Efficacy of Granulocyte Colony-stimulating Factor in the Management of Steroid-Nonresponsive Severe Alcoholic Hepatitis: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor plus pentoxifylline increases short-term survival in patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis: a network meta-analysis

Background: Optimal treatments for severe alcoholic hepatitis (SAH) remain controversial. Previous network meta-analysis showed that corticosteroid (CS) combined with N-acetylcysteine (NAC) was superior in reducing short-term mortality of patients with SAH. Recently, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) treatments for SAH yielded promising results.Objectives: To determine how currently available treatments affect the survival and complications of patients with SAH.Methods: The study was conducted following the guidelines of PRISMA. The data from PubMed, Embase, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and clinicaltrials.gov to October 2022 were searched, and patients with SAH with pharmacotherapy were included in our study. The primary outcome was short-term survival, and the other outcomes were medium- (3/6 months) or long-term (12 months) survival and complications after treatment. R software was used to establish network meta-analysis models and the result was expressed by the odd ratio (OR) value and 95% credible interval (Crls).Results: A total of 31 randomized controlled trials, including 19 treatment regimens, were enrolled in our study. As the primary outcome, G-CSF+ pentoxifylline (PTX) ranked first in one-month survival and showed significant superiority when compared with the placebo (OR 8.60, 95% Crls 1.92-45.10) and CS (OR 4.95, 95% Crls 1.11-25.53). Also, G-CSF+PTX ranked first in improving three-month survival and reducing the occurrence of infection. PTX+MTD ranked first in six-month survival, and G-CSF ranked first in twelve-month survival. CS+MTD ranked first in the occurrence of gastrointestinal bleeding and hepatorenal syndrome.Conclusions: The combination of G-CSF and PTX showed a significant benefit in improving the short-term survival of SAH patients.

Real-World Utilization of Corticosteroids in Severe Alcoholic Hepatitis: Eligibility, Response, and Outcomes

Background and Objectives: Alcoholic hepatitis (AH) poses a medical challenge, causing moderately severe to life-threatening episodes with high short- and long-term mortality. This study aimed to explore real-world corticosteroid utilization in severe AH, response predictors, and patient outcomes. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective study on patients admitted for severe AH, defined as a Maddrey Discriminant Function score equal to or above 32, at a tertiary care center. We reviewed patients' medical observation charts to identify corticosteroid prescriptions, reasons for ineligibility, and response rates. Responders were defined based on the Lille score, and predictors of non-response were identified. Short-term (one-month) and long-term (one-year) mortality rates were calculated according to treatment and response. Results: Out of 310 patients enrolled with severe AH, 59% received corticosteroids, achieving a response rate of 75.4%. The reasons for not administering corticosteroids were as follows: uncontrolled infections (27.6%), renal dysfunction (20.4%), gastrointestinal bleeding (18.9%), acute pancreatitis (7.1%), uncontrolled diabetes (3.1%), and other or unknown causes (22.8%). The overall 1-month mortality rate was 12.2%, higher in non-responders (35.3%) and patients who did not receive corticosteroids (13.4%) compared to responders (3.6%). The overall 1-year mortality rate was 62.5%, similar between patients who did not receive corticosteroids (78.7%) and non-responders (77.7%) and higher compared to responders (42.8%). Predictive factors for non-response included older age (OR = 1.05, 95%CI: 1.01-1.08), concomitant cirrhosis (OR= 2.11, 95% CI: 1.064-4.20), MELD scores exceeding 30 (OR = 2.42, 95% CI: 1.21-4.80), severe hypoalbuminemia (OR = 2.46, 95%CI: 1.12-5.37), and increased serum creatinine (OR = 1.5, 95% CI: 1.1-2.03). Among the prognostic scores, MELD 3.0 score exhibited superior efficacy for short-term (AUC = 0.734, 95% CI 0.656-0.811) and long-term mortality (AUC = 0.777, 95% CI: 0.724-0.830) compared to alternative scoring systems. Conclusions: Low eligibility rate and poor prognosis underscore the need for effective therapies. Our findings contribute to refining risk stratification and early prediction of non-response, aiding clinicians in identifying more beneficial therapies.

Granulocyte-monocyte/macrophage apheresis for steroid-nonresponsive or steroid-intolerant severe alcohol-associated hepatitis: A pilot study

BACKGROUND

Patients with severe alcohol-associated hepatitis (SAH) have a high short-term mortality rate. Unmet needs exist in patients who are refractory to corticosteroids (CS) or are ineligible for early liver transplantation.

METHODS

This was a prospective, open-label, nonrandomized pilot study conducted at a liver transplant center in Tokyo, Japan, starting in October 2015. Lille model and Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) score-defined CS nonresponsive or CS-intolerant patients with SAH who fulfilled the inclusion criteria (leukocytosis over 10,000/μL, etc.) were considered for enrollment. The median duration from admission to enrollment was 23 days (IQR, 14-31 days), after standard of care. Granulocyte-monocyte/macrophage apheresis (GMA) performed with Adacolumn twice per week, up to 10 times per treatment course, was evaluated.

RESULTS

13 GMA treatments were conducted through December 2021. Maddrey Discriminant Function was 53.217.7 at admission. The overall survival rate was 90.9% at 90 and 180 days. MELD scores significantly improved, from median (IQRs) of 23 (20-25) to 15 (13-21) after GMA (p<0.0001). Estimated mortality risks using the Lille model and MELD scores significantly improved from 20.9%±16.5% to 7.4%±7.3% at 2 months and from 30.4%±21.3% to 11.6%±10.8% at 6 months, respectively (both p<0.01), and were internally validated. The cumulative rate of alcohol relapse was 35.9% per year. No severe adverse events were observed. In exploratory analysis, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor levels were significantly correlated with prognostic systems such as MELD-Sodium scores after GMA (correlation coefficient= -0.9943, p<0.0001) but not before GMA (p=0.62).

CONCLUSIONS

Compared to published studies, GMA is associated with a lower-than-expected 90- and 180-day mortality in patients with CS-nonresponsive or CS-intolerant SAH. GMA may meet the needs as a salvage anti-inflammatory therapy for SAH. (Trial registration: UMIN000019351 and jRCTs No.032180221) (274 words).

Severity of Acute Portal Hypertension Determines the Clinical Outcomes in Severe Alcoholic Hepatitis

BACKGROUND

Severe alcohol-associated hepatitis (SAH) presenting as acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) has high mortality. Severe hepatic inflammation and ongoing hepatocellular cell death lead to rapid rise in portal pressure, a hyperdynamic circulation that might precipitate infections and organ failures.

METHODS

Consecutive SAH patients were classified based on baseline HVPG measurement as 6to < 12 mmHg, 12to < 20 mmHg, and ≥ 20 mmHg. We analyzed portal hypertension severity in relation to fibrosis stage, ACLF at presentation, response to prednisolone, severity scores(MELD and Maddrey's Discriminant Function, mDF), and 90-day mortality.

RESULTS

Of 819 SAH patients (94.6% ACLF, 85.4% histological cirrhosis, median MELD and mDF scores 25 and 66, respectively), 250(30.5%) had HVPG ≥ 20 mmHg. Patients with HVPG ≥ 20 mmHg more often had large esophageal varices (25.2%vs.13.2%; p-0.001), higher baseline MELD (27.1 ± 5.6vs.25.3 ± 5.2; p-0.001), and mDF(76.1 ± 16vs.68.4 ± 15.1; p-0.01) scores. No patient without ACLF had HVPG ≥ 20 mmHg. Moreover, during hospital course these patients had higher incidence of variceal bleed (17.2%vs.8.8%; p-0.001), acute kidney injury (36.4%vs.25.3%; p-0.001), and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (6.4%vs.3.5%; p-0.05). Of 412(50.3%) eligible patients treated with prednisolone, 69.2% showed response at day 7(Lille's score < 0.45). 90-day mortality was 27.6%; and baseline MELD > 25.5[HR 1.78], HVPG ≥ 20 mmHg [HR 1.86], the presence of HE[HR 1.63], and prednisolone ineligibility due to sepsis[HR 1.27] were independent predictors. Mortality was unrelated to varices grade, variceal bleed, and histological cirrhosis. Repeat HVPG performed in 114(19.2%) patients after a median of 5.2 months showed significant decrease (3.6 mmHg; p-0.001) which correlated with improvement in MELD score(13points; p-0.05).

CONCLUSION

Development of ACLF and complications in SAH are likely a result of acute rise in HVPG. "High-risk" SAH are SAH patients with HVPG ≥ 20 mmHg in the presence of ascites. Understanding the drivers for acute rise in portal pressure in SAH ACLF might help introduction of newer therapies.

The efficacy and safety of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in the treatment of acute-on-chronic liver failure: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The safety and efficacy of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) for the treatment of acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) remain controversial. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of G-CSF in treating ACLF.

METHODS

The estimated pooled risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) assessed the treatment effects of G-CSF. Mean differences (MD) and 95% confidence intervals were used to analyze continuous data. Heterogeneity was explored by sensitivity analysis. Potential publication bias was assessed using Egger's test.

RESULTS

Ten studies, comprising a total of 603 participants, were included in the analysis. The G-CSF group showed significantly lower MELD scores at 7-day (MD = -2.39, 95%CI: -3.95 to -0.82), CTP scores at 7-day (MD = -0.77, 95%CI: -1.41 to -0.14), and MELD scores at 30-day (MD = -3.01, 95%CI: -5.36 to -0.67) compared to the control group. Furthermore, the G-CSF group was associated with a reduced risk of sepsis (RR = 0.53, 95%CI: 0.35-0.80). The 30-day survival (RR = 1.26, 95%CI:1.10-1.43), 60-day survival (RR = 1.47, 95%CI:1.17-1.84, and 90-day survival (RR = 1.73, 95%CI: 1.27-2.35) of patients with ACLF treated with G-CSF were significantly higher than those of the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

Our meta-analysis suggests that G-CSF therapy may be a promising treatment for ACLF, with significant improvements in liver function and survival rates, however, further studies are needed to verify this conclusion.

Granulocyte colony stimulating factor in decompensated cirrhosis, acute alcoholic hepatitis, and acute-on-chronic liver failure: A comprehensive meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

GCSF may improve the prognosis of severe liver disease by promoting liver regeneration and immune restoration. Our Aim was to investigate its controversial efficacy in decompensated cirrhosis, acute alcoholic hepatitis (AAH), or acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) through meta-analysis.

METHODS

Meta-analysis of proportions (random effect model) including 19 RCTs (1287 patients from 16 Asian and 3 European studies including 487 ACLF, 231 AAH and 569 cirrhotic patients) evaluating survival at day-28, day-90, 6 months, one year, and/or occurrence of sepsis as major outcomes.

RESULTS

In patients with decompensated cirrhosis, G-CSF administration was associated with a reduction in the weight-adjusted risk of mortality of 9% at day-90 (OR=0.33; 95%CI: 0.18-0.58; p = 0.0002), 16% at 6 months (OR=0.31; 95%CI: 0.15-0.62; p = 0.0009), 26% at one year (OR=0.21; 95%CI:0.12-0.38, p<0.0001) and a weight-adjusted 28% risk reduction for sepsis (OR=0.28; 95%CI: 0.16-0.49; p<0.0001). Only Asian studies were positive. In AAH, G-CSF was associated with an 18% reduction in weight-adjusted mortality risk at day-28 (OR=0.31; 95%CI:0.11-0.83, p = 0.021), 32% at day-90 (OR=0.20; 95%CI:0.09-0.46, p<0.0001) and a weight-adjusted 42% risk reduction for sepsis (OR=0.17; 95%CI: 0.08-0.38; p<0.0001). Only Asian studies, in which corticosteroids were not given systematically in case of severe AAH, were positive. In patients with ACLF, the results on mortality at day-28 were heterogeneous, and GCSF had no beneficial effect on sepsis or survival at day-90.

CONCLUSION

G-CSF may be effective in patients with decompensated cirrhosis or AAH by reducing the occurrence of sepsis and mortality. Further meta-analyses of individual data, or new, powerful and methodologically flawless therapeutic trials, are warranted to confirm these results, which harbor wide divergences between Asian and European RCTs.

The role of neutrophils in alcohol-related hepatitis

Alcohol-related liver disease is a major cause of liver disease-associated mortality, with inpatient care being a major contributor to its clinical and economic burden. Alcohol-related hepatitis (AH) is an acute inflammatory form of alcohol-related liver disease. Severe AH is associated with high short-term mortality, with infection being a common cause of death. The presence of AH is associated with increased numbers of circulating and hepatic neutrophils. We review the literature on the role of neutrophils in AH. In particular, we explain how neutrophils are recruited to the inflamed liver and how their antimicrobial functions (chemotaxis, phagocytosis, oxidative burst, NETosis) may be altered in AH. We highlight evidence for the existence of 'high-density' and 'low-density' neutrophil subsets. We also describe the potentially beneficial roles of neutrophils in the resolution of injury in AH through their effects on macrophage polarisation and hepatic regeneration. Finally, we discuss how manipulation of neutrophil recruitment/function may be used as a therapeutic strategy in AH. For example, correction of gut dysbiosis in AH could help to prevent excess neutrophil activation, or treatments could aim to enhance miR-223 function in AH. The development of markers that can reliably distinguish neutrophil subsets and of animal models that accurately reproduce human disease will be crucial for facilitating translational research in this important field.

Review article: Emerging and current management of acute-on-chronic liver failure

BACKGROUND

Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is a clinically and pathophysiologically distinct condition from acutely decompensated cirrhosis and is characterised by systemic inflammation, extrahepatic organ failure, and high short-term mortality.

AIMS

To provide a narrative review of the diagnostic criteria, prognosis, epidemiology, and general management principles of ACLF. Four specific interventions that are explored in detail are intravenous albumin, extracorporeal liver assist devices, granulocyte-colony stimulating factor, and liver transplantation.

METHODS

We searched PubMed and Cochrane databases for articles published up to July 2023.

RESULTS

Approximately 35% of hospital inpatients with decompensated cirrhosis have ACLF. There is significant heterogeneity in the criteria used to diagnose ACLF; different definitions identify different phenotypes with varying mortality. Criteria established by the European Association for the Study of the Liver were developed in prospective patient cohorts and are, to-date, the most well validated internationally. Systemic haemodynamic instability, renal dysfunction, coagulopathy, neurological dysfunction, and respiratory failure are key considerations when managing ACLF in the intensive care unit. Apart from liver transplantation, there are no accepted evidence-based treatments for ACLF, but several different approaches are under investigation.

CONCLUSION

The recognition of ACLF as a distinct entity from acutely decompensated cirrhosis has allowed for better patient stratification in clinical settings, facilitating earlier engagement with the intensive care unit and liver transplantation teams. Research priorities over the next decade should focus on exploring novel treatment strategies with a particular focus on which, when, and how patients with ACLF should be treated.

Management of alcoholic hepatitis: A clinical perspective

Alcohol-associated liver disease is the primary cause of liver-related mortality worldwide and one of the most common indications for liver transplantation. Alcoholic hepatitis represents the most acute and severe manifestation of alcohol-associated liver disease and is characterized by a rapid onset of jaundice with progressive inflammatory liver injury, worsening of portal hypertension, and an increased risk for multiorgan failure in patients with excessive alcohol consumption. Severe alcoholic hepatitis is associated with a poor prognosis and high short-term mortality. During the COVID-19 pandemic, rates of alcohol-associated hepatitis have increased significantly, underscoring that it is a serious and growing health problem. However, adequate management of alcohol-associated hepatitis and its complications in everyday clinical practice remains a major challenge. Currently, pharmacotherapy is limited to corticosteroids, although these have only a moderate effect on reducing short-term mortality. In recent years, translational studies deciphering key mechanisms of disease development and progression have led to important advances in the understanding of the pathogenesis of alcoholic hepatitis. Emerging pathophysiology-based therapeutic approaches include anti-inflammatory agents, modifications of the gut-liver axis and intestinal dysbiosis, epigenetic modulation, antioxidants, and drugs targeting liver regeneration. Concurrently, evidence is increasing that early liver transplantation is a safe treatment option with important survival benefits in selected patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis not responding to medical treatment. This narrative review describes current pathophysiology and management concepts of alcoholic hepatitis, provides an update on emerging treatment options, and focuses on the need for holistic and patient-centred treatment approaches to improve prognosis.

Compensated liver cirrhosis: Natural course and disease-modifying strategies

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.

[Alcoholic hepatitis - current and future treatment approaches]

Acute severe alcoholic hepatitis is a serious disease with poor prognosis. As a result of an improved understanding of the underlying pathomechanisms, a variety of new, innovative therapeutic modalities are currently being investigated that may help to improve prognosis. New approaches include the application of anti-inflammatory agents (e.g., interleukin-1 inhibitors), modifications of the gut-liver axis via fecal microbiome transfer or the administration of non-absorbable antibiotics (e.g., rifaximin), and drugs to enhance hepatocellular regeneration (e.g., interleukin-22 agonists). This article describes current management concepts of alcoholic hepatitis and provides an overview of new potential treatment approaches.

Future Approaches and Therapeutic Modalities for Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure

Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) results from an acute decompensation of cirrhosis due to exogenous insult. The condition is characterized by a severe systemic inflammatory response, inappropriate compensatory anti-inflammatory response, multisystem extrahepatic organ failure, and high short-term mortality. Here, the authors evaluate the current status of potential treatments for ACLF and assess their efficacy and therapeutic potential.

Current and future treatment for alcoholic-related liver diseases

The socioeconomic burden of alcohol-related liver disease has been increasing worldwide. Its prevalence is underestimated, and patients with alcohol-related liver disease are rarely diagnosed in the earlier phase of the disease spectrum. Alcoholic hepatitis is a distinct syndrome with life-threatening signs of systemic inflammation. In severe alcoholic hepatitis, prednisolone is indicated as the first-line treatment even with the possibility of various complications. Early liver transplantation can be another option for highly selected patients with a null response to prednisolone. Most importantly, abstinence is the mainstay of long-term care, but relapse is frequent among patients. Recent findings on the pathogenesis of alcoholic hepatitis have enabled us to discover new therapeutic targets. Preventing hepatic inflammation, reducing oxidative stress, improving gut dysbiosis, and enhancing liver regeneration are the main targets of emerging therapies. Herein, we review the pathogenesis, current treatment, and barriers to successful clinical trials of alcoholic hepatitis. Additionally, clinical trials for alcoholic hepatitis, either ongoing or recently completed, will be briefly introduced.

Immune microenvironment changes of liver cirrhosis: emerging role of mesenchymal stromal cells

Cirrhosis is a progressive and diffuse liver disease characterized by liver tissue fibrosis and impaired liver function. This condition is brought about by several factors, including chronic hepatitis, hepatic steatosis, alcohol abuse, and other immunological injuries. The pathogenesis of liver cirrhosis is a complex process that involves the interaction of various immune cells and cytokines, which work together to create the hepatic homeostasis imbalance in the liver. Some studies have indicated that alterations in the immune microenvironment of liver cirrhosis are closely linked to the development and prognosis of the disease. The noteworthy function of mesenchymal stem cells and their paracrine secretion lies in their ability to promote the production of cytokines, which in turn enhance the self-repairing capabilities of tissues. The objective of this review is to provide a summary of the alterations in liver homeostasis and to discuss intercellular communication within the organ. Recent research on MSCs is yielding a blueprint for cell typing and biomarker immunoregulation. Hopefully, as MSCs researches continue to progress, novel therapeutic approaches will emerge to address cirrhosis.

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor with or without stem or progenitor cell or growth factors infusion for people with compensated or decompensated advanced chronic liver disease

BACKGROUND

Advanced chronic liver disease is characterised by a long compensated phase followed by a rapidly progressive 'decompensated' phase, which is marked by the development of complications of portal hypertension and liver dysfunction. Advanced chronic liver disease is considered responsible for more than one million deaths annually worldwide. No treatment is available to specifically target fibrosis and cirrhosis; liver transplantation remains the only curative option. Researchers are investigating strategies to restore liver functionality to avoid or slow progression towards end-stage liver disease. Cytokine mobilisation of stem cells from the bone marrow to the liver could improve liver function. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) is a 175-amino-acid protein currently available for mobilisation of haematopoietic stem cells from the bone marrow. Multiple courses of G-CSF, with or without stem or progenitor cell or growth factors (erythropoietin or growth hormone) infusion, might be associated with accelerated hepatic regeneration, improved liver function, and survival.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the benefits and harms of G-CSF with or without stem or progenitor cell or growth factors (erythropoietin or growth hormone) infusion, compared with no intervention or placebo in people with compensated or decompensated advanced chronic liver disease.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Hepato-Biliary Group Controlled Trials Register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, three other databases, and two trial registers (October 2022) together with reference-checking and web-searching to identify additional studies. We applied no restrictions on language and document type.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We only included randomised clinical trials comparing G-CSF, independent of the schedule of administration, as a single treatment or combined with stem or progenitor cell infusion, or with other medical co-interventions, with no intervention or placebo, in adults with chronic compensated or decompensated advanced chronic liver disease or acute-on-chronic liver failure. We included trials irrespective of publication type, publication status, outcomes reported, or language.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

We followed standard Cochrane procedures. All-cause mortality, serious adverse events, and health-related quality of life were our primary outcomes, and liver disease-related morbidity, non-serious adverse events, and no improvement of liver function scores were our secondary outcomes. We undertook meta-analyses, based on intention-to-treat, and presented results using risk ratios (RR) for dichotomous outcomes and the mean difference (MD) for continuous outcomes, with 95% confidence intervals (CI) and I2 statistic values as a marker of heterogeneity. We assessed all outcomes at maximum follow-up. We determined the certainty of evidence using GRADE, evaluated the risk of small-study effects in regression analyses, and conducted subgroup and sensitivity analyses.

MAIN RESULTS

We included 20 trials (1419 participants; sample size ranged from 28 to 259), which lasted between 11 and 57 months. Nineteen trials included only participants with decompensated cirrhosis; in one trial, 30% had compensated cirrhosis. The included trials were conducted in Asia (15), Europe (four), and the USA (one). Not all trials provided data for our outcomes. All trials reported data allowing intention-to-treat analyses. The experimental intervention consisted of G-CSF alone or G-CSF plus any of the following: growth hormone, erythropoietin, N-acetyl cysteine, infusion of CD133-positive haemopoietic stem cells, or infusion of autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells. The control group consisted of no intervention in 15 trials and placebo (normal saline) in five trials. Standard medical therapy (antivirals, alcohol abstinence, nutrition, diuretics, β-blockers, selective intestinal decontamination, pentoxifylline, prednisolone, and other supportive measures depending on the clinical status and requirement) was administered equally to the trial groups. Very low-certainty evidence suggested a decrease in mortality with G-CSF, administered alone or in combination with any of the above, versus placebo (RR 0.53, 95% CI 0.38 to 0.72; I2 = 75%; 1419 participants; 20 trials). Very low-certainty evidence suggested no difference in serious adverse events (G-CSF alone or in combination versus placebo: RR 1.03, 95% CI 0.66 to 1.61; I2 = 66%; 315 participants; three trials). Eight trials, with 518 participants, reported no serious adverse events. Two trials, with 165 participants, used two components of the quality of life score for assessment, with ranges from 0 to 100, where higher scores indicate better quality of life, with a mean increase from baseline of the physical component summary of 20.7 (95% CI 17.4 to 24.0; very low-certainty evidence) and a mean increase from baseline of the mental component summary of 27.8 (95% CI 12.3 to 43.3; very low-certainty evidence). G-CSF, alone or in combination, suggested a beneficial effect on the proportion of participants who developed one or more liver disease-related complications (RR 0.40, 95% CI 0.17 to 0.92; I2 = 62%; 195 participants; four trials; very low-certainty evidence). When we analysed the occurrences of single complications, there was no suggestion of a difference between G-CSF, alone or in combination, versus control, in participants in need of liver transplantation (RR 0.85, 95% CI 0.39 to 1.85; 692 participants; five trials), in the development of hepatorenal syndrome (RR 0.65, 95% CI 0.33 to 1.30; 520 participants; six trials), in the occurrence of variceal bleeding (RR 0.68, 95% CI 0.37 to 1.23; 614 participants; eight trials), and in the development of encephalopathy (RR 0.56, 95% CI 0.31 to 1.01; 605 participants; seven trials) (very low-certainty evidence). The same comparison suggested that G-CSF reduces the development of infections (including sepsis) (RR 0.50, 95% CI 0.29 to 0.84; 583 participants; eight trials) and does not improve liver function scores (RR 0.67, 95% CI 0.53 to 0.86; 319 participants; two trials) (very low-certainty evidence).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

G-CSF, alone or in combination, seems to decrease mortality in people with decompensated advanced chronic liver disease of whatever aetiology and with or without acute-on-chronic liver failure, but the certainty of evidence is very low because of high risk of bias, inconsistency, and imprecision. The results of trials conducted in Asia and Europe were discrepant; this could not be explained by differences in participant selection, intervention, and outcome measurement. Data on serious adverse events and health-related quality of life were few and inconsistently reported. The evidence is also very uncertain regarding the occurrence of one or more liver disease-related complications. We lack high-quality, global randomised clinical trials assessing the effect of G-CSF on clinically relevant outcomes.

Roles and correlations of TIM-3 and LAG-3 with cytokines and chemokines in alcoholic liver disease

BACKGROUND

Dysregulation of immune checkpoint regulators has been reported in alcoholic liver disease (ALD). This study was designed to assess the serum levels of cytokines and chemokines associated with ALD and uncover the possible disease correlations with the soluble TIM-3 and LAG-3.

METHODS

The soluble TIM-3 and LAG-3 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunoassay, and 14 cytokines and chemokines were measured using Luminex-based multiplex assay in 111 male ALD patients and 45 healthy controls (HCs).

RESULTS

Our results showed that soluble TIM-3 was significantly increased (p < 0.001) while soluble LAG-3 was significantly decreased (p < 0.001) in ALD group compared to HCs. Among the 14 cytokines and chemokines assessed, granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) (p = 0.003) and interferon γ-induced protein (IP)-10 (p < 0.001) were significantly increased, while interleukin (IL)-4 (p = 0.005) and IL-12 (p40) (p = 0.001) were significantly decreased in the ALD group. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that overall survival decreased in higher TIM-3 level individuals.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results showed that TIM-3, LAG-3, and IP-10 appear to be important for clinical diagnosis of ALD and ALD severity and may represent potential therapeutic targets in ALD.

Fecal microbiota transplantation compared with prednisolone in severe alcoholic hepatitis patients: a randomized trial

BACKGROUND

Severe alcoholic hepatitis (SAH) has high 90-day mortality. Prednisolone therapy has shown modest survival benefits over placebo at 28 but not 90 days. Fecal microbial transplantation (FMT) has shown promise in these patients. We compared the efficacy and safety of the two therapies in SAH patients.

METHODS

Steroid eligible SAH patients were randomized in an open-label study to prednisolone (n = 60) 40 mg/day for 28 days (assessed at day-7 for continuation) or healthy donor FMT (n = 60) through naso-duodenal tube, daily for seven days. Primary outcome of study was day-90 survival.

RESULTS

Patients in prednisolone and FMT arms were comparable at baseline (discriminant function score 65 ± 16.2 and 68 ± 14, MELD score 17.1 and 16.5, respectively). Of 120 patients, 112 [prednisolone-57; FMT-55] completed trial. As per intention-to-treat analysis, 90-day survival was achieved by 56.6% (34/60) patients in prednisolone and 75% (45/60) in FMT group (p = 0.044, FMT HR = 0.528, 95%CI 0.279-0.998). Secondary outcome of 28-day survival [78.33% (47/60) and 88.33% (53/60) (p = 0.243, FMT HR = 0.535, 95%CI 0.213-1.34)] with comparable severity scores over time between both arms. Infections accounted for 11 (19.3%) and 2 (3.6%) deaths in prednisolone and FMT groups, respectively (p = 0.01). Path-tracing showed a slow establishment of microbiota and alpha diversity (Shannon index) improvement by day-28 (p = 0.029). FMT resulted in 23 new taxa by day-28, reduction from baseline in pathogenic taxa [Campylobacter (19-fold, p = 0.035), anaerobes (Parcubacteria, Weisella and Leuconostocaceae)], and increase of Alphaproteobacteria [~ sevenfold, p = 0.047] and Thaumarcheota (known ammonia oxidizer, p = 0.06). Lachnospiraceae (p = 0.008), Prevotella and Viellonella communities in gut favored survival (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

In severe alcoholic hepatitis, FMT is safe and improves 90-day survival and reduces infections by favorably modulating microbial communities. It can be a useful alternative to prednisolone therapy.

Therapeutic Pipeline in Alcohol-Associated Liver Disease

Alcohol-associated liver disease is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Patients with alcohol-associated liver disease are often diagnosed at advanced stage and disease spectrum including alcoholic hepatitis, a severe manifestation with a high short-term mortality. Corticosteroid, recommended first-line treatment for patients with alcoholic hepatitis, is a very suboptimal treatment. Although the use of early liver transplantation has increased with consistent benefit in select patients with alcoholic hepatitis, its use remains heterogeneous worldwide due to lack of uniform selection criteria. Over the last decade, several therapeutic targets have evolved of promise with ongoing clinical trials in patients with cirrhosis and alcoholic hepatitis. Even with availability of effective medical therapies for alcohol-associated liver disease, long-term outcome depends on abstinence from alcohol use in any spectrum of alcohol-associated liver disease. However, alcohol use disorder treatment remains underutilized due to several barriers even in patients with advanced disease. There is an urgent unmet need to implement and promote integrated multidisciplinary care model with hepatologists and addiction experts to provide comprehensive management for these patients. In this review, we will discuss newer therapies targeting liver disease and therapies targeting alcohol use disorder in patients with alcohol-associated liver disease.

Clinical implications of Golgi protein 73 and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and their related factors in children with bronchopneumonia

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the clinical implications of Golgi glycoprotein 73 (GP73) and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) in children with bronchopneumonia (BP).

METHODS

Seventy-two children with BP (observation group) and 81 healthy children (control group) consecutively brought to the present study's hospital between June 2019 and October 2020 were enrolled. GP73 and G-CSF levels were determined to analyze their diagnostic value for pediatric BP. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) was also measured. The clinical implications of GP73 and G-CSF in pediatric BP complicated with respiratory failure and their connections with the inflammatory response were discussed.

RESULTS

GP73 and G-CSF levels were remarkably higher in the observation group (p < 0.05). The sensitivity and specificity of combined detection (GP73+G-CSF) in predicting pediatric BP were 72.22% and 86.42%, respectively (p < 0.001). GP73 and G-CSF, which are closely related to X-ray classification and complications in the observation group, decreased after treatment and were positively correlated with hs-CRP (p < 0.05), especially in children complicated with respiratory failure. Regression analysis identified the independence of the course of the disease, hs-CRP, X-ray classification, GP73, and G-CSF as influencing factors of respiratory failure in children with BP (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

GP73 and G-CSF, with elevated levels in children with BP, are strongly linked to disease progression and are independent influencing factors of respiratory failure, which may be the key to diagnosing and treating pediatric BP in the future.

Emerging Pharmacotherapies in Alcohol-Associated Hepatitis

The incidence of alcoholic-associated hepatitis (AH) is increasing. The treatment options for severe AH (sAH) are scarce and limited to corticosteroid therapy which showed limited mortality benefit in short-term use only. Therefore, there is a dire need for developing safe and effective therapies for patients with sAH and to improve their high mortality rates.This review article focuses on the current novel therapeutics targeting various mechanisms in the pathogenesis of alcohol-related hepatitis. Anti-inflammatory agents such as IL-1 inhibitor, Pan-caspase inhibitor, Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase-1, and CCL2 inhibitors are under investigation. Other group of agents include gut-liver axis modulators, hepatic regeneration, antioxidants, and Epigenic modulators. We describe the ongoing clinical trials of some of the new agents for alcohol-related hepatitis.

Conclusion

A combination of therapies was investigated, possibly providing a synergistic effect of drugs with different mechanisms. Multiple clinical trials of novel therapies in AH remain ongoing. Their result could potentially make a difference in the clinical course of the disease. DUR-928 and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor had promising results and further trials are ongoing to evaluate their efficacy in the large patient sample.

Therapeutic targets in alcohol-associated liver disease: progress and challenges

Alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) is a complex disease with rapidly increasing prevalence. Although there are promising therapeutic targets on the horizon, none of the newer targets is currently close to an Food and Drug Administration approval. Strategies are needed to overcome challenges in study designs and conducting clinical trials and provide impetus to the field of drug development in the landscape of ALD and alcoholic hepatitis. Management of ALD is complex and should include therapies to achieve and maintain alcohol abstinence, preferably delivered by a multidisciplinary team. Although associated with clear mortality benefit in select patients, the use of early liver transplantation still requires refinement to create uniformity in selection protocols across transplant centers. There is also a need for reliable noninvasive biomarkers for prognostication. Last but not the least, strategies are urgently needed to implement integrated multidisciplinary care models for treating the dual pathology of alcohol use disorder and of liver disease for improving the long-term outcomes of patients with ALD.

Subclinical versus advanced forms of alcohol-related liver disease: Need for early detection

Alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) consists of a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations and pathological features, ranging from asymptomatic patients to decompensated cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Patients with heavy alcohol intake and advanced fibrosis often develop a subacute form of liver failure called alcohol-induced hepatitis (AH). Globally, most patients with ALD are identified at late stages of the disease, limiting therapeutic interventions. Thus, there is a need for early detection of ALD patients, which is lacking in most countries. The identification of alcohol misuse is hampered by the existence of alcohol underreporting by many patients. There are useful biomarkers that can detect recent alcohol use. Moreover, there are several non-invasive techniques to assess the presence of advanced fibrosis among patients with alcohol misuse, which could identify patients at high risk of liver related events or early death. In this review, we discuss differences between early stages of ALD and AH as the cornerstone of advanced forms. A global overview of epidemiological, anthropometric, clinical, analytical, histological, and molecular differences is summarized in this article. We propose that campaigns aimed at identifying patients with subclinical forms can prevent the development of life-threatening forms.

A phase II, multicenter, open-label, randomized trial of pegfilgrastim for patients with alcohol-associated hepatitis

BACKGROUND

In trials conducted in India, recombinant granulocyte colony stimulating factor (GCSF) improved survival in alcohol-associated hepatitis (AH). The aim of this trial was to determine the safety and efficacy of pegfilgrastim, a long-acting recombinant GCSF, in patients with AH in the United States.

METHODS

This prospective, randomized, open label trial conducted between March 2017 and March 2020 randomized patients with a clinical diagnosis of AH and a Maddrey discriminant function score ≥32 to standard of care (SOC) or SOC+pegfilgrastim (0.6 mg subcutaneously) on Day 1 and Day 8 (clinicaltrials.gov NCT02776059). SOC was 28 days of either pentoxifylline or prednisolone, as determined by the patient's primary physician. The second injection of pegfilgrastim was not administered if the white blood cell count exceeded 30,000/mm³ on Day 8. Primary outcome was survival at Day 90. Secondary outcomes included the incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI), hepatorenal syndrome (HRS), hepatic encephalopathy, or infections.

FINDINGS

The study was terminated early due to COVID19 pandemic. Eighteen patients were randomized to SOC and 16 to SOC+pegfilgrastim. All patients received prednisolone as SOC. Nine patients failed to receive a second dose of pegfilgrastin due to WBC > 30,000/mm³ on Day 8. Survival at 90 days was similar in both groups (SOC: 0.83 [95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.57-0.94] vs. pegfilgrastim: 0.73 [95% CI: 0.44-0.89]; p > 0.05; CI for difference: -0.18-0.38). The incidences of AKI, HRS, hepatic encephalopathy, and infections were similar in both treatment arms and there were no serious adverse events attributed to pegfilgrastim.

INTERPRETATION

This phase II trial found no survival benefit at 90 days among subjects with AH who received pegfilgrastim+prednisolone compared with subjects receiving prednisolone alone.

FUNDING

was provided by the United States National Institutes of Health and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism U01-AA021886 and U01-AA021884.

Mesenchymal stem cells-based therapy in liver diseases

Multiple immune cells and their products in the liver together form a complex and unique immune microenvironment, and preclinical models have demonstrated the importance of imbalances in the hepatic immune microenvironment in liver inflammatory diseases and immunocompromised liver diseases. Various immunotherapies have been attempted to modulate the hepatic immune microenvironment for the purpose of treating liver diseases. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have a comprehensive and plastic immunomodulatory capacity. On the one hand, they have been tried for the treatment of inflammatory liver diseases because of their excellent immunosuppressive capacity; On the other hand, MSCs have immune-enhancing properties in immunocompromised settings and can be modified into cellular carriers for targeted transport of immune enhancers by genetic modification, physical and chemical loading, and thus they are also used in the treatment of immunocompromised liver diseases such as chronic viral infections and hepatocellular carcinoma. In this review, we discuss the immunological basis and recent strategies of MSCs for the treatment of the aforementioned liver diseases. Specifically, we update the immune microenvironment of the liver and summarize the distinct mechanisms of immune microenvironment imbalance in inflammatory diseases and immunocompromised liver diseases, and how MSCs can fully exploit their immunotherapeutic role in liver diseases with both immune imbalance patterns.

Alcohol-Related Liver Disease: An Overview on Pathophysiology, Diagnosis and Therapeutic Perspectives

Alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) refers to a spectrum of liver manifestations ranging from fatty liver diseases, steatohepatitis, and fibrosis/cirrhosis with chronic inflammation primarily due to excessive alcohol use. Currently, ALD is considered as one of the most prevalent causes of liver disease-associated mortality worldwide. Although the pathogenesis of ALD has been intensively investigated, the present understanding of its biomarkers in the context of early clinical diagnosis is not complete, and novel therapeutic targets that can significantly alleviate advanced forms of ALD are limited. While alcohol abstinence remains the primary therapeutic intervention for managing ALD, there are currently no approved medications for treating ALD. Furthermore, given the similarities and the differences between ALD and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in terms of disease progression and underlying molecular mechanisms, numerous studies have demonstrated that many therapeutic interventions targeting several signaling pathways, including oxidative stress, inflammatory response, hormonal regulation, and hepatocyte death play a significant role in ALD treatment. Therefore, in this review, we summarized several key molecular targets and their modes of action in ALD progression. We also described the updated therapeutic options for ALD management with a particular emphasis on potentially novel signaling pathways.

Liver regeneration as treatment target for severe alcoholic hepatitis

Severe alcoholic hepatitis (AH) is a distinct entity in the spectrum of alcohol-related liver disease, with limited treatment options and high mortality. Supportive medical care with corticosteroids in selected patients is the only currently available treatment option, often with poor outcomes. Based on the insights into the pathogenetic mechanisms of AH, which are mostly obtained from animal studies, several new treatment options are being explored. Studies have implicated impaired and deranged liver regeneration processes as one of the culprit mechanisms and a potential therapeutic target. Acknowledging evidence for the beneficial effects of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) on liver regeneration and immunomodulation in animal models, several human studies investigated its role in the treatment of advanced alcohol-related liver disease and AH. Contrary to the previously published studies suggesting benefits of G-CSF in the outcomes of patients with severe AH, these effects were not confirmed by a recently published multicenter randomized trial, suggesting that other options should rather be pursued. Stem cell transplantation represents another option for improving liver regeneration, but evidence for its efficacy in patients with severe AH and advanced alcohol-related liver disease is still very scarce and unconvincing, with established lack of efficacy in patients with compensated cirrhosis. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the pathogenesis and experimental therapies targeting liver regeneration. The lack of high-quality studies and evidence is a major obstacle in further treatment development. New insights into the pathogenesis of not only liver injury, but also liver regeneration processes are mandatory for the development of new treatment options. A reliable experimental model of the pathogenesis of AH and processes involved in liver recovery is still missing, and data obtained from animal studies are essential for future research.

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor attenuates liver damage by M2 macrophage polarization and hepatocyte proliferation in alcoholic hepatitis in mice

Massive inflammation and liver failure are main contributors to the high mortality in alcohol-associated hepatitis (AH). In recent clinical trials, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) therapy improved liver function and survival in patients with AH. However, the mechanisms of G-CSF-mediated beneficial effects in AH remain elusive. In this study, we evaluated effects of in vivo G-CSF administration, using a mouse model of AH. G-CSF treatment significantly reduced liver damage in alcohol-fed mice even though it increased the numbers of liver-infiltrating immune cells, including neutrophils and inflammatory monocytes. Moreover, G-CSF promoted macrophage polarization toward an M2-like phenotype and increased hepatocyte proliferation, which was indicated by an increased Ki67-positive signal colocalized with hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 alpha (HNF-4α) and cyclin D1 expression in hepatocytes. We found that G-CSF increased G-CSF receptor expression and resulted in reduced levels of phosphorylated β-catenin in hepatocytes. In the presence of an additional pathogen-associated molecule, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which is significantly increased in the circulation and liver of patients with AH, the G-CSF-induced hepatoprotective effects were abolished in alcohol-fed mice. We still observed increased Ki67-positive signals in alcohol-fed mice following G-CSF treatment; however, Ki67 and HNF-4α did not colocalize in LPS-challenged mice. Conclusion: G-CSF treatment increases immune cell populations, particularly neutrophil counts, and promotes M2-like macrophage differentiation in the liver. More importantly, G-CSF treatment reduces alcohol-induced liver injury and promotes hepatocyte proliferation in alcohol-fed mice. These data provide new insights into the understanding of mechanisms mediated by G-CSF and its therapeutic effects in AH.

Review article: current and emerging therapies for acute alcohol-associated hepatitis

BACKGROUND

Alcohol-associated hepatitis is an acute manifestation of alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) and is associated with 30%-40% mortality at 28 days. Abstinence and corticosteroids are the mainstays of treatment, but the latter only improves short-term mortality, so new and improved therapies remain an unmet need.

AIMS

The aim was to review the pathophysiology of alcohol-associated hepatitis and how various targets can be used by current and emerging therapies as treatment.

METHODS

A thorough literature review was conducted on acute alcohol-associated hepatitis, current therapies and therapies under investigation.

RESULTS

With the increasing prevalence of alcohol use disorder and ALD, the burden of alcohol-associated hepatitis is also expected to rise. The current understanding of alcohol-associated hepatitis pathophysiology has led to clinical trials of several therapies involving IL-1 antagonism, modification of the gut microbiome and liver regeneration.

CONCLUSIONS

Corticosteroid therapy for alcohol-associated hepatitis is restricted in its applicability and has limited efficacy. Developing multidisciplinary, patient-centred care models based on digital health technologies, in combination with continued discovery of novel therapies using multiomics data and computational biology techniques will be necessary to tackle the increasing burden of alcohol-associated hepatitis.

Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor Modulates Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells and Treg Activity in Decompensated Cirrhotic Patients With Sepsis

Background

Decompensated cirrhosis patients are more prone to bacterial infections. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) expand in sepsis patients and disrupt immune cell functions. Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) therapy helps in restoring immune cell functions and resolving infections. Its role in MDSC modulation in cirrhosis with sepsis is not well understood.

Methods

A total of 164 decompensated cirrhotic—62 without (w/o), 72 with sepsis, and 30 with sepsis treated with GM-CSF—and 15 healthy were studied. High-dimensional flow cytometry was performed to analyze MDSCs, monocytes, neutrophils, CD4 T cells, and Tregs at admission and on days 3 and day 7. Ex vivo co-cultured MDSCs with T cells were assessed for proliferation and apoptosis of T cells and differentiation to Tregs. Plasma factors and mRNA levels were analyzed by cytokine-bead assay and qRT-PCR.

Results

Frequencies of MDSCs and Tregs were significantly increased (p = 0.011 and p = 0.02) with decreased CD4 T cells (p = 0.01) in sepsis than w/o sepsis and healthy controls (HCs) (p = 0.000, p = 0.07, and p = 0.01) at day 0 and day 7. In sepsis patients, MDSCs had increased IL-10, Arg1, and iNOS mRNA levels (p = 0.016, p = 0.043, and p = 0.045). Ex vivo co-cultured MDSCs with T cells drove T-cell apoptosis (p = 0.03, p = 0.03) with decreased T-cell proliferation and enhanced FOXP3⁺ expression (p = 0.044 and p = 0.043) in sepsis compared to w/o sepsis at day 0. Moreover, blocking the MDSCs with inhibitors suppressed FOXP3 expression. GM-CSF treatment in sepsis patients significantly decreased MDSCs and FOXP3⁺ Tregs but increased CD4 T-cell functionality and improved survival.

Conclusion

MDSCs have an immunosuppressive function by expanding FOXP3⁺ Tregs and inhibiting CD4⁺ T-cell proliferation in sepsis. GM-CSF treatment suppressed MDSCs, improved T-cell functionality, and reduced Tregs in circulation.

Severe alcoholic hepatitis as precipitant for organ failure and ACLF

Alcoholic hepatitis is the acute deterioration of alcoholic liver disease with rapid onset or worsening of jaundice, which in severe cases, may transition to acute-on-chronic liver failure with extremely high short-term mortality, increasing with the number and severity of hepatic and extra-hepatic organ dysfunction. Diagnosis and treatment are insufficient and challenging, especially due to the complex, multi-factorial and as yet not fully understood pathogenesis. While current management is limited to steroids and best supportive care, debate is ongoing concerning liver transplantation for selected patients, and several novel approaches are under way with mixed results. These drawbacks in disease management together with increasing prevalence in Germany, and generally in Western countries, constitute an unmet need for the healthcare systems. This review tries to summarize the current status of these aspects and provides an overview for pathogenesis, management and potential future treatments.

Hepatic Regeneration in Cirrhosis

End-stage liver disease is characterized by massive hepatocyte death resulting in clinical decompensation and organ failures. Clinical consequences in cirrhosis are the results of the loss of functional hepatocytes and excessive scarring. The only curative therapy in advanced cirrhosis is orthotropic liver transplantation, but the clinical demand outweighs the availability of acceptable donor organs. Moreover, this also necessitates lifelong immunosuppression and carries associated risks. The liver has a huge capability for regeneration. Self-replication of quiescent differentiated hepatocytes and cholangiocytes occurs in patients with acute liver injury. Due to limited hepatocyte self-renewal capacity in advanced cirrhosis, great interest has therefore been shown in characterizing the possible role of hepatic progenitor cells and bone marrow-derived stem cells to therapeutically aid this process. Transplantation of cells from various sources that can be properly differentiated into functional liver cells or use of growth factors for ex-vivo expansion of progenitor cells is needed at utmost priority. Multiple researches over the last two decades have aided researchers in refining proliferation, differentiation, and storage techniques and understand the functionality of these cells for use in clinical practice. However, these cell-based therapies are still experimental and have to be used in trial settings.

Effectiveness of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor for patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The safety and efficacy of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) for the treatment of acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) remain uncertain. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis to draw a firmer conclusion.

METHODS

We searched the Cochrane library, PubMed, Embase, and China Biology Medicine disc to identify relevant RCTs performed before January 2020. Risk ratios (RRs) and their 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated using a random effects model.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

RRs (95% CI) for 1-, 2-, and 3-month survival rates.

SAMPLE SIZE

Six RCTs, including three open-label studies.

RESULTS

The six studies included 246 subjects (121 in a G-CSF group and 125 in a control group). G-CSF administration significantly improved the 1-, 2-, and 3-month survival rates in patients with ACLF. The pooled RRs (95% CI, P) were 0.43 (0.27-0.69, P=.0004), 0.44 (0.32-0.62, P<.00001), and 0.39 (0.22-0.68, P=.0009), respectively.

CONCLUSION

G-CSF may be beneficial and effective in the treatment of ACLF, but further studies are needed to verify this conclusion.

LIMITATIONS

The sample size was small, and studies were restricted to countries in Asia.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42021225681 CONFLICT OF INTEREST: None.

Longitudinal effects of modified creatinine index on all-cause mortality in individuals receiving hemodialysis treatment

BACKGROUND

The modified creatinine index (mCI), as a surrogate marker of muscle mass, has been associated with poor outcomes in patients undergoing hemodialysis. However, a single assessment may not reflect the clinical significance before an adverse clinical endpoint.

OBJECTIVE

Analyze mCI trajectories and their association with all-cause mortality in incident hemodialysis patients.

DESIGN

Retrospective observational cohort.

SETTING

Outpatient dialysis facility.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We followed a cohort of patients who underwent maintenance hemodialysis treatment at least three times weekly for at least three months from 19 June 2010 to 29 December 2017. Clinical and laboratory features were measured at baseline. Longitudinal changes in the mCI were modeled using a joint longitudinal and survival model adjusted for baseline covariates and body mass index trajectories.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

All-cause mortality.

SAMPLE SIZE

408 with 208 males (50.7%).

RESULTS

The mean (SD) age was 62.2 (12.3) years. The mCI changes were evaluated for a median (interquartile range) follow-up of 2.16 (1.13, 3.73) years. Forty-six percent (n=188) of patients reached the endpoint. A steeper slope (per 0.1 unit increase in the decrease rate) in modified creatinine index was associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality (HR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.02-1.07; P=.011). In addition, an annual 1 mg/kg/day decrease in modified creatinine index level increased the hazard of all-cause mortality by 4% (HR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.02-1.07; P=.001).

LIMITATIONS

Residual kidney function was not observed in the data. Setting was single center and thus results may not be generalizable to other populations.

CONCLUSION

All-cause death was significantly associated with loss of muscle mass over time. Longitudinal trajectories of nutritional markers may predict the clinical outcomes in patients undergoing hemodialysis. This may also be valuable for individual risk stratification. Furthermore, early management may provide an opportunity to improve patient survival.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

None.

Granulocyte colony stimulating factor: A potential therapeutic rescue in severe alcoholic hepatitis and decompensated cirrhosis

Liver cirrhosis accounts for over 2 million deaths annually worldwide. A subset of these patients - those with alcoholic hepatitis and decompensated cirrhosis, have abysmal short-term survival. Liver transplant is the only intervention of proven survival benefit; however organ availability is a major limitation. It is thus imperative to assess potential benefit of experimental therapies as a bridge to transplant. Stem cell therapies have shown some promise in patients with end-stage liver disease. Of these, bone-marrow derived hematopoietic stem cells have generated the most interest. Animal as well as human data suggest biological plausibility of stem cell translocation from bone marrow to liver, giving credence to cytokine therapies based on bone marrow stimulation. Granulocyte colony stimulating factor has been the most frequently used cytokine for this purpose. This intervention has shown encouraging results in terms of safety as well as survival benefits in small clinical trials. The evidence, however, is sparse and heterogeneous. In this review we describe the biological plausibility, mechanisms of action, and clinical evidence of the use of cytokine based stem cell therapy in patients with end-stage liver disease.

Prevention of Cirrhosis Complications: Looking for Potential Disease Modifying Agents

The current therapeutic strategies for the management of patients with cirrhosis rely on the prevention or treatment of specific complications. The removal of the causative agents (i.e., viruses or alcohol) prevents decompensation in the vast majority of patients with compensated cirrhosis. In contrast, even when etiological treatment has been effective, a significant proportion of patients with decompensated cirrhosis remains at risk of further disease progression. Therefore, therapies targeting specific key points in the complex pathophysiological cascade of decompensated cirrhosis could represent a new approach for the management of these severely ill patients. Some of the interventions currently employed for treating or preventing specific complications of cirrhosis or used in other diseases (i.e., poorly absorbable oral antibiotics, statins, albumin) have been proposed as potential disease-modifying agents in cirrhosis (DMAC) since clinical studies have shown their capacity of improving survival. Additional multicenter, large randomized clinical trials are awaited to confirm these promising results. Finally, new drugs able to antagonize key pathophysiological mechanisms are under pre-clinical development or at the initial stages of clinical assessment.

Treatment of severe alcoholic hepatitis: A systematic review

Severe alcoholic hepatitis is the most severe form of alcohol-related liver disease. Corticosteroids remain the first choice of treatment. However, they are only effective in a subset of patients and are associated with an increased infection risk. Furthermore, nonresponders to corticosteroids have a poor prognosis with a mortality of 70% over 6 months. As such, there is a high need for a more personalized use of corticosteroids and the development and identification of alternative therapeutic strategies. In this review, we summarize the recent and ongoing randomized controlled trials concerning the treatment of severe alcoholic hepatitis.

Current Therapies for Alcohol-Associated Hepatitis

Alcohol-associated hepatitis is associated with poor outcomes, especially when severe. Despite extensive study with a plethora of potential therapeutic agents, treatment options remain limited, with the current standard of therapy being corticosteroids. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor is an alternate agent that seems promising, although further study in a more heterogenous patient population is needed before implementation. Adjuncts to therapy that are often overlooked are alcohol abstinence and adequate optimization of nutrition to improve outcomes. In select patients, early liver transplantation may be an option or enrollment in clinical trials.

Emerging Therapies for Alcoholic Hepatitis

The incidence of alcoholic hepatitis is increasing while the mortality rate remains high. The single current available therapy for severe alcoholic hepatitis is administration of corticosteroids for patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis, which has demonstrated limited benefits, providing a short-term mortality benefit with a marginal response rate. There is a need for developing safe and effective therapies. This article reviews novel therapies targeting various mechanisms in the pathogenesis of alcoholic hepatitis, such as the gut-liver axis, inflammatory cascade, oxidative stress, and hepatic regeneration. Current ongoing clinical trials for alcoholic hepatitis also are described.

The Current Status of Granulocyte-Colony Stimulating Factor to Treat Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure

Patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) have a devastating prognosis and therapeutic options are limited. Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) mobilizes immune and stem cells and possess immune-modulatory and proregenerative capacities. In this review, we aim to define the current evidence for the treatment with G-CSF in end-stage liver disease. Several smaller clinical trials in patients with different severity grades of end-stage liver disease have shown that G-CSF improves survival and reduces the rate of complications. Adequately powered multicenter European trials could not confirm these beneficial effects. In mouse models of ACLF, G-CSF increased the toll-like receptor (TLR)-mediated inflammatory response which led to an increase in mortality. Adding a TLR4 signaling inhibitor allowed G-CSF to unfold its proregenerative properties in these ACLF models. These data suggest that G-CSF requires a noninflammatory environment to exert its protective properties.

[Medical Treatment of Alcoholic Liver Disease]

Alcoholic liver disease is a major cause of liver disease that results in significant morbidity and mortality in Korea. Abstinence is the most important strategy to prevent disease progression. Corticosteroids improve the one-month survival in patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis, but it was not effective on long-term survival. An N-acetylcysteine treatment combined with corticosteroids may provide a short-term survival benefit than corticosteroids alone. Pentoxifylline is unlikely to affect short-term survival. Hence, studies on new therapies, such as granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and fecal microbiota transplantation, are ongoing. This paper briefly reviews the current knowledge of the medical treatment of alcoholic liver disease.

Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor GCSF mobilizes hematopoietic stem cells in Kasai patients with biliary atresia in a phase 1 study and improves short term outcome

AIMS

In RCT of adults with decompensated cirrhosis, GCSF mobilizes hematopoietic stem cells HSC and improves short-term outcome. An FDA-IND for sequential Kasai-GCSF treatment in biliary atresia BA was approved. This phase 1 study examines GCSF safety in Kasai subjects. Preliminary short-term outcome was evaluated.

METHODS

GCSF (Neupogen) at 5 or 10 μg/kg (n = 3/group) was given in 3 daily doses starting on day 3 of Kasai surgery (NCT03395028). Serum CD34+ HSC cell counts, and 1-month of GCSF-related adverse events were monitored. The 6-months Phase 1 clinical outcome was compared against 10 subsequent post Phase 1 Kasai patients who did not receive GCSF.

RESULTS

With GCSF, WBC and platelet count transiently increased, LFT and serum creatinine remained stable. Reversible splenic enlargement (by 8.5-20%) occurred in 5/6 subjects. HSC count increased 12-fold and 17.5-fold for the 5 μg/kg and10 ug/kg dose respectively; with respective median total bilirubin levels for GCSF vs no-GCSF groups of 55 vs 91 μM at 1 month, p = 0.05; 15 vs 37 μM at 3 months, p = 0.24); and the 6-months cholangitis frequency of 40% vs 90%, p = 0.077.

CONCLUSIONS

GCSF safely mobilizes HSC in Kasai infants and may improve short-term biliary drainage and cholangitis. Phase 2 efficacy outcome of GCSF adjunct therapy for sequential Kasai and GCSF is pending.

The search for disease-modifying agents in decompensated cirrhosis: From drug repurposing to drug discovery

Patients with decompensated cirrhosis are currently managed through targeted strategies aimed at preventing or treating specific complications. In contrast, a disease-modifying agent should, by definition, be aimed at globally addressing 'decompensated cirrhosis'. To be defined as a disease-modifying agent in decompensated cirrhosis, interventions need to demonstrate an unequivocal benefit on the course of disease in well-designed and adequately powered randomised clinical trials with hard endpoints (i.e. patient survival). These trials also need to define the target population, dosage and timing of administration, factors guiding treatment, temporary or permanent stopping rules, transferability to daily clinical practice, cost-effectiveness, and global treatment access. By eliminating the underlying cause of cirrhosis, aetiologic treatments can still influence the course of decompensated disease by halting or slowing down disease progression or even inducing reversion to the compensated state. In contrast, there remains an unmet clinical need for disease-modifying agents which can antagonise key pathophysiological mechanisms of decompensated cirrhosis, such as portal hypertension, gut translocation, circulatory dysfunction, systemic inflammation, and immunological dysfunction. However, in the last few years, the repurposing of "old drugs" that have already been prescribed for more limited indications in hepatology or for other diseases has provided a few candidates, including human albumin, statins, and poorly absorbable oral antibiotics, which are under further evaluation in large-scale randomised clinical trials. New disease-modifying agents are also expected to be identified in the next decade through the systematic repurposing of existing drugs and the development of novel molecules which are currently undergoing pre-clinical or early clinical testing.

Alcohol-Related Liver Disease: Basic Mechanisms and Clinical Perspectives

Alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) refers to the liver damage occurring due to excessive alcohol consumption and involves a broad spectrum of diseases that includes liver steatosis, steatohepatitis, hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The progression of ALD is mainly associated with the amount and duration of alcohol usage; however, it is also influenced by genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors. The definite diagnosis of ALD is based on a liver biopsy, although several non-invasive diagnostic tools and serum biomarkers have emerging roles in the early detection of ALD. While alcohol abstinence and nutritional support remain the cornerstone of ALD treatment, growing evidence has revealed that the therapeutic agents that target oxidative stress or gut-liver axis, inflammatory response inhibition, and liver regeneration enhancement also play a role in ALD management. Furthermore, microRNAs modulation and mesenchymal stem cell-based therapy have emerging potential as ALD therapeutic options. This review summarizes the updated understanding of the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and novel therapeutic approaches for ALD.

Novel treatments for alcoholic hepatitis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The current article aims to review the latest literature on updates in therapeutics for alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD), integration of treatment of alcohol use disorder (AUD) into the management of ALD, and the role of liver transplantation for alcoholic hepatitis.

RECENT FINDINGS

ALD has recently become the most common indication for liver transplantation due to the increasing prevalence of AUD and the paucity of therapeutic options. There is broad consensus on the importance of early identification of AUD and the incorporation of its treatment in the management of ALD. New targets for treatment of alcoholic hepatitis include the gut-liver axis, anti-inflammatory drugs, antioxidants, and drugs with hepatic regenerative potential. Fecal transplantation in particular has had favorable outcomes at 1 year. n-Acetylcysteine in addition to corticosteroids, granulocyte colony stimulating factor, and IL-22 have also shown improved short-term outcomes. A number of other therapies are being studied in clinical trials and their results are anxiously awaited.

SUMMARY

In summary, there are several promising therapeutic options under clinical investigation for the treatment of alcoholic hepatitis and ALD; however, alcohol abstinence is key. In the absence of other effective therapies, liver transplantation for ALD remains a life-saving treatment with excellent patient and graft survival.

Interferon lambda 4 genotype and pathway in alcoholic hepatitis

OBJECTIVES

Single nucleotide polymorphisms within the interferon lambda 4 (IFNL4) gene influence liver inflammation and fibrosis in chronic liver disease. We investigated whether this is also the case during acute liver disease, alcoholic hepatitis. We, therefore, related variants within the IFNL4 gene to the clinical course of acute alcoholic hepatitis, and characterized the activation state of the IFN lambda system in these patients.

METHODS

In this pilot study, 58 patients with alcoholic hepatitis were genotyped for the rs368234815IFNL4 single nucleotide polymorphism (deltaG, deltaG/TT: IFN lambda 4 positive, TT/TT: IFN lambda 4 negative). The genotypes were related to mortality, infection and inflammation and expression of the IFNL receptor 1 and IFN inducible genes were measured in liver and peripheral leukocytes.

RESULTS

Amongst the alcoholic hepatitis patients who died, the IFN negative patients live longer after diagnosis, and also the IFN negative patients tended to have an overall short-term survival benefit compared to IFN lambda positive patients (p = .058). The IFN lambda 4 negative patients at diagnosis had fewer circulating monocytes and lower plasma soluble CD163. The patients with alcoholic hepatitis had reduced expression of the IFNL receptor 1in both liver and blood compared with healthy controls. In blood, the expression of IFN stimulated genes was lower than in healthy controls and most so in the patients, who died.

CONCLUSIONS

The IFN lambda 4 pathway seems involved in the acute disease processes of alcoholic hepatitis and patients without IFN lambda expression seem to have a short-term survival benefit.

Multiple Cycles of Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor Increase Survival Times of Patients With Decompensated Cirrhosis in a Randomized Trial

BACKGROUND & AIMS

There is controversy regarding the inclusion of granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) in the treatment of decompensated cirrhosis. Previous studies tested only a single cycle of G-CSF administration or were underpowered to detect changes in survival time. We performed an adequately powered study to determine whether multiple cycles of G-CSF increased the survival of patients 1 year after the start of therapy.

METHODS

We conducted an open-label trial of 100 patients with decompensated cirrhosis without acute-on-chronic liver failure at a tertiary center from July 2016 through June 2018. The patients were assigned randomly to a group given 5 days of G-CSF every 3 months, with standard medical therapy, in 4 cycles (group A, n = 50), or standard medical therapy alone (group B, n = 50). The primary outcome was survival for 12 months after treatment began. Secondary outcomes were an increase in the number of CD34+ cells at day 6 compared with day 0, along with reductions in Child-Turcotte-Pugh and model for end-stage liver disease scores, increased control of ascites, reduced decompensation and episodes of infection, fewer hospitalizations, lower liver stiffness measurements, increased quality of life and nutrition, fulfilment of liver transplant criteria, and fewer adverse events at 12 months after the start of treatment.

RESULTS

Groups A and B were comparable at baseline. Survival at 12 months after initiation of treatment was significantly higher in group A (74%) than in group B (42%) (P < .001). Blood samples from patients in group A had significantly more CD34+ cells on day 6 than on day 0 (P < .001); there was no significant change in group B. Compared with patients in group B, patients in group A had significant reductions in Child-Turcotte-Pugh and model for end-stage liver disease scores, increased ascites control, fewer infections and hospitalizations, lower liver stiffness measurements, an increased quality of life, and a lower number fulfilled the liver transplant criteria (P < .05). There was no improvement in nutrition in either group compared with baseline. G-CSF was safe and well tolerated.

CONCLUSIONS

Administration of multiple cycles of G-CSF increases the numbers of hematopoietic stem cells and survival of patients with decompensated cirrhosis receiving standard medical treatment. The addition of G-CSF to medical treatment might provide a bridge to liver transplantation for these patients. ClincialTrials.gov no: NCT03415698.

Basic science to clinical trials in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and alcohol-related liver disease: collaboration with industry

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) are highly prevalent forms of chronic liver diseases globally, associated with rising all-cause morbidity and mortality. While distinct diseases, NAFLD and ALD share several similarities; both can result in fatty liver disease, steatohepatitis, associated hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis-related complications, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Our understanding of the pathophysiology and manifestations of these diseases has advanced significantly, which has established a new foundation to identify therapeutic targets and test new treatments. This review underscores emerging pathogenic pathways that establish a template for target identification and clinical trials. Success is critically dependent upon productive interactions between academic investigators and industry to address unmet therapeutic needs in NAFLD and ALD.

Insights into the Role of Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor in Severe Alcoholic Hepatitis

Alcohol use disorder is the predominant cause of chronic liver disease globally. The standard of care for the treatment of alcoholic hepatitis, corticosteroids, has been shown to provide a therapeutic response in ∼60% of carefully selected patients with a short-term survival benefit. The patients who do not respond to steroids, or are ineligible due to infections or very severe disease, have little options other than liver transplantation. There is, thus, a large unmet need for new therapeutic strategies for this large and sick group of patients. Granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) has been shown to favorably modulate the intrahepatic immune milieu and stimulate the regenerative potential of the liver. Initial studies have shown encouraging results with G-CSF in patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis. It has also been found to help steroid nonresponsive patients. There is, however, a need for careful selection of patients, regular dose monitoring and close observation for adverse events of G-CSF. In this review, we analyze the basis of the potential benefits, clinical studies, cautions and challenges in the use of G-CSF in alcoholic hepatitis.