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Zhang XY, Gong JY, Wang JS, Feng JY, Chen L, Xie XB, Lu Y. Efficacy of rituximab-containing regimens used as first-line and rescue therapy for giant cell hepatitis with autoimmune hemolytic anemia a retrospective study. Clin Res Hepatol Gastroenterol 2024; 48:102392. [PMID: 38897557 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinre.2024.102392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2024] [Revised: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy of rituximab (RTX)-containing therapy as first-line as well as rescue treatment for giant cell hepatitis with autoimmune hemolytic anemia (GCH-AHA). METHODS This retrospective study recruited patients diagnosed with GCH-AHA and treated with conventional immunosuppressor regimens consisting of prednisone or RTX-containing regimes consisting of RTX and prednisone, with or without another immunosuppressor. The primary outcomes were the complete remission (CR) rate and time-period required for CR. The secondary outcomes included relapses and adverse events. RESULTS Twenty patients (8 females and 12 males; age range 1-26 months), 15 receiving conventional regimens and 5 receiving RTX-containing regimens, were included. The CR rates were 73.3 % (11/15) and 100 % (5/5) in the conventional and RTX-containing groups, respectively. The time-period required for CR was significantly shorter in the RTX-containing group than in the conventional group (6 (3-8) versus 14 (5-25) months, P = 0.015). Relapses occurred in 30.8 % (4/13) of patients in the conventional group; all achieved CR after adding RTX. Relapses occurred in 40.0 % (2/5) of patients in the RTX-containing group; both achieved CR after adding intravenous immune globulins or tacrolimus. Transient low immunoglobulin and infections were recorded in both groups. Treatment withdrawal was achieved in 73.3 % (11/15) and 60.0 % (3/5) of patients receiving conventional and RTX-containing regimens after 36 (2-101) and 22 (4-41) months, respectively. Two patients in conventional group died of disease progression and infection. CONCLUSIONS RTX-containing first-line therapy achieves CR of GCH-AHA more quickly than the conventional therapy. RTX is efficacious when added to rescue therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue-Yuan Zhang
- The Center for Pediatric Liver Diseases, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing-Yu Gong
- Department of Pediatrics, Jinshan Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jian-She Wang
- The Center for Pediatric Liver Diseases, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jia-Yan Feng
- Department of Pathology, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lian Chen
- Department of Pathology, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xin-Bao Xie
- The Center for Pediatric Liver Diseases, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi Lu
- The Center for Pediatric Liver Diseases, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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Maggiore G, Sciveres M. Giant cell hepatitis associated with autoimmune hemolytic anemia: More evidence for B-cell depletion therapy for a rare immune mediated disease of infancy. Clin Res Hepatol Gastroenterol 2024; 48:102435. [PMID: 39084551 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinre.2024.102435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2024] [Accepted: 07/28/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
Giant cell hepatitis associated with autoimmune hemolytic anemia (GCH-AHA) is a rare but severe disease of infancy defined by an acute liver injury, histologically characterized by a widespread giant cell transformation and by an autoimmune hemolysis. GCH-AHA is thought to be immune-mediated being however a distinct entity from juvenile autoimmune hepatitis. In particular, GCH-AHA displays a less favorable response to conventional immunosuppressive treatment compared to classical juvenile autoimmune hepatitis, carrying a higher risk of mortality. In fact, since his first description, conventional therapy with prednisone with azathioprine has been used as first line treatment, however with frequent relapses during tapering, as well as severe side effects related to its prolonged use at high doses in early age. Due to the frequent occurrence of relapse, several immunosuppressive drugs have been tried as second line therapy with doubtful success. In case of severe liver dysfunction and/or severe anemia, transitory remission has been achieved with intravenous immunoglobulins administration, however with temporary response. B-cell depletion treatment, mostly with chimeric anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody (rituximab; RTX) has been used since 2004 with encouraging results mostly in refractory cases as second-line therapy. In this issue, the report of a series of 20 children with GCH-AHA from Shanghai, China, confirms the previous treatment experiences of a greater efficacy in obtaining complete remission of RTX or RTX treatment regimens compared to conventional regimens, with a good safety. To date, published experience with this rare disease suggests that RTX should be considered the cornerstone of treatment for complicated or relapsing cases of GCH-AHA and given the increasing evidence on its efficacy and safety, RTX might be even an acceptable option as first line therapy beside conventional treatment, to drastically reduce the cumulative steroids exposure and its side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Maggiore
- Hepatology and Liver Transplant Unit IRCCS Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Roma, Italy.
| | - Marco Sciveres
- Hepatology and Liver Transplant Unit IRCCS Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Roma, Italy.
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Jiao J, Chezar K, Zhang X, Wang D, Cao W, Bindu C, Chen W, Neto AG, Henn P, Riahi I, Wang HL, Papke DJ, Zhao L, Xue Y, Liao X, Zhang X. Postinfantile Giant Cell Hepatitis in Native and Allograft Livers: A Multi-Institutional Clinicopathologic Study of 70 Cases. Mod Pathol 2023; 36:100298. [PMID: 37544363 DOI: 10.1016/j.modpat.2023.100298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
Postinfantile giant cell hepatitis (PIGCH) is a rare hepatitis pattern in adults with variable etiologies and clinical outcomes. We conducted a multi-institutional retrospective study to define the clinicopathologic characteristics of patients with PIGCH. A total of 70 PIGCH cases were identified and reviewed for pathological features, including fibrosis, cholestasis, inflammation, steatosis, necrosis, and apoptosis, as well as the distribution of giant cells and the maximum number of giant cells per high-power field. Demographic and clinical data, including age, sex, laboratory results, etiologies, and follow-up results, were recorded. Among the 70 cases, 40% (28/70) were associated with autoimmune liver diseases, followed by 9 (13%) with unknown etiology, 8 (11%) with viral infection, 5 (7%) with medications, 5 with combined etiologies, and 4 (6%) with malignancies (mostly chronic lymphocytic leukemia). Notably, another 16% were de novo PIGCH in liver allografts, most of which occurred after a rejection event. During follow-up, 26 (37%) patients died of the disease and 44 (63%) were alive. Deceased patients were characterized by older age (mean age, 54.9 vs 45.5 years; P = .02), higher alkaline phosphatase level (mean value, 253.3U/L vs 166.3 U/L; P = .03), higher fibrosis stage (stage 3-4 vs stage 0-2, 57.7% vs 29.6%; P = .03), being more likely to have de novo PIGCH after transplantation (23.1% vs 11.4%; P = .04), and being less likely to have primary autoimmune liver disease etiology (26.9% vs 47.7%; P = .04). These results indicate that PIGCH is a rare pattern of liver injury associated with different etiologies and variable clinical outcomes. Autoimmune liver disease with PIGCH is associated with better survival, whereas de novo PIGCH in allografts is associated with poorer survival. Older age, higher alkaline phosphatase level, and advanced fibrosis are adverse prognostic factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Jiao
- Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Ksenia Chezar
- Department of Pathology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Xuefeng Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Donghai Wang
- Department of Pathology, New York University Langone Health, New York, New York
| | - Wenqing Cao
- Department of Pathology, New York University Langone Health, New York, New York
| | - Challa Bindu
- Department of Pathology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Wei Chen
- Department of Pathology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Antonio Galvao Neto
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Patrick Henn
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Irene Riahi
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Hanlin L Wang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - David J Papke
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Lei Zhao
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Yue Xue
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Xiaoyan Liao
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York
| | - Xuchen Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.
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Poddighe D, Madiyeva A, Talipova D, Umirbekova B. Infantile giant cell hepatitis with autoimmune hemolytic anemia. World J Hepatol 2021; 13:411-420. [PMID: 33959224 PMCID: PMC8080548 DOI: 10.4254/wjh.v13.i4.411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2021] [Revised: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Giant cell hepatitis (GCH) is characterized by large and multinucleated (syncytial) hepatocytes in the context of liver inflammation. Infantile GCH is typically associated with autoimmune hemolytic anemia in the absence of any other systemic or organ-specific autoimmune comorbidity. The etiology is unknown; concomitant viral infections (as potential trigger factors) have been identified in a few patients. The pathogenesis reportedly relies upon immune-mediated/ autoimmune mechanisms. This condition should be considered in any infant developing Coombs-positive anemia; indeed, anemia usually precedes the development of hepatitis. The clinical course is usually aggressive without the appropriate immunosuppressive therapy, which may include steroids, conventional immunosuppressors (e.g., azathioprine and cyclophosphamide as first-line treatments), intravenous immunoglobulin, and biologics (rituximab). Improvements in medical management (including the availability of rituximab) have significantly reduced the mortality of this condition in the last decade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitri Poddighe
- Department of Medicine, Nazarbayev University School of Medicine, Nur-Sultan 010000, Kazakhstan
- Department of Pediatrics, National Research Center for Maternal and Child Health, Nur-Sultan 010000, Kazakhstan
| | - Aidana Madiyeva
- Department of Medicine, Nazarbayev University School of Medicine, Nur-Sultan 010000, Kazakhstan
| | - Diana Talipova
- Department of Medicine, Nazarbayev University School of Medicine, Nur-Sultan 010000, Kazakhstan
| | - Balzhan Umirbekova
- Department of Pediatrics, National Research Center for Maternal and Child Health, Nur-Sultan 010000, Kazakhstan
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Nastasio S, Matarazzo L, Sciveres M, Maggiore G. Giant cell hepatitis associated with autoimmune hemolytic anemia: an update. Transl Gastroenterol Hepatol 2021; 6:25. [PMID: 33824929 DOI: 10.21037/tgh.2020.03.10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2019] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Giant cell hepatitis associated with autoimmune hemolytic anemia (GCH-AHA) is a rare and severe disease characterized by autoimmune hemolysis associated with acute liver injury, histologically defined by widespread giant cell transformation. It occurs after the neonatal period, most commonly in the first year of life and uniquely affects pediatric patients. It is still poorly understood and likely underdiagnosed, although in recent years there have been advances in the understanding of its pathogenesis and the liver injury is now hypothesized to be secondary to a humoral immune mechanism. Although no laboratory test specific for the diagnosis currently exists, given its severity, it is fundamental to rule out GCH-AHA when evaluating a patient in the first year of life presenting with AHA and/or with acute liver disease of unknown etiology. While GCH-AHA is progressive in nature as other autoimmune liver disorders, it differs significantly from juvenile autoimmune hepatitis (JAIH) in that a cure can be achieved after several years of intensive treatment in a portion of patients. Conventional first line therapy consist of prednisone/prednisolone combined with azathioprine, however, several immunosuppressive drugs, commonly used in the treatment of JAIH have been tried as second line therapy, including cyclosporine, cyclophosphamide, mycophenolate mofetil, 6-mercaptopurine, calcineurin inhibitors, and sirolimus. Intravenous immunoglobulins have also been used in cases of severe liver dysfunction and/or severe anemia allowing for transitory remission. More recently treatment with B-cell depletion has been attempted in some patients and encouraging results have been reported in refractory cases. Although what constitutes optimal treatment has yet to be determined, the recent progress in the understanding of the pathogenetic mechanisms of GCH-AHA have made positive strides, cautiously pointing toward a hopeful prognosis for some of these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Nastasio
- Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lorenza Matarazzo
- Department of Medicine, Surgery, and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Marco Sciveres
- Pediatric Hepatology and Pediatric Liver Transplantation, ISMETT, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Italy, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Maggiore
- Pediatric Hepatology and Pediatric Liver Transplantation, ISMETT, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Italy, Palermo, Italy.,Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.,Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, IRCCS Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy
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