PCR, 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and non-targeted metabolomics techniques were employed in this study to investigate the interventional effects of QJ on a CCl4-induced HF model in rats. Results: This study demonstrated that QJ could effectively ameliorate CCl4-induced hepatic inflammation and fibrosis. Moreover, QJ upregulated the expression of intestinal tight junction proteins (TJPs) and notably altered the abundance of some gut microbes, for example, 10 genera closely associated with HF-related indicators and TJPs. In addition, metabolomics found 37 key metabolites responded to QJ treatment and strongly associated with HF-related indices and TJPs. Furthermore, a tight relation between 10 genera and 37 metabolites was found post correlation analysis. Among them, Turicibacter, Faecalibaculum, Prevotellaceae UCG 001, and unclassified Peptococcaceae may serve as the core gut microbes of QJ that inhibit HF. Conclusion: These results suggest that QJ ameliorates hepatic inflammation and fibrosis, which may be achieved by improving intestinal tight junctions and modulating gut microbiota composition as well as modulating host metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Dong Wang
- School of Basic Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Jibin Liu
- School of Basic Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Quansheng Feng
- School of Basic Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
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Vutien P, Kim NJ, Moon AM, Johnson KM, Berry K, Green PK, Ioannou GN. Hepatocellular carcinoma risk decreases as time accrues following hepatitis C virus eradication. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2024; 59:361-371. [PMID: 37955206 PMCID: PMC10842311 DOI: 10.1111/apt.17802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND It is unclear whether the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) decreases over time following hepatitis C virus (HCV) eradication. AIM To determine if patients who have accrued longer time since sustained virologic response (SVR) have a lower risk of HCC than those with less time since SVR METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of all HCV-infected Veterans Affairs patients who achieved SVR before 1 January 2018 and remained alive without a diagnosis of HCC as of 1 January 2019 (n = 75,965). We ascertained their baseline characteristics as of 1 January 2019 (time zero), including time accrued since SVR and followed them for the subsequent 12 months for incident HCC. We used multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression to determine the association between time since SVR and HCC risk after adjusting for age, race/ethnicity, sex, diabetes, hypertension, body mass index, alcohol use, Charlson Comorbidity Index, Fibrosis-4 score, HCV genotype, hepatitis B virus co-infection and HIV co-infection. RESULTS 96.0% were male; mean age was 64.6 years. Among those with cirrhosis (n = 19,678, 25.9%), compared to patients who had accrued only ≥1 to 2 years since SVR (HCC incidence 2.71/100 person-years), those who had accrued >2 to 4 years (2.11/100 person-years, aHR 0.80, 95% CI 0.63-1.01) and >4 to 6 years (1.65/100 person-years, aHR 0.61, 95% CI 0.41-0.90) had progressively lower HCC risk. However, HCC risk appeared to plateau for those with >6 years since SVR (1.68/100 person-years, aHR 0.70, 95% CI 0.46-1.07). Among those without cirrhosis, HCC risk was 0.23-0.27/100 person-years without a significant association between time since SVR and HCC risk. CONCLUSIONS Among patients with cirrhosis and cured HCV infection, HCC risk declined progressively up to 6 years post-SVR-although it remained well above thresholds that warrant screening. This suggests that time since SVR can inform HCC surveillance strategies in patients with cured HCV infection and can be incorporated into HCC risk prediction models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip Vutien
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Division of Gastroenterology, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Nicole J. Kim
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Division of Gastroenterology, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Andrew M. Moon
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Kay M. Johnson
- Hospital and Specialty Medicine, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, USA
- Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Kristin Berry
- Health Service Research and Development, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Pamela K. Green
- Health Service Research and Development, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - George N. Ioannou
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Division of Gastroenterology, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, USA
- Health Service Research and Development, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, USA
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Suzuki T, Matsuura K, Nagura Y, Kawamura H, Fujiwara K, Ogawa S, Nagaoka K, Iio E, Watanabe T, Kataoka H, Tanaka Y. Serum Angiopoietin-2 Levels Predict the Development of Hepatocellular Carcinoma following Hepatitis C Virus Eradication Using Direct-Acting Antiviral Agents. Oncology 2024; 102:611-620. [PMID: 38211572 DOI: 10.1159/000536154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/31/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Our previous studies showed that serum angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 10 (CXCL10) levels predicted improvement in liver fibrosis following sustained virological response (SVR) of hepatitis C virus (HCV) obtained with administration of with direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs). These levels were evaluated retrospectively as predictive indicators of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development following SVR. METHODS We enrolled individuals from a historical cohort of 89 chronic HCV patients without history of HCC at baseline and with SVR following DAA therapy and had baseline serum levels of Mac-2 binding protein glycosylation isomer ≥2.0 cut-off index (C.O.I.). RESULTS Multivariate analyses revealed that only the Ang-2 level at 24 weeks following the end of treatment (EOT24W) was significantly related to HCC development (hazard ratio 2.27; p = 0.003). This result was reproduced in individuals without history of HCC and with advanced liver fibrosis (M2BPGi level ≥3.3 C.O.I. at baseline). Time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curve analyses for the future risk of developing HCC within 5 years of follow-up (5y-HCC) showed the best cut-off Ang-2 level at the EOT24W was 2,780 pg/mL, and significantly stratified the cumulative incidence of HCC (≥2,780 vs. < 2,780 pg/mL, 5y-HCC: 45.5 vs. 8.2%, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS At the EOT24W, serum Ang-2 level predicts the likelihood of developing HCC following SVR to DAA therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takanori Suzuki
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Kentaro Matsuura
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yoshihito Nagura
- Department of Gastroenterology, Kasugai Municipal Hospital, Kasugai, Japan
| | - Hayato Kawamura
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Kei Fujiwara
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Shintaro Ogawa
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Katsuya Nagaoka
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Etsuko Iio
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Takehisa Watanabe
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Hiromi Kataoka
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yasuhito Tanaka
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
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10
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Nagura Y, Suzuki T, Matsuura K, Ogawa S, Kawamura H, Kuno K, Fujiwara K, Nojiri S, Nagaoka K, Iio E, Watanabe T, Kataoka H, Tanaka Y. Serum inducible protein 10 kDa/C-X-C motif chemokine 10 levels predict regression of M2BPGi-based liver fibrosis after hepatitis C virus eradication by direct-acting antiviral agents. Hepatol Res 2024; 54:32-42. [PMID: 37638483 DOI: 10.1111/hepr.13962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
AIM It is desirable to identify predictors of regression of liver fibrosis after achieving sustained virological response by anti-hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) therapy. We retrospectively investigated the serum interferon-γ inducible protein 10 kDa (IP-10) level as a predictive indicator of regression of liver fibrosis after successful hepatitis C virus eradication by direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) therapy. METHODS The study participants were recruited from a historical cohort of 116 chronically hepatitis C virus-infected patients who had achieved sustained virological response by DAAs therapy and whose serum Mac-2 binding protein glycosylation isomer (M2BPGi) levels at baseline (before DAAs therapy) were ≥2.0 cut-off index. We defined patients with M2BPGi levels <1.76 and ≥1.76 cut-off index at 2 years after the end of treatment (EOT) as the regression (n = 71) and non-regression (n = 45) groups, respectively. RESULTS Multivariate analyses revealed that the albumin-bilirubin score at baseline, and albumin-bilirubin score, Fibrosis-4 index at 24 weeks after the EOT, and serum IP-10 change from baseline to 24 weeks after the EOT (IP-10 change) were significantly associated with regression of M2BPGi-based liver fibrosis. In addition, IP-10 change was significantly associated with regression of M2BPGi-based liver fibrosis by a multivariate analysis, even when the serum M2BPGi levels were aligned by propensity score matching and in patients with advanced M2BPGi-based liver fibrosis: M2BPGi levels ≥3.3 cut-off index at baseline. CONCLUSIONS Serum IP-10 change from baseline to 24 weeks after the EOT is a feasible predictor of regression of M2BPGi-based liver fibrosis after achieving sustained virological response with DAA therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshihito Nagura
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Kasugai Municipal Hospital, Kasugai, Japan
| | - Takanori Suzuki
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Kentaro Matsuura
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Shintaro Ogawa
- Department of Virology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Hayato Kawamura
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Kayoko Kuno
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Kei Fujiwara
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Shunsuke Nojiri
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Katsuya Nagaoka
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Etsuko Iio
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Takehisa Watanabe
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Hiromi Kataoka
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yasuhito Tanaka
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
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11
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Mondelli MU, Ottolini S, Oliviero B, Mantovani S, Cerino A, Mele D, Varchetta S. Hepatitis C Virus and the Host: A Mutual Endurance Leaving Indelible Scars in the Host's Immunity. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 25:268. [PMID: 38203436 PMCID: PMC10779088 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has spread worldwide, and it is responsible for potentially severe chronic liver disease and primary liver cancer. Chronic infection remains for life if not spontaneously eliminated and viral persistence profoundly impairs the efficiency of the host's immunity. Attempts have been made to develop an effective vaccine, but efficacy trials have met with failure. The availability of highly efficacious direct-acting antivirals (DAA) has created hope for the progressive elimination of chronic HCV infections; however, this approach requires a monumental global effort. HCV elicits a prompt innate immune response in the host, characterized by a robust production of interferon-α (IFN-α), although interference in IFN-α signaling by HCV proteins may curb this effect. The late appearance of largely ineffective neutralizing antibodies and the progressive exhaustion of T cells, particularly CD8 T cells, result in the inability to eradicate the virus in most infected patients. Moreover, an HCV cure resulting from DAA treatment does not completely restore the normal immunologic homeostasis. Here, we discuss the main immunological features of immune responses to HCV and the epigenetic scars that chronic viral persistence leaves behind.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario U. Mondelli
- Division of Clinical Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (B.O.); (S.M.); (A.C.); (D.M.); (S.V.)
- Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Sabrina Ottolini
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy;
| | - Barbara Oliviero
- Division of Clinical Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (B.O.); (S.M.); (A.C.); (D.M.); (S.V.)
| | - Stefania Mantovani
- Division of Clinical Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (B.O.); (S.M.); (A.C.); (D.M.); (S.V.)
| | - Antonella Cerino
- Division of Clinical Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (B.O.); (S.M.); (A.C.); (D.M.); (S.V.)
| | - Dalila Mele
- Division of Clinical Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (B.O.); (S.M.); (A.C.); (D.M.); (S.V.)
| | - Stefania Varchetta
- Division of Clinical Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (B.O.); (S.M.); (A.C.); (D.M.); (S.V.)
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12
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Rabindranath M, Zaya R, Prayitno K, Orchanian-Cheff A, Patel K, Jaeckel E, Bhat M. A Comprehensive Review of Liver Allograft Fibrosis and Steatosis: From Cause to Diagnosis. Transplant Direct 2023; 9:e1547. [PMID: 37854023 PMCID: PMC10581596 DOI: 10.1097/txd.0000000000001547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite advances in posttransplant care, long-term outcomes for liver transplant recipients remain unchanged. Approximately 25% of recipients will advance to graft cirrhosis and require retransplantation. Graft fibrosis progresses in the context of de novo or recurrent disease. Recurrent hepatitis C virus infection was previously the most important cause of graft failure but is now curable in the majority of patients. However, with an increasing prevalence of obesity and diabetes and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease as the most rapidly increasing indication for liver transplantation, metabolic dysfunction-associated liver injury is anticipated to become an important cause of graft fibrosis alongside alloimmune hepatitis and alcoholic liver disease. To better understand the landscape of the graft fibrosis literature, we summarize the associated epidemiology, cause, potential mechanisms, diagnosis, and complications. We additionally highlight the need for better noninvasive methods to ameliorate the management of graft fibrosis. Some examples include leveraging the microbiome, genetic, and machine learning methods to address these limitations. Overall, graft fibrosis is routinely seen by transplant clinicians, but it requires a better understanding of its underlying biology and contributors that can help inform diagnostic and therapeutic practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madhumitha Rabindranath
- Ajmera Transplant Program, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Rita Zaya
- Ajmera Transplant Program, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Khairunnadiya Prayitno
- Ajmera Transplant Program, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Ani Orchanian-Cheff
- Library and Information Services, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Keyur Patel
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Elmar Jaeckel
- Ajmera Transplant Program, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Mamatha Bhat
- Ajmera Transplant Program, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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13
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Bojanic K, Bogojevic MS, Vukadin S, Sikora R, Ivanac G, Lucic NR, Smolic M, Tabll AA, Wu GY, Smolic R. Noninvasive Fibrosis Assessment in Chronic Hepatitis C Infection: An Update. J Clin Transl Hepatol 2023; 11:1228-1238. [PMID: 37577224 PMCID: PMC10412701 DOI: 10.14218/jcth.2022.00365] [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: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver biopsy is historically the gold standard for liver fibrosis assessment of chronic hepatitis C patients. However, with the introduction and validation of noninvasive tests (NITs) to evaluate advanced fibrosis, and the direct-acting antiviral agents for treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV), the role of NITs have become even more complex. There is now need for longitudinal monitoring and elucidation of cutoff values for prediction of liver-related complication after sustained virological response. The aim of this report is to provide a critical overview of the various NITs available for the assessment of liver fibrosis in HCV patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Bojanic
- Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
- Faculty of Medicine Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
- Health Center Osijek-Baranja County, Osijek, Croatia
| | | | - Sonja Vukadin
- Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
- Faculty of Medicine Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Renata Sikora
- Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
- Health Center Osijek-Baranja County, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Gordana Ivanac
- University Hospital Dubrava, Zagreb, Croatia
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Nikola Raguz Lucic
- Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
- Faculty of Medicine Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Martina Smolic
- Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
- Faculty of Medicine Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Ashraf A. Tabll
- Microbial Biotechnology Department, Biotechnology Research Institute, National Research Center, Giza, Egypt
- Egypt Center for Research and Regenerative Medicine (ECRRM), Cairo, Egypt
| | - George Y. Wu
- University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Robert Smolic
- Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
- Faculty of Medicine Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
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14
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Nguyen ED, Ding CKC, Umetsu SE, Choi WT, Ferrell LD, Wen KW. Use of orcein as an adjunct stain in the evaluation of advanced liver fibrosis. Histopathology 2023; 83:538-545. [PMID: 37222207 DOI: 10.1111/his.14962] [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] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Advanced liver fibrosis can regress following the elimination of causative injuries. Trichrome (TC) stain has traditionally been used to evaluate the degree of fibrosis in liver, although it is rarely helpful in assessing quality of fibrosis (i.e. progression and regression). Orcein (OR) stain highlights established elastic fibres, but its use in examining fibrosis is not well recognised. This study assessed the potential utility of comparing OR and TC staining patterns to evaluate the quality of fibrosis in various settings of advanced fibrosis. METHODS AND RESULTS The haematoxylin and eosin and TC stains of 65 liver resection/explant specimens with advanced fibrosis caused by different elements were reviewed. Twenty-two cases were scored as progressive (P), 16 as indeterminate (I) and 27 as regressive (R) using TC stain based on the Beijing criteria. The OR stains confirmed 18 of 22 P cases. The remaining P cases showed either stable fibrosis or mixed P and R. Of the 27 R cases, 26 were supported by OR stain, with many showing thin perforated septa typically seen in adequately treated viral hepatitis cases. The 16 I cases showed a variety of OR staining patterns, which allowed for further subclassification than using TC stain alone. Viral hepatitis cases were enriched for regressive features (17 of 27). CONCLUSIONS Our data demonstrated the utility of OR as an adjunctive stain to evaluate the changes in fibrosis in cases of cirrhosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric D Nguyen
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | - Sarah E Umetsu
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Won-Tak Choi
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Linda D Ferrell
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Kwun Wah Wen
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
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15
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Kumar R, Kumar S, Prakash SS. Compensated liver cirrhosis: Natural course and disease-modifying strategies. World J Methodol 2023; 13:179-193. [PMID: 37771878 PMCID: PMC10523240 DOI: 10.5662/wjm.v13.i4.179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Compensated liver cirrhosis (CLC) is defined as cirrhosis with one or more decompensating events, such as ascites, variceal haemorrhage, or hepatic encephalopathy. Patients with CLC are largely asymptomatic with preserved hepatic function. The transition from CLC to decompensated cirrhosis occurs as a result of a complex interaction between multiple predisposing and precipitating factors. The first decompensation event in CLC patients is considered a significant turning point in the progression of cirrhosis, as it signals a drastic decline in median survival rates from 10-12 years to only 1-2 years. Furthermore, early cirrhosis has the potential to regress as liver fibrosis is a dynamic condition. With the advent of effective non-invasive tools for detecting hepatic fibrosis, more and more patients with CLC are currently being recognised. This offers clinicians a unique opportunity to properly manage such patients in order to achieve cirrhosis regression or, at the very least, prevent its progression. There are numerous emerging approaches for preventing or delaying decompensation in CLC patients. A growing body of evidence indicates that treating the underlying cause can lead to cirrhosis regression, and the use of non-selective beta-blockers can prevent decompensation by lowering portal hypertension. Additionally, addressing various cofactors (such as obesity, diabetes, dyslipidaemia, and alcoholism) and precipitating factors (such as infection, viral hepatitis, and hepatotoxic drugs) that have a detrimental impact on the natural course of cirrhosis may benefit patients with CLC. However, high-quality data must be generated through well-designed and adequately powered randomised clinical trials to validate these disease-modifying techniques for CLC patients. This article discussed the natural history of CLC, risk factors for its progression, and therapeutic approaches that could alter the trajectory of CLC evolution and improve outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramesh Kumar
- Department of Gastroenterology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna 801507, India
| | - Sudhir Kumar
- Department of Gastroenterology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna 801507, India
| | - Sabbu Surya Prakash
- Department of Gastroenterology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna 801507, India
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16
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Abu-Freha N, Abu-Kosh O, Yardeni D, Ashur Y, Abu-Arar M, Yousef B, Monitin S, Weissmann S, Etzion O. Liver Fibrosis Regression and Associated Factors in HCV Patients Treated with Direct-Acting Antiviral Agents. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:1872. [PMID: 37763276 PMCID: PMC10533124 DOI: 10.3390/life13091872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
There is accumulating evidence that treatment of chronic hepatitis C (HCV) leads to improvements in liver fibrosis. We aimed to investigate the improvement in fibrosis stage following treatment with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) and factors associated with fibrosis regression. Fibroscan® was performed for patients treated with DAAs, at least 3 years post-HCV eradication. The fibrosis stage at the onset of treatment was compared with the current fibrosis stage. A total of 209 patients were enrolled in this study (56% males; age 58.8 ± 13.3 years; age at treatment 54 ± 10.9 years). Genotype subgrouping was as follows: 1a (16%), 1b (58%), 2a (4%), 3 (18%), and 4a (2%). Overall, 71% of patients were considered treatment-naïve, with a mean follow-up time of 4.5 ± 1.3 years. Fibrosis improvement was observed among 57% of patients; fibrosis progression was seen among 7% of patients and no change was seen in 36% of patients. Moreover, 28% of these patients regressed from F3/F4 to F2 or less. In our multivariable analysis, the age at treatment and advanced fibrosis stage were found to be factors significantly associated with fibrosis regression. In conclusion, fibrosis improvement was observed among 57% of HCV patients after treatment with DAAs. Age and advanced fibrosis at baseline were found to be factors associated with fibrosis regression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naim Abu-Freha
- Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Soroka University Medical Center and the Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84101, Israel; (D.Y.); (B.Y.); (S.M.); (O.E.)
| | - Osama Abu-Kosh
- Division of Internal Medicine, Soroka University Medical Center, Beer-Sheva 84101, Israel (M.A.-A.)
| | - David Yardeni
- Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Soroka University Medical Center and the Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84101, Israel; (D.Y.); (B.Y.); (S.M.); (O.E.)
| | - Yaffa Ashur
- Medical Management Unit, Soroka University Medical Center, Beer-Sheva 84101, Israel
| | - Muhammad Abu-Arar
- Division of Internal Medicine, Soroka University Medical Center, Beer-Sheva 84101, Israel (M.A.-A.)
| | - Baha Yousef
- Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Soroka University Medical Center and the Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84101, Israel; (D.Y.); (B.Y.); (S.M.); (O.E.)
| | - Shulamit Monitin
- Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Soroka University Medical Center and the Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84101, Israel; (D.Y.); (B.Y.); (S.M.); (O.E.)
| | - Sarah Weissmann
- Soroka Clinical Research Center, Soroka University Medical Center, Beer-Sheva 84101, Israel;
| | - Ohad Etzion
- Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Soroka University Medical Center and the Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84101, Israel; (D.Y.); (B.Y.); (S.M.); (O.E.)
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17
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Matsukuma K, Yeh MM. Practical Guide, Challenges, and Pitfalls in Liver Fibrosis Staging. Surg Pathol Clin 2023; 16:457-472. [PMID: 37536882 DOI: 10.1016/j.path.2023.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis staging has many challenges, including the large number of proposed staging systems, the heterogeneity of the histopathologic changes of many primary liver diseases, and the potential for slight differences in histologic interpretation to significantly affect clinical management. This review focuses first on fibrosis regression. Following this, each of the major categories of liver disease is discussed in regard to (1) appropriate fibrosis staging systems, (2) emerging concepts, (3) current clinical indications for liver biopsy, (4) clinical decisions determined by fibrosis stage, and (5) histologic challenges and pitfalls related to staging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Matsukuma
- University of California Davis, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, 4400 V Street, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA.
| | - Matthew M Yeh
- University of Washington Medical Center - Montlake, Box 356100, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
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18
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Richards SM, Guo F, Zou H, Nigsch F, Baiges A, Pachori A, Zhang Y, Lens S, Pitts R, Finkel N, Loureiro J, Mongeon D, Ma S, Watkins M, Polus F, Albillos A, Tellez L, Martinez-González J, Bañares R, Turon F, Ferrusquía-Acosta J, Perez-Campuzano V, Magaz M, Forns X, Badman M, Sailer AW, Ukomadu C, Hernández-Gea V, Garcia-Pagán JC. Non-invasive candidate protein signature predicts hepatic venous pressure gradient reduction in cirrhotic patients after sustained virologic response. Liver Int 2023; 43:1984-1994. [PMID: 37443448 DOI: 10.1111/liv.15657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS A reduction in hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) is the most accurate marker for assessing the severity of portal hypertension and the effectiveness of intervention treatments. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic potential of blood-based proteomic biomarkers in predicting HVPG response amongst cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension due to Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and had achieved sustained virologic response (SVR). METHODS The study comprised 59 patients from two cohorts. Patients underwent paired HVPG (pretreatment and after SVR), liver stiffness (LSM), and enhanced liver fibrosis scores (ELF) measurements, as well as proteomics-based profiling on serum samples using SomaScan® at baseline (BL) and after SVR (EOS). Machine learning with feature selection (Caret, Random Forest and RPART) methods were performed to determine the proteins capable of classifying HVPG responders. Model performance was evaluated using AUROC (pROC R package). RESULTS Patients were stratified by a change in HVPG (EOS vs. BL) into responders (greater than 20% decline in HVPG from BL, or <10 mmHg at EOS with >10 mmHg at BL) and non-responders. LSM and ELF decreased markedly after SVR but did not correlate with HVPG response. SomaScan (SomaLogic, Inc., Boulder, CO) analysis revealed a substantial shift in the peripheral proteome composition, reflected by 82 significantly differentially abundant proteins. Twelve proteins accurately distinguished responders from non-responders, with an AUROC of .86, sensitivity of 83%, specificity of 83%, accuracy of 83%, PPV of 83%, and NPV of 83%. CONCLUSIONS A combined non-invasive soluble protein signature was identified, capable of accurately predicting HVPG response in HCV liver cirrhosis patients after achieving SVR.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Fang Guo
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, East Hannover, New Jersey, USA
| | - Heng Zou
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, East Hannover, New Jersey, USA
| | - Florian Nigsch
- Novartis Institutes of Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Anna Baiges
- Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Barcelona Health Care Provider of the European Reference Network on Rare Liver, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBEREHD (Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas), Barcelona, Spain
- Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic, Institut de Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Departament de Medicina. Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut. Universitat de Barcelona., Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alok Pachori
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, East Hannover, New Jersey, USA
| | - Yiming Zhang
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, East Hannover, New Jersey, USA
| | - Sabela Lens
- CIBEREHD (Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas), Barcelona, Spain
- Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic, Institut de Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Departament de Medicina. Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut. Universitat de Barcelona., Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rebecca Pitts
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Nancy Finkel
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Joseph Loureiro
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Dale Mongeon
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Shenglin Ma
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Mollie Watkins
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Florine Polus
- Novartis Institutes of Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Agustin Albillos
- CIBEREHD (Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas), Barcelona, Spain
- Servicio de Gastroenterología y Hepatología, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Universidad de Alcalá, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis Tellez
- CIBEREHD (Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas), Barcelona, Spain
- Servicio de Gastroenterología y Hepatología, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Universidad de Alcalá, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Martinez-González
- CIBEREHD (Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas), Barcelona, Spain
- Servicio de Gastroenterología y Hepatología, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Universidad de Alcalá, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Madrid, Spain
| | - Rafael Bañares
- CIBEREHD (Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas), Barcelona, Spain
- Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
| | - Fanny Turon
- Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Barcelona Health Care Provider of the European Reference Network on Rare Liver, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBEREHD (Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas), Barcelona, Spain
- Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic, Institut de Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Departament de Medicina. Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut. Universitat de Barcelona., Barcelona, Spain
| | - José Ferrusquía-Acosta
- Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Barcelona Health Care Provider of the European Reference Network on Rare Liver, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Valeria Perez-Campuzano
- Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Barcelona Health Care Provider of the European Reference Network on Rare Liver, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBEREHD (Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas), Barcelona, Spain
- Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic, Institut de Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Departament de Medicina. Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut. Universitat de Barcelona., Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marta Magaz
- Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Barcelona Health Care Provider of the European Reference Network on Rare Liver, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBEREHD (Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas), Barcelona, Spain
- Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic, Institut de Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Departament de Medicina. Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut. Universitat de Barcelona., Barcelona, Spain
| | - Xavier Forns
- CIBEREHD (Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas), Barcelona, Spain
- Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic, Institut de Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Departament de Medicina. Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut. Universitat de Barcelona., Barcelona, Spain
| | - Michael Badman
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Chinweike Ukomadu
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Virginia Hernández-Gea
- Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Barcelona Health Care Provider of the European Reference Network on Rare Liver, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBEREHD (Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas), Barcelona, Spain
- Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic, Institut de Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Departament de Medicina. Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut. Universitat de Barcelona., Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juan Carlos Garcia-Pagán
- Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Barcelona Health Care Provider of the European Reference Network on Rare Liver, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBEREHD (Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas), Barcelona, Spain
- Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic, Institut de Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Departament de Medicina. Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut. Universitat de Barcelona., Barcelona, Spain
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19
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Fagala MD, Shpak Y. Implementing Better Standard Instruments for Detecting Cirrhosis in Hepatitis C Patients. Cureus 2023; 15:e44597. [PMID: 37795065 PMCID: PMC10546370 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.44597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023] Open
Abstract
An increasing number of hepatitis C diagnoses in the younger population could partly be due to the rising opioid epidemic and intravenous drug use. Using hepatic venous portal gradient (HVPG) and liver stiffness tests, this study investigates better early diagnostic markers in identifying cirrhosis-related complications compared to percutaneous liver biopsy in hepatitis C patients. Scholarly journal articles were surveyed using PubMed and MeSH terms. Articles published more than 15 years ago were excluded. Various databases from the New England Journal of Medicine and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were also referenced to support the hypothesis. There is substantial affirmation from cohort and clinical studies that transient elastography and HVPG can indicate advancing chronic inflammatory and fibrotic stages of cirrhosis in comparison to liver biopsy. Additionally, they are helpful in predicting overall mortality from complications such as esophageal varices. The use of liver stiffness measurements and HVPG appears to be equivalent and/or superior to liver biopsy in assessing advancing cirrhosis. As hepatitis C cases continue to rise, it is crucial to search for alternative methods to better suit the needs of the patients and to improve their overall prognosis and potential treatments. Liver biopsy as the gold standard for cirrhosis assessment is questionable when less invasive instrumental tools are available in practice that have been shown to predict progressing fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark D Fagala
- Clinical Research, Saba University School of Medicine, The Bottom, BES
| | - Yakov Shpak
- Clinical Research, Staten Island University Hospital/Zucker School of Medicine Hofstra/Northwell, Staten Island, USA
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20
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Rinaldi L, Giorgione C, Mormone A, Esposito F, Rinaldi M, Berretta M, Marfella R, Romano C. Non-Invasive Measurement of Hepatic Fibrosis by Transient Elastography: A Narrative Review. Viruses 2023; 15:1730. [PMID: 37632072 PMCID: PMC10459581 DOI: 10.3390/v15081730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Transient elastography by FibroScan® (Echosens, Paris, France) is a non-invasive method that can provide a reliable measurement of liver fibrosis through the evaluation of liver stiffness. Despite its limitations and risks, liver biopsy has thus far been the only procedure able to provide data to quantify fibrosis. Scientific evidence and clinical practice have made it possible to use FibroScan® in the diagnostic work-up of several liver diseases to monitor patients' long-term treatment response and for complication prevention. For these reasons, this procedure is widely used in clinical practice and is still being investigated for further applications. The aim of this narrative review is to provide a comprehensive overview of the main applications of transient elastography in the current clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Rinaldi
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, “Luigi Vanvitelli” University of Campania, 80131 Naples, Italy; (L.R.); (R.M.)
| | - Chiara Giorgione
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, “Luigi Vanvitelli” University of Campania, 80131 Naples, Italy; (L.R.); (R.M.)
| | - Andrea Mormone
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, “Luigi Vanvitelli” University of Campania, 80131 Naples, Italy; (L.R.); (R.M.)
| | - Francesca Esposito
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, “Luigi Vanvitelli” University of Campania, 80131 Naples, Italy; (L.R.); (R.M.)
| | - Michele Rinaldi
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, “Federico II” University of Naples, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Massimiliano Berretta
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98121 Messina, Italy;
| | - Raffaele Marfella
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, “Luigi Vanvitelli” University of Campania, 80131 Naples, Italy; (L.R.); (R.M.)
| | - Ciro Romano
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, “Luigi Vanvitelli” University of Campania, 80131 Naples, Italy; (L.R.); (R.M.)
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21
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Gambato M, Manuli C, Lynch EN, Battistella S, Germani G, Senzolo M, Zanetto A, Ferrarese A, Vitale A, Gringeri E, Cillo U, Burra P, Russo FP. Long-Term Impact of Direct-Acting Antivirals on Liver Fibrosis and Survival in HCV-Infected Liver Transplant Recipients. Viruses 2023; 15:1702. [PMID: 37632044 PMCID: PMC10458217 DOI: 10.3390/v15081702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Little is known about the long-term impact of sustained virological response (SVR) on fibrosis progression and patient survival in liver transplantation (LT) recipients treated with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). We investigated liver fibrosis evolution and patient survival in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients receiving DAAs after LT. (2) Methods: All consecutive HCV-infected patients treated with DAAs after LT between May 2014 and January 2019 were considered. The clinical and virological features were registered at the baseline and during the follow-up. The liver fibrosis was assessed by liver biopsy and/or transient elastography (TE) at the baseline and at least 1 year after the end of treatment (EoT). (3) Results: A total of 136 patients were included. The SVR12 was 78% after the first treatment and 96% after retreatment. After the SVR12, biochemical tests improved at the EoT and remained stable throughout the 3-year follow-up. Liver fibrosis improved after the SVR12 (p < 0.001); nearly half of the patients with advanced liver fibrosis experienced an improvement of an F ≤ 2. The factors associated with lower survival in SVR12 patients were the baseline platelet count (p = 0.04) and creatinine level (p = 0.04). (4) Conclusions: The long-term follow-up data demonstrated that SVR12 was associated with an improvement in hepatic function, liver fibrosis, and post-LT survival, regardless of the baseline liver fibrosis. The presence of portal hypertension before the DAAs has an impact on patient survival, even after SVR12.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Gambato
- Multivisceral Transplant and Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Azienda Ospedale-Università Padova, Via Giustiniani 2, 35100 Padova, Italy; (C.M.); (E.N.L.); (S.B.); (G.G.); (M.S.); (A.F.); (P.B.)
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, 35100 Padova, Italy; (A.V.); (E.G.); (U.C.)
| | - Chiara Manuli
- Multivisceral Transplant and Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Azienda Ospedale-Università Padova, Via Giustiniani 2, 35100 Padova, Italy; (C.M.); (E.N.L.); (S.B.); (G.G.); (M.S.); (A.F.); (P.B.)
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, 35100 Padova, Italy; (A.V.); (E.G.); (U.C.)
| | - Erica N. Lynch
- Multivisceral Transplant and Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Azienda Ospedale-Università Padova, Via Giustiniani 2, 35100 Padova, Italy; (C.M.); (E.N.L.); (S.B.); (G.G.); (M.S.); (A.F.); (P.B.)
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, 35100 Padova, Italy; (A.V.); (E.G.); (U.C.)
| | - Sara Battistella
- Multivisceral Transplant and Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Azienda Ospedale-Università Padova, Via Giustiniani 2, 35100 Padova, Italy; (C.M.); (E.N.L.); (S.B.); (G.G.); (M.S.); (A.F.); (P.B.)
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, 35100 Padova, Italy; (A.V.); (E.G.); (U.C.)
| | - Giacomo Germani
- Multivisceral Transplant and Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Azienda Ospedale-Università Padova, Via Giustiniani 2, 35100 Padova, Italy; (C.M.); (E.N.L.); (S.B.); (G.G.); (M.S.); (A.F.); (P.B.)
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, 35100 Padova, Italy; (A.V.); (E.G.); (U.C.)
| | - Marco Senzolo
- Multivisceral Transplant and Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Azienda Ospedale-Università Padova, Via Giustiniani 2, 35100 Padova, Italy; (C.M.); (E.N.L.); (S.B.); (G.G.); (M.S.); (A.F.); (P.B.)
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, 35100 Padova, Italy; (A.V.); (E.G.); (U.C.)
| | - Alberto Zanetto
- Multivisceral Transplant and Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Azienda Ospedale-Università Padova, Via Giustiniani 2, 35100 Padova, Italy; (C.M.); (E.N.L.); (S.B.); (G.G.); (M.S.); (A.F.); (P.B.)
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, 35100 Padova, Italy; (A.V.); (E.G.); (U.C.)
| | - Alberto Ferrarese
- Multivisceral Transplant and Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Azienda Ospedale-Università Padova, Via Giustiniani 2, 35100 Padova, Italy; (C.M.); (E.N.L.); (S.B.); (G.G.); (M.S.); (A.F.); (P.B.)
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, 35100 Padova, Italy; (A.V.); (E.G.); (U.C.)
| | - Alessandro Vitale
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, 35100 Padova, Italy; (A.V.); (E.G.); (U.C.)
- Hepatobiliary Urgery and Liver Transplantation, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Azienda Ospedale-Università Padova, 35100 Padova, Italy
| | - Enrico Gringeri
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, 35100 Padova, Italy; (A.V.); (E.G.); (U.C.)
- Hepatobiliary Urgery and Liver Transplantation, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Azienda Ospedale-Università Padova, 35100 Padova, Italy
| | - Umberto Cillo
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, 35100 Padova, Italy; (A.V.); (E.G.); (U.C.)
- Hepatobiliary Urgery and Liver Transplantation, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Azienda Ospedale-Università Padova, 35100 Padova, Italy
| | - Patrizia Burra
- Multivisceral Transplant and Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Azienda Ospedale-Università Padova, Via Giustiniani 2, 35100 Padova, Italy; (C.M.); (E.N.L.); (S.B.); (G.G.); (M.S.); (A.F.); (P.B.)
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, 35100 Padova, Italy; (A.V.); (E.G.); (U.C.)
| | - Francesco Paolo Russo
- Multivisceral Transplant and Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Azienda Ospedale-Università Padova, Via Giustiniani 2, 35100 Padova, Italy; (C.M.); (E.N.L.); (S.B.); (G.G.); (M.S.); (A.F.); (P.B.)
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, 35100 Padova, Italy; (A.V.); (E.G.); (U.C.)
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22
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Lee MJ. A review of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis regression. J Pathol Transl Med 2023; 57:189-195. [PMID: 37461143 PMCID: PMC10369136 DOI: 10.4132/jptm.2023.05.24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 05/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Cirrhosis has traditionally been considered an irreversible process of end-stage liver disease. With new treatments for chronic liver disease, there is regression of fibrosis and cirrhosis, improvement in clinical parameters (i.e. liver function and hemodynamic markers, hepatic venous pressure gradient), and survival rates, demonstrating that fibrosis and fibrolysis are a dynamic process moving in two directions. Microscopically, hepatocytes push into thinning fibrous septa with eventual perforation leaving behind delicate periportal spikes in the portal tracts and loss of portal veins. Obliterated portal veins during progressive fibrosis and cirrhosis due to parenchymal extinction, vascular remodeling and thrombosis often leave behind a bile duct and hepatic artery within the portal tract. Traditional staging classification systems focused on a linear, progressive process; however, the Beijing classification system incorporates both the bidirectional nature for the progression and regression of fibrosis. However, even with regression, vascular lesions/remodeling, parenchymal extinction and a cumulative mutational burden place patients at an increased risk for developing hepatocellular carcinoma and should continue to undergo active clinical surveillance. It is more appropriate to consider cirrhosis as another stage in the evolution of chronic liver disease as a bidirectional process rather than an end-stage, irreversible state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J. Lee
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
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23
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Marginean CM, Pirscoveanu D, Popescu M, Vasile CM, Docea AO, Mitruț R, Mărginean IC, Iacob GA, Firu DM, Mitruț P. Challenges in Diagnosis and Therapeutic Approach of Acute on Chronic Liver Failure-A Review of Current Evidence. Biomedicines 2023; 11:1840. [PMID: 37509478 PMCID: PMC10376368 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11071840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is a syndrome characterized by acute and severe decompensation of chronic liver disease (CLD) correlated with multiple organ failure, poor prognosis, and increased mortality. In 40-50% of ACLF cases, the trigger is not recognized; for many of these patients, bacterial translocation associated with systemic inflammation is thought to be the determining factor; in the other 50% of patients, sepsis, alcohol consumption, and reactivation of chronic viral hepatitis are the most frequently described trigger factors. Other conditions considered precipitating factors are less common, including acute alcoholic hepatitis, major surgery, TIPS insertion, or inadequate paracentesis without albumin substitution. Host response is likely the primary factor predicting ACLF severity and prognosis, the host immune response having a particular significance in this syndrome, together with the inflammatory cascade. The management of ACLF includes both the prevention of the precipitating factors that lead to acute liver decompensation and the support of vital functions, the prevention and management of complications, the estimation of prognosis, and the opportunity for liver transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Maria Marginean
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania
| | - Denisa Pirscoveanu
- Department of Neurology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania
| | - Mihaela Popescu
- Department of Endocrinology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania
| | - Corina Maria Vasile
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, "Marie Curie" Emergency Children's Hospital, 041451 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Anca Oana Docea
- Department of Toxicology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania
| | - Radu Mitruț
- Department of Cardiology, University and Emergency Hospital, 050098 Bucharest, Romania
| | | | - George Alexandru Iacob
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania
| | - Dan Mihai Firu
- Ph.D. School Department, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania
| | - Paul Mitruț
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania
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24
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Abstract
Importance Cirrhosis affects approximately 2.2 million adults in the US. From 2010 to 2021, the annual age-adjusted mortality of cirrhosis increased from 14.9 per 100 000 to 21.9 per 100 000 people. Observations The most common causes of cirrhosis in the US, which can overlap, include alcohol use disorder (approximately 45% of all cases of cirrhosis), nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (26%), and hepatitis C (41%). Patients with cirrhosis experience symptoms including muscle cramps (approximately 64% prevalence), pruritus (39%), poor-quality sleep (63%), and sexual dysfunction (53%). Cirrhosis can be diagnosed by liver biopsy but may also be diagnosed noninvasively. Elastography, a noninvasive assessment of liver stiffness measured in kilopascals, can typically confirm cirrhosis at levels of 15 kPa or greater. Approximately 40% of people with cirrhosis are diagnosed when they present with complications such as hepatic encephalopathy or ascites. The median survival time following onset of hepatic encephalopathy and ascites is 0.92 and 1.1 years, respectively. Among people with ascites, the annual incidence of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis is 11% and of hepatorenal syndrome is 8%; the latter is associated with a median survival of less than 2 weeks. Approximately 1% to 4% of patients with cirrhosis develop hepatocellular carcinoma each year, which is associated with a 5-year survival of approximately 20%. In a 3-year randomized clinical trial of 201 patients with portal hypertension, nonselective β-blockers (carvedilol or propranolol) reduced the risk of decompensation or death compared with placebo (16% vs 27%). Compared with sequential initiation, combination aldosterone antagonist and loop diuretics were more likely to resolve ascites (76% vs 56%) with lower rates of hyperkalemia (4% vs 18%). In meta-analyses of randomized trials, lactulose was associated with reduced mortality relative to placebo (8.5% vs 14%) in randomized trials involving 705 patients and reduced risk of recurrent overt hepatic encephalopathy (25.5% vs 46.8%) in randomized trials involving 1415 patients. In a randomized clinical trial of 300 patients, terlipressin improved the rate of reversal of hepatorenal syndrome from 39% to 18%. Trials addressing symptoms of cirrhosis have demonstrated efficacy for hydroxyzine in improving sleep dysfunction, pickle brine and taurine for reducing muscle cramps, and tadalafil for improving sexual dysfunction in men. Conclusions and Relevance Approximately 2.2 million US adults have cirrhosis. Many symptoms, such as muscle cramps, poor-quality sleep, pruritus, and sexual dysfunction, are common and treatable. First-line therapies include carvedilol or propranolol to prevent variceal bleeding, lactulose for hepatic encephalopathy, combination aldosterone antagonists and loop diuretics for ascites, and terlipressin for hepatorenal syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elliot B Tapper
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
| | - Neehar D Parikh
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
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García-Ros A, Morán S, Núñez V, García-Ros G, Ruiz G, García-Solano J. Impact of Direct-Acting Antiviral Therapy on Liver Fibrosis Regression among People with Chronic HCV Infection: Results from a Real-Life Cohort in Patients Who Achieved Sustained Virological Response. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2023; 59:medicina59040814. [PMID: 37109770 PMCID: PMC10141631 DOI: 10.3390/medicina59040814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
Background and Objectives: The global prevalence of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is 0.8%, affecting around 58 million people worldwide. Treatment with DAAs reduces all-cause HCV mortality by 49-68%. This work aims to determine whether there is liver fibrosis regression (LFR) in patients who achieved Sustained Virological Response (SVR) after treatment with DAAs. Materials and Methods: An analytical, observational, single-center, and cohort study was carried out. The final sample consisted of 248 HCV-infected patients. All started treatment with DAAs between January 2015 and December 2017. Five measurements were performed to determine the fibrotic stage in patients (measured in kilopascals (kPa)) using transient elastography (FibroScan®, Echosens, The Netherlands). Results: Taking the baseline fibrotic stage as a reference, the distribution in subgroups was as follows: 77 F4 patients (31.0%); 55 F3 patients (22.2%); 53 F2 patients (21.4%); and 63 F0/F1 patients (25.4%). There were 40 patients (16.1%) with at least one HCV complication and 13 (5.2%) who developed hepatocellular carcinoma. The overall LFR rate was 77.8% (144 of 185 F2/F3/F4 patients, p = 0.01) at the end of the follow-up period. The highest mean FibroScan® values were observed in patients with: "male gender"; "metabolic syndrome"; "subtype 1a"; "NRP DAA"; "at least one HCV complication"; "death from HCV complications"; and "liver transplantation requirement". Conclusions: Treatment with DAAs achieved high rates of LFR and a decrease in mean FibroScan® values in all subgroups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro García-Ros
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Santa Lucía University Hospital, 30202 Cartagena, Spain
| | - Senador Morán
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Santa Lucía University Hospital, 30202 Cartagena, Spain
| | - Virginia Núñez
- Department of Psychiatry, Mental Health Center, 30201 Cartagena, Spain
| | - Gonzalo García-Ros
- Mining and Civil Engineering Department, Polytechnic University of Cartagena, 30202 Cartagena, Spain
| | - Guadalupe Ruiz
- Foundation for Health Training and Research of the Region of Murcia, 30120 Murcia, Spain
| | - José García-Solano
- Department of Pathological Anatomy, Santa Lucía University Hospital, 30202 Cartagena, Spain
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26
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Hinkson A, Lally H, Gibson H, Jones R, Rowe IA, Shinkins B, Parker R. Meta-analysis: Enhanced liver fibrosis test to identify hepatic fibrosis in chronic liver diseases. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2023; 57:750-762. [PMID: 36650720 DOI: 10.1111/apt.17385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Patients with liver disease can be stratified for risk of liver-related ill health by degree of hepatic fibrosis. The Enhanced liver fibrosis (ELF) test was developed to quantify hepatic fibrosis non-invasively and is widely used. The objective of this review was to identify and synthesise the evidence on the diagnostic accuracy of the ELF test for staging of hepatic fibrosis. APPROACH & RESULTS Searches of PubMed and EMBASE were conducted between October 2020 and November 2021 to identify studies reporting the diagnostic accuracy of the ELF test compared to histology in liver disease patients. QUADAS-2 was used to assess risk of bias in each study. Meta-analysis using the multiple thresholds model described by Steinhauser S, Schumacher M, Rücker G. Modelling multiple thresholds in meta-analysis of diagnostic test accuracy studies. BMC Med. Res. Methodol. 2016;16. 10.1186/s12874-016-0196-1 allowed synthesis of 2 × 2 data at different cut-offs. Sixty-three studies were included in this review. These studies included 19,285 patients with or at risk of liver disease from viral hepatitis, Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, Alcohol-related Liver Disease and other mixed chronic liver diseases. The prevalence of significant fibrosis, advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis was 47.5%, 39.2% and 4.4%, respectively. Cut-offs with maximal Youden index were generated with AUROC = 0.811 (95% CI: 0.736-0.870), 0.812 (95% CI: 0.758-0.856) and 0.810 (95% CI: 0.694-0.888) to detect significant fibrosis, advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis, respectively. Diagnostic accuracy of the ELF test varied between different liver diseases and cut-offs to detect each stage with 95% sensitivity or specificity were also generated. CONCLUSIONS Meta-analysis revealed considerable variability in the ability of ELF to stage fibrosis across disease aetiologies. Research has mostly focused on viral hepatitis and NAFLD. There is currently a lack of data on the value of the ELF test in Alcohol-related liver disease and patients in primary care settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Hinkson
- Leeds Liver Unit, St James' University Hospital, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, UK.,Leeds Liver Research Group, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.,Leeds Institute for Medical Research, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Hannah Lally
- School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | | | - Rebecca Jones
- Leeds Liver Unit, St James' University Hospital, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, UK
| | - Ian A Rowe
- Leeds Liver Unit, St James' University Hospital, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, UK.,Leeds Liver Research Group, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.,Leeds Institute for Medical Research, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Bethany Shinkins
- Test Evaluation Group, Leeds Institute for Health Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Richard Parker
- Leeds Liver Unit, St James' University Hospital, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, UK.,Leeds Liver Research Group, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
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27
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Rodprasert N, Hongboontry T, Cherdchoochart C, Chaiteerakij R. Association between Liver Stiffness and Liver-Related Events in HCV-Infected Patients after Successful Treatment with Direct-Acting Antivirals. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2023; 59:medicina59030602. [PMID: 36984603 PMCID: PMC10053469 DOI: 10.3390/medicina59030602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 03/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023]
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) are highly effective for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, but the risk of liver-related events and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains after successful therapy. We aimed to evaluate post-treatment changes in liver stiffness (LS) and identify a cut-off LS value for predicting such events in chronic HCV-infected patients receiving DAA. Materials and Methods: A total of 185 patients who had achieved sustained virologic response (SVR) after DAA therapy were included. Baseline characteristics and laboratory results were retrospectively abstracted. LS was measured by transient elastography at baseline, 12, 24, 48, and 96 weeks after SVR. FIB-4 index was assessed at baseline and 48 weeks after SVR. Development of liver-related events (hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), portal-hypertension-related decompensation, listing for transplantation, and mortality) after SVR were identified. The association between liver fibrosis and the occurrence of liver-related events was analyzed using Cox regression analysis. Results: Significant differences in LS values were observed between baseline and 24, 48, 72, and 96 weeks after SVR. FIB-4 index at 48 weeks after SVR was significantly lower than the FIB-4 index at baseline. During the 41.6-month follow-up time, the incidence rates of all liver-related events and HCC were 2.36 and 1.17 per 100 person-years, respectively. Age, LS ≥8 kPa, and FIB-4 ≥1.35 at 48 weeks post-SVR were significantly associated with the occurrence of any liver-related events. By multivariate analysis, LS ≥8 kPa at 48 weeks post-SVR remained significantly associated with any liver-related events, with an adjusted hazard ratio (95%CI) of 5.04 (1.01-25.26), p = 0.049. Conclusions: Despite a significant reduction in LS after SVR, patients with LS ≥8 kPa at 48 weeks after SVR should be regularly monitored for liver-related complications, particularly HCC development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Napas Rodprasert
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Tinn Hongboontry
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | | | - Roongruedee Chaiteerakij
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
- Center of Excellence for Innovation and Endoscopy in Gastrointestinal Oncology, Division of Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
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28
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Segna D, Mendoza YP, Lange NF, Rodrigues SG, Berzigotti A. Non-invasive tools for compensated advanced chronic liver disease and portal hypertension after Baveno VII - an update. Dig Liver Dis 2023; 55:326-335. [PMID: 36369196 DOI: 10.1016/j.dld.2022.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Non-invasive tests (NITs) and liver stiffness measurement (LSM) in particular, have entered clinical practice over 20 years ago as point-of-care tests to diagnose liver fibrosis in patients with compensated chronic liver disease. Since then, NITs use has evolved thanks to a large number of studies in all major etiologies of liver disease, and they have become important tools to stratify the risk of portal hypertension and liver-related events. The Baveno VII consensus workshop provided several novel recommendations regarding the use of well-established and novel NITs in the specific setting of portal hypertension screening, diagnosis and follow-up. The Baveno VII expert panels paid special attention to summarizing the existing data into simple clinical rules able to guide clinicians in their practice. The "rule of five" for LSM is a tool to stratify the risk of liver-related events, and LSM alone or in combination with platelet count, can be used now to rule-in and rule-out compensated advanced chronic liver disease (cACLD) and clinically significant portal hypertension, as well as to rule-out high-risk varices. Use of NITs in obese subjects with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and patients with viral hepatitis C that has been successfully treated, require specific knowledge. This review will update the reader on these aspects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Segna
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, BHH D115, Bern 3010, Switzerland
| | - Yuly P Mendoza
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, BHH D115, Bern 3010, Switzerland
| | - Naomi F Lange
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, BHH D115, Bern 3010, Switzerland; Graduate School for Health Sciences (GHS), University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Susana G Rodrigues
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, BHH D115, Bern 3010, Switzerland
| | - Annalisa Berzigotti
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, BHH D115, Bern 3010, Switzerland.
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Efficacy and safety of glecaprevir/pibrentasvir treatment in Koreans with chronic hepatitis C: A retrospective study. Arab J Gastroenterol 2023:S1687-1979(23)00006-0. [PMID: 36725375 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajg.2023.01.006] [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: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 11/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS The introduction of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) drugs has dramatically improved chronic hepatitis C (CHC) treatment. The pangenotype DAA therapy glecaprevir/pibrentasvir (G/P) was recently recommended for treating CHC in Korea. Unfortunately, given its recent introduction, little real-world data from a Korean population exists. We examined the effectiveness and safety of G/P treatment in Koreans with CHC. PATIENTS AND METHODS We analyzed CHC patients at Samsung Changwon Hospital from June 2018 to December 2020. Sustained virologic response at 12 weeks posttreatment (SVR 12) was evaluated after treatment, and the associated factors were analyzed. Furthermore, the degree of liver fibrosis before and after treatment was compared to determine whether liver fibrosis improved. RESULTS In total, 102 patients were enrolled; 35.3 % had compensated liver cirrhosis (LC), and 11.8 % had received previous treatment. Of the 102 patients, 99 (97.1 %) reached SVR 12. Of the 81 patients who completed 8 weeks of G/P treatment, 80 (98.8 %) reached SVR 12, while 19 of the 21 (90.5 %) patients in the 12- or 16-week group reached SVR 12, with no significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.107). As a secondary endpoint, liver fibrosis before and after treatment was also compared. The Fibrosis-4 index (FIB-4) (3.3 vs 2.8, P = 0.010), aspartate transaminase (AST)-platelet ratio index (APRI) (1.3 vs 1.0, P < 0.001), and liver stiffness measurements (LSM) (9.5 vs 4.6, P < 0.001) were significantly different after G/P treatment. CONCLUSIONS Regardless of genotype, G/P treatment for Koreans with CHC is safe, highly effective, and can improve liver fibrosis.
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30
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Kawagishi N, Suda G, Yamamoto Y, Baba M, Furuya K, Maehara O, Ohnishi S, Yoshida S, Fu Q, Yang Z, Hosoda S, Tokuchi Y, Kitagataya T, Ohara M, Suzuki K, Nakai M, Sho T, Natsuizaka M, Ogawa K, Sakamoto N. Serum Angiopoietin-2 Predicts the Occurrence and Recurrence of Hepatocellular Carcinoma after Direct-Acting Antiviral Therapy for Hepatitis C. Viruses 2023; 15:181. [PMID: 36680221 PMCID: PMC9862289 DOI: 10.3390/v15010181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2022] [Revised: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Progressive liver fibrosis after anti-HCV treatment is a risk factor for HCC. Angiopoietin-2 (Ang2) is associated with non-regression of liver fibrosis after direct-acting antiviral (DAA). This study evaluated the predictive value of serum Ang2 levels for HCC occurrence or recurrence after DAA administration. In this retrospective study, 310 HCV-infected patients treated with DAAs in 2014-2020 were screened and evaluated for HCC occurrence or recurrence every three-six months. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that age ≥ 75 years (HR: 2.92, 95% CI: 1.34-6.33; p = 0.007) and baseline Ang2 level ≥ 464 pg/mL (HR: 2.75, 95% CI: 1.18-6.37; p = 0.019) were significantly associated with HCC occurrence after DAA therapy. A high or low risk of HCC after DAA therapy could be distinguished by the combination of age and baseline Ang2 level. The cumulative incidences of de-novo HCC at two and four years were 0.8% and 3.8% in the low-risk group and 22.6% and 27.1% in the high-risk group, respectively. Baseline Ang2 level ≥ 402 pg/mL was significantly associated with HCC recurrence in patients who achieved sustained virological response with DAAs (HR: 3.68). In conclusion, serum Ang2 levels can predict HCC occurrence and recurrence after successful HCV eradication by DAAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoki Kawagishi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 0608638, Japan
| | - Goki Suda
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 0608638, Japan
| | - Yoshiya Yamamoto
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hakodate Municipal Hospital, Sapporo 0608638, Japan
| | - Masaru Baba
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Japan Community Health Care Organization (JCHO) Hokkaido Hospital, Sapporo 0608638, Japan
| | - Ken Furuya
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Japan Community Health Care Organization (JCHO) Hokkaido Hospital, Sapporo 0608638, Japan
| | - Osamu Maehara
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 0608638, Japan
| | - Shunsuke Ohnishi
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 0608638, Japan
| | - Sonoe Yoshida
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 0608638, Japan
| | - Qingjie Fu
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 0608638, Japan
| | - Zijian Yang
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 0608638, Japan
| | - Shunichi Hosoda
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 0608638, Japan
| | - Yoshimasa Tokuchi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 0608638, Japan
| | - Takashi Kitagataya
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 0608638, Japan
| | - Masatsugu Ohara
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 0608638, Japan
| | - Kazuharu Suzuki
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 0608638, Japan
| | - Masato Nakai
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 0608638, Japan
| | - Takuya Sho
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 0608638, Japan
| | - Mitsuteru Natsuizaka
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 0608638, Japan
| | - Koji Ogawa
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 0608638, Japan
| | - Naoya Sakamoto
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 0608638, Japan
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Non-invasive tests for clinically significant portal hypertension after HCV cure. J Hepatol 2022; 77:1573-1585. [PMID: 36063968 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2022.08.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Non-invasive tests (NITs) for clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH; hepatic venous pressure gradient [HVPG] ≥10 mmHg) have predominantly been studied in patients with active HCV infection. Investigations after HCV cure are limited and have yielded conflicting results. We conducted a pooled analysis to determine the diagnostic/prognostic utility of liver stiffness measurement (LSM)/platelet count (PLT) in this setting. METHODS A total of 418 patients with pre-treatment HVPG ≥6 mmHg who achieved sustained virological response (SVR) and underwent post-treatment HVPG measurement were assessed, of whom 324 (HVPG/NIT-cohort) also had paired data on pre-/post-treatment LSM/PLT. The derived LSM/PLT criteria were then validated against the direct endpoint decompensation in 755 patients with compensated advanced chronic liver disease (cACLD) with SVR (cACLD-validation-cohort). RESULTS HVPG/NIT-cohort: Among patients with cACLD, the pre-/post-treatment prevalence of CSPH was 80%/54%. The correlation between LSM/HVPG increased from pre- to post-treatment (r = 0.45 vs. 0.60), while that of PLT/HVPG remained unchanged. For given LSM/PLT values, HVPG tended to be lower post- vs. pre-treatment, indicating the need for dedicated algorithms. Combining post-treatment LSM/PLT yielded a high diagnostic accuracy for post-treatment CSPH in cACLD (AUC 0.884; 95% CI 0.843-0.926). Post-treatment LSM <12 kPa & PLT >150 G/L excluded CSPH (sensitivity: 99.2%), while LSM ≥25 kPa was highly specific for CSPH (93.6%). cACLD-validation-cohort: the 3-year decompensation risk was 0% in the 42.5% of patients who met the LSM <12 kPa & PLT >150 G/L criteria. In patients with post-treatment LSM ≥25 kPa (prevalence: 16.8%), the 3-year decompensation risk was 9.6%, while it was 1.3% in those meeting none of the above criteria (prevalence: 40.7%). CONCLUSIONS NITs can estimate the probability of CSPH after HCV cure and predict clinical outcomes. Patients with cACLD but LSM <12 kPa & PLT>150 G/L may be discharged from portal hypertension surveillance if no co-factors are present, while patients with LSM ≥25 kPa require surveillance/treatment. LAY SUMMARY Measurement of liver stiffness by a specific ultrasound device and platelet count (a simple blood test) are broadly used for the non-invasive diagnosis of increased blood pressure in the veins leading to the liver, which drives the development of complications in patients with advanced liver disease. The results of our pooled analysis refute previous concerns that these tests are less accurate after the cure of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. We have developed diagnostic criteria that facilitate personalized management after HCV cure and allow for a de-escalation of care in a high proportion of patients, thereby decreasing disease burden.
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Suzuki T, Matsuura K, Nagura Y, Ogawa S, Fujiwara K, Nojiri S, Watanabe T, Kataoka H, Tanaka Y. Serum angiopoietin-2 levels predict regression of Mac-2 binding protein glycosylation isomer-based liver fibrosis after hepatitis C virus eradication by direct-acting antiviral agents. Hepatol Res 2022; 52:919-927. [PMID: 35938598 DOI: 10.1111/hepr.13823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 07/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
AIM It is desirable to identify predictors of regression of liver fibrosis after achieving a sustained virologic response (SVR) by direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) to antihepatitis C virus (HCV) therapy. Here, we retrospectively investigated the serum angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) level as a predictive indicator of regression of liver fibrosis after successful HCV eradication by DAA therapy. METHODS The study subjects were recruited from a historical cohort of 109 chronically HCV-infected patients who had achieved SVR by DAA therapy and whose serum Mac-2 binding protein glycosylation isomer (M2BPGi) levels at baseline (before DAA therapy) were ≥2.0 the cut-off index (COI). We defined patients with M2BPGi levels <1.76 and ≥1.76 COI at 2 years after the end of treatment (EOT) as the regression (R, n = 69) and nonregression (NR, n = 40) groups, respectively. RESULTS Multivariate analyses revealed that the Ang-2 level at baseline and the Ang-2 level, albumin-bilirubin score, and FIB-4 index at 24 weeks after the EOT were significantly associated with regression of M2BPGi-based liver fibrosis. Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses showed that the Ang-2 level at 24 weeks after the EOT had the largest area under the curve values (0.859). The same results were obtained even when the serum M2BPGi levels were aligned by propensity score matching and in patients with advanced M2BPGi-based liver fibrosis: M2BPGi levels ≥3.3 COI at baseline. CONCLUSIONS The serum Ang-2 level at 24 weeks after the EOT is a feasible predictor of regression of M2BPGi-based liver fibrosis after achieving SVR by DAA therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takanori Suzuki
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Kentaro Matsuura
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yoshihito Nagura
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Shintaro Ogawa
- Department of Virology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Kei Fujiwara
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Shunsuke Nojiri
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Takehisa Watanabe
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Hiromi Kataoka
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yasuhito Tanaka
- Department of Virology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan.,Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
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Simbrunner B, Villesen IF, Königshofer P, Scheiner B, Bauer D, Paternostro R, Schwabl P, Timelthaler G, Ramazanova D, Wöran K, Stift J, Eigenbauer E, Stättermayer AF, Marculescu R, Pinter M, Møller S, Trauner M, Karsdal M, Leeming DJ, Reiberger T, Mandorfer M. Systemic inflammation is linked to liver fibrogenesis in patients with advanced chronic liver disease. Liver Int 2022; 42:2501-2512. [PMID: 35822301 PMCID: PMC9804351 DOI: 10.1111/liv.15365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2021] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Experimental evidence indicates that systemic inflammation (SI) promotes liver fibrogenesis. This study investigated the potential link between SI and fibrogenesis in patients with advanced chronic liver disease (ACLD). METHODS Serum biomarkers of SI (CRP, IL-6, procalcitonin [PCT]) and extracellular matrix (ECM) turnover (i.e., fibrogenesis/fibrolysis) were analysed in 215 prospectively recruited patients with ACLD (hepatic venous pressure gradient [HVPG] ≥6 mm Hg) undergoing hepatic vein catheterization. Patients with non-elective hospitalization or bacterial infection were excluded. Histological alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) area was quantified on full biopsy scans by automated morphometric quantification in a subset of 34 patients who underwent concomitant transjugular liver biopsy. RESULTS Histological α-SMA proportionate area correlated with enhanced liver fibrosis (ELF) score (Spearman's ρ = 0.660, p < .001), markers of collagen formation (PRO-C3, ρ = 0.717, p < .001; PRO-C6, ρ = 0.526, p = .002) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP1; ρ = 0.547, p < .001), indicating that these blood biomarkers are capable of reflecting the dynamic process of ECM turnover. CRP, IL-6 and PCT levels correlated with ELF, biomarkers of collagen synthesis/degradation and TIMP1, both in compensated and decompensated patients. Multivariate linear regression models (adjusted for HVPG) confirmed that CRP, IL-6 and PCT were independently linked to markers of liver fibrogenesis and ECM turnover. CONCLUSION Systemic inflammation is linked to both liver fibrogenesis and ECM turnover in ACLD and this association is not confounded by the severity of liver disease, as evaluated by HVPG. Our study confirms experimental data on the detrimental impact of SI on ECM deposition and fibrosis progression in a thoroughly characterized cohort of patients with ACLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedikt Simbrunner
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Christian Doppler Laboratory for Portal Hypertension and Liver Fibrosis, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Rare and Undiagnosed Diseases (LBI-RUD), Vienna, Austria.,CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ida Falk Villesen
- Nordic Bioscience, Herlev, Denmark.,University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Philipp Königshofer
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Christian Doppler Laboratory for Portal Hypertension and Liver Fibrosis, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Rare and Undiagnosed Diseases (LBI-RUD), Vienna, Austria.,CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Bernhard Scheiner
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - David Bauer
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Rafael Paternostro
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Philipp Schwabl
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Christian Doppler Laboratory for Portal Hypertension and Liver Fibrosis, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Rare and Undiagnosed Diseases (LBI-RUD), Vienna, Austria.,CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gerald Timelthaler
- Institute of Cancer Research, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Dariga Ramazanova
- Section for Medical Statistics, CeMSIIS, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Katharina Wöran
- Department of Pathology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Judith Stift
- Department of Pathology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ernst Eigenbauer
- IT Systems and Communications, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Albert Friedrich Stättermayer
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Rodrig Marculescu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Matthias Pinter
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Søren Møller
- Department of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine, Center for Functional and Diagnostic Imaging and Research, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Michael Trauner
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | | | - Thomas Reiberger
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Christian Doppler Laboratory for Portal Hypertension and Liver Fibrosis, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Rare and Undiagnosed Diseases (LBI-RUD), Vienna, Austria.,CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Mattias Mandorfer
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Sun X, Ni HB, Xue J, Wang S, Aljbri A, Wang L, Ren TH, Li X, Niu M. Bibliometric-analysis visualization and review of non-invasive methods for monitoring and managing the portal hypertension. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:960316. [PMID: 36186776 PMCID: PMC9520322 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.960316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BackgroundPortal hypertension monitoring is important throughout the natural course of cirrhosis. Hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG), regarded as the golden standard, is limited by invasiveness and technical difficulties. Portal hypertension is increasingly being assessed non-invasively, and hematological indices, imaging data, and statistical or computational models are studied to surrogate HVPG. This paper discusses the existing non-invasive methods based on measurement principles and reviews the methodological developments in the last 20 years.MethodsFirst, we used VOSviewer to learn the architecture of this field. The publications about the non-invasive assessment of portal hypertension were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC). VOSviewer 1.6.17.0 was used to analyze and visualize these publications, including the annual trend, the study hotspots, the significant articles, authors, journals, and organizations in this field. Next, according to the cluster analysis result of the keywords, we further retrieved and classified the related studies to discuss.ResultsA total of 1,088 articles or review articles about our topic were retrieved from WoSCC. From 2000 to 2022, the number of publications is generally growing. “World Journal of Gastroenterology” published the most articles (n = 43), while “Journal of Hepatology” had the highest citations. “Liver fibrosis” published in 2005 was the most influential manuscript. Among the 20,558 cited references of 1,088 retrieved manuscripts, the most cited was a study on liver stiffness measurement from 2007. The highest-yielding country was the United States, followed by China and Italy. “Berzigotti, Annalisa” was the most prolific author and had the most cooperation partners. Four study directions emerged from the keyword clustering: (1) the evaluation based on fibrosis; (2) the evaluation based on hemodynamic factors; (3) the evaluation through elastography; and (4) the evaluation of variceal bleeding.ConclusionThe non-invasive assessment of portal hypertension is mainly based on two principles: fibrosis and hemodynamics. Liver fibrosis is the major initiator of cirrhotic PH, while hemodynamic factors reflect secondary alteration of splanchnic blood flow. Blood tests, US (including DUS and CEUS), CT, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) support the non-invasive assessment of PH by providing both hemodynamic and fibrotic information. Elastography, mainly USE, is the most important method of PH monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- XiaoHan Sun
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Hong Bo Ni
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Jian Xue
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Shuai Wang
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Afaf Aljbri
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Liuchun Wang
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Tian Hang Ren
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xiao Li
- Department of Interventional Therapy, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Xiao Li,
| | - Meng Niu
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Meng Niu,
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Bauer D, Kozbial K, Schwabl P, Chromy D, Simbrunner B, Stättermayer AF, Pinter M, Steindl-Munda P, Trauner M, Ferenci P, Reiberger T, Mandorfer M. Angiopoietin 2 levels decrease after HCV-cure and reflect the evolution of portal hypertension. Dig Liver Dis 2022; 54:1222-1229. [PMID: 35382974 DOI: 10.1016/j.dld.2022.02.013] [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: 08/27/2021] [Revised: 12/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Portal hypertension (PH) does not resolve in a considerable proportion of patients who achieved HCV-cure. AIMS To investigate (i)whether HCV-cure impacts cytokines that orchestrate angiogenesis (i.e.,Ang1/Ang2/VEGF) and fibrogenesis (i.e.,PDGF/TGF-β) and (ii)whether their changes reflect PH-evolution and its complications. METHODS We measured plasma levels of cytokines and von Willebrand factor (VWF) and assessed hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) before/after HCV-cure in 66 patients with pre-treatment PH and 23 patients without advanced disease, who served as controls. RESULTS Following HCV-cure, we observed a decrease in Ang2/TGF-β, but no changes in the other cytokines. The differences in circulating cytokine profiles in PH patients persisted after removing the primary etiological factor. Patients with pre-treatment HVPG≥10 mmHg with HVPG-reduction≥10% had a more pronounced relative decrease in Ang2. Finally, post-treatment Ang2 predicted FU-HVPG≥16 mmHg/decompensation with AUROC-values of 0.804/0.835. CONCLUSIONS HCV-cure decreases circulating Ang2 - a mediator/indicator of dysangiogenesis/endothelial dysfunction, as well as TGF-β - a profibrogenic cytokine. The dynamics of Ang2 mirrored those of PH, rendering FU-Ang2 a non-invasive test for pronounced PH at FU that also predicts hepatic decompensation. The pathophysiological significance of the persistently altered cytokine levels for mechanisms that hinder the PH-regression warrants further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Bauer
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria; Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Karin Kozbial
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Philipp Schwabl
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria; Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria; Christian-Doppler Laboratory for Portal Hypertension and Liver Fibrosis, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria; Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Rare and Undiagnosed Diseases, Lazarettgasse 14, 1090, Vienna, Austria; CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Lazarettgasse 14, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
| | - David Chromy
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Benedikt Simbrunner
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria; Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Albert F Stättermayer
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria; Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Matthias Pinter
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria; Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Petra Steindl-Munda
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Michael Trauner
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Peter Ferenci
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Thomas Reiberger
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria; Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria; Christian-Doppler Laboratory for Portal Hypertension and Liver Fibrosis, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria; Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Rare and Undiagnosed Diseases, Lazarettgasse 14, 1090, Vienna, Austria; CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Lazarettgasse 14, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Mattias Mandorfer
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria; Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria; Christian-Doppler Laboratory for Portal Hypertension and Liver Fibrosis, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
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Tada T, Kumada T, Matono T, Nakamura S, Sue M, Matsuo Y, Takatani M, Iijima H, Tanaka J. Characteristics of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with hepatitis C virus who received direct‐acting antiviral therapy and achieved sustained virological response: The impact of a hepatologist on surveillance. JGH Open 2022; 6:462-469. [PMID: 35822120 PMCID: PMC9260217 DOI: 10.1002/jgh3.12774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2022] [Revised: 05/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Background and Aim The relationship between the characteristics of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) diagnosed after sustained virological response (SVR) with direct‐acting antiviral (DAA) therapy and surveillance status has not been sufficiently investigated. This study investigated the clinical risk factors for HCC development and HCC characteristics according to which type of physician performed follow‐up after SVR. Methods A total of 1070 patients in whom hepatitis C virus (HCV) was eradicated with DAA therapy were evaluated. Results There were 458 patients followed by hepatologists (specialist group) and 612 followed by non‐hepatologists (non‐specialist group) after SVR. During the follow‐up period, 54 patients developed HCC. The 1‐, 2‐, 3‐, 4‐, and 5‐year cumulative incidence rates of HCC were 1.8, 4.1, 6.9, 10.5, and 17.2%, respectively. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis showed that male sex (hazard ratio [HR], 3.139; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.732–5.690), α‐fetoprotein level (HR, 1.056; 95% CI, 1.035–1.077), and fibrosis‐4 (FIB‐4) index (HR, 1.051; 95% CI, 1.017–1.085) were significantly associated with HCC development, while the follow‐up physician type after SVR was not. There were 25 patients with stage I HCC, 17 with stage II, 9 with stage III, and 3 with stage IV. Multivariate ordinal logistic regression showed that follow‐up physician type (non‐specialist) (HR, 39.100; 95% CI, 9.350–224.00) was independently associated with HCC stage, while α‐fetoprotein level and FIB‐4 index were not. Conclusion When patients have more risk factors for HCC development after SVR (i.e., male sex, elevated α‐fetoprotein, or elevated FIB‐4 index), they should be followed by a hepatologist for HCC surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshifumi Tada
- Department of Internal medicine Japanese Red Cross Society Himeji Hospital Himeji Japan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Hyogo Medical University Nishinomiya Japan
| | | | - Tomomitsu Matono
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Hyogo Medical University Nishinomiya Japan
- Department of Internal medicine Himeji St. Mary's Hospital Himeji Japan
| | - Shinichiro Nakamura
- Department of Internal medicine Japanese Red Cross Society Himeji Hospital Himeji Japan
| | - Masahiko Sue
- Department of Internal medicine Japanese Red Cross Society Himeji Hospital Himeji Japan
| | - Yu Matsuo
- Department of Internal medicine Japanese Red Cross Society Himeji Hospital Himeji Japan
| | - Masahiro Takatani
- Department of Internal medicine Japanese Red Cross Society Himeji Hospital Himeji Japan
| | - Hiroko Iijima
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Hyogo Medical University Nishinomiya Japan
| | - Junko Tanaka
- Department of Epidemiology, Infectious Disease Control and Prevention, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences Hiroshima University Hiroshima Japan
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A Liver Stiffness Measurement-Based Nomogram Predicts Variceal Rebleeding in Hepatitis B-Related Cirrhosis. DISEASE MARKERS 2022; 2022:4107877. [PMID: 35692881 PMCID: PMC9184154 DOI: 10.1155/2022/4107877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 04/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Background Cirrhosis esophageal variceal rebleeding is a major complication of chronic cirrhosis. The hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) can predict the risk of rebleeding in patients with cirrhosis and has a good correlation with liver stiffness measurement (LSM). However, there are currently few studies based on liver stiffness to predict the risk of rebleeding in patients with liver cirrhosis. This study is aimed at exploring whether liver stiffness can predict rebleeding in patients with hepatitis B virus-related cirrhosis and developing an easy-to-use nomogram for predicting the risk of rebleeding in patients with liver cirrhosis undergoing secondary prevention. Methods A prospective analysis of 289 cirrhosis patients was performed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify independent prognostic factors to create a nomogram. The performance of the nomogram was evaluated by using a bootstrapped-concordance index and calibration plots. Results Use of a nonselective beta-blocker (NSBB) drug, LSM, hemoglobin, and platelet count were identified as factors that could predict rebleeding. We created a nomogram for rebleeding in cirrhosis by using these risk factors. The predictive ability of the nomogram was assessed by the C-index (0.772, 95% CI 0.732–0.822). The results of the calibration plots showed that the actual observation and prediction values obtained by the nomogram had good consistency. Conclusions LSM can predict the risk of rebleeding in patients with cirrhosis, while the nomogram is a conventional tool for doctors to facilitate a personalized prognostic evaluation.
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Dajti E, Ravaioli F, Colecchia A, Marasco G, Bacchi Reggiani ML, Colli A, Alemanni LV, Tamè M, Andreone P, Brillanti S, Azzaroli F, Mazzella G, Festi D. Spleen Stiffness Measurements Predict the Risk of Hepatic Decompensation After Direct-Acting Antivirals in HCV Cirrhotic Patients. ULTRASCHALL IN DER MEDIZIN (STUTTGART, GERMANY : 1980) 2022; 43:280-288. [PMID: 32674184 DOI: 10.1055/a-1205-0367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Little evidence is available regarding the risk of hepatic decompensation (HD) after direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) in patients with advanced chronic liver disease. Our aim was to assess the risk of decompensation and the prognostic role of noninvasive tests, such as liver (LSM) and spleen (SSM) stiffness measurements, in the prediction of decompensation after sustained virologic response (SVR) by DAAs. MATERIALS AND METHODS A cohort study involving 146 cirrhotic patients treated with DAAs in our tertiary center with LSM and SSM available both before and six months after treatment (SVR24). A historical cohort of 92 consecutive cirrhotic patients with active HCV was used as a control group. A propensity score inverse probability weighting method was used to account for differences between the groups. Time-dependent models for the prediction of decompensation were applied to account for changes in noninvasive tests after therapy. RESULTS The decompensation incidence in the DAA cohort was 7.07 (4.56-10.96) per 100 person-years (PYs), which was significantly lower than in the active HCV cohort. The DAA therapy was an independent protective factor for HD development (SHR: 0.071, 95 %-CI: 0.015-0.332). SSM ≥ 54 kPa was independently associated with decompensation despite SVR achievement (SHR: 4.169, 95 %-CI: 1.050-16.559), alongside with a history of decompensation (SHR: 7.956, 95 %-CI: 2.556-24.762). SSM reduction < 10 % also predicted the risk of decompensation after SVR24. CONCLUSION The risk of decompensation was markedly reduced after DAA therapy, but it was not eliminated. Paired SSM values stratified the risk of decompensation after SVR better than other noninvasive tests.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Agostino Colli
- Internal Medicine, Presidio Ospedaliero Alessandro Manzoni, Lecco, Italy
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Li XH, Huang R, Yang M, Wang J, Gao YH, Jin Q, Ma DL, Wei L, Rao HY. Gadolinium-ethoxybenzyl-diethylenetriamine penta-acetic acid-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging for evaluating fibrosis regression in chronic hepatitis C patients after direct-acting antiviral. World J Gastroenterol 2022; 28:2214-2226. [PMID: 35721884 PMCID: PMC9157620 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v28.i20.2214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Direct acting antiviral (DAA) therapy has enabled hepatitis C virus infection to become curable, while histological changes remain uncontained. Few valid non-invasive methods can be confirmed for use in surveillance. Gadolinium-ethoxybenzyl-diethylenetriamine penta-acetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA) is a liver-specific magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast, related to liver function in the hepatobiliary phase (HBP). Whether Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI can be used in the diagnosis and follow up of hepatic fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) has not been investigated.
AIM To investigate the diagnostic and follow-up values of Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI for hepatic histology in patients with CHC.
METHODS Patients with CHC were invited to undergo Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI and liver biopsy before treatment, and those with paired qualified MRI and liver biopsy specimens were included. Transient elastography (TE) and blood tests were also arranged. Patients treated with DAAs who achieved 24-wk sustained virological response (SVR) underwent Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI and liver biopsy again. The signal intensity (SI) of the liver and muscle were measured in the unenhanced phase (UEP) (SIUEP-liver, SIUEP-muscle) and HBP (SIHBP-liver, SIHBP-muscle) via MRI. The contrast enhancement index (CEI) was calculated as [(SIHBP-liver/SIHBP-muscle)]/[(SIUEP-liver/SIUEP-muscle)]. Liver stiffness measurement (LSM) was confirmed with TE. Serologic markers, aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI) and Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4), were also calculated according to blood tests. The grade of inflammation and stage of fibrosis were evaluated with the modified histology activity index (mHAI) and Ishak fibrosis score, respectively. Fibrosis regression was defined as a ≥ 1-point decrease in the Ishak fibrosis score. The correlation between the CEI and liver pathology was evaluated. The diagnostic and follow-up values of the CEI, LSM, and serologic markers were compared.
RESULTS Thirty-nine patients with CHC were enrolled [average age, 42.3 ± 14.4 years; 20/39 (51.3%) male]. Twenty-one enrolled patients had eligible paired Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI and liver tissues after achieving SVR. The mHAI median significantly decreased after SVR [baseline 6.0 (4.5-13.5) vs SVR 2.0 (1.5-5.5), Z = 3.322, P = 0.017], but the median stage of fibrosis did not notably change (P > 0.05). Sixty pairs of qualified MRI and liver tissue samples were available for use to analyze the relationship between the CEI and hepatic pathology. The CEI was negatively correlated with the mHAI (r = -0.56, P < 0.001) and Ishak score (r = -0.69, P < 0.001). Further stratified analysis showed that the value of the CEI decreased with the progression of the stage of fibrosis rather than with the grade of necroinflammation. For patients with Ishak score ≥ 5, the areas under receiver operating characteristics curve of the CEI, LSM, APRI, and FIB-4 were approximately at baseline, 0.87–0.93, and after achieving SVR, 0.83–0.91. The CEI cut-off value was stable (baseline 1.58 and SVR 1.59), but those of the APRI (from 1.05 to 0.24), FIB-4 (from 1.78 to 1.28), and LSM (from 10.8 kpa to 7.1 kpa) decreased dramatically. The APRI and FIB-4 cannot be used as diagnostic means for SVR in patients with Ishak score ≥ 3 (P > 0.05). Seven patients achieved fibrosis regression after achieving SVR. In these patients, the CEI median increased (from 1.71 to 1.83, Z = -1.981, P = 0.048) and those of the APRI (from 1.71 to 1.83, Z = -2.878, P = 0.004) and LSM (from 6.6 to 4.8, Z = -2.366, P = 0.018) decreased. However, in patients without fibrosis regression, the medians of the APRI, FIB-4, and LSM also changed significantly (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSION Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI has good diagnostic value for staging fibrosis in patients with CHC. It can be used for fibrotic-change monitoring post SVR in patients with CHC treated with DAAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-He Li
- Peking University Hepatology Institute, Beijing Key Laboratory of Hepatitis C and Immunotherapy for Liver Diseases, Beijing International Cooperation Base for Science and Technology on NAFLD Diagnosis, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing 100044, China
| | - Rui Huang
- Peking University Hepatology Institute, Beijing Key Laboratory of Hepatitis C and Immunotherapy for Liver Diseases, Beijing International Cooperation Base for Science and Technology on NAFLD Diagnosis, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing 100044, China
| | - Ming Yang
- Peking University Hepatology Institute, Beijing Key Laboratory of Hepatitis C and Immunotherapy for Liver Diseases, Beijing International Cooperation Base for Science and Technology on NAFLD Diagnosis, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing 100044, China
- Hepatopancreatobiliary Center, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100044, China
| | - Jian Wang
- Peking University Hepatology Institute, Beijing Key Laboratory of Hepatitis C and Immunotherapy for Liver Diseases, Beijing International Cooperation Base for Science and Technology on NAFLD Diagnosis, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing 100044, China
| | - Ying-Hui Gao
- Peking University Hepatology Institute, Beijing Key Laboratory of Hepatitis C and Immunotherapy for Liver Diseases, Beijing International Cooperation Base for Science and Technology on NAFLD Diagnosis, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing 100044, China
| | - Qian Jin
- Peking University Hepatology Institute, Beijing Key Laboratory of Hepatitis C and Immunotherapy for Liver Diseases, Beijing International Cooperation Base for Science and Technology on NAFLD Diagnosis, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing 100044, China
| | - Dan-Li Ma
- Peking University Hepatology Institute, Beijing Key Laboratory of Hepatitis C and Immunotherapy for Liver Diseases, Beijing International Cooperation Base for Science and Technology on NAFLD Diagnosis, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing 100044, China
| | - Lai Wei
- Peking University Hepatology Institute, Beijing Key Laboratory of Hepatitis C and Immunotherapy for Liver Diseases, Beijing International Cooperation Base for Science and Technology on NAFLD Diagnosis, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing 100044, China
- Hepatopancreatobiliary Center, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100044, China
| | - Hui-Ying Rao
- Peking University Hepatology Institute, Beijing Key Laboratory of Hepatitis C and Immunotherapy for Liver Diseases, Beijing International Cooperation Base for Science and Technology on NAFLD Diagnosis, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing 100044, China
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Dezső K, Paku S, Kóbori L, Thorgeirsson SS, Nagy P. What Makes Cirrhosis Irreversible?-Consideration on Structural Changes. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:876293. [PMID: 35572980 PMCID: PMC9091510 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.876293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Several studies have shown that liver fibrosis, and even cirrhosis can be reversed, disproving the old “dogma” that cirrhosis is irreversible. In addition to scaring, vascular alterations appear to be critically important in the progression of chronic liver diseases. To overcome the “tipping-point” of cirrhosis, we need to understand in depth what might make it irreversible in some cases. Morphologically, the initial, as well as the advanced stages of cirrhosis are characterized by specific structural changes. The hallmark of the initial stage is the division of the original liver parenchyma by centro-central or porto-portal septa. No significant vascular changes are observed in this stage. The advanced stage is characterized by several morphological alterations: (i) The main feature is the parenchymal extinction, with intact portal vein branches, hepatic artery branches, and biliary ductules; (ii) In the extinct areas we observed numerous loops in the ductular network, indicating the disruption of the hepato-biliary junctions; (iii) Although the ductular progenitor cells are able to generate hepatocytes via the budding process, the newly formed hepatocyte nodules cannot re-establish the original lobular architecture due to their disorganized growth. In conclusion, this regenerative process characteristic for the advanced stage, contributes to circulatory disorders, perpetuates parenchymal injury and may lead to the irreversibility of cirrhosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katalin Dezső
- Department of Pathology and Experimental Cancer Research, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Sándor Paku
- Department of Pathology and Experimental Cancer Research, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - László Kóbori
- Department of Surgery, Transplantation and Gastroenterology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Snorri S Thorgeirsson
- Laboratory of Human Carcinogenesis, Center for Cancer Research (CCR), National Cancer Institute, National Institute of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Péter Nagy
- Department of Pathology and Experimental Cancer Research, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
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HCC risk stratification after cure of hepatitis C in patients with compensated advanced chronic liver disease. J Hepatol 2022; 76:812-821. [PMID: 34871626 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2021.11.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Revised: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with advanced chronic liver disease (ACLD) caused by chronic hepatitis C who have achieved sustained virologic response (SVR). We developed risk stratification algorithms for de novo HCC development after SVR and validated them in an independent cohort. METHODS We evaluated the occurrence of de novo HCC in a derivation cohort of 527 patients with pre-treatment ACLD and SVR to interferon-free therapy, in whom alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and non-invasive surrogates of portal hypertension including liver stiffness measurement (LSM) were assessed pre-/post-treatment. We validated our results in 1,500 patients with compensated ACLD (cACLD) from other European centers. RESULTS During a median follow-up (FU) of 41 months, 22/475 patients with cACLD (4.6%, 1.45/100 patient-years) vs. 12/52 decompensated patients (23.1%, 7.00/100 patient-years, p <0.001) developed de novo HCC. Since decompensated patients were at substantial HCC risk, we focused on cACLD for all further analyses. In cACLD, post-treatment-values showed a higher discriminative ability for patients with/without de novo HCC development during FU than pre-treatment values or absolute/relative changes. Models based on post-treatment AFP, alcohol consumption (optional), age, LSM, and albumin, accurately predicted de novo HCC development (bootstrapped Harrel's C with/without considering alcohol: 0.893/0.836). Importantly, these parameters also provided independent prognostic information in competing risk analysis and accurately stratified patients into low- (~2/3 of patients) and high-risk (~1/3 of patients) groups in the derivation (algorithm with alcohol consumption; 4-year HCC-risk: 0% vs. 16.5%) and validation (3.3% vs. 17.5%) cohorts. An alternative approach based on alcohol consumption (optional), age, LSM, and albumin (i.e., without AFP) also showed a robust performance. CONCLUSIONS Simple algorithms based on post-treatment age/albumin/LSM, and optionally, AFP and alcohol consumption, accurately stratified patients with cACLD based on their risk of de novo HCC after SVR. Approximately two-thirds were identified as having an HCC risk <1%/year in both the derivation and validation cohort, thereby clearly falling below the cost-effectiveness threshold for HCC surveillance. LAY SUMMARY Simple algorithms based on age, alcohol consumption, results of blood tests (albumin and α-fetoprotein), as well as liver stiffness measurement after the end of hepatitis C treatment identify a large proportion (approximately two-thirds) of patients with advanced but still asymptomatic liver disease who are at very low risk (<1%/year) of liver cancer development, and thus, might not need to undergo 6-monthly liver ultrasound.
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Derbak MA, Lizanets NV, Hanych OT, Horlenko OM, Mashura HY, Boiko SO, Rozumyková N. DYNAMICS OF FIBROTIC CHANGES IN THE LIVER AFTER THE SUCCESSFUL ERADICATION OF HEPATITIS C VIRUS IN PATIENTS WITH NAFLD. WIADOMOSCI LEKARSKIE (WARSAW, POLAND : 1960) 2022; 75:2392-2396. [PMID: 36472266 DOI: 10.36740/wlek202210113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim: To assess the dynamics of serum levels of angiopoietin-2 and transforming growth factor-β1 in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) with concomitant nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) after successful DAAs. PATIENTS AND METHODS Materials and methods: 82 patients with CHC were examined, of which 56 were diagnosed with NAFLD and increased body weight. Ang-2, TGF-β1, leptin, adiponectin, and the degree of liver fibrosis were determined for all participants. The patients were divided into groups: 1 gr. (n=23) - CHС + increased body weight + hepatic steatosis, 2 gr. (n=33) - СНС + increased body weight + nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, 3rd gr. (n=26) - CHC. All patients received DAAs for 12 weeks. RESULTS Results: From 82 patients F3-4 had 31 people, F1-2 - 25, F0-1 - 11, F0 -15 patients. F3-4 and steatosis S2-3 (p<0.05) was more common in patients of 2 gr.. Serum Ang-2 levels were higher (p<0.05) in patients of 2 gr. with F3-4, than in patients with F0-2. Fibrosis regression occurred more often in patients with 1 and 3 gr. with F1-2 than in patients 2 gr. and F3-4 and was accompanied by a decrease in Ang-2 and TGF-β1 levels. CONCLUSION Conclusions: High levels of Ang-2 and TGF-β1 are registered in patients with CHC+NAFLD, which correlate with the degree of liver fibrosis and significantly decrease after successful DAAs in patients with low initial stages of liver fibrosis and normal body weight.
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Dumortier J, Besch C, Moga L, Coilly A, Conti F, Corpechot C, Del Bello A, Faitot F, Francoz C, Hilleret MN, Houssel-Debry P, Jezequel C, Lavayssière L, Neau-Cransac M, Erard-Poinsot D, de Lédinghen V, Bourlière M, Bureau C, Ganne-Carrié N. Non-invasive diagnosis and follow-up in liver transplantation. Clin Res Hepatol Gastroenterol 2022; 46:101774. [PMID: 34332131 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinre.2021.101774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The field of liver transplantation directly or indirectly embodies all liver diseases, in addition to specific ones related to organ rejection (cellular and humoral). The recommended non-invasive methods for determining the indication for liver transplantation are the Model for End-stage Liver Disease score, and the alpha-foetoprotein score in case of hepatocellular carcinoma. Radiological methods are the cornerstones for the diagnosis of vascular and biliary complications after liver transplantation. The possible diseases of the liver graft after transplantation are multiple and often intertwined. Non-invasive diagnostic methods have been poorly evaluated in this context, apart from the recurrence of hepatitis C. Liver biopsy remains the gold standard for evaluating graft lesions in the majority of cases, especially graft rejection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jérôme Dumortier
- Service d'hépato-gastroentérologie, Unité de transplantation hépatique, Hôpital Edouard Herriot - HCL, CHU Lyon, Lyon.
| | - Camille Besch
- Service de chirurgie hépato-bilio-pancréatique et transplantation hépatique, Hôpital Hautepierre, CHRU Strasbourg, Strasbourg
| | - Lucile Moga
- Service d'Hépatologie et Transplantation Hépatique, Hôpital Beaujon, APHP, Clichy
| | - Audrey Coilly
- Centre Hépato-Biliaire, Hôpital Paul Brousse, APHP, Villejuif
| | - Filomena Conti
- Service d'Hépatologie et Transplantation Hépatique, Hôpital de la Pitié Salpétrière, APHP, Paris
| | | | - Arnaud Del Bello
- Département de néphrologie et transplantation d'organes, Hôpital Rangueil, CHU Toulouse, Toulouse
| | - François Faitot
- Service de chirurgie hépato-bilio-pancréatique et transplantation hépatique, Hôpital Hautepierre, CHRU Strasbourg, Strasbourg
| | - Claire Francoz
- Service d'Hépatologie et Transplantation Hépatique, Hôpital Beaujon, APHP, Clichy
| | | | | | | | - Laurence Lavayssière
- Département de néphrologie et transplantation d'organes, Hôpital Rangueil, CHU Toulouse, Toulouse
| | | | - Domitille Erard-Poinsot
- Service d'hépato-gastroentérologie, Unité de transplantation hépatique, Hôpital Edouard Herriot - HCL, CHU Lyon, Lyon
| | - Victor de Lédinghen
- Unité Transplantation Hépatique, Hôpital Haut-Lévêque, CHU Bordeaux, Bordeaux
| | - Marc Bourlière
- Service d'hépato-gastroentérologie, Hôpital Saint Joseph & INSERM UMR 1252 IRD SESSTIM Aix Marseille Université, Marseille
| | | | - Nathalie Ganne-Carrié
- Service d'hépatologie, Hôpital Avicenne, APHP, Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, Bobigny & INSERM UMR 1138, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Université de Paris
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Isaac A, El Sakaty TM, Hussein SH, Rasmy HS. Angiopoietin-2 as a predictor of fibrosis regression in chronic hepatitis C virus patients after direct-acting antiviral drugs. THE EGYPTIAN JOURNAL OF INTERNAL MEDICINE 2021. [DOI: 10.1186/s43162-021-00086-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
HCV infection is a major health concern. Disease progression to fibrosis, cirrhosis, and HCC is aided by the persistence of inflammatory reactions and cellular damage. Moreover, angiogenesis was found to have a substantial pathogenic role in disease progression. Serum Angiopoietin-2 appears to be correlated with liver stiffness in chronic HCV and its elevation is linked to disease progression from chronic hepatitis to cirrhosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of serum Angiopoietin-2 in the prediction of regression of fibrosis in chronic HCV patients receiving direct-acting antiviral agents. Forty Egyptian chronic HCV patients for whom direct-acting antiviral agent (DAA) therapy was planned were included. All patients underwent assessment twice, at baseline and at SVR12, for standard laboratory tests, measurement of fibrosis using FibroScan, FIB-4 and APRI scores, and Angiopoietin-2 level.
Results
Statistically significantly higher levels of baseline Ang-2 were detected with the progression of fibrosis stages with a p-value of <0.001. The best cutoff value of baseline Ang-2 in discrimination of liver cirrhosis (F4) from F0-F3 was > 630 pg/ml with 85.71% sensitivity and 84.85% specificity. A statistically significant decline of Ang-2 (from 464.3±237.2 pg/ml to 401.3±277.1 pg/ml) was noted after the achievement of SVR12 with a p-value < 0.001. Regression of liver fibrosis in this study is defined as a decrease of more than or equal to one stage in liver fibrosis. Lower baseline fibrosis stages and other non-invasive scoring systems (FIB-4 and APRI scores) were associated with regression of fibrosis following successful DAAs treatment. However, higher baseline Ang-2 levels were significantly associated with non-regression of fibrosis, and at a cutoff of >680 pg/ml, it might predict non-regression of fibrosis after successful eradication of HCV with DAAs with 93.33% sensitivity and 70% specificity.
Conclusions
Angiopoietin-2 can be a useful predictor of fibrosis regression in chronic HCV patients receiving direct-acting antiviral agents. Elevated baseline Angiopoietin-2 and advanced fibrosis stages may predict non-regression of liver fibrosis.
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Lafoz E, Campreciós G, García-Calderó H, Anton A, Vilaseca M, Ruart M, Guasch E, Garrabou G, Delgado TC, Martínez-Chantar ML, García-Martínez R, Gracia-Sancho J, Hernández-Gea V, García-Pagán JC. Impact of lifestyle interventions targeting physical exercise and caloric intake on cirrhosis regression in rats. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2021; 321:G603-G616. [PMID: 34585619 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00191.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
In patients, advanced cirrhosis only regresses partially once the etiological agent is withdrawn. Animal models for advanced cirrhosis regression are missing. Lifestyle interventions (LIs) have been shown to improve steatosis, inflammation, fibrosis, and portal pressure (PP) in liver disease. We aimed at characterizing cirrhosis regression after etiological agent removal in experimental models of advanced cirrhosis and to study the impact of different LI on it. Advanced cirrhosis was induced in rats either by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) or by thioacetamide (TAA) administration. Systemic and hepatic hemodynamics, liver fibrosis, hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation, hepatic macrophage infiltration, and metabolic profile were evaluated after 48 h, 4 wk or 8 wk of etiological agent removal. The impact of LI consisting in caloric restriction (CR) or moderate endurance exercise (MEE) during the 8-wk regression process was analyzed. The effect of MEE was also evaluated in early cirrhotic and in healthy rats. A significant reduction in portal pressure (PP), liver fibrosis, and HSC activation was observed during regression. However, these parameters remained above those in healthy animals. During regression, animals markedly worsened their metabolic profile. CR although preventing those metabolic disturbances did not further reduce PP, hepatic fibrosis, or HSC activation. MEE also prevented metabolic disturbances, without enhancing, but even attenuating the reduction of PP, hepatic fibrosis, and HSC activation achieved by regression. MEE also worsened hepatic fibrosis in early-TAA cirrhosis and in healthy rats.NEW & NOTEWORTHY We have developed two advanced cirrhosis regression experimental models with persistent relevant fibrosis and portal hypertension and an associated deteriorated metabolism that mimic what happens in patients. LI, despite improving metabolism, did not enhance the regression process in our cirrhotic models. CR did not further reduce PP, hepatic fibrosis, or HSC activation. MEE exhibited a profibrogenic effect in the liver blunting cirrhosis regression. One of the potential explanations of this worsening could be ammonia accumulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica Lafoz
- Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Genís Campreciós
- Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Héctor García-Calderó
- Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Aina Anton
- Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marina Vilaseca
- Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria Ruart
- Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Eduard Guasch
- Institut Clínic Cardiovascular, Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Madrid, Spain
| | - Glòria Garrabou
- Muscle Research and Mitochondrial Function Laboratory, CELLEX-IDIBAPS, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBERER-Spanish Biomedical Research Centre in Rare Diseases, Madrid, Spain
| | - Teresa C Delgado
- Liver Disease Laboratory, Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Derio, Spain
| | - María-Luz Martínez-Chantar
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Liver Disease Laboratory, Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Derio, Spain
| | - Rita García-Martínez
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jordi Gracia-Sancho
- Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Virginia Hernández-Gea
- Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan Carlos García-Pagán
- Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
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A comparative study of cirrhosis sub-staging using the Laennec system, Beijing classification, and morphometry. Mod Pathol 2021; 34:2175-2182. [PMID: 34381188 DOI: 10.1038/s41379-021-00881-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Revised: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
There is constant remodeling in a cirrhotic liver resulting in cirrhosis being spatially heterogeneous. The Laennec system, and, more recently the Beijing classification, have been used to sub-classify various degrees of cirrhosis. It is unknown how these two schemes compare with each other, how they are impacted by geographic variation, and how they correlate with clinical outcomes. Five needle biopsies were obtained from 20 explanted cirrhotic HCV livers at the time of transplantation. Collagen proportionate area (CPA) was measured by computerized quantitative morphometry. The Laennec system (4A-4C indicating increasing degrees of cirrhosis) and Beijing classification (P-progressive, R-regressive, I-indeterminate) were assessed and then correlated with CPA. Geographical variation using CPAs was calculated by the coefficient of variation (CoV). CPA of Laennec 4C cirrhosis was higher than 4A (p = 0.00008) or 4B (p = 0.0002). The CPA of the P pattern was greater than the R (p = 0.002) or I patterns (p = 0.037). The mean CoV of the five CPAs was 47.3 ± 4.5%, suggesting a significant degree of geographic variation. There was 100% overlap between the Beijing R pattern and Laennec 4A, and 80% overlap between the P pattern and Laennec 4C. Patients' platelet counts of P pattern were lower than R pattern (p = 0.008) or I pattern (p = 0.024), while Laennec 4C was lower than 4A (p = 0.036) and 4B patients (p = 0.7). There was no correlation between CPA, Laennec stage, or Beijing classification and MELD score, liver weights, total bilirubin, or albumin levels. The Laennec system and the Beijing classification are highly correlated with CPA in cirrhosis. This study confirms that there is a significant degree of geographic variation in terms of fibrosis content and cirrhosis morphology throughout the liver.
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Ahumada A, Rayón L, Usón C, Bañares R, Alonso Lopez S. Hepatocellular carcinoma risk after viral response in hepatitis C virus-advanced fibrosis: Who to screen and for how long? World J Gastroenterol 2021; 27:6737-6749. [PMID: 34790004 PMCID: PMC8567476 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v27.i40.6737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2021] [Revised: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) chronic infection is associated with fibrosis progression, end-stage liver complications and HCC. Not surprisingly, HCV infection is a leading cause of liver-related morbidity and mortality worldwide. After sustained virological response (SVR), the risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma is not completely eliminated in patients with established cirrhosis or with advanced fibrosis. Therefore, lifelong surveillance is currently recommended. This strategy is likely not universally cost-effective and harmless, considering that not all patients with advanced fibrosis have the same risk of developing HCC. Factors related to the severity of liver disease and its potential to improve after SVR, the molecular and epigenetic changes that occur during infection and other associated comorbidities might account for different risk levels and are likely essential for identifying patients who would benefit from screening programs after SVR. Efforts to develop predictive models and risk calculators, biomarkers and genetic panels and even deep learning models to estimate the individual risk of HCC have been made in the direct-acting antiviral agents era, when thousands of patients with advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis have reached SVR. These tools could help to identify patients with very low HCC risk in whom surveillance might not be justified. In this review, factors affecting the probability of HCC development after SVR, the benefits and risks of surveillance, suggested strategies to estimate individualized HCC risk and the current evidence to recommend lifelong surveillance are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Ahumada
- Liver Unit, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid 28007, Spain
- Liver Unit, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid 28007, Spain
| | - Laura Rayón
- Liver Unit, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid 28007, Spain
| | - Clara Usón
- Liver Unit, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid 28007, Spain
| | - Rafael Bañares
- Liver Unit, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid 28007, Spain
- Liver Unit, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid 28007, Spain
- Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid 28006, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica En Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid 28029, Spain
| | - Sonia Alonso Lopez
- Liver Unit, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid 28007, Spain
- Liver Unit, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid 28007, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica En Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid 28029, Spain
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48
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Sanghi V, Romero-Marrero C, Flocco G, Graham RP, Abduljawad B, Niyazi F, Asfari MM, Hashimoto K, Eghtesad B, Menon KVN, Aucejo FN, Lopez R, Yerian LM, Allende DS. The spectrum of histopathological findings after SVR to DAA for recurrent HCV infection in liver transplant recipients. Virchows Arch 2021; 480:335-347. [PMID: 34498114 DOI: 10.1007/s00428-021-03191-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Revised: 08/07/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Sustained virological response (SVR) to the treatment of recurrent HCV in liver transplant recipients has excellent clinical outcomes; however, little is known about the effects on allograft histology. The study aimed to assess the histology of the allograft liver. In this single-center, retrospective cohort study, patients with recurrent hepatitis C (HCV) in allograft liver who were cured with antiviral therapy between 2010 and 2016 were identified. Biopsies were reviewed by two liver pathologists blinded to the treatment and SVR status. Paired analysis was performed to compare pre- and post-treatment histological features. Of the 62 patients analyzed, 22 patients received PEGylated interferon/ribavirin (IFN) therapy, while 40 patients received direct-acting antiviral agents (DAA). The mean age was 57 years, 24% were female, and 79% were Caucasian. RNA in situ hybridization testing for HCV and HEV was negative in all the tested patients. Significant reduction in the inflammatory grade of post-treatment biopsy specimens was noted in all subjects (n = 57; p < 0.001) and in the IFN group (n = 21; p = 0.001) but not in the DAA group (p = 0.093). Of all subjects, 21% had worsening stage, 31% had improvement, and 48% had no change in stage. Of the treatment groups, 27% in the IFN and 17% in the DAA groups had worsening stage; however, the results were not statistically significant in all subjects or by treatment modality. Persistent inflammatory infiltrates and fibrosis was noted in allograft tissue of patients cured with DAA. Significant improvement in grade was noted in the IFN group, without a significant change in stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vedha Sanghi
- Department of Gastroenterology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA
| | - Carlos Romero-Marrero
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Memorial Healthcare System, Hollywood, FL, USA
| | - Gianina Flocco
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Rondell P Graham
- Department of Gastroenterology & Liver Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Baraa Abduljawad
- Department of Critical Care Medicine/Transplant Hepatology, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Fadi Niyazi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Mohammad M Asfari
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Koji Hashimoto
- Department of Surgery - Liver Transplantation, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Bijan Eghtesad
- Department of Surgery - Liver Transplantation, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - K V Narayanan Menon
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Federico N Aucejo
- Department of Surgery - Liver Transplantation, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Rocio Lopez
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Lisa M Yerian
- Department of Gastrointestinal and Hepatobiliary Pathology, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Daniela S Allende
- Department of Gastrointestinal and Hepatobiliary Pathology, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, USA.
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49
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EASL Clinical Practice Guidelines on non-invasive tests for evaluation of liver disease severity and prognosis - 2021 update. J Hepatol 2021; 75:659-689. [PMID: 34166721 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2021.05.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 721] [Impact Index Per Article: 240.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Non-invasive tests are increasingly being used to improve the diagnosis and prognostication of chronic liver diseases across aetiologies. Herein, we provide the latest update to the EASL Clinical Practice Guidelines on the use of non-invasive tests for the evaluation of liver disease severity and prognosis, focusing on the topics for which relevant evidence has been published in the last 5 years.
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50
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Izzy M, Alexopoulos S, Shingina A. Combined heart-liver transplantation for congestive hepatopathy with bridging fibrosis: Is it warranted? JHEP Rep 2021; 3:100292. [PMID: 34345812 PMCID: PMC8319371 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2021.100292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Manhal Izzy
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Sophoclis Alexopoulos
- Department of Surgery, Division of Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Alexandra Shingina
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
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