Aspirin use and risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with chronic hepatitis B with or without cirrhosis

Aspirin in Patients with Viral Hepatitis: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies

BACKGROUND

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a disease demonstrating increasing morbidity and mortality, especially in patients with chronic viral hepatitis. Studies have shown that aspirin can reduce the incidence of liver cancer; however, the degree of benefit in patients with viral hepatitis is unclear. This study focused on the association between aspirin use and HCC risk in patients with chronic viral hepatitis.

METHODS

A systematic search of the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases was performed from the earliest available date to December 16, 2023. The primary outcome was HCC incidence, and the secondary outcome was gastrointestinal bleeding. The results were expressed as hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Meta-analyses were performed by using random or fixed-effects models based on the heterogeneity assessed via the I2 statistic.

RESULTS

A total of 13 articles (303,414 participants and 14,423 HCC patients) were included in the analysis. The incidence of HCC in aspirin users was lower than that in non-aspirin users (HR 0.75; 95% CI, 0.68-0.83; P < 0.001; I2 = 90.0%). Subgroup analysis further showed that this effect may be more obvious in HCV patients, non-cirrhotic patients, patients with statins, and long-term aspirin users, but it may have the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding (HR 1.13; 95% CI, 1.07-1.20; P = 0.906; I2 = 0.0%).

CONCLUSIONS

Our meta-analysis shows that in patients with chronic viral hepatitis, aspirin use is associated with a significantly reduced risk of liver cancer, but attention should be paid to the possible risk of gastrointestinal bleeding, and this conclusion needs further validation in the future.

Personalized Antiviral Drug Selection in Patients With Chronic Hepatitis B Using a Machine Learning Model: A Multinational Study

INTRODUCTION

Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) is reportedly superior or at least comparable to entecavir (ETV) for the prevention of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with chronic hepatitis B; however, it has distinct long-term renal and bone toxicities. This study aimed to develop and validate a machine learning model (designated as Prediction of Liver cancer using Artificial intelligence-driven model for Network-antiviral Selection for hepatitis B [PLAN-S]) to predict an individualized risk of HCC during ETV or TDF therapy.

METHODS

This multinational study included 13,970 patients with chronic hepatitis B. The derivation (n = 6,790), Korean validation (n = 4,543), and Hong Kong-Taiwan validation cohorts (n = 2,637) were established. Patients were classified as the TDF-superior group when a PLAN-S-predicted HCC risk under ETV treatment is greater than under TDF treatment, and the others were defined as the TDF-nonsuperior group.

RESULTS

The PLAN-S model was derived using 8 variables and generated a c-index between 0.67 and 0.78 for each cohort. The TDF-superior group included a higher proportion of male patients and patients with cirrhosis than the TDF-nonsuperior group. In the derivation, Korean validation, and Hong Kong-Taiwan validation cohorts, 65.3%, 63.5%, and 76.4% of patients were classified as the TDF-superior group, respectively. In the TDF-superior group of each cohort, TDF was associated with a significantly lower risk of HCC than ETV (hazard ratio = 0.60-0.73, all P < 0.05). In the TDF-nonsuperior group, however, there was no significant difference between the 2 drugs (hazard ratio = 1.16-1.29, all P > 0.1).

DISCUSSION

Considering the individual HCC risk predicted by PLAN-S and the potential TDF-related toxicities, TDF and ETV treatment may be recommended for the TDF-superior and TDF-nonsuperior groups, respectively.

Letter: Causal relationship between aspirin and the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma remains unproven

This article is linked to Lee et al paper. To view this article, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17643

Real-World Epidemiology, Treatment Patterns, and Disease Burden of Chronic Hepatitis B and HDV Co-Infection in South Korea

INTRODUCTION

Long-term complications of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) viral infection, such as cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and liver failure, cause a large disease burden. This study aimed to describe the epidemiology, clinical outcomes, and treatment patterns of CHB infection and co-infection with hepatitis D virus (HDV) in South Korea.

METHODS

The retrospective, observational study used existing data from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) database. Confirmed cases of (CHB) and HBV/HDV co-infection were identified between 2013 and 2019. Hepatitis C virus co-infections and acute HBV infections were excluded. Incident cases diagnosed between 2015 and 2018 with no prior disease history up to 2 years were included. Patient characteristics, clinical outcomes, economic burden, and healthcare-resource utilization were described.

RESULTS

The estimated 7-year prevalence of CHB and HBV/HDV co-infection were 0.9% and 0.0024%, respectively. The prevalence was higher among 45-54 years old (CHB: 1.6%, HBV/HDV: 0.0049%) and males (1.1%, 0.0035%). The 5-year cumulative incidences of compensated cirrhosis, decompensated cirrhosis, HCC, and liver transplantation were 13.3%, 7.1%, 8.4%, and 0.7%, respectively. Hyperlipidemia (40.6%), hypertension (23.5%), and peptic ulcer (23.7%) were the more prevalent comorbidities. Among CHB patients, 48.1% received ≥ 1 prescribed anti-HBV drug including interferon or nucleos(t)ide analogues and 64.4% had ≥ 1 hospitalization compared to 80.4% and 79.4% HBV/HDV patients. Estimated total healthcare costs for CHB and HBV/HDV were US$786 million and $62 million, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings provide insights to the epidemiology, clinical burden, treatment patterns, and healthcare costs of CHB and HBV/HDV co-infection in South Korea.

Association between daily aspirin therapy and risk of hepatocellular carcinoma according to metabolic risk factor burden in non-cirrhotic patients with chronic hepatitis B

BACKGROUND

Several studies have demonstrated chemopreventive effects of aspirin against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).

AIMS

To investigate the associations of aspirin use with risks of HCC, liver-related mortality, and major bleeding according to metabolic risk factor burden among non-cirrhotic patients with CHB METHODS: Using the Korean National Health Insurance Service database, we identified 282,611 non-cirrhotic adults with CHB. Data on obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and hypercholesterolemia were collected. Subjects were stratified into lower and higher metabolic risk groups (≤2 and ≥3 risk factors, respectively). Propensity score-matched cohorts of aspirin users and non-users were generated. Risks of HCC, liver-related death and major bleeding were analyzed.

RESULTS

During the median follow-up of 7.4 years, positive associations between metabolic risk factor burden and outcomes were verified (all ptrend  < 0.001). In the lower metabolic risk group (13,104 pairs), the association between aspirin use and HCC risk was not significant after multivariable adjustment (adjusted subdistribution hazard ratio [aSHR]: 0.93; 95% CI: 0.84-1.03); however, aspirin use was associated with elevated major bleeding risk (aSHR: 1.22; 95% CI: 1.08-1.39). In the higher metabolic risk group (2984 pairs), aspirin use was associated with reduced risks of HCC (aSHR: 0.72; 95% CI: 0.57-0.91) and liver-related mortality (aSHR: 0.69; 95% CI: 0.50-0.96) without an increase in risk of major bleeding (aSHR: 1.02; 95% CI: 0.79-1.32).

CONCLUSIONS

Aspirin therapy was associated with reduced risks of HCC and liver-related death without excess risk of major bleeding, in non-cirrhotic patients with CHB who had a higher metabolic risk factor burden.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma:Insights in epidemiology, pathogenesis, imaging, prevention and therapy

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is estimated to be the third leading cause of cancer-related mortality and is characterized by low survival rates. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is emerging as a leading cause of HCC, whose rates are increasing, owing to the increasing prevalence of NAFLD. The pathogenesis of NAFLD-associated HCC is multifactorial: insulin resistance, obesity, diabetes and the low-grade hepatic inflammation, which characterizes NAFLD, seem to play key roles in the development and progression of HCC. The diagnosis of NAFLD-associated HCC is based on imaging in the presence of liver cirrhosis, preferably computerized tomography or magnetic resonance imaging, but liver biopsy for histological confirmation is usually required in the absence of liver cirrhosis. Some preventive measures have been recommended for NAFLD-associated HCC, including weight loss, cessation of even moderate alcohol drinking and smoking, as well as the use of metformin, statins and aspirin. However, these preventive measures are mainly based on observational studies, thus they need validation in trials of different design before introducing in clinical practice. The treatment of NAFLD should be tailored on an individual basis and should be ideally determined by a multidisciplinary team. In the last two decades, new medications, including tyrosine kinase inhibitors and immune checkpoints inhibitors, have improved the survival of patients with advanced HCC, but trials specifically designed for patients with NAFLD-associated HCC are scarce. The aim of this review was to overview evidence on the epidemiology and pathophysiology of NAFLD-associated HCC, then to comment on imaging tools for its appropriate screening and diagnosis, and finally to critically summarize the currently available options for its prevention and treatment.

The Effect of Aspirin Use on Incident Hepatocellular Carcinoma-An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

An increasing number of observational studies have described an association between aspirin use and a reduced risk of incident hepatocellular carcinoma. We performed this meta-analysis to provide a comprehensive and updated aggregate assessment of the effect of aspirin on HCC incidence. Two independent authors performed a systematic search of the literature, utilising the Medline, Embase, Scopus, and PubMed databases. A total of 16 studies (12 cohort studies, and 4 case-control studies) were selected for inclusion, with a large number of studies excluded, due to an overlapping study population. The pooled analysis of cohort studies involving a total population of approximately 2.5 million subjects, 822,680 aspirin users, and 20,626 HCC cases demonstrated a 30% reduced risk of HCC associated with aspirin use (adjusted HR 0.70, 95%CI 0.60-0.81). There was a similar but non-significant association observed across the case-control studies (adjusted OR 0.60, 95%CI 0.32-1.15, p = 0.13), which involved a total of 1961 HCC cases. In a subgroup meta-analysis of patients with cirrhosis, the relationship between aspirin use and incident HCC diminished to non-significance (adjusted HR 0.96, 95%CI 0.84-1.09). Aspirin use was associated with a statistically significant increase in bleeding events when all relevant studies were pooled together (adjusted HR 1.11, 95%CI 1.02-1.22). Prospectively collected data should be sought, to define the optimal patient group in which aspirin is safe and effective for the chemoprophylaxis of HCC.

Impact of Aspirin Use on Outcomes in Patients With Hepatocellular Cancer: A Nationwide Analysis

Background

Despite the use of new immunotherapies, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has a poor survival rate. Through multiple molecular mechanisms, aspirin (ASA) has demonstrated a reduced incidence of HCC, however, the impact of long-term ASA use on in-hospital outcomes has not been studied.

Methods

We queried the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database from 2016 to 2020 to identify patients with HCC. Patients were stratified into two groups, based on long-term ASA use. Information was collected regarding patient demographics, Elixhauser comorbidities, interventions, etiology, and decompensations of liver disease. Outcomes studied included sepsis, shock, acute kidney injury (AKI), intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and in-hospital mortality. The association between long-term ASA use and outcomes was studied using multivariate analysis.

Results

A total of 224,735 patients were included in the study. Of them, 18,835 (8.4%) patients were on long-term ASA. The majority of the patients with ASA use were White (61.3%), men (78.2%), and aged > 65 years old (68.8%). Patients in the ASA group had a higher incidence of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and decreased rates of hepatic decompensation than those not on ASA. Patients with ASA use had lower incidence of sepsis (2.76% vs. 3.54%), shock (4.86% vs. 8.23%), AKI (30.9% vs. 33.4%), ICU admission (3.88% vs. 7.4%) and in-hospital mortality (5.18% vs. 9.87%). After adjusting for confounding factors, ASA use was associated with a 30% lower risk of in-hospital mortality (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 0.70, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.60 - 0.82, P < 0.001). ASA users also had 21% lower odds of developing shock (aOR: 0.79, 95% CI: 0.67 - 0.94, P = 0.007) and 31% lower odds of requiring ICU admission (aOR: 0.69, 95% CI: 0.54 - 0.78, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Our study noted that patients on long-term ASA use had better in-hospital outcomes such as mortality, shock, and ICU admissions compared to non-ASA users. These findings are of interest, and further randomized clinical trials confirming the benefits of ASA in improving outcomes in HCC patients need to be conducted.

Understanding the causes of recurrent HCC after liver resection and radiofrequency ablation

INTRODUCTION

Surgical resection and radiofrequency ablation are preferred options for early-stage disease, with 5-year recurrence rates as high as 70% when patients are treated according to guidelines. With increasing availability of therapeutic options, including but not limited to, immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), tyrosine kinase inhibitors, antiangiogenics, and adoptive cell therapies, understanding the causes of recurrence and identifying its predictors should be priorities in the hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) research agenda.

AREAS COVERED

Current knowledge of HCC predictors of recurrence is reviewed, and recent insights about its underlying mechanisms are presented. In addition, results from recent clinical trials investigating treatment combinations are critically appraised.

EXPERT OPINION

HCC recurrence is either due to progressive growth of microscopic residual disease, or to de novo cancer development in the context of a diseased liver, each occurring in an early (<2years) vs. late (≥2 years) fashion. Collectively, morphological, proteomic, and transcriptomic data suggest vascular invasion and angiogenesis as key drivers of HCC recurrence. Agents aimed at blocking either of these two hallmarks should be prioritized at the moment of early-stage HCC clinical trial design. Emerging results from clinical trials testing ICI in early-stage HCC underscore the importance of defining the best treatment sequence and the most appropriate combination strategies. Lastly, as different responses to systemic therapies are increasingly defined according to the HCC etiology, patient enrolment into clinical trials should take into account the biological characteristics of their inherent disease.

2022 KLCA-NCC Korea practice guidelines for the management of hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common cancer worldwide and the fourth most common cancer among men in South Korea, where the prevalence of chronic hepatitis B infection is high in middle and old age. The current practice guidelines will provide useful and sensible advice for the clinical management of patients with HCC. A total of 49 experts in the fields of hepatology, oncology, surgery, radiology, and radiation oncology from the Korean Liver Cancer Association-National Cancer Center Korea Practice Guideline Revision Committee revised the 2018 Korean guidelines and developed new recommendations that integrate the most up-to-date research findings and expert opinions. These guidelines provide useful information and direction for all clinicians, trainees, and researchers in the diagnosis and treatment of HCC.

Meta-analysis: Chemoprevention of hepatocellular carcinoma with statins, aspirin and metformin

BACKGROUND

Emerging data suggest that statins, aspirin and metformin may protect against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development. However, prior meta-analyses were limited by heterogeneity and inclusion of studies without adequate adjustment for baseline risks.

AIM

To examine by an updated meta-analysis the association between these medications and HCC risk.

METHODS

Medline and Embase databases were searched from inception to March 2022 for studies that balanced baseline risks between study groups via propensity score matching or inverse probability of treatment weighting, that reported the impact of statins, aspirin or metformin on HCC risk. Multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for HCC were pooled using a random effects model.

RESULTS

Statin use was associated with reduced HCC risk overall (HR: 0.52; 95% CI: 0.37-0.72) (10 studies, 1,774,476), and in subgroup analyses for cirrhosis, hepatitis B/C, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, studies accounting for concurrent aspirin and metformin consumption and lipophilic statins. Aspirin use was associated with reduced HCC risk overall (HR: 0.48; 95% CI: 0.27-0.87) (11 studies, 2,190,285 patients) but not in studies accounting for concurrent statin and metformin use. Metformin use was not associated with reduced HCC risk overall (HR: 0.57; 95% CI: 0.31-1.06) (3 studies, 125,458 patients). Most analyses had moderate/substantial heterogeneity, except in follow-up <60 months for aspirin (I2  = 0%).

CONCLUSION

Although statin and aspirin use were associated with reduced HCC risk, only statin use was significant in subgroup analyses accounting for concurrent medications. Metformin use was not associated with reduced HCC risk. These data have implications for future clinical trial design.

Improving Management of Portal Hypertension: The Potential Benefit of Non-Etiological Therapies in Cirrhosis

Portal hypertension is the consequence of cirrhosis and results from increased sinusoidal vascular resistance and hepatic blood inflow. Etiological therapies represent the first intervention to prevent a significant increase in portal pressure due to chronic liver damage. However, other superimposed pathophysiological drivers may worsen liver disease, including inflammation, bacterial translocation, endothelial dysfunction, and hyperactivation of hemostasis. These mechanisms can be targeted by a specific class of drugs already used in clinical practice. Albumin, rifaximin, statins, aspirin, and anticoagulants have been tested in cirrhosis and were a topic of discussion in the last Baveno consensus as non-etiological therapies. Based on the pathogenesis of portal hypertension in cirrhosis, our review summarizes the main mechanisms targeted by these drugs as well as the clinical evidence that considers them a valid complementary option to manage patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension.

The role of antiplatelet therapies on incidence and mortality of hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM

To evaluate the impact of antiplatelet therapy (APT)on the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and mortality following its treatment.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was performed using PubMed and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials Databases. Two HCC clinical settings were explored: (i) incidence, and (ii) death after any HCC treatment. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were calculated to compare the pooled data between patients who received or did not receive APT.

RESULTS

A total of 20 studies were identified, of whom 15 focused on HCC incidence, including 2,685,009 patients, and five on post-treatment death, including 3281 patients. APT was associated with an overall reduced risk of HCC incidence (OR: 0.63; 95%CI = 0.51-0.79; p < 0.001) as well as of post-treatment mortality (OR: 0.54; 95%CI = 0.35-0.83; p = 0.006).

CONCLUSIONS

Current data suggest that APT correlated with higher HCC incidence and poor overall survival following tumour treatment.

Does aspirin reduce the incidence, recurrence, and mortality of hepatocellular carcinoma? A GRADE-assessed systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis

PURPOSE

Aspirin has been suggested to reduce the risk of cancer. However, previous studies have been inconsistent regarding the relationship between aspirin use and the risk of occurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of aspirin on clinical outcomes in patients with HCC in a meta-analysis and to explore the possible dose-response relationship.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was conducted in 10 electronic databases and 4 registries. The combined hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated using a random-effects model with 95% confidence interval (CIs) to assess the effect of aspirin on the risk of HCC. Relevant subgroup analyses and sensitivity analyses were performed.

RESULTS

The results show that aspirin use correlated with lower incidence of HCC (HR: 0.75, 95% CI: 0.71-0.80), decreased risk of HCC recurrence (HR: 0.79, 95% CI: 0.65-0.96), and reduced mortality (HR: 0.72, 95% CI: 0.60-0.87). The results of the subgroup analysis showed that aspirin use was consistently associated with reduced incidence of HCC across different regions, study designs, and populations. A linear relationship was found for both dosage and duration of aspirin use. An increased of bleeding with aspirin use among patients was also observed (HR 1.10, 95% CI: 1.02-1.20).

CONCLUSIONS

This meta-analysis found that aspirin use was independently associated with a reduced risk of HCC incidence, recurrence, and death. Furthermore, aspirin use influenced HCC occurrence in a dose-dependent and duration-dependent manner. However, an increased risk of bleeding with aspirin use was noted.

Rational hemostatic management in cirrhosis: from old paradigms to new clinical challenges

INTRODUCTION

Patients with cirrhosis are at risk of both thrombotic and hemorrhagic events. Traditional hemostatic tests are inadequate to assess the complex and fragile balance of hemostasis in this setting, especially in advanced stages of disease such as decompensated cirrhosis or acute on chronic liver failure (ACLF). Furthermore, the indiscriminate use of pro-hemostatic agents for prophylaxis and treatment of bleeding episodes is still debated and often contraindicated. Alongside, splanchnic, and peripheral thrombotic events are frequent in this population and require management that involves a careful balance between risks and benefits of antithrombotic therapy.

AREAS COVERED

This review aims to address the state of the art on the clinical management of the hemostatic balance of cirrhosis in terms of established knowledge and future challenges.

EXPERT OPINION

The old paradigm of cirrhosis as a naturally anticoagulated condition has been challenged by more sophisticated global tests of hemostasis. Integrating this information in the clinical decision-making is still challenging for physicians and experts in hemostasis.

2022 KLCA-NCC Korea Practice Guidelines for the Management of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common cancer worldwide and the fourth most common cancer among men in South Korea, where the prevalence of chronic hepatitis B infection is high in middle and old age. The current practice guidelines will provide useful and sensible advice for the clinical management of patients with HCC. A total of 49 experts in the fields of hepatology, oncology, surgery, radiology, and radiation oncology from the Korean Liver Cancer Association-National Cancer Center Korea Practice Guideline Revision Committee revised the 2018 Korean guidelines and developed new recommendations that integrate the most up-to-date research findings and expert opinions. These guidelines provide useful information and direction for all clinicians, trainees, and researchers in the diagnosis and treatment of HCC.

Hepatocellular Carcinoma Chemoprevention with Generic Agents

Liver cancer, mainly hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), remains a major cause of cancer-related death worldwide. With the global epidemic of obesity, the major HCC etiologies have been dynamically shifting from viral to metabolic liver diseases. This change has made HCC prevention difficult with increasingly elusive at-risk populations as rational target for preventive interventions. Besides ongoing efforts to reduce obesity and metabolic disorders, chemoprevention in patients who already have metabolic liver diseases may have a significant impact on the poor HCC prognosis. Hepatitis B- and hepatitis C-related HCC incidences have been substantially reduced by the new antivirals, but HCC risk can persist over a decade even after successful viral treatment, highlighting the need for HCC-preventive measures also in these patients. Experimental and retrospective studies have suggested potential utility of generic agents such as lipophilic statins and aspirin for HCC chemoprevention given their well-characterized safety profile, although anticipated efficacy may be modest. In this review, we overview recent clinical and translational studies of generic agents in the context of HCC chemoprevention under the contemporary HCC etiologies. We also discuss newly emerging approaches to overcome the challenges in clinical testing of the agents to facilitate their clinical translation.

2022 KLCA-NCC Korea practice guidelines for the management of hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common cancer worldwide and the fourth most common cancer among men in South Korea, where the prevalence of chronic hepatitis B infection is high in middle and old age. The current practice guidelines will provide useful and sensible advice for the clinical management of patients with HCC. A total of 49 experts in the fields of hepatology, oncology, surgery, radiology, and radiation oncology from the Korean Liver Cancer Association-National Cancer Center Korea Practice Guideline Revision Committee revised the 2018 Korean guidelines and developed new recommendations that integrate the most up-to-date research findings and expert opinions. These guidelines provide useful information and direction for all clinicians, trainees, and researchers in the diagnosis and treatment of HCC.