Anti-platelet therapy in the prevention of hepatitis B virus-associated hepatocellular carcinoma

Association between chronic viral infection-related hospitalization and risk of cardiovascular disease: A population-based cohort study

Chronic viral infection induces immunosenescence and systemic low-grade inflammation, leading to worsened long-term outcomes. We sought to explore the short- and long-term effects of chronic viral infection on cardiovascular disease (CVD). Based on UK Biobank data, exposed group was identified as individuals who had chronic virus infection-related hospitalization (IRH). Unexposed group was randomly selected, matched by 5-year age interval, sex, and Charlson comorbidity index at a ratio up to 1:10. Restricted cubic splines were used to model time-varying effects of IRH in nonproportional Cox models. A cut-off value of 5 years was recorded and used in piecewise Cox proportional hazards models as we estimated short- and long-term effects of IRH on CVD. A total of 2826 exposed participants and 28 212 matched unexposed participants were included. Chronic viral IRH was associated with increased risk of CVD (0-5 years: hazard ratio, 1.57 [95% confidence interval: 1.32, 1.87] and 5+ years: 1.31 [1.06, 1.61]). Elevated risk of stroke was only observed within the initial 5-year follow-up (0-5 years: 1.91 [1.30, 2.81]). The short- and long-term associations were observed in herpes or hepatitis virus IRH with risk of CVD (all p < 0.05). Subgroup analysis revealed long-term association between chronic viral IRH and CVD among female (5+ years: 1.68 [1.27, 2.22]) but not among male. The association between chronic viral infection and elevated CVD risk appeared to be stronger among individuals who did not take cholesterol-lowering medication, antithrombotic medication, or certain antihypertensive medications (all p for interaction < 0.05). The risk of CVD event remained persistently higher within and over 5 years following chronic viral IRH, especially in individuals infected with herpes and hepatitis virus.

Nomogram to predict liver surgery-specific complications for hepatocellular carcinoma: A multicenter study

BACKGROUND

Early identification of patients at risk for surgical complications enables surgeons to make better treatment decisions and optimize resource utilization. We propose to develop a nomogram for predicting the risk of moderate-to-severe liver surgery-specific complications after hepatectomy in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients.

METHODS

We retrospectively enrolled HCC patients who underwent radical hepatectomy at four medical centers from January 2014 to January 2019 in southwestern China, randomly (7:3) divided into training and validation cohorts. We used least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) logistic regression to build a nomogram model.

RESULTS

The nomogram model contained 6 variables: diabetes mellitus (yes vs. no, OR: 2.32, 95% CI: 1.16-4.64, P = 0.02), major hepatectomy (yes vs. no, OR: 2.65, 95% CI: 1.64-4.27, P < 0.001), platelets (PLT, ≥100 × 103/μl vs. <100 × 103/μl, OR: 0.53, 95% CI: 0.33-0.87, P = 0.01), prothrombin time (PT, >13 s vs. ≤13 s, OR: 1.78, 95% CI: 1.04-3.05, P = 0.04), albumin-indocyanine green evaluation grade (ALICE grade, grade B vs. grade A, OR: 2.06, 95% CI: 1.17-3.61, P = 0.01), and prognostic nutrient index (PNI, >48 vs. ≤48, OR: 0.55, 95% CI: 0.33-0.92, P = 0.02). The concordance index (C-index) and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) were 0.751 (95% CI, 0.703-0.799) and 0.743 (95% CI, 0.653-0.833) for the training and validation cohorts, respectively. Decision curve analysis (DCA) showed that the nomogram had good clinical value.

CONCLUSION

We provide good preoperative predictors for the risk of moderate-to-high FABIB score complications in patients with HBV-related HCC posthepatectomy.

Fibrinogen-to-albumin ratio predicts overall survival of hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Fibrinogen-to-albumin ratio (FAR) has been found to be of prognostic significance for several types of malignant tumors. However, less is known about the association between FAR and survival outcomes in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients.

AIM

To explore the association between FAR and prognosis and survival in patients with HCC.

METHODS

A total of 366 histologically confirmed HCC patients diagnosed between 2013 and 2018 in a provincial cancer hospital in southwestern China were retrospectively selected. Relevant data were extracted from the hospital information system. The optimal cutoff for baseline serum FAR measured upon disease diagnosis was established using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were used to determine the crude and adjusted associations between FAR and the overall survival (OS) of the HCC patients while controlling for various covariates. The restricted cubic spline (RCS) was applied to estimate the dose-response trend in the FAR-OS association.

RESULTS

The optimal cutoff value for baseline FAR determined by the ROC was 0.081. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards model revealed that a lower baseline serum FAR level was associated with an adjusted hazard ratio of 2.43 (95% confidence interval: 1.87-3.15) in the OS of HCC patients, with identifiable dose-response trend in the RCS. Subgroup analysis showed that this FAR-OS association was more prominent in HCC patients with a lower baseline serum aspartate aminotransferase or carbohydrate antigen 125 level.

CONCLUSION

Serum FAR is a prominent prognostic indicator for HCC. Intervention measures aimed at reducing FAR might result in survival benefit for HCC patients.

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.

Role of immune responses for development of NAFLD-associated liver cancer and prospects for therapeutic modulation

The liver is the central metabolic organ of the body regulating energy and lipid metabolism and at the same time has potent immunological functions. Overwhelming the metabolic capacity of the liver by obesity and sedentary lifestyle leads to hepatic lipid accumulation, chronic necro-inflammation, enhanced mitochondrial/ER-stress and development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), with its pathologic form nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Based on knowledge on pathophysiological mechanisms, specifically targeting metabolic diseases to prevent or slow down progression of NAFLD to liver cancer will become possible. Genetic/environmental factors contribute to development of NASH and liver cancer progression. The complex pathophysiology of NAFLD-NASH is reflected by environmental factors, particularly the gut microbiome and its metabolic products. NAFLD-associated HCC occurs in most of the cases in the context of a chronically inflamed liver and cirrhosis. Recognition of environmental alarmins or metabolites derived from the gut microbiota and the metabolically injured liver create a strong inflammatory milieu supported by innate and adaptive immunity. Several recent studies indicate that the chronic hepatic microenvironment of steatosis induces auto-aggressive CD8+CXCR6+PD1+ T cells secreting TNF and upregulating FasL to eliminate parenchymal and non-parenchymal cells in an antigen independent manner. This promotes chronic liver damage and a pro-tumorigenic environment. CD8+CXCR6+PD1+ T cells possess an exhausted, hyperactivated, resident phenotype and trigger NASH to HCC transition, and might be responsible for a less efficient treatment response to immune-check-point inhibitors - in particular atezolizumab/bevacizumab. Here, we provide an overview of NASH-related inflammation/pathogenesis focusing on new discoveries on the role of T cells in NASH-immunopathology and therapy response. This review discusses preventive measures to halt disease progression to liver cancer and therapeutic strategies to manage NASH-HCC patients.

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.

What is the role of Von Willebrand factor in chronic hepatitis B virus infection to hepatocellular carcinoma: a review article

Von Willebrand factor (VWF) is a glycoprotein synthesized and secreted by vascular endothelial cells and megakaryocytes, found on plasma surface, endothelial cells, and α-granule of platelets. VWF can be interacted with collagen and platelet membrane glycoproteins GPIb and GPIb-IIa and play an important role in platelet adhesion and aggregation. Growing research evidence suggests that VWF also mediates the prevention or protesting of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients from several clinical studies. While the mechanism of VWF in HCC protection or protest is still unclear, further study is required. This article aims to rationalize the role of VWF in the development of HCC, and the functional domain of VWF in cancer as well as cross-talking with platelets and miRNAs. This article also looks forward to the future development and challenges of VWF research.

Antiplatelet Drugs on the Recurrence of Hepatocellular Carcinoma after Liver Transplantation

Previous studies reported suppressive effects of antiplatelet agents on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); however, this has never been assessed in patients who underwent liver transplantation (LT). This retrospective observational study used data from LT recipients with pre-transplant HCC in a single tertiary hospital. The study population was divided into two groups according to the use of antiplatelet agents for >90 days within the study period (377 antiplatelet groups versus 91 non-antiplatelet groups). Matched groups containing 79 patients in each group were also compared regarding HCC-recurrence and HCC-related mortality, which were analyzed by treating non-HCC death as a competing risk. In Kaplan−Meier analyses of the matched cohort, the 5-year cumulative incidences of HCC recurrence and HCC-specific death were similar between the antiplatelet (p = 0.876) and non-antiplatelet groups (p = 0.701). All-cause and non-HCC deaths were also similar between the two groups (p = 0.867 and p = 0.413, respectively). In multivariable analyses of the entire cohort, antiplatelet use was not associated with HCC recurrence (hazard ratio [HR] 1.37, p = 0.300) or HCC-specific death (HR 1.54, p = 0.310). Therefore, unlike the usual setting with liver disease, antiplatelet therapy did not affect HCC recurrence or HCC-specific mortality when used after LT.

Aspirin Use and the Risk of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION AND AIM

The use of aspirin is a potential protective factor against the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the contribution of aspirin to the risk of HCC.

METHODS

We searched for PubMed and EMBASE through September 2021.

RESULTS

Eighteen studies (16 cohort, 2 case-control) were included. Aspirin users were less likely to develop HCC than nonusers [adjusted odds ratio (OR), 0.54; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.44-0.66]. Stratified analysis showed that aspirin reduced the risk of HCC in Asian and Western populations (OR, 0.59 vs. 0.67). Besides, aspirin has protective effects against HCC after hepatitis B virus (OR, 0.70; 95% CI: 0.52-0.93) and hepatitis C virus infections (OR, 0.41; 95% CI: 0.23-0.73). Aspirin has protective effects on people with chronic liver disease (OR, 0.46; 95% CI: 0.31-0.67) and on the general population (OR, 0.65; 95% CI: 0.54-0.79). In addition, confounding factors have an important impact on the results of aspirin prevention of liver cancer before (OR, 0.28; 95% CI: 0.06-1.27) and after (OR, 0.58; 95% CI: 0.47-0.71) adjustment. Further studies have shown that those in the long duration group do not experience better effects in preventing HCC (OR, 0.62 vs. 0.63). A further meta-analysis of 3 articles showed that the use of aspirin did not increase the risk of bleeding in patients with HCC (OR, 1.19; 95% CI: 0.87-1.64).

CONCLUSION

Our meta-analysis shows that the use of aspirin is associated with a lower risk of liver cancer.

Platelet-Related Molecular Subtype to Predict Prognosis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Purpose

Complex crosstalk between tumor cells and platelets is closely related to the development, relapse, and drug resistance of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Therefore, an intensive analysis of the relationship between platelet-related genes and the effectiveness of immunotherapy is necessary for improving the poor prognosis of HCC patients.

Methods

Genes associated with platelets in the GeneCards database were collected and were used to identify molecular subtypes using a non-negative matrix decomposition algorithm (NMF) and constructed a platelet-related genes-based prognostic stratification model by the LASSO-Cox regression and stepwise Cox regression analysis. The effect of this feature on the immune microenvironment of HCC and the response to immune checkpoint inhibitors was also explored.

Results

After identifying two molecular subtypes, we constructed a platelet-related genes-based prognostic stratification model that can be effectively used for immune checkpoint inhibitor (PD1, PD-L1, PD-L2, and CTLA4) efficacy and prognosis prediction in HCC patients, which was subsequently validated using patient samples from ICGC, GSE14520 and a small sample size clinical cohort. We also found downregulation of PAFAH1B3 remarkably inhibited the proliferation and migration ability of Hep3B cells by cytological experiments.

Conclusion

We constructed a prognostic classifier based on platelet-related genes that could effectively classify HCC patients for prognostic prediction and provide new light on the selection of optimal individualized antiplatelet therapy for HCC patients in future clinical practice.

Systematic Review and Meta-analysis: Association of Aspirin With Incidence of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Aim: To explore the relationship between the use of aspirin and the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science and Cochrane CENTRAL databases were searched systematically from the earliest available date to 13 March 2020. The primary outcome was incidence of HCC, and the secondary outcomes were recurrence and mortality of HCC. The results were expressed as the Hazard Ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Based on the heterogeneity evaluated with the I² statistic, a meta-analysis was performed using either a random- or fixed-effects model.

Results: A total of sixteen articles (2781100 participants) were included. There was lower incidence of HCC in aspirin users than those in non-aspirin users (HR, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.46-0.69; p < 0.001). Subgroup analysis further showed that the incidence of liver cancer in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis (HR, 0.14; 95% CI, 0.09-0.22; p < 0.001) and virus hepatitis (HR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.62-0.74; p < 0.001) who use aspirin was lower than that of patients who do not use aspirin. In addition, aspirin was found to associate with decreased risk of HCC mortality (HR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.65-0.78; p < 0.001), not HCC recurrence (HR, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.15-1.76; p = 0.291).

Conclusions: Aspirin use is significantly associated with the low incidence rate of liver cancer.

High platelet count predicts poor prognosis in HCC patients undergoing TACE: a propensity score-matched analysis

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the prognostic value of the pretreatment platelet (PLT) count in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related intermediate-advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) complicated with cirrhosis undergoing transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE).

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We assessed 362 patients with HBV-related intermediate-advanced HCC complicated with cirrhosis undergoing TACE. Patients were divided into low (≤96 × 10⁹/L) and high (>96 × 10⁹/L) PLT groups. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to eliminate the imbalance in potential confounding factors. The endpoint was time to progression (TTP).

RESULTS

After PSM, the high and low PLT groups had 97 patients each. The TTP was significantly longer in the low PLT group than in the high PLT group (log-rank test, p < 0.001). A high pretreatment PLT count was an independent predictor of poor tumor response (OR 4.724; 95% CI 1.889-11.815; P = 0.001) and short TTP (HR = 3.598; 95% CI: 2.570-5.036; P < 0.001). Subgroup analysis showed that a high PLT count increased the risk of progression across almost all subgroups.

CONCLUSIONS

The pretreatment PLT count has potential value in predicting the prognosis of patients with intermediate-advanced HCC undergoing TACE.

Association of aspirin and statin use with the risk of liver cancer in chronic hepatitis B: A nationwide population-based study

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Aspirin and statins have been suggested to prevent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the combined effects of aspirin and statins on HCC risk in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) are not clear.

METHODS

A nationwide nested case-control study was performed with data from the National Health Insurance Service gathered between 2005 and 2015 in Korea. In a cohort of 538,135 treatment-naïve, non-cirrhotic patients with CHB, 6,539 HCC cases were matched to 26,156 controls and were analysed by conditional logistic regression. Separate historical cohort studies for each drug were analysed by time-dependent Cox regression as a sensitivity analysis.

RESULTS

In the nested case-control study, statins (OR 0.34; 95% CI 0.32-0.37) and aspirin (OR 0.92; 95% CI 0.85-0.99) were significantly associated with a HCC risk reduction. However, dose-dependent risk reduction was observed only with statins. By sensitivity analysis in the historical cohorts, statin users (n = 244,455; HR 0.67; 95% CI 0.66-0.68) and aspirin users (n = 288,777; HR 0.81; 95% CI 0.80-0.82) had significantly lower HCC risk. In the drug-stratified analyses, statins were associated with significantly reduced risk of HCC regardless of aspirin, whereas aspirin did not show such associations.

CONCLUSIONS

In this nationwide population-based study of patients with CHB, statin use was consistently associated with a significant and dose-dependent reduction in HCC risk. In contrast, the association between aspirin use and HCC risk reduction was not dose-dependent and was suggested to be confounded by statins.

Hepatic Interactions in Atherosclerotic Heart Disease

Atherosclerotic heart disease remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The past few decades have seen the emergence of chronic inflammation as a mediator of atherosclerosis. Although the heart and vascular system remain the organ systems most affected in the atherosclerotic process, chronic inflammation and ischemia trigger a systemic multi-organ response. The liver is a critical organ for systemic hemostasis and recent developments have established an important role of the liver in response to atherosclerosis and myocardial ischemia. In addition, the rapid emergence of systemic liver diseases has unraveled a pathophysiological link with heart disease with therapeutic implications. In this review, we explore the relationship between the liver and the heart in myocardial ischemia, describe epidemiological associations between various liver pathologies and coronary heart disease, and elucidate practical challenges in the clinical management of patients with concomitant coronary heart disease and hepatic abnormalities.

Systematic review with meta-analysis: The effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and anti-platelet therapy on the incidence and recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Chemoprevention with NSAIDs, including aspirin, and anti-platelet therapy (APT), has been suggested to reduce the incidence and recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

AIM

To determine by meta-analysis whether NSAIDs and APT use affected HCC incidence, HCC recurrence and liver-related mortality in at-risk populations with chronic liver disease.

METHOD

Electronic databases including Pubmed, Scopus, Medline, Embase and Cochrane Library were searched (from inception to 31 May 2021) for eligible studies evaluating the impacts of NSAID or APT use on HCC incidence, recurrence and mortality. Data on HCC incidence, recurrence, liver-related mortality or bleeding complications had to be available. Studies were included if they evaluated adults with hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) or nonalcoholic steatohepatitis that were administered at least one NSAID or APT for a defined period of time and were followed for at least 6 months. The primary outcome was HCC incidence. Secondary outcomes included: HCC recurrence, liver-related mortality and bleeding complications. Data were pooled using a random effects model with hazard ratios (HRs) or odds ratio (OR), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) presented.

RESULTS

Of 3773 articles screened, 19 studies were included, with a total of 147 283 participants. Aspirin use reduced the risk of HCC incidence (HR: 0.51, 95% CI: 0.36-0.72); and improved liver-related mortality (OR: 0.32, 95% CI: 0.15-0.70), with a small increased risk of gastrointestinal bleeding events (OR: 1.32, 95% CI: 1.08-1.94). With respect to HCC recurrence following treatment, analysis of all aspirin and NSAID treatment (including; aspirin only; non-aspirin NSAIDs only; and combination NSAIDs groups) was associated with a decreased risk of HCC recurrence (HR: 0.80, 95% CI: 0.75-0.86). By stratified analysis, only the non-aspirin NSAID group showed significant risk reduction (HR: 0.73, 95% CI: 0.63-0.84).

CONCLUSION

The study supports the use of aspirin in at-risk individuals to reduce the incidence of HCC and liver-related mortality. HCC recurrence following treatment was lower with NSAID treatment.

Impact of Aspirin on clinical outcome in advanced HCC patients receiving sorafenib and regorafenib

BACKGROUND AND AIM

The aim of our retrospective study is to evaluate the prognostic significance of aspirin in patients with advanced HCC treated with sorafenib.

METHODS

304 patients with HCC,consecutively treated with sorafenib from May 2007 to September 2018, were included in the clinical study. Of Them 93 patients token aspirin. Progression-free survival (PFS)and overall survival (OS)were estimated with the Kaplan-Meier method and compared with the log-rank test.

RESULTS

The concomitant use of sorafenib and aspirin was associated with a median OS of 18.3 months compared to 8.8 months of patients who did not receive aspirin (HR 0.57; P < 0.0001). The concomitant use of sorafenib and aspirin was associated with a median PFS of 7.3 months compared to 3.0 months of patients who did not receive aspirin (HR 0.61; P = 0.0003). In the multivariate analysis, the use of aspirin maintained an independent prognostic value for OS(HR 0.61; P = 0.0013). In second line the concomitant use of regorafenib and aspirin was associated with a median OS of 16.9 months compared to 8.0 months of patients who did not receive aspirin (HR 0.30; P = 0.02).

CONCLUSION

Globally, our data seem to suggest that aspirin use may improve the clinical outcome of patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma receiving sorafenib and regorafenib.

Hepatocytes derived increased SAA1 promotes intrahepatic platelet aggregation and aggravates liver inflammation in NAFLD

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the pathological manifestation of metabolic syndrome in liver. Its pathological changes may evolve from the initial simple steatosis to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, liver fibrosis and even liver cancer. Numerous studies have proved that platelets play a vital role in liver disease and homeostasis. Particularly, anti-platelet therapy can reduce intrahepatic platelet aggregation and improve the inflammation of fatty liver. Previous study has also confirmed that SAA is a gene closely related to high-fat diet (HFD) induced obesity, and SAA1 can promote liver insulin resistance induced by Palmitate or HFD. Here, we found that SAA1 treated platelets presented increased sensitivity of platelet aggregation, enhanced activation and increased adhesion ability, and such function was partly dependent on Toll-Like Receptor (TLR) 2 signaling. In addition, blocking SAA1 expression in vivo not only inhibited platelet aggregation in the liver tissues of NAFLD mice, but also alleviated the inflammation of fatty liver. In conclusion, our findings identify that HFD-induced hepatic overexpressed SAA1 aggravates fatty liver inflammation by promoting intrahepatic platelet aggregation, these results also imply that SAA1 may serve as a potential target for ameliorating NAFLD.

Activated platelets contribute to the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma by altering the tumor environment

AIM

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a primary liver cancer that usually develops in a background of chronic liver disease and prolonged inflammation. A major contributor in the complex molecular pathogenesis of HCC is the highly intertwined cross-talk between the tumor and the surrounding stromal cells, such as hepatic stellate cells, endothelial cells, macrophages and other immune cells. These tumor-stroma interactions actively fuel tumor growth and modulate the hepatic microenvironment to benefit tumor invasion and disease progression. Platelets have been reported to interact with different cell types in the tumor microenvironment, including tumor cells, stellate cells and macrophages.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Mice were treated with hepatocarcinogenic compound diethylnitrosamine for 25 weeks to induce HCC in the background of fibrosis and inflammation. From week 10, anti-platelet drug Clopidogrel was added to the drinking water and mice were given ad libitum access.

KEY FINDINGS

In this study, we show that activated platelets promote tumor cell proliferation and contribute to the adverse tumor-stroma cross-talk that fuels tumor progression. We also show that inhibiting platelet activation with the P2Y12-inhibitor Clopidogrel decreases the number of tumors in a chemically induced mouse model for HCC.

SIGNIFICANCE

These results suggest an important role for platelets in the pathogenesis of HCC and that the use of anti-platelet drugs may be therapeutically relevant for patients with liver cancer.

Aspirin Use Is Associated with a Reduced Incidence of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third-leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, with a growing incidence and poor prognosis. While some recent studies suggest an inverse association between aspirin use and reduced HCC incidence, other data are conflicting. To date, the precise magnitude of risk reduction-and whether there are dose-dependent and duration-dependent associations-remains unclear. To provide an updated and comprehensive assessment of the association between aspirin use and incident HCC risk, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of all observational studies published through September 2020. Using random-effects meta-analysis, we calculated the pooled relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between aspirin use and incident HCC risk. Where data were available, we evaluated HCC risk according to the defined daily dose of aspirin use. Among 2,389,019 participants, and 20,479 cases of incident HCC, aspirin use was associated with significantly lower HCC risk (adjusted RR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.51-0.73; P ≤ 0.001; I2 = 90.4%). In subgroup analyses, the magnitude of benefit associated with aspirin was significantly stronger in studies that adjusted for concurrent statin and/or metformin use (RR, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.28-0.64) versus those that did not (P heterogeneity = 0.02), studies that accounted for cirrhosis (RR, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.45-0.52) versus those that did not (P heterogeneity = 0.02), and studies that confirmed HCC through imaging/biopsy (RR, 0.30; 95% CI, 0.15-0.58) compared with billing codes (P heterogeneity < 0.001). In four studies, each defined daily dose was associated with significantly lower HCC risk (RR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.97-0.98), corresponding to an 8.4% risk reduction per year of aspirin use. Conclusion: In this comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis, aspirin use was associated with a significant reduction in HCC risk. These benefits appeared to increase with increasing dose and duration of aspirin use.

Platelet activation during chronic hepatitis B infection exacerbates liver inflammation and promotes fibrosis

Recurrent hepatitis activity during chronic hepatitis B virus infection results in fibrosis and even hepatocellular carcinoma. It is still unclear what causes acute exacerbation. As platelets have recently been identified as a significant role in inflammation, we here investigated the role of platelets in mediating liver damage in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection. Platelet aggregation testing and flow cytometry were carried out to evaluate platelet activation status in 121 patients chronically infected with hepatitis B across different phases of the condition. The correlation between platelet aggregation rate and liver inflammation or liver fibrosis index was evaluated. To investigate the genesis of platelet activation, several serum cytokines were also assessed by MILLIPLEX microsphere-based multiplex cytokine assay. Active hepatitis patients showed a higher aggregation rate than others. Levels of CD62p, a marker of platelet activation, were also increased in this group of patients. Positive correlations between platelet aggregation rate and liver inflammation or liver fibrosis were also noted, indicating a significant role of platelet in the progression of liver disease. The level of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, which is known to trigger platelet activation, was markedly higher in the active hepatitis group (P < .005). Based on the findings in our study, platelet activation plays a vital role in the progression of chronic hepatitis B virus infection. Antiplatelet therapy may provide a new means of hepatitis B infection treatment.

Inhibiting P2Y12 in Macrophages Induces Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Promotes an Anti-Tumoral Phenotype

The P2Y12 receptor is an adenosine diphosphate responsive G protein-coupled receptor expressed on the surface of platelets and is the pharmacologic target of several anti-thrombotic agents. In this study, we use liver samples from mice with cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma to show that P2Y12 is expressed by macrophages in the liver. Using in vitro methods, we show that inhibition of P2Y12 with ticagrelor enhances tumor cell phagocytosis by macrophages and induces an anti-tumoral phenotype. Treatment with ticagrelor also increases the expression of several actors of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress pathways, suggesting activation of the unfolded protein response (UPR). Inhibiting the UPR with tauroursodeoxycholic acid (Tudca) diminishes the pro-phagocytotic effect of ticagrelor, thereby indicating that P2Y12 mediates macrophage function through activation of ER stress pathways. This could be relevant in the pathogenesis of chronic liver disease and cancer, as macrophages are considered key players in these inflammation-driven pathologies.

A High Preoperative Platelet-Lymphocyte Ratio Is a Negative Predictor of Survival After Liver Resection for Hepatitis B Virus-Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Retrospective Study

Objective: To evaluate the importance of preoperative blood platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after liver surgery and to examine the connection with CD8⁺ lymph cell infiltration.

Methods: Between 2009 and 2014, consecutive HCC patients who received curative liver surgery were included into this retrospective study. Baseline clinicopathological characteristics were analyzed to identify predictors of recurrence-free and overall patient survival rate after liver resection. The samples of all patients were under Tissue Microarray (TMA) construction and immunohistochemical staining for CD8+.The association of the number of CD8+T-cells in the cancer nests and peritumoral stroma with PLR level was analyzed.

Results: A total of 1,174 HBV-related HCC patients who received a liver resection without any peri-operative adjuvant therapy were enrolled into this retrospective study. Univariate and Multivariate analysis using Cox regression model showed that PLR was an independent factor affecting recurrence and overall survivals. The optimal cutoff of PLR using the receiver operating characteristic curve was 150. There were 236 patients (20.1%) who had a PLR of 150 or more. The 5-year survival rate after liver resection was 71.8% in patients with a PLR of < 150 and it was 57.2% in those with a PLR of 150 or more (P < 0.001). Both 5-year recurrence-free and overall survival rates in liver cancer stage A patients at Barcelona Clinic with different PLR group were also significantly different (P = 0.007 for recurrence and P = 0.001 for overall survival). Similar results were also observed in stage B patients (P < 0.001 for recurrence and P = 0.033 for overall survival). To determine the association between PLR and the severity of liver inflammation, an immuno-histological examination using CD8⁺ staining was performed on the liver specimens of 1,174 patients. Compared with low PLR (<150) group, more CD8⁺T-cells were found in the peritumoral tissue in high PLR (≥ 150) group.

Conclusions: PLR played as an independent factor for predicting the survival after hepatectomy for HCC patients. A high PLR was associated with an accumulation of CD8⁺ T-cells in the peritumoral stroma.

Thrombocytosis is associated with worse survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Thrombocytosis is associated with more aggressive tumour biology in many malignancies. There are limited data in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which often occurs in patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension. We aimed to explore the prognostic value of thrombocytosis in two cohorts of patients with HCC.

METHODS

We included 3561 patients from Taiwan and 1145 patients from the USA. Thrombocytopenia was defined as platelet count < 150×10⁹ /L and thrombocytosis as ≥ 300 × 10⁹ /L at HCC diagnosis. We used multivariable Cox proportional hazard models to identify independent predictors of survival.

RESULTS

Thrombocytosis was present in 9.0% and 6.9% of Taiwan and USA patients respectively. Compared to patients with normal platelet counts and those with thrombocytopenia, patients with thrombocytosis had larger tumours, increased vascular invasion and a higher proportion had extrahepatic metastases in both cohorts. In multivariable analysis, thrombocytosis (aHR 1.40, 95% CI 1.23-1.60) and thrombocytopenia (aHR 1.13, 95% CI 1.04-1.23) were both associated with worse survival after adjusting for age, gender, liver disease aetiology, Child-Pugh score, maximal tumour size, tumour nodularity, vascular invasion, lymph node or distant metastasis, performance status and alpha-fetoprotein level. Patients with thrombocytosis had a median survival of 6 and 4 months in the Taiwan and USA cohorts, compared to 32 and 14 months for those with normal platelet counts and 38 and 16 months for thrombocytopenic patients.

CONCLUSION

Thrombocytosis is independently associated with increased tumour burden and worse overall survival among HCC patients.

Assessing the association between platelets and immune recovery in HIV/HBV co-infected patients: A long-term cohort in Asia

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have reported that platelet count is associated with the progression of liver disease caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV), but there have been no reports on whether platelet count is associated with immune recovery in HIV/HBV co-infected patients.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was conducted on 167 HIV-infected patients whose continuously highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) strategy was lamivudine +tenofovir+ efavirenz, of which 75 were HIV/HBV co-infected patients and 92 were HIV mono-infected patients. The biochemical examination results and demographic characteristics of all patients before HAART were collected, and routine blood test results (including platelet count) and immune cell count (including CD4 cells count) after all time points of HAART were obtained. All patients were observed until 72 months. CD4 cells count of 350 or 500 cells/μl 72 months after HAART served as the boundary for judging the immune reconstruction effect.

RESULTS

The basic characteristics of HIV/HBV co-infected patients and HIV mono-infected patients were matched. All patients had a good viral response (HIV RNA <20 copies/ml, HBV DNA < 100 copies/mL) and immune response during HAART. The platelets with poor immune recovery in HIV/HBV co-infected patients were also maintained at an apparent lower level than that in patients with good immune recovery. However, this phenomenon was not found in HIV mono-infected patients. The platelet level at many time points after HAART therapy in HIV/HBV co-infected patients can predict the effect of immune recovery at 72 months after HAART.

CONCLUSION

The platelet counts of HIV/HBV co-infected patients were correlated with CD4 counts during the follow-up of HAART. These results suggest that the mechanisms associated with thrombocytopenia may be involved in the regulation of immune recovery after treatment in HIV/HBV co-infected patients.

Aspirin-targeted PD-L1 in lung cancer growth inhibition

Background

Aspirin is a classic anti‐inflammatory drug and its anticancer effect has been previously explored in many types of cancer including colorectal cancer therapy. Programmed cell death‐ligand 1 (PD‐L1) is widely expressed in tumor cells and displays an inhibitory role in antitumor immunity. This study aimed to clarify the role of PD‐L1 in aspirin‐suppressed lung cancer.

Methods

The inhibitory effect of aspirin on lung cancer cell proliferation was assessed using an MTT cell viability assay. The role of aspirin in the modulation of PD‐L1 expression was analyzed by western blot or RT‐PCR assays. In lung cancer cells, the influence of aspirin on PD‐L1 promoter activity was detected using a luciferase reporter assay. The interaction of TAZ with PD‐L1 promoter in the cells, with or without aspirin administration, was tested via chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) analysis. The function of PD‐L1 in aspirin‐mediated growth inhibition of lung cancer was examined using a cell viability assay.

Results

Following treatment with aspirin, lung cancer cell growth was markedly suppressed. Aspirin was able to markedly decrease the expression of PD‐L1 at the mRNA and protein levels in lung cancer cells. For the mechanism study, we found that the promoter of PD‐L1 was inactivated by aspirin via TAZ transcriptional coactivator in the cells. With regard to the functional investigation, aspirin was capable of resisting cell proliferation and PD‐L1 overexpression abolished aspirin‐depressed cell proliferation in lung cancer.

Conclusions

Aspirin suppressed the growth of lung cancer cells via targeting the TAZ/PD‐L1 axis.

Aspirin and the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma development in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis

Aspirin therapy has shown protective effects against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in preclinical studies. However, it is unclear whether aspirin therapy lowers the risk of HCC in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis.A retrospective analysis of data from 949 consecutive patients with alcoholic cirrhosis who abstained from alcoholic drinking was performed. The primary and secondary outcomes were development of HCC and gastrointestinal bleeding events, respectively. Risk was compared between patients with aspirin treatment and patients who were not treated (non-aspirin group) using a time-varying Cox proportional hazards model for total population and propensity score-matching analysis.The aspirin group included 224 patients and the non-aspirin group had 725 patients. During the study period of median duration of 3.1 years, 133 patients (13.6%) developed HCC. In time-varying Cox proportional analyses, the aspirin group showed a significantly lower risk of HCC (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]: 0.13; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.08-0.21; P < .001). In propensity score-matched pairs, aspirin therapy significantly reduced the risk of HCC (aHR: 0.14; 95% CI: 0.09-0.22; P < .001). In bleeding risk, treatment with aspirin alone was not significantly associated with a higher bleeding risk (aHR: 0.81; 95% CI: 0.45-1.44; P = .46).Aspirin therapy was associated with the lower risk of HCC in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis.

Platelet lysates in Hepatocellular Carcinoma patients after radiofrequency ablation facilitate tumor proliferation, invasion and vasculogenic mimicry

Background: Platelets play important roles in tumorigenesis, angiogenesis and metastatic dissemination of tumor cells. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) could increase the circulating tumor cells in patients with primary or metastatic lung tumors. Whether platelet lysates in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after RFA promote tumor progression has not been elaborated. Methods: HCC patients within Milan Criteria and without taking anti-platelet drugs were selected in the study. MTT assay, colony formation assay, transwell assay, tube formation and western blot were used to evaluate the effect of platelet lysates on HCC cells in vitro. Lung metastatic assay was performed in vivo. Results: Platelet lysates from patients after RFA promoted cell proliferation, colony formation, migration, invasion and vasculogenic mimicry in Hep3B and HCCLM3 cells compared with those from patients before RFA. Platelet lysates after RFA significantly increased the expression of p-Akt, p-Smad3 and snail, and decreased the expression of E-cadherin compared with those before RFA in Hep3B and HCCLM3 cells. Hep3B-Luc2-tdT cells incubation with platelet lysates from patients after RFA displayed enhanced lung metastasis compared with those before RFA. Conclusions: Platelet lysates from HCC patients after RFA promoted the proliferation, migration, invasion and vasculogenic mimicry of HCC cells, which indicated that RFA in combination with anti-platelet drug may be used to improve the prognosis of HCC.

Pathophysiological role of prostanoids in coagulation of the portal venous system in liver cirrhosis

Background

Prostanoids are important regulators of platelet aggregation and thrombotic arterial diseases. Their involvement in the development of portal vein thrombosis, frequent in decompensated liver cirrhosis, is still not investigated.

Methods

Therefore, we used pro-thrombotic venous milieu generation by bare metal stent transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt insertion, to study the role of prostanoids in decompensated liver cirrhosis. Here, 89 patients receiving transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt insertion were included in the study, and baseline levels of thromboxane B₂, prostaglandin D₂ and prostaglandin E₂ were measured in the portal and the hepatic vein.

Results

While the hepatic vein contained higher levels of thromboxane B₂ than the portal vein, levels of prostaglandin E₂ and D₂ were higher in the portal vein (all P<0.0001). Baseline concentrations of thromboxane B₂ in the portal vein were independently associated with an increase of portal hepatic venous pressure gradient during short term follow-up, as an indirect sign of thrombogenic potential (multivariable P = 0.004). Moreover, severity of liver disease was inversely correlated with portal as well as hepatic vein levels of prostaglandin D₂ and E₂ (all P<0.0001).

Conclusions

Elevated portal venous thromboxane B₂ concentrations are possibly associated with the extent of thrombogenic potential in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03584204.

Simplified nomograms based on platelet-associated models for survival prediction in Asian hepatocellular carcinoma patients after surgery

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Accumulating evidence showed platelets were closely related to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) prognosis. We here aimed to develop two simple-to-use nomograms based on the PLT-associated modified models to refine prognostic prediction of Asian HCC.

METHODS

The nomograms were established using 684 eligible Asian patients who received curative resection for HCC, among which 456 and 228 were randomly assigned to the derivation and validation cohorts, respectively. Univariate and multivariate Cox analyses in the derivation set were used to identify the independent prognostic factors of the hepatectomy patients as the nomogram variables. We evaluated the discrimination and calibration of the nomograms by concordance indexes (C-index), calibration plots and Kaplan-Meier curves. The discrimination ability of the PLT-based nomograms was compared with the conventional staging systems using time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves.

RESULTS

The nomogram for overall survival (OS) estimation was comprised of MPV/PC [mean platelet volume/platelet count], SII [systemic immune-inflammation index], NPS [neutrophil-platelet score], PAPAS [platelet count/age/ALP/AFP/AST index] and S index. And the nomogram for recurrence-free survival (RFS) prediction was of NPS, PAPAS and S index. The C-indexes of the OS nomogram in the derivation and validation sets were 0.704 and 0.707, and those of the RFS nomogram were 0.668 and 0.703. The calibration plots fitted well. The survival curves showed great discriminatory powers. The area under the curve (AUC) of our nomograms were significantly larger than that of the three conventional models (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The two PLT-based nomograms were accurate in predicting the OS and RFS of Asian HCC patients after hepatectomy.

Platelets as Key Factors in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a primary liver cancer that usually develops in the setting of chronic inflammation and liver damage. The hepatic microenvironment plays a crucial role in the disease development, as players such as hepatic stellate cells, resident liver macrophages (Kupffer cells), endothelial cells, extracellular matrix, and a variety of immune cells interact in highly complex and intertwined signaling pathways. A key factor in these cross-talks are platelets, whose role in cancer has gained growing evidence in recent years. Platelets have been reported to promote HCC cell proliferation and invasion, but their involvement goes beyond the direct effect on tumor cells, as they are known to play a role in pro-fibrinogenic signaling and the hepatic immune response, as well as in mediating interactions between these factors in the stroma. Anti-platelet therapy has been shown to ameliorate liver injury and improve the disease outcome. However, platelets have also been shown to play a crucial role in liver regeneration after organ damage. Therefore, the timing and microenvironmental setting need to be kept in mind when assessing the potential effect and therapeutic value of platelets in the disease progression, while further studies are needed for understanding the role of platelets in patients with HCC.

Aspirin targets P4HA2 through inhibiting NF-κB and LMCD1-AS1/let-7g to inhibit tumour growth and collagen deposition in hepatocellular carcinoma

Background

Abnormal construction of the extracellular matrix (ECM) is intimately linked with carcinogenesis and the development of solid tumours, especially hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). As the major component of the ECM, collagen plays a pivotal role in carcinogenesis. P4HA2, the essential enzyme during collagen formation, becomes an important target in HCC treatment. Here, we tried to decipher whether aspirin (ASA), a classic anti-inflammatory drug, could improve the prognosis of HCC through targeting P4HA2.

Methods

Western blotting, qRT-PCR assay, immunofluorescence staining, luciferase reporter gene assay, and ChIP assay were applied to demonstrate the molecular mechanism of the regulation of P4HA2 expression by aspirin. A mouse xenograft model, cell viability assay, colony formation assay, and immunohistochemistry analysis were used to evaluate the anti-fibrosis effect of aspirin through targeting the NF-κB/P4HA2 axis and LMCD1-AS1/let-7g/P4HA2 axis in vitro and in vivo. The TCGA database was used to evaluate the correlation among P4HA2, let-7g, LMCD1-AS1 and overall survival of HCC patients.

Findings

In xenograft mice, aspirin was capable of targeting P4HA2 to decrease collagen deposition, resulting in the inhibition of liver tumour growth. TCGA database analysis revealed the close association between a higher P4HA2 concentration in HCC patients and shorter overall survival or a higher cancer stage and the pathological grade. Mechanistically, NF-κB can bind to the promoter of P4HA2 to activate its transcription. Moreover, lncRNA LMCD1-AS1 functions as a molecular sponge of let-7g to post-transcriptionally induce the target gene of let-7g, namely, P4HA2.

Interpretation

Our findings disclose the novel role and regulatory mechanism of aspirin in the suppression of HCC by disrupting abnormal collagen deposition.

Funds

973 Program, National Natural Scientific Foundation of China, Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities, Project of Prevention and Control of Key Chronic Non-Infectious Diseases.

Diagnostic and therapeutic potential of the gut microbiota in patients with early hepatocellular carcinoma

The gut microbiota is involved in the maintenance of the homeostasis of the human body and its alterations are associated with the development of different pathological conditions. The liver is the organ most exposed to the influence of the gut microbiota, and recently important connections between the intestinal flora and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have been described. In fact, HCC is commonly associated with liver cirrhosis and develops in a microenvironment where inflammation, immunological alterations, and cellular aberrations are dramatically evident. Prevention and diagnosis in the earliest stages are still the most effective weapons in fighting this tumor. Animal models show that the gut microbiota can be involved in the promotion and progression of HCC directly or through different pathogenic mechanisms. Recent data in humans have confirmed these preclinical findings, shedding new light on HCC pathogenesis. Limitations due to the different experimental design, the ethnic and hepatological setting make it difficult to compare the results and draw definitive conclusions, but these studies lay the foundations for a pathogenetic redefinition of HCC. Therefore, it is evident that the characterization of the gut microbiota and its modulation can have an enormous diagnostic, preventive, and therapeutic potential, especially in patients with early stage HCC.

Platelets and Platelet-Derived Extracellular Vesicles in Liver Physiology and Disease

Beyond their role in hemostasis, platelets are proposed as key mediators of several physiological and pathophysiological processes of the liver, such as liver regeneration, toxic or viral acute liver injury, liver fibrosis, and carcinogenesis. The effects of platelets on the liver involve interactions with sinusoidal endothelial cells and the release of platelet‐contained molecules following platelet activation. Platelets are the major source of circulating extracellular vesicles, which are suggested to play key roles in platelet interactions with endothelial cells in several clinical disorders. In the present review, we discuss the implications of platelet‐derived extracellular vesicles in physiological and pathophysiological processes of the liver.

The pretreatment platelet count is an independent predictor of tumor progression in patients undergoing transcatheter arterial chemoembolization with hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma

Aim: To explore the prognostic value of the pretreatment platelet (PLT) count in patients undergoing transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Materials & methods: We prospectively analyzed 317 hepatitis B virus-related HCC patients undergoing TACE. Time to progression (TTP) was selected to evaluate the clinical significance of PLT level in HCC patients. Results: PLT was the only parameter showing statistical significance of all the clinical characteristics between two distinct tumor response groups. After ruling out cirrhosis as a potential major confounding factor, the conclusion was further established. Higher pretreatment PLT level, portal vessel invasion and higher stratification of α-fetoprotein level were independently associated with longer TTP. The prognostic score model combining the three risk factors revealed that higher risk scores might mean shorter TTP. Conclusion: The pretreatment PLT level is a potentially useful biomarker to predict the prognostic outcomes in HCC patients undergoing TACE and deserves to be further explored in subsequent works.

Aspirin ameliorates lung cancer by targeting the miR-98/WNT1 axis

Background

Aspirin, an anti‐inflammatory drug, has been widely investigated in the treatment of many cancer types, including colorectal, ovarian, breast, and prostate cancers. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are the most well studied noncoding RNAs in cancers. In the current study, we were interested in defining the function of aspirin in lung cancer treatment and the related noncoding RNAs involved in this process.

Methods

The function of aspirin in lung cancer growth was evaluated by cell viability and colony formation assays. Screening of miRNAs affected by aspirin was performed through quantitative real‐time PCR. Prediction of miR‐98 targeting WNT1 was performed using online bioinformatics software and was further confirmed by luciferase reporter gene analysis. The levels of miR‐98 and WNT1 were tested through immunoblotting and quantitative real‐time PCR analysis in lung cancer cells under aspirin treatment.

Results

Cell viability was sharply suppressed in lung cancer cells with an increasing dose of aspirin. Aspirin markedly weakened the malignant colony formation ability of lung cancer cells. One out of six tumor suppressor miRNAs could be obviously regulated by aspirin in lung cancer cells. The inhibition of miR‐98 on the luciferase activities of wild‐type 3' untranslated region vectors of WNT1 was clearly revealed in lung cancer cells. Meanwhile, the inhibitor of miR‐98 increased the luciferase activities of wild‐type 3' untranslated region vectors of WNT1. After treatment with aspirin the expression of miR‐98 was induced and then its target gene, WNT1, was depressed in the cells.

Conclusion

Aspirin targets the miR‐98/WNT1 axis to ameliorate lung cancer development.

A sample model established by S-index predicting overall survival after curative resection of primary hepatocellular carcinoma

Purpose

Prognostic prediction after curative resection of primary hepatocellular carcinoma (PHCC) remains an arduous task. The S-index calculated from γ-glutamyl transpeptidase, albumin, and platelets is reported to predict the severity of liver fibrosis. We constructed a nomogram for predicting the survival probability of PHCC based on a new indicator, the S-index, combined with other routine clinical parameters.

Patients and methods

We selected 490 patients with PHCC postradical surgery at the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University between January 2007 and January 2014. The subjects were randomly allocated into the training cohort and the validation cohort in the ratio 7:3 by the digital method. Important variables screened by univariate analysis were included in multivariate analysis to obtain independent risk factors for predicting the prognosis of PHCC. The construction of the nomogram was based on Cox proportional hazard regression models. The concordance index (C-index) was used in the nomogram for evaluating the model performance for prognosis. We drew time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curves to compare our model with other staging systems.

Results

The nomogram based on six independent risk factors after multivariate analyses had good predictive power after radical surgery of PHCC. In the training and validation groups, the C-index of the nomogram was highly consistent for evaluating survival from PHCC. Compared with the traditional scoring system, the areas under time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curves were 0.7382, 0.7293, and 0.7520 for 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival, respectively. In summary, the nomogram showed excellent results in terms of prognosis of PHCC.

Conclusion

Based on the S-index and the other clinical indicators, we developed a precise nomogram that predicts the survival probability of patients with PHCC after radical surgery. This tool can provide effective information for surgeons and patients.

Use of Antiplatelet Agents Is Inversely Associated With Liver Fibrosis in Patients With Cardiovascular Disease

Platelets participate in the development of liver fibrosis in animal models, but little is known about the benefit of antiplatelet agents in preventing liver fibrosis in humans. We therefore explored the relationship between the use of antiplatelet agents and liver fibrosis in a prospective cohort study of patients at high risk of liver fibrosis and cardiovascular events. Consecutive patients undergoing elective coronary angiography at the University Hospital Frankfurt were prospectively included in the present study. Associations between use of antiplatelet agents (acetyl salicylic acid, P2Y12 receptor antagonists) and liver fibrosis were assessed in regression models, and the relationship between platelet-derived growth factor beta (PDGF-β) serum concentration, platelets, liver fibrosis, and use of antiplatelet agents was characterized. Out of 505 included patients, 337 (67%) received antiplatelet agents and 134 (27%) had liver fibrosis defined as a FibroScan transient elastography (TE) value ≥7.9 kPa. Use of antiplatelet agents was inversely associated with the presence of liver fibrosis in univariate and multivariate analyses (multivariate odds ratio [OR], 0.67; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.51-0.89; P = 0.006). Use of antiplatelet agents was also inversely associated with FibroTest values (beta, -0.38; SD beta, 0.15; P = 0.02). Furthermore, there was a significant correlation between platelet counts and PDGF-β serum concentration (rho, 0.33; P < 0.0001), but PDGF-β serum levels were not affected by antiplatelet agents. Conclusion: There is a protective association between the use of antiplatelet agents and occurrence of liver fibrosis. A randomized controlled trial is needed to explore causality and the potential of antiplatelet agents as antifibrotic therapy in patients at risk for liver fibrosis progression.

Prognostic factors in patients with HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma following hepatic resection

Background

To analyze prognostic factors following hepatic resection in patients with HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 217 patients with HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent hepatic resection at our hospital between January 2006 and December 2015. Disease-free survival and overall survival rates were analyzed using the Kaplan–Meier method and the log-rank test. The association between recurrence and survival and various clinicopathological factors, including serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level, platelet count, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, antiplatelet therapy, antiviral therapy, hepatitis C virus infection, and tumor-related characteristics, were assessed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Results

The 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates were 91, 84, and 79%, respectively, and the recurrence-free survival rates were 72, 51, and 44%, respectively. High post-operative AFP level (hazard ratio [HR] 1.112, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02–1.21, P = 0.007), multiple tumors (HR 1.991, 95% CI: 1.11–3.56, P = 0.021), and no antiviral treatment (HR 1.823, 95% CI: 1.07–3.09, P = 0.026) were independent risk factors for recurrence. High post-operative AFP level (HR 1.222, 95% CI: 1.09–1.36, P < 0.001), multiple tumors (HR 2.715, 95% CI: 1.05–7.02, P = 0.039), and recurrence (HR 12.824, 95% CI: 1.68–97.86, P = 0.014) were independent risk factors for mortality. No other factors analyzed were associated with outcomes in this patient cohort.

Conclusions

High post-operative serum alpha-fetoprotein level and multiple tumors, but not inflammatory factors, were risk factors for poor prognosis in HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma patients after resection.

Abnormal platelet count correlates with poor survival in hepatocellular carcinoma

Background

Normal platelet (PLT) plays a vital role in thrombosis, the inflammatory response, and liver regeneration. The effect of abnormal PLT counts has been seldom explored in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); hence, this investigation was conducted to evaluate the prognostic importance of preoperative abnormal PLT count in HCC patients after liver resection retrospectively.

Methodology

The PLT counts were determined using Sysmex XT-1800i automated hematology analyzer and its matching reagents. Patients were divided into two groups: a normal PLT group and an abnormal PLT group. Chi-square test, Kaplan–Meier method, and Cox univariable and multivariable regressions were utilized to analyze the data.

Results

A total of 391 HCC patients who underwent liver resection were included in this study. The overall survival (OS) rates were 59% and 31%, and the median survival time was 69 months and 31 months in the normal and abnormal PLT groups, respectively. The PLT level was associated with OS in univariate and multivariate analyses (hazard ratio [HR], 1.991 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.412–2.808] and HR, 2.217 [95% CI, 1.556–3.159], respectively).

Conclusions

Patients with normal PLT had a better outcome in terms of OS. The results suggested that abnormal PLT count is an independent prognostic factor for HCC patients after liver resection.

Antiplatelet agents for cancer treatment: a real perspective or just an echo from the past?

The association between coagulation and cancer development has been observed for centuries. However, the connection between inflammation and malignancy is also well-recognized. The plethora of evidence indicates that among multiple hemostasis components, platelets play major roles in cancer progression by providing surface and granular contents for several interactions as well as behaving like immune cells. Therefore, the anticancer potential of anti-platelet therapy has been intensively investigated for many years. Anti-platelet agents may prevent cancer, decrease tumor growth, and metastatic potential, as well as improve survival of cancer patients. On the other hand, there are suggestions that antiplatelet treatment may promote solid tumor development in a phenomenon described as "cancers follow bleeding." The controversies around antiplatelet agents justify insight into the subject to establish what, if any, role platelet-directed therapy has in the continuum of anticancer management.

Novel biomarker-based model for the prediction of sorafenib response and overall survival in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: a prospective cohort study

Background

Prediction of the outcome of sorafenib therapy using biomarkers is an unmet clinical need in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The aim was to develop and validate a biomarker-based model for predicting sorafenib response and overall survival (OS).

Methods

This prospective cohort study included 124 consecutive HCC patients (44 with disease control, 80 with progression) with Child-Pugh class A liver function, who received sorafenib. Potential serum biomarkers (namely, hepatocyte growth factor [HGF], fibroblast growth factor [FGF], vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1, CD117, and angiopoietin-2) were tested. After identifying independent predictors of tumor response, a risk scoring system for predicting OS was developed and 3-fold internal validation was conducted.

Results

A risk scoring system was developed with six covariates: etiology, platelet count, Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage, protein induced by vitamin K absence-II, HGF, and FGF. When patients were stratified into low-risk (score ≤ 5), intermediate-risk (score 6), and high-risk (score ≥ 7) groups, the model provided good discriminant functions on tumor response (concordance [c]-index, 0.884) and 12-month survival (area under the curve [AUC], 0.825). The median OS was 19.0, 11.2, and 6.1 months in the low-, intermediate-, and high-risk group, respectively (P < 0.001). In internal validation, the model maintained good discriminant functions on tumor response (c-index, 0.825) and 12-month survival (AUC, 0.803), and good calibration functions (all P > 0.05 between expected and observed values).

Conclusions

This new model including serum FGF and HGF showed good performance in predicting the response to sorafenib and survival in patients with advanced HCC.

Platelets as Modulators of Liver Diseases

Platelets are key players in thrombosis and hemostasis. Alterations in platelet count and function are common in liver disease, and may contribute to bleeding or thrombotic complications in liver diseases and during liver surgery. In addition to their hemostatic function, platelets may modulate liver diseases by mechanisms that are incompletely understood. Here, we present clinical evidence for a role of platelets in the progression of chronic and acute liver diseases, including cirrhosis, acute liver failure, and hepatocellular carcinoma. We also present clinical evidence that platelets promote liver regeneration following partial liver resection. Subsequently, we summarize studies in experimental animal models that support these clinical observations, and also highlight studies that are in contrast with clinical observations. The combined results of clinical and experimental studies suggest that platelets may be a therapeutic target in the treatment of liver injury and repair, but the gaps in our understanding of mechanisms involved in platelet-mediated modulation of liver diseases call for caution in clinical application of these findings.

Aspirin induces Beclin-1-dependent autophagy of human hepatocellular carcinoma cell

Aspirin not only reduces the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) but also plays a synergistic role with chemotherapy for HCC treatment. However, the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely elucidated. Given that autophagy triggers cancer cell death, the present study examined the autophagic effect of aspirin on HCC cells. Results showed that aspirin increased LC3II/LC3I ratio, decreased p62 expression, and enhanced autophagic flux (autophagosome and autolysosome puncta) in Hep3B, HepG2, or SMMC-7721 cells, reflecting the autophagy of HCC cells. The autophagic effects of aspirin depended on Beclin-1 expression. Aspirin disrupted the interaction between Bcl-2 and Beclin-1. In addition to activating the AMP-activated protein kinase, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, and Glycogen synthase kinase-3 pathways, aspirin inhibited the mammalian-target-of rapamycin-S6K1/4E-BP1 signaling. Aspirin induced autophagy of HCC cell. This study contributes to understanding the chemoprotective and inhibitory effects of aspirin on HCC development.

Platelets: an outlook from biology through evidence-based achievements in critical care

Since the original observations by Bizzozero and Osler, we have seen tremendous advances in the understanding of platelets far beyond haemostasis and the restoration of injured endothelium. In this mini-review on platelets, we will briefly outline their historical description and the importance of their evolution, focusing on a 450 million years old living fossil of Limulus polyphemus, a marine chelicerate arthropod, which helped researchers explain the basis for the immunity role of platelets and make correlations with platelet ultrastructure and function. In addition, the impact of the Limulus Amoebocyte Lysate (LAL) test for modern medicine is highlighted. The role of platelets in cardiovascular diseases, their relevance in arterial and venous thrombosis, and the utilization of antithrombotic drugs as therapeutic agents are also reported. Furthermore, platelet receptors are crucial in aggravating or mitigating other diseases, such as cancer and infections, which can recruit cells and have numerous interactions in a process recently coined "NETosis formation", which is also briefly depicted.

Antiplatelet therapy and the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in chronic hepatitis B patients on antiviral treatment

Antiplatelet therapy has shown protective effects against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in preclinical studies. However, it is unclear whether antiplatelet therapy lowers the risk of HCC in patients with chronic hepatitis B. A retrospective analysis was conducted of data from 1,674 chronic hepatitis B patients, enrolled between January 2002 and May 2015, whose serum hepatitis B virus DNA levels were suppressed by antivirals to <2,000 IU/mL. The primary and secondary outcomes were development of HCC and bleeding events, respectively. Risk was compared between patients with antiplatelet treatment (aspirin, clopidogrel, or both; antiplatelet group) and patients who were not treated (non-antiplatelet group) using a time-varying Cox proportional hazards model for total population and propensity score-matching analysis. The antiplatelet group included 558 patients, and the non-antiplatelet group had 1,116 patients. During the study period, 63 patients (3.8%) developed HCC. In time-varying Cox proportional analyses, the antiplatelet group showed a significantly lower risk of HCC (hazard ratio [HR], 0.44; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.23-0.85; P = 0.01), regardless of antiplatelet agent. In propensity score-matched pairs, antiplatelet therapy significantly reduced the risk of HCC (HR, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.15-0.77; P = 0.01). However, the overall risk of bleeding was higher in the antiplatelet group (HR, 3.28; 95% CI, 1.98-5.42; P < 0.001), particularly for clopidogrel with or without aspirin. Treatment with aspirin alone was not associated with a higher bleeding risk (HR, 1.11; 95% CI, 0.48-2.54; P = 0.81).

CONCLUSION

Antiplatelet therapy reduces the risk of HCC in chronic hepatitis B patients whose hepatitis B virus is effectively suppressed. However, antiplatelet therapy containing clopidogrel may increase the risk of bleeding. (Hepatology 2017;66:1556-1569).

Aspirin suppresses the abnormal lipid metabolism in liver cancer cells via disrupting an NFκB-ACSL1 signaling

Abnormal lipid metabolism is a hallmark of tumorigenesis. Hence, the alterations of metabolism enhance the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Aspirin is able to inhibit the growth of cancers through targeting nuclear factor κB (NF-κB). However, the role of aspirin in disrupting abnormal lipid metabolism in HCC remains poorly understood. In this study, we report that aspirin can suppress the abnormal lipid metabolism of HCC cells through inhibiting acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 1 (ACSL1), a lipid metabolism-related enzyme. Interestingly, oil red O staining showed that aspirin suppressed lipogenesis in HepG2 cells and Huh7 cells in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, aspirin attenuated the levels of triglyceride and cholesterol in the cells, respectively. Strikingly, we identified that aspirin was able to down-regulate ACSL1 at the levels of mRNA and protein. Moreover, we validated that aspirin decreased the nuclear levels of NF-κB in HepG2 cells. Mechanically, PDTC, an inhibitor of NF-κB, could down-regulate ACSL1 at the levels of mRNA and protein in the cells. Functionally, PDTC reduced the levels of lipid droplets, triglyceride and cholesterol in HepG2 cells. Thus, we conclude that aspirin suppresses the abnormal lipid metabolism in HCC cells via disrupting an NFκB-ACSL1 signaling. Our finding provides new insights into the mechanism by which aspirin inhibits abnormal lipid metabolism of HCC. Therapeutically, aspirin is potentially available for HCC through controlling abnormal lipid metabolism.

Immune-Mediated Therapies for Liver Cancer

In recent years, immunotherapy has gained renewed interest as an alternative therapeutic approach for solid tumors. Its premise is based on harnessing the power of the host immune system to destroy tumor cells. Development of immune-mediated therapies, such as vaccines, adoptive transfer of autologous immune cells, and stimulation of host immunity by targeting tumor-evasive mechanisms have advanced cancer immunotherapy. In addition, studies on innate immunity and mechanisms of immune evasion have enhanced our understanding on the immunology of liver cancer. Preclinical and clinical studies with immune-mediated therapies have shown potential benefits in patients with liver cancer. In this review, we summarize current knowledge and recent developments in tumor immunology by focusing on two main primary liver cancers: hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma.

Platelets in liver and renal disease

This review will discuss how 2 common and morbid conditions, renal disease and liver disease, alter platelet number and function. It will review the impact of thrombocytopenia on bleeding complications in patients with these disorders and whether the low platelet count actually correlates with bleeding risk. Emerging data also suggest that platelets are much more than bystanders in both renal and liver disease, but instead play an active role in the pathobiology of these disorders. This review will briefly cover the emerging information on novel roles of platelets in the biology of renal and liver disease.