Association of Aspirin with Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Liver-Related Mortality

ONC206 targeting ClpP induces mitochondrial dysfunction and protective autophagy in hepatocellular carcinoma cells

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common form of liver cancer, accounting for approximately 90 % of all cases. ONC201, a member of the imipridone drug family, has shown promising therapeutic potential and a good safety profile in both malignant pediatric central nervous system tumors (diffuse midline glioma [DMG]) and hematologic malignancies. ONC206 is a more potent analog of ONC201. However, the ONC206 potential and mechanism of action in HCC remain to be elucidated. We found that ONC206 hindered HCC growth by suppressing cell proliferation and inducing apoptosis. Moreover, ONC206 induced cytoprotective autophagy, and blocking autophagy enhanced the proapoptotic effect of ONC206. Additionally, ONC206 induced mitochondrial swelling, reduced the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and led to the accumulation of mitochondrial ROS in HCC cells, ultimately resulting in mitochondrial dysfunction. The HCC patient samples exhibited notably elevated levels of caseinolytic protease proteolytic subunit (ClpP), which serves as a mediator of ONC206-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and the activation of protective autophagy. knockdown of ClpP reversed the cytotoxic effects of ONC206 on HCC cells. In summary, our results provide the first insight into the mechanism by which ONC206 exerts its anti-HCC effects and induces protective autophagy in HCC cells through ClpP.

Reticulated platelets are increased and hyper-activated in patients with cirrhosis, especially those with poor outcome

BACKGROUND

Reticulated platelets (RePLT) are emergency circulating platelets released to contrast peripheral platelet destruction.

AIM

We conducted a prospective study to [a] characterize RePLT in cirrhosis; [b] evaluate the association between RePLT and hepatic decompensation/death.

METHODS

Cirrhosis patients without hepatocellular carcinoma were prospectively recruited and underwent assessment of RePLT and thrombopoietin (TPO). RePLT were evaluated by cytofluorimetry and immuno-fluorescence microscopy. Twenty healthy subjects were included as controls. Patients were followed for 6 months for hepatic decompensation and further decompensation/ACLF.

RESULTS

Forty-five patients were included (Child-Pugh [CP] A/B/C 18/11/16). Compared to controls, RePLT in cirrhosis were significantly increased (0.82% vs. 0.05%; p < 0.001) and hyperactivated (4.35% vs. 0.17%; p = 0.004). No correlation was observed between RePLT and CP, platelet count, TPO, MELD score, and C-reactive protein. TPO was lower in cirrhosis than controls (28 pg/mL vs. 52 pg/mL; p = 0.005), decreasing significantly with CP stage. In CP B/C patients (n = 27), RePLT were significantly higher in those who progressed towards further decompensation/ACLF (2.11 [0.56-2.95] vs. 0.69 [0.02-1.22]; p < 0.01). A proportion of RePLT >2% accurately identified high-risk patients (AUROC 0.818; 95%CI: 0.639-0.997; sensitivity 94%, specificity 73%).

CONCLUSION

RePLT in cirrhosis are increased and hyper-activated. In decompensated patients, higher RePLT appear to be associated with worse outcomes.

AI-powered prediction of HCC recurrence after surgical resection: Personalised intervention opportunities using patient-specific risk factors

BACKGROUND

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence following surgical resection remains a significant clinical challenge, necessitating reliable predictive models to guide personalised interventions. In this study, we sought to harness the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to develop a robust predictive model for HCC recurrence using comprehensive clinical datasets.

METHODS

Leveraging data from 958 patients across multiple centres in Australia and Hong Kong, we employed a multilayer perceptron (MLP) as the optimal classifier for model generation.

RESULTS

Through rigorous internal cross-validation, including a cohort from the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), our AI model successfully identified specific pre-surgical risk factors associated with HCC recurrence. These factors encompassed hepatic synthetic function, liver disease aetiology, ethnicity and modifiable metabolic risk factors, collectively contributing to the predictive synergy of our model. Notably, our model exhibited high accuracy during cross-validation (.857 ± .023) and testing on the CUHK cohort (.835), with a notable degree of confidence in predicting HCC recurrence within accurately classified patient cohorts. To facilitate clinical application, we developed an online AI digital tool capable of real-time prediction of HCC recurrence risk, demonstrating acceptable accuracy at the individual patient level.

CONCLUSION

Our findings underscore the potential of AI-driven predictive models in facilitating personalised risk stratification and targeted interventions to mitigate HCC recurrence by identifying modifiable risk factors unique to each patient. This model aims to aid clinicians in devising strategies to disrupt the underlying carcinogenic network driving recurrence.

Causal Effects and Immune Cell Mediators of Prescription Analgesic Use and Risk of Liver Cancer and Precancerosis in European Population: A Mendelian Randomization Study

Diverse clinical observations and basic studies have been conducted to explore the implications of analgesic medications in liver diseases. However, the direct causal relationship between prescription analgesic use (PAU) and the risk of liver cancer and precancerosis remains unclear. Thus, we aimed to reveal the conceivable causal effect of PAU on liver cancer and precancerosis, with immune cells as mediating factors. Two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses were performed to ascertain the causality of PAU on liver cancer and precancerosis. Sensitivity analysis approaches were employed to assess the heterogeneity and pleiotropy of results. Our findings revealed a causal correlation between different PAUs and the risk of liver cancer and alcoholic liver disease (ALD). Specifically, salicylic acid derivatives (SADs) and anilide medications were found to have a protective effect on liver cancer. And non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and anilide medications showed a causal impact on ALD. Finally, mediation analyses found that anilide medications influence liver cancer through different immune cell phenotypes. Our research provides new genetic evidence for the causal impact of PAU on liver cancer and precancerosis, with the mediating role of immune cells demonstrated, offering a valuable foundation for researching analgesic medications in liver cancer and precancerosis treatment.

Interactions between platelets and the cancer immune microenvironment

Cancer is a leading cause of death in both China and developed countries due to its high incidence and low cure rate. Immune function is closely linked to the development and progression of tumors. Platelets, which are primarily known for their role in hemostasis, also play a crucial part in the spread and progression of tumors through their interaction with the immune microenvironment. The impact of platelets on tumor growth and metastasis depends on the type of cancer and treatment method used. This article provides an overview of the relationship between platelets and the immune microenvironment, highlighting how platelets can either protect or harm the immune response and cancer immune escape. We also explore the potential of available platelet-targeting strategies for tumor immunotherapy, as well as the promise of new platelet-targeted tumor therapy methods through further research.

A study on construction of a prognosis model for liver cancer based on analgesic targets and screening therapeutic drugs

BACKGROUND

Liver cancer is one of the most malignant liver diseases in the world, and the 5-year survival rate of such patients is low. Analgesics are often used to cure pain prevalent in liver cancer. The expression changes and clinical significance of the analgesic targets (ATs) in liver cancer have not been deeply understood.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study is to clarify the expression pattern of ATs gene in liver cancer and its clinical significance. Through the comprehensive analysis of transcriptome data and clinical parameters, the prognosis model related to ATs gene is established, and the drug information sensitive to ATs is mined.

METHODS

The study primarily utilized transcriptomic data and clinical information from liver cancer patients sourced from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. These data were employed to analyze the expression of ATs, conduct survival analysis, gene set variation analysis (GSVA), immune cell infiltration analysis, establish a prognostic model, and perform other bioinformatic analyses. Additionally, data from liver cancer patients in the International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) were utilized to validate the accuracy of the model. Furthermore, the impact of analgesics on key genes in the prognostic model was assessed using data from the Comparative Toxicogenomics Database (CTD).

RESULTS

The study investigated the differential expression of 58 ATs genes in liver cancer compared to normal tissues. Patients were stratified based on ATs expression, revealing varied survival outcomes. Functional enrichment analysis highlighted distinctions in spindle organization, centrosome, and spindle microtubule functions. Prognostic modeling identified low TP53 expression as protective, while elevated CCNA2, NEU1, and HTR2C levels posed risks. Commonly used analgesics, including acetaminophen and others, were found to influence the expression of these genes. These findings provide insights into potential therapeutic strategies for liver cancer and shed light on the molecular mechanisms underlying its progression.

CONCLUSIONS

The collective analysis of gene signatures associated with ATs suggests their potential as prognostic predictors in hepatocellular carcinoma patients. These findings not only offer insights into cancer therapy but also provide novel avenues for the development of indications for analgesics.

Propensity weighting plus adjustment in proportional hazards model is not doubly robust

Recently, it has become common for applied works to combine commonly used survival analysis modeling methods, such as the multivariable Cox model and propensity score weighting, with the intention of forming a doubly robust estimator of an exposure effect hazard ratio that is unbiased in large samples when either the Cox model or the propensity score model is correctly specified. This combination does not, in general, produce a doubly robust estimator, even after regression standardization, when there is truly a causal effect. We demonstrate via simulation this lack of double robustness for the semiparametric Cox model, the Weibull proportional hazards model, and a simple proportional hazards flexible parametric model, with both the latter models fit via maximum likelihood. We provide a novel proof that the combination of propensity score weighting and a proportional hazards survival model, fit either via full or partial likelihood, is consistent under the null of no causal effect of the exposure on the outcome under particular censoring mechanisms if either the propensity score or the outcome model is correctly specified and contains all confounders. Given our results suggesting that double robustness only exists under the null, we outline 2 simple alternative estimators that are doubly robust for the survival difference at a given time point (in the above sense), provided the censoring mechanism can be correctly modeled, and one doubly robust method of estimation for the full survival curve. We provide R code to use these estimators for estimation and inference in the supporting information.

A review of MASLD-related hepatocellular carcinoma: progress in pathogenesis, early detection, and therapeutic interventions

The incidence of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is continuously rising, evolving into a global health challenge. Concurrently, cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) associated with MASLD are also on the increase. Although traditional risk factors such as age, gender, and metabolic factors play significant roles in the development of HCC, it cannot be overlooked that MASLD, triggered by changes in modern lifestyle and dietary habits, may also exacerbate the risk of HCC, and this phenomenon is common even among non-obese individuals. Regrettably, MASLD often fails to receive timely diagnosis, resulting in a limited number of patients receiving HCC surveillance. Moreover, there is currently a lack of clear definition for the target population for surveillance beyond patients with cirrhosis. Consequently, MASLD-related HCC is often detected at a late stage, precluding the optimal timing for curative treatment. However, our understanding of the pathogenesis and progression of HCC remains limited. Therefore, this paper reviews relevant literature from recent years, delving into multiple dimensions such as pathogenesis, surveillance and diagnosis, prevention, and treatment, aiming to provide new ideas and directions for the prevention and treatment of MASLD-related HCC.

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

BACKGROUND

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

METHODS

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

RESULTS

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

CONCLUSIONS

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

Cancer-Associated Stroke: Thrombosis Mechanism, Diagnosis, Outcome, and Therapeutic Strategies

Cancer can induce hypercoagulability, which may lead to stroke. This occurs when tumor cells activate platelets as part of their growth and metastasis. Tumor cells activate platelets by generating thrombin and expressing tissue factor, resulting in tumor cell-induced platelet aggregation. Histopathological studies of thrombi obtained during endovascular thrombectomy in patients with acute stroke and active cancer have shown a high proportion of platelets and thrombin. This underscores the crucial roles of platelets and thrombin in cancer-associated thrombosis. Cancer-associated stroke typically occurs in patients with active cancer and is characterized by distinctive features. These features include multiple infarctions across multiple vascular territories, markedly elevated blood D-dimer levels, and metastasis. The presence of cardiac vegetations on echocardiography is a robust indicator of cancer-associated stroke. Suspicion of cancer-associated stroke during endovascular thrombectomy arises when white thrombi are detected, particularly in patients with active cancer. Cancer-associated stroke is almost certain when histopathological examination of thrombi shows a very high platelet and a very low erythrocyte composition. Patients with cancer-associated stroke have high risks of mortality and recurrent stroke. However, limited data are available on the optimal treatment regimen for stroke prevention in these patients. Thrombosis mechanism in cancer is well understood, and distinct therapeutic targets involving thrombin and platelets have been identified. Therefore, direct thrombin inhibitors and/or antiplatelet agents may effectively prevent stroke recurrence. Additionally, this strategy has potential benefits in cancer treatment as accumulating evidence suggests that aspirin use reduces cancer progression, metastasis, and cancer-related mortality. However, clinical trials are necessary to assess the efficacy of this strategy involving the use of direct thrombin inhibitors and/or antiplatelet therapies.

From evidence to clinical practice: Bridging the gap of new liver cancer therapies in Latin America

The most common primary liver tumors are hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma. They constitute the sixth most common neoplasia and the third cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Although both tumors may share etiologic factors, diagnosis, prognostic factors, and treatments, they differ substantially in determining distinctive clinical management. In recent years, significant advances have been made in the management of these neoplasms, particularly in advanced stages. In this review, we focus on the most relevant diagnostic, prognostic, and treatment aspects of both, hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma, underlying their applicability in Latin America.

Management of liver disease and portal hypertension in cystic fibrosis: a review

INTRODUCTION

Cystic fibrosis (CF)-associated liver disease can significantly affect the quality of life and survival of people with CF. The hepatobiliary manifestations in CF are various, with focal/multilobular biliary cirrhosis more common in children and porto-sinusoidal vascular disease (PSVD) in young adults. Portal hypertensive complications, particularly bleeding from esophagogastric varices and hypersplenism are common, while liver failure is rarer and mainly linked to biliary disease.

AREAS COVERED

This review explores current therapeutic options for CF-associated liver disease, presenting ongoing studies and new insights into parthenogenesis for potential future therapies.

EXPERT OPINION

Monitoring for signs of portal hypertension is essential. Limited evidence supports ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) efficacy in halting CF liver disease progression. The effect of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulators on liver outcomes lacks definitive data, since patients with CF-related liver disease were excluded from trials due to potential hepatotoxicity. A proposed approach involves using UDCA and modulators in early stages, along with anti-inflammatory agents, with further therapeutic strategies awaiting randomized trials. Prevention of portal hypertensive bleeding includes endoscopic sclerotherapy or ligation of esophageal varices. Nonselective beta-blockers may also prevent bleeding and could be cautiously implemented. Other non-etiological treatments require investigation.

Immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and immunotherapy of hepatocellular carcinoma: current status and prospectives

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major health concern worldwide, with limited therapeutic options and poor prognosis. In recent years, immunotherapies such as immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have made great progress in the systemic treatment of HCC. The combination treatments based on ICIs have been the major trend in this area. Recently, dual immune checkpoint blockade with durvalumab plus tremelimumab has also emerged as an effective treatment for advanced HCC. However, the majority of HCC patients obtain limited benefits. Understanding the immunological rationale and exploring novel ways to improve the efficacy of immunotherapy has drawn much attention. In this review, we summarize the latest progress in this area, the ongoing clinical trials of immune-based combination therapies, as well as novel immunotherapy strategies such as chimeric antigen receptor T cells, personalized neoantigen vaccines, oncolytic viruses, and bispecific antibodies.

Long-term aspirin use and cancer risk: a 20-year cohort study

BACKGROUND

Long-term use of aspirin has been shown to reduce colorectal cancer risk, but the association remains inconclusive for individual noncolorectal cancers. We examined the association between long-term aspirin use and cancer risk in Denmark.

METHODS

Using nationwide registries, we followed individuals aged 40-70 years at baseline (January 1, 1997) for cancer diagnoses through 2018. We assessed low-dose (75-150 mg) aspirin use according to continuity, duration, and cumulative amount. In addition, we explored associations with consistent high-dose (500 mg) aspirin use. Using Cox regression, we estimated multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) with aspirin use for overall and site-specific cancer.

RESULTS

Among 1 909 531 individuals, 422 778 were diagnosed with cancer during mean follow-up of 18.2 years. Low-dose aspirin use did not reduce the hazard ratio for cancer overall irrespective of continuity and duration of use (continuous use: HR = 1.04, 95% CI = 1.03 to 1.06). However, long-term (≥5 or ≥10 years) use was associated with at least 10% reductions in hazard ratios for several cancer sites: colon, rectum, esophagus, stomach, liver, pancreas, small intestine, head and neck, brain tumors, meningioma, melanoma, thyroid, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and leukemia. Substantially elevated hazard ratios were found for lung and bladder cancer. In secondary analyses, consistent high-dose aspirin use was associated with reduced hazard ratios for cancer overall (HR = 0.89, 95% CI = 0.85 to 0.93) and for several cancer sites.

CONCLUSION

Long-term low-dose aspirin use was associated with slight to moderately reduced risks for several cancers but not for cancer overall owing to increased risk for some common cancers. Similar or slightly stronger inverse associations were observed for consistent use of high-dose aspirin.

Platelet, Antiplatelet Therapy and Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease: A Narrative Review

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is not only related to traditional cardiovascular risk factors like type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity, but it is also an independent risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease. MASLD has been shown to be independently related to endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis. MASLD is characterized by a chronic proinflammatory response that, in turn, may induce a prothrombotic state. Several mechanisms such as endothelial and platelet dysfunction, changes in the coagulative factors, lower fibrinolytic activity can contribute to induce the prothrombotic state. Platelets are players and addresses of metabolic dysregulation; obesity and insulin resistance are related to platelet hyperactivation. Furthermore, platelets can exert a direct effect on liver cells, particularly through the release of mediators from granules. Growing data in literature support the use of antiplatelet agent as a treatment for MASLD. The use of antiplatelets drugs seems to exert beneficial effects on hepatocellular carcinoma prevention in patients with MASLD, since platelets contribute to fibrosis progression and cancer development. This review aims to summarize the main data on the role of platelets in the pathogenesis of MASLD and its main complications such as cardiovascular events and the development of liver fibrosis. Furthermore, we will examine the role of antiplatelet therapy not only in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular events but also as a possible anti-fibrotic and anti-tumor agent.

Hepatic mitochondrial reductive stress in the pathogenesis and treatment of steatotic liver disease

Steatotic liver diseases (SLDs) affect one-third of the population, but the pathogenesis underlying these diseases is not well understood, limiting the available treatments. A common factor in SLDs is increased hepatic mitochondrial reductive stress, which occurs as a result of excessive lipid and alcohol metabolism. Recent research has also shown that genetic risk factors contribute to this stress. This review aims to explore how these risk factors increase hepatic mitochondrial reductive stress and how it disrupts hepatic metabolism, leading to SLDs. Additionally, the review will discuss the latest clinical studies on pharmaceutical treatments for SLDs, specifically peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) agonists, thyroid hormone receptor (THR) agonists, acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) inhibitors, and mitochondrial uncouplers. These treatments have a common effect of decreasing hepatic mitochondrial reductive stress, which has been largely overlooked.

A natural language processing algorithm accurately classifies steatotic liver disease pathology to estimate the risk of cirrhosis

BACKGROUND

Histopathology remains the gold standard for diagnosing and staging metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). The feasibility of studying MASLD progression in electronic medical records based on histological features is limited by the free-text nature of pathology reports. Here we introduce a natural language processing (NLP) algorithm to automatically score MASLD histology features.

METHODS

From the Mass General Brigham health care system electronic medical record, we identified all patients (1987-2021) with steatosis on index liver biopsy after excluding excess alcohol use and other etiologies of liver disease. An NLP algorithm was constructed in Python to detect steatosis, lobular inflammation, ballooning, and fibrosis stage from pathology free-text and manually validated in >1200 pathology reports. Patients were followed from the index biopsy to incident decompensated liver disease accounting for covariates.

RESULTS

The NLP algorithm demonstrated positive and negative predictive values from 93.5% to 100% for all histologic concepts. Among 3134 patients with biopsy-confirmed MASLD followed for 20,604 person-years, rates of the composite endpoint increased monotonically with worsening index fibrosis stage (p for linear trend <0.005). Compared to simple steatosis (incidence rate, 15.06/1000 person-years), the multivariable-adjusted HRs for cirrhosis were 1.04 (0.72-1.5) for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH)/F0, 1.19 (0.92-1.54) for MASH/F1, 1.89 (1.41-2.52) for MASH/F2, and 4.21 (3.26-5.43) for MASH/F3.

CONCLUSIONS

The NLP algorithm accurately scores histological features of MASLD from pathology free-text. This algorithm enabled the construction of a large and high-quality MASLD cohort across a multihospital health care system and disclosed an accelerating risk for cirrhosis based on the index MASLD fibrosis stage.

[Gastrointestinal tumour prevention strategies]

Over the past few decades, substantial advancements have been achieved in the early detection and treatment of gastrointestinal oncological diseases. The survival rates of patients have significantly improved due to the expansion and enhancement of therapeutic and diagnostic options, leading to modifications in (neo-)adjuvant, perioperative, and palliative strategies, as well as the advent of personalized molecular therapy. Noteworthy progress has also been observed in primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention domains.Despite these advancements, gastrointestinal tumours continue to be a global health burden, with approximately 4 million new cases diagnosed annually. These constitute over a quarter of all tumour cases, with nearly one-third of all global tumour-related mortalities attributed to gastrointestinal tumours.Emerging evidence implicates aberrant differentiation of stem or progenitor cells in the pathogenesis of gastrointestinal tumour diseases. A confluence of clinically recognized risk factors, including high-fat diet, bile acid, microbiome alterations, and host factors, can instigate chronic inflammation. This disrupts stem cell homeostasis and precipitates malignant transformation. Consequently, environmental inflammation emerges as a critical risk factor warranting consideration in clinical cancer prevention and surveillance strategies.This review encapsulates the current understanding and recommendations in the prevention of selected gastrointestinal tumours, aiming to facilitate their integration into clinical practice. It underscores the need for continued research to further refine diagnostic and therapeutic strategies and improve patient outcomes.

Aspirin for Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease Without Cirrhosis: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Importance

Aspirin may reduce severity of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and lower the incidence of end-stage liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma, in patients with MASLD. However, the effect of aspirin on MASLD is unknown.

Objective

To test whether low-dose aspirin reduces liver fat content, compared with placebo, in adults with MASLD.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This 6-month, phase 2, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted at a single hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. Participants were aged 18 to 70 years with established MASLD without cirrhosis. Enrollment occurred between August 20, 2019, and July 19, 2022, with final follow-up on February 23, 2023.

Interventions

Participants were randomized (1:1) to receive either once-daily aspirin, 81 mg (n = 40) or identical placebo pills (n = 40) for 6 months.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary end point was mean absolute change in hepatic fat content, measured by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) at 6-month follow-up. The 4 key secondary outcomes included mean percentage change in hepatic fat content by MRS, the proportion achieving at least 30% reduction in hepatic fat, and the mean absolute and relative reductions in hepatic fat content, measured by magnetic resonance imaging proton density fat fraction (MRI-PDFF). Analyses adjusted for the baseline value of the corresponding outcome. Minimal clinically important differences for study outcomes were not prespecified.

Results

Among 80 randomized participants (mean age, 48 years; 44 [55%] women; mean hepatic fat content, 35% [indicating moderate steatosis]), 71 (89%) completed 6-month follow-up. The mean absolute change in hepatic fat content by MRS was -6.6% with aspirin vs 3.6% with placebo (difference, -10.2% [95% CI, -27.7% to -2.6%]; P = .009). Compared with placebo, aspirin treatment significantly reduced relative hepatic fat content (-8.8 vs 30.0 percentage points; mean difference, -38.8 percentage points [95% CI, -66.7 to -10.8]; P = .007), increased the proportion of patients with 30% or greater relative reduction in hepatic fat (42.5% vs 12.5%; mean difference, 30.0% [95% CI, 11.6% to 48.4%]; P = .006), reduced absolute hepatic fat content by MRI-PDFF (-2.7% vs 0.9%; mean difference, -3.7% [95% CI, -6.1% to -1.2%]; P = .004]), and reduced relative hepatic fat content by MRI-PDFF (-11.7 vs 15.7 percentage points; mean difference, -27.3 percentage points [95% CI, -45.2 to -9.4]; P = .003). Thirteen participants (32.5%) in each group experienced an adverse event, most commonly upper respiratory tract infections (10.0% in each group) or arthralgias (5.0% for aspirin vs 7.5% for placebo). One participant randomized to aspirin (2.5%) experienced drug-related heartburn.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this preliminary randomized clinical trial of patients with MASLD, 6 months of daily low-dose aspirin significantly reduced hepatic fat quantity compared with placebo. Further study in a larger sample size is necessary to confirm these findings.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04031729.

Endotoxemia and Platelets: 2 Players of Intrahepatic Microthrombosis in NAFLD

Gut dysbiosis-related intestinal barrier dysfunction with increased translocation of bacterial products such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS) into systemic circulation is emerging as pathogenic factor of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Experimental and clinical studies suggested a potential role of LPS as a trigger eliciting in situ liver inflammation upon interaction with its receptor toll-like receptor 4. Also, LPS has been reported to prime platelets to respond to the common agonists indicating that it behaves as a prothrombotic molecule. Of note, recent studies suggested platelet-related intrahepatic thrombosis triggered by LPS as a mechanism implicated in the process of liver inflammation. This review describes: 1) the impact of gut barrier dysfunction and endotoxemia in the process of NAFLD; 2) the relationship between endotoxemia and platelet activation in NAFLD; 3) clinical evidence for the use of antiplatelet drugs in NAFLD/nonalcoholic steatohepatitis patients; and 4) the potential therapeutic approach to modulate endotoxemia and eventually platelet activation.

A gut microbiota-bile acid axis promotes intestinal homeostasis upon aspirin-mediated damage

Aspirin-related gastrointestinal damage is of growing concern. Aspirin use modulates the gut microbiota and associated metabolites, such as bile acids (BAs), but how this impacts intestinal homeostasis remains unclear. Herein, using clinical cohorts and aspirin-treated mice, we identified an intestinal microbe, Parabacteroides goldsteinii, whose growth is suppressed by aspirin. Mice supplemented with P. goldsteinii or its BA metabolite, 7-keto-lithocholic acid (7-keto-LCA), showed reduced aspirin-mediated damage of the intestinal niche and gut barrier, effects that were lost with a P. goldsteinii hdhA mutant unable to generate 7-keto-LCA. Specifically, 7-keto-LCA promotes repair of the intestinal epithelium by suppressing signaling by the intestinal BA receptor, farnesoid X receptor (FXR). 7-Keto-LCA was confirmed to be an FXR antagonist that facilitates Wnt signaling and thus self-renewal of intestinal stem cells. These results reveal the impact of oral aspirin on the gut microbiota and intestinal BA metabolism that in turn modulates gastrointestinal homeostasis.

Association of Renin-Angiotensin System Inhibition With Liver-Related Events and Mortality in Compensated Cirrhosis

BACKGROUND & AIMS

While renin-angiotensin system inhibition lowers the hepatic venous gradient, the effect on more clinically meaningful endpoints is less studied. We aimed to quantify the relationship between renin-angiotensin system inhibition and liver-related events (LREs) among adults with compensated cirrhosis.

METHODS

In this national cohort study using the Optum database, we quantified the association between angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor or angiotensin-receptor blocker (ARB) use and LREs (hepatocellular carcinoma, liver transplantation, ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, or variceal bleeding) among patients with cirrhosis between 2009 and 2019. Selective beta-blocker (SBB) users served as the comparator group. We used demographic and clinical features to calculate inverse-probability treatment weighting-weighted cumulative incidences, absolute risk differences, and Cox proportional hazard ratios.

RESULTS

Among 4214 adults with cirrhosis, 3155 were ACE inhibitor/ARB users and 1059 were SBB users. In inverse probability treatment weighting-weighted analyses, ACE inhibitor/ARB (vs SBB) users had lower 5-year cumulative incidence (30.6% [95% confidence interval (CI), 27.8% to 33.2%] vs 41.3% [95% CI, 34.0% to 47.7%]; absolute risk difference, -10.7% [95% CI, -18.1% to -3.6%]) and lower risk of LREs (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 0.69; 95% CI, 0.60 to 0.80). There was a dose-response relationship: compared with SBB use, ACE inhibitor/ARB prescriptions ≥1 defined daily dose (aHR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.56 to 0.76) were associated with a greater risk reduction compared with <1 defined daily dose (aHR, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.71 to 1.07). Results were robust across sensitivity analyses such as comparing ACE inhibitor/ARB users with nonusers and as-treated analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

In this national cohort study, ACE inhibitor/ARB use was associated with significantly lower risk of LREs in patients with compensated cirrhosis. These results provide support for a randomized clinical trial to confirm clinical benefit.

Unleashing the potential of gene signatures as prognostic and predictive tools: A step closer to personalized medicine in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the growing malignancies globally, affecting a myriad of people and causing numerous cancer-related deaths. Despite therapeutic improvements in treatment strategies over the past decades, HCC still remains one of the leading causes of person-years of life lost. Numerous studies have been conducted to assess the characteristics of HCC with the aim of predicting its prognosis and responsiveness to treatment. However, the identified biomarkers have shown limited sensitivity, and the translation of these findings into clinical practice has faced challenges. The development of sequencing techniques has facilitated the exploration of a wide range of genes, leading to the emergence of gene signatures. Although several studies assessed differentially expressed genes in normal and HCC tissues to find the unique gene signature with prognostic value, to date, no study has reviewed the task, and to the best of our knowledge, this review represents the first comprehensive analysis of relevant studies in HCC. Most gene signatures focused on immune-related genes, while others investigated genes related to metabolism, autophagy, and apoptosis. Even though no identical gene signatures were found, NDRG1, SPP1, BIRC5, and NR0B1 were the most extensively studied genes with prognostic value. Finally, despite challenges such as the lack of consistent patterns in gene signatures, we believe that comprehensive analysis of pertinent gene signatures will bring us a step closer to personalized medicine in HCC, where treatment strategies can be tailored to individual patients based on their unique molecular profiles.

Aspirin boosts the synergistic effect of EGFR/p53 inhibitors on lung cancer cells by regulating AKT/mTOR and p53 pathways

The regimen of afatinib and vinorelbine has been used to treat breast or lung cancer cells with some limitations. Aspirin alone or in combination with other agents has shown unique efficacy in the treatment of cancer. We designed a preclinical study to investigate whether the triple therapy of aspirin, afatinib, and vinorelbine could synergistically inhibit the growth of p53 wild-type nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. Three NSCLC cells A549, H460, and H1975 were selected to study the effect of triple therapy on cell proliferation and apoptosis. Compared to single agents, triple therapy synergistically inhibited the proliferation of lung cancer cells with combination index <1. Meanwhile, the therapeutic index of triple therapy was superior to that of single agents, indicating a balance between efficacy and safety in the combination of three agents. Mechanistic studies showed that triple therapy significantly induced apoptosis by decreasing mitochondrial membrane potential, increasing reactive oxygen species, and regulating mitochondria-related proteins. Moreover, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) downstream signaling proteins including JNK, AKT, and mTOR were dramatically suppressed and p53 was substantially increased after NSCLC cells were exposed to the triple therapy. We provided evidence that the triple therapy of aspirin, afatinib and vinorelbine synergistically inhibited lung cancer cell growth through inactivation of the EGFR/AKT/mTOR pathway and accumulation of p53, providing a new treatment strategy for patients with p53 wild-type NSCLC.

New and Old Key Players in Liver Cancer

Liver cancer represents a major health problem worldwide with growing incidence and high mortality, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) being the most frequent. Hepatocytes are likely the cellular origin of most HCCs through the accumulation of genetic alterations, although hepatic progenitor cells (HPCs) might also be candidates in specific cases, as discussed here. HCC usually develops in a context of chronic inflammation, fibrosis, and cirrhosis, although the role of fibrosis is controversial. The interplay between hepatocytes, immune cells and hepatic stellate cells is a key issue. This review summarizes critical aspects of the liver tumor microenvironment paying special attention to platelets as new key players, which exert both pro- and anti-tumor effects, determined by specific contexts and a tight regulation of platelet signaling. Additionally, the relevance of specific signaling pathways, mainly HGF/MET, EGFR and TGF-β is discussed. HGF and TGF-β are produced by different liver cells and platelets and regulate not only tumor cell fate but also HPCs, inflammation and fibrosis, these being key players in these processes. The role of C3G/RAPGEF1, required for the proper function of HGF/MET signaling in HCC and HPCs, is highlighted, due to its ability to promote HCC growth and, regulate HPC fate and platelet-mediated actions on liver cancer.

Macrophages and platelets in liver fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma

During fibrosis, (myo)fibroblasts deposit large amounts of extracellular matrix proteins, thereby replacing healthy functional tissue. In liver fibrosis, this leads to the loss of hepatocyte function, portal hypertension, variceal bleeding, and increased susceptibility to infection. At an early stage, liver fibrosis is a dynamic and reversible process, however, from the cirrhotic stage, there is significant progression to hepatocellular carcinoma. Both liver-resident macrophages (Kupffer cells) and monocyte-derived macrophages are important drivers of fibrosis progression, but can also induce its regression once triggers of chronic inflammation are eliminated. In liver cancer, they are attracted to the tumor site to become tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) polarized towards a M2- anti-inflammatory/tumor-promoting phenotype. Besides their role in thrombosis and hemostasis, platelets can also stimulate fibrosis and tumor development by secreting profibrogenic factors and regulating the innate immune response, e.g., by interacting with monocytes and macrophages. Here, we review recent literature on the role of macrophages and platelets and their interplay in liver fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Age-specific and sex-specific risks for HCC in African-born persons with chronic hepatitis B without cirrhosis

BACKGROUND

The international recommendations of HCC surveillance for African-born persons with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) without cirrhosis are divergent, probably due to scarce data on incidence rate (IR) for HCC.

METHODS

We assembled a cohort with prospectively collected data of Swedish residents of African origin with diagnosed CHB without cirrhosis at baseline from 1990 to 2015. Data from nationwide registers were used to calculate the sex-specific IR and IR ratio (incidence rate ratios) in relation to age, comorbidities, and birth region, using a generalized linear model with a log-link function and Poisson distribution.

RESULTS

Among 3865 African-born persons with CHB without cirrhosis at baseline, 31 (0.8%; 77.4% men) developed HCC during a median of 11.1 years of follow-up, with poor survival after HCC diagnosis. The mean age at HCC diagnosis was 46.8 (SD±14.7; range 23-79) in men. HCC IR exceeded the recommended surveillance threshold of 0.2%/year at ages 54 and 59 years in men and women, respectively, and at ages 20-40 years if HCV or HDV co-infection was present. African-born men with CHB had an incidence rate ratios of 10.6 (95% CI 4.4-31.5) for HCC compared to matched African-born peers without CHB, and an incidence rate ratios of 35.3 (95% CI 16.0-88.7) compared to a matched general population.

CONCLUSIONS

African-born men with CHB without cirrhosis reached an IR of 0.2%/year between 50 and 60 years, and at younger ages if HCV or HDV co-infection was present. Our findings need further confirmation, and new cost-effectiveness analyses specific for young populations are needed, to provide personalized and cost-effective HCC surveillance.

ENO1 promotes liver carcinogenesis through YAP1-dependent arachidonic acid metabolism

Enolase 1 (ENO1) is a glycolytic enzyme that plays essential roles in various pathological activities including cancer development. However, the mechanisms underlying ENO1-contributed tumorigenesis are not well explained. Here, we uncover that ENO1, as an RNA-binding protein, binds to the cytosine-uracil-guanine-rich elements of YAP1 messenger RNA to promote its translation. ENO1 and YAP1 positively regulate alternative arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism by inverse regulation of PLCB1 and HPGD (15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase). The YAP1/PLCB1/HPGD axis-mediated activation of AA metabolism and subsequent accumulation of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) are responsible for ENO1-mediated cancer progression, which can be retarded by aspirin. Finally, aberrant activation of ENO1/YAP1/PLCB1 and decreased HPGD expression in clinical hepatocellular carcinoma samples indicate a potential correlation between ENO1-regulated AA metabolism and cancer development. These findings underline a new function of ENO1 in regulating AA metabolism and tumorigenesis, suggesting a therapeutic potential for aspirin in patients with liver cancer with aberrant expression of ENO1 or YAP1.

Coagulation Factor Expression and Composition of Arterial Thrombi in Cancer-Associated Stroke

BACKGROUND

Cancer is associated with an increased risk of stroke. Tumor cells activate platelets, induce a coagulation cascade, and generate thrombin. The composition of thrombi may reflect the mechanism of thrombosis, aiding the determination of the treatment strategy. Here, we investigated the composition and expression of coagulation factors in the thrombi of patients with cancer-associated stroke.

METHODS

Patients with stroke who underwent endovascular thrombectomy between September 2014 and June 2020 and whose cerebral thrombi were obtained were divided into those with cancer-associated stroke (cancer group) and propensity score-matched patients without cancer (control group), using 1:1 matching based on age and sex. Immunohistochemistry was performed of the thrombi, and the composition and expression of coagulation factors were compared between groups.

RESULTS

Among the 320 patients who underwent endovascular thrombectomy and who had thrombi obtained, this study included 23 patients with cancer and 23 matched controls. In both groups, the median age was 65 years, and 12 patients (52.2%) were men. Platelet composition was significantly higher in the cancer group than in the control group (median [interquartile range], 51.3% [28.0%-61.4%] versus 9.5% [4.8%-14.0%]; P<0.001). Among coagulation factors, thrombin (26.2% [16.2%-52.7%] versus 4.5% [1.3%-7.2%]; P<0.001) and tissue factors (0.60% [0.34%-2.06%] versus 0.37% [0.22%-0.60%]; P=0.024) were higher and factor X was lower (1.25% [0.39%-3.60%] versus 2.33% [1.67%-4.48%]; P=0.034) in the cancer group. There was a positive correlation between thrombin and platelets in the cancer group (r=0.666; P=0.001) but not in the control group (r=-0.167; P=0.627).

CONCLUSIONS

Cerebral thrombi in patients with cancer-associated stroke showed higher proportions of platelets, thrombin, and tissue factors, suggesting their key roles in arterial thrombosis in cancer and providing a therapeutic perspective for preventing stroke in patients with cancer-associated stroke.

Synergistic antitumor efficacy of aspirin plus lenvatinib in hepatocellular carcinoma via regulating of diverse signaling pathways

It has been established that monotherapy yields limited efficacy in treating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), especially advanced HCC. Increasing evidence from preclinical studies and clinical trials indicates that combining multiple drugs can potentially refine treatment efficacy. Accordingly, it is crucial to explore more effective clinically feasible combination therapies to enhance the treatment outcomes of HCC patients. This study evaluated the antitumor efficacy and safety of combination therapy involving aspirin and lenvatinib in HCC. Through in vitro and in vivo assays, we demonstrated that this combination yielded stronger antitumor effects compared to lenvatinib or aspirin monotherapy. Furthermore, no significant adverse events were observed in an HCC mouse model during treatment. Mechanistic studies revealed that aspirin plus lenvatinib could target multiple oncogenes and tumor suppressors, affecting diverse signaling pathways in various biological processes conducive to antitumor effects. Overall, our findings suggest that aspirin plus lenvatinib could serve as a promising combination regimen to improve the therapeutic outcomes of HCC.

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

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

MAFLD: an optimal framework for understanding liver cancer phenotypes

Hepatocellular carcinoma has a substantial global mortality burden which is rising despite advancements in tackling the traditional viral risk factors. Metabolic (dysfunction) associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is the most prevalent liver disease, increasing in parallel with the epidemics of obesity, diabetes and systemic metabolic dysregulation. MAFLD is a major factor behind this sustained rise in HCC incidence, both as a single disease entity and often via synergistic interactions with other liver diseases. Mechanisms behind MAFLD-related HCC are complex but is crucially underpinned by systemic metabolic dysregulation with variable contributions from interacting disease modifiers related to environment, genetics, dysbiosis and immune dysregulation. MAFLD-related HCC has a distinct clinical presentation, most notably its common occurrence in non-cirrhotic liver disease. This is just one of several major challenges to effective surveillance programmes. The response of MAFLD-related HCC to immune-checkpoint therapy is currently controversial, and is further complicated by the high prevalence of MAFLD in individuals with HCC from viral aetiologies. In this review, we highlight the current data on epidemiology, clinical characteristics, outcomes and screening controversies. In addition, concepts that have arisen because of the MAFLD paradigm such as HCC in MAFLD/NAFLD non-overlapping groups, dual aetiology tumours and MAFLD sub-phenotypes is reviewed.

Aspirin is associated with a reduced incidence of liver disease in men

BACKGROUND

The hepatoprotective effects of aspirin have been observed in individuals with viral hepatitis; however, its impact on the general population remains uncertain. Understanding the association between aspirin use and the development of liver diseases is crucial for optimizing preventive strategies.

METHODS

We identified individuals with aspirin use in the UK Biobank and the Penn Medicine Biobank, as well as propensity-score-matched controls. Outcome measures included new liver disease development, diagnosed by MRI or "International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems" coding, and incidences of gastrointestinal bleeding and ulcers.

RESULTS

In the UK Biobank cohort, regular aspirin use was associated with an 11.2% reduction in the risk of developing new liver diseases during the average 11.84 ± 2.01-year follow-up period (HR=0.888, 95% CI = 0.819-0.963; p = 4.1 × 10-3). Notably, the risk of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (ICD-10 K76.0) and MRI-diagnosed steatosis was significantly lower among aspirin users (HR = 0.882-0.911), whereas no increased risk of gastrointestinal bleeding or ulcers was observed. These findings were replicated in the Penn Medicine Biobank cohort, in which the protective effect of aspirin appeared to be dependent on the duration of intake. The greatest risk reduction for new liver disease development was observed after at least 1 year of aspirin use (HR = 0.569, 95% CI = 0.425-0.762; p = 1.6 × 10-4). Intriguingly, when considering general risk factors, only men exhibited a lower risk of MRI-confirmed or ICD-coded steatosis with aspirin use (HRs = 0.806-0.906), while no significant protective effect of aspirin was observed in females.

CONCLUSION

This cohort study demonstrated that regular aspirin use was associated with a reduced risk of liver disease in men without an elevated risk of gastrointestinal bleeding or ulcers. Further investigation is warranted to elucidate potential sex-related differences in the effects of aspirin and to inform tailored preventive strategies for liver diseases.

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

BACKGROUND

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

AIMS

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

RESULTS

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

CONCLUSIONS

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

Unmet Needs in the Post-Direct-Acting Antiviral Era: Hepatocarcinogenesis After Hepatitis C Virus Eradication

Infection with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) is an important risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Direct-acting antiviral therapy has transformed care for patients with HCV and reduces the risk of HCC. Despite HCV cure, a residual HCC risk remains in patients with advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis, with multiple mechanisms underlying subsequent hepatocarcinogenesis. Transcriptomic and proteomic signatures demonstrate the capacity for HCC risk stratification, and chemoprevention strategies are emerging. For now, pending more precise stratification, HCC surveillance of patients with cured HCV and advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis should continue.

Thromboxane biosynthesis in cancer patients and its inhibition by aspirin: a sub-study of the Add-Aspirin trial

BACKGROUND

Pre-clinical models demonstrate that platelet activation is involved in the spread of malignancy. Ongoing clinical trials are assessing whether aspirin, which inhibits platelet activation, can prevent or delay metastases.

METHODS

Urinary 11-dehydro-thromboxane B2 (U-TXM), a biomarker of in vivo platelet activation, was measured after radical cancer therapy and correlated with patient demographics, tumour type, recent treatment, and aspirin use (100 mg, 300 mg or placebo daily) using multivariable linear regression models with log-transformed values.

RESULTS

In total, 716 patients (breast 260, colorectal 192, gastro-oesophageal 53, prostate 211) median age 61 years, 50% male were studied. Baseline median U-TXM were breast 782; colorectal 1060; gastro-oesophageal 1675 and prostate 826 pg/mg creatinine; higher than healthy individuals (~500 pg/mg creatinine). Higher levels were associated with raised body mass index, inflammatory markers, and in the colorectal and gastro-oesophageal participants compared to breast participants (P < 0.001) independent of other baseline characteristics. Aspirin 100 mg daily decreased U-TXM similarly across all tumour types (median reductions: 77-82%). Aspirin 300 mg daily provided no additional suppression of U-TXM compared with 100 mg.

CONCLUSIONS

Persistently increased thromboxane biosynthesis was detected after radical cancer therapy, particularly in colorectal and gastro-oesophageal patients. Thromboxane biosynthesis should be explored further as a biomarker of active malignancy and may identify patients likely to benefit from aspirin.

First Generation of Antioxidant Precursors for Bioisosteric Se-NSAIDs: Design, Synthesis, and In Vitro and In Vivo Anticancer Evaluation

The introduction of selenium (Se) into organic scaffolds has been demonstrated to be a promising framework in the field of medicinal chemistry. A novel design of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) derivatives based on a bioisosteric replacement via the incorporation of Se as diacyl diselenide is reported. The antioxidant activity was assessed using the DPPH radical scavenging assay. The new Se-NSAID derivatives bearing this unique combination showed antioxidant activity in a time- and dose-dependent manner, and also displayed different antiproliferative profiles in a panel of eight cancer cell lines as determined by the MTT assay. Ibuprofen derivative 5 was not only the most antioxidant agent, but also selectively induced toxicity in all the cancer cell lines tested (IC50 < 10 µM) while sparing nonmalignant cells, and induced apoptosis partially without enhancing the caspase 3/7 activity. Furthermore, NSAID derivative 5 significantly suppressed tumor growth in a subcutaneous colon cancer xenograft mouse model (10 mg/kg, TGI = 72%, and T/C = 38%) without exhibiting any apparent toxicity. To our knowledge, this work constitutes the first report on in vitro and in vivo anticancer activity of an unprecedented Se-NSAID hybrid derivative and its rational use for developing precursors for bioisosteric selenocompounds with appealing therapeutic applications.

Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease-Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma: The Next Threat after Viral Hepatitis

For many years, we have faced the complications of viral hepatitis and alcohol-related liver diseases such as cirrhosis, decompensation, portal hypertension, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Recently, we have seen a dynamic change in the field of hepatology. With the significant achievements in eradicating the hepatitis C virus by direct-acting antiviral agents and the rising epidemic of obesity, diabetes mellitus, and metabolic syndrome, there is a paradigm shift in the leading cause of liver cirrhosis and cancer to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Current data highlight the rapidly rising incidence of NAFLD-related HCC worldwide and expose the unseen part of the iceberg. In this review, we aim to update knowledge about the pathogenesis of NAFLD-induced HCC, surveillance difficulties, and promising disease markers. Molecular biomarkers, for example, may become a promising cornerstone for risk-stratified surveillance, early detection, and treatment selection for NAFLD-related HCC. Physicians can offer personalized and tailor-made clinical decisions for this unique patient subgroup.

Low-dose acetylsalicylic acid for cancer prevention considering risk factors: a retrospective cohort study

PURPOSE

Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) has been reported to protect against certain cancers. However, patient-related risk factors may moderate protective effects, including excess weight, smoking, risky alcohol use, and diabetes. We explore the cancer-risk relationship between aspirin intake and those four factors.

METHODS

Retrospective cohort study of cancers, aspirin intake, and four risk factors in persons aged ≥50 years. Participants received medication during 2007-2016, and cancers were diagnosed in 2012-2016. Adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) for 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were calculated for aspirin intake and risk factors using Cox proportional hazard modeling.

RESULTS

Of 118,548 participants, 15,793 consumed aspirin, and 4003 had cancer. Results indicated a significant protective effect of aspirin against colorectal (aHR: 0.7; 95%CI: 0.6-0.8), pancreatic (aHR: 0.5; 95%CI: 0.2-0.9), prostate (aHR: 0.6; 95%CI: 0.5-0.7) cancers and lymphomas (aHR: 0.5; 95%CI: 0.2-0.9), and also, although not significantly, against esophageal (aHR: 0.5; 95%CI: 0.2-1.8), stomach (aHR: 0.7; 95%CI: 0.4-1.3), liver (aHR: 0.7; 95%CI: 0.3-1.5), breast (aHR: 0.8; 95%CI: 0.6-1.0), and lung and bronchial (aHR: 0.9; 95%CI: 0.7-1.2) cancers. Aspirin intake was not significantly protective against leukemia (aHR: 1.0; 95%CI: 0.7-1.4) or bladder cancer (aHR: 1.0; 95%CI: 0.8-1.3).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that aspirin intake is associated with a reduced incidence of colorectal, pancreatic, and prostate cancers and lymphomas.

Association Between Glucosamine Use and the Risk of Incident Heart Failure: The UK Biobank Cohort Study and Mendelian Randomization Analysis

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the association between regular glucosamine intake and heart failure (HF) and to explore whether the association is mediated by relevant cardiovascular disease.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We included 479,650 participants with data available for supplement use and without HF at baseline from the UK Biobank study. Using 12 single-nucleotide polymorphisms linked to HF, a weighted genetic risk score was calculated. We evaluated the association between glucosamine use and HF by Cox regression models after inverse probability of treatment weighting. A validation and mediation analysis were performed through two-sample Mendelian randomization. The study was from May 18, 2006, to February 16, 2018.

RESULTS

During a median follow-up of 9.0 (IQR, 8.3-9.8) years, we documented 5501 incident cases of HF. In multivariable analysis, the HR of glucosamine users for HF was 0.87 (95% CI, 0.81 to 0.94). The inverse associations were stronger in males and participants with unfavorable lifestyle (P<.05 for interaction). Genetic risk categories did not modify this association (P>.05 for interaction). Multivariable Mendelian randomization showed that taking glucosamine was protective against HF (HR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.87 to 0.96). The mediated proportion of coronary heart disease and stroke were 10.5% (95% CI, 7.6% to 13.4%) and 14.4% (95% CI, 10.8% to 18.0%), respectively. The two-mediator combination accounted for 22.7% (95% CI, 17.2% to 28.2%) of the effect of glucosamine use.

CONCLUSION

Regular glucosamine supplementation was associated with a lower risk of HF regardless of genetic risk status, and to a lesser extent, coronary heart disease and stroke mediated this effect. The results may inform novel pathway for prevention and intervention toward HF.

Novel Molecular Targets for Immune Surveillance of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common and aggressive cancer with a high mortality rate. The incidence of HCC is increasing worldwide, and the lack of effective screening programs often results in delayed diagnosis, making it a challenging disease to manage. Immunotherapy has emerged as a promising treatment option for different kinds of cancers, with the potential to stimulate the immune system to target cancer cells. However, the current immunotherapeutic approaches for HCC have shown limited efficacy. Since HCC arises within a complex tumour microenvironment (TME) characterized by the presence of various immune and stromal cell types, the understanding of this interaction is crucial for the identification of effective therapy. In this review, we highlight recent advances in our understanding of the TME of HCC and the immune cells involved in anti-tumour responses, including the identification of new possible targets for immunotherapy. We illustrate a possible classification of HCC based on the tumour immune infiltration and give evidence about the role of SerpinB3, a serine protease inhibitor involved in the regulation of the immune response in different cancers.

The relationship between aspirin consumption and hepatocellular carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Recent studies have shown that aspirin consumption may reduce the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but their correlation is still not fully understood. This meta-analysis aimed to investigate the correlation between aspirin consumption and HCC.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was conducted on PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases. The search period was from the establishment of the database to July 1, 2022 with no language restrictions.

RESULTS

A total of 19 studies including three prospective studies and 16 retrospective ones with 2,217,712 patients were included. Compared with those who did not take aspirin, those who took aspirin had a 30% lower risk of HCC (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.70, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.63-0.76, I² = 84.7%, P < 0.001). Subgroup analysis showed that aspirin significantly reduced the risk of HCC by 19% in Asia (HR = 0.81, 95% CI 0.80-0.82, I² = 85.2%, P < 0.001) and by 33% (HR = 0.67, 95% CI 0.61-0.73, I² = 43.6%, P = 0.150) in Europe and the U.S with no significant difference. Moreover, in patients with HBV or HCV infection, aspirin reduced 19% and 24% of the risk of HCC, respectively. However, aspirin administration might increase risks of gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with chronic liver disease (HR = 1.14, 95% CI 0.99-1.31, I² = 0.0%, P = 0.712). Sensitivity analysis showed no significant difference of results after excluding individual studies, suggesting that the results were robust.

CONCLUSION

Aspirin may reduce the risk of HCC in both healthy population and patients with chronic liver disease. However, attention should be paid to adverse events such as gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with chronic liver disease.

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.

Daily aspirin associated with a reduced risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a population-based cohort study

Background

Emerging laboratory and animal studies suggest that aspirin may prevent non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), however clinical evidence remains lacking.

Methods

Using Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database, we screened 145,212 NAFLD patients from 1997 through 2011. After excluding any confounding conditions, 33,484 patients who continuously received a daily dose of aspirin for 90 days or more (treated group), along with 55,543 patients who had not received antiplatelet therapy (untreated group), were respectively recruited. Inverse probability of treatment weighting using the propensity score was applied to balance the baseline characteristics. Cumulative incidence of, and hazard ratio (HR) for HCC occurrence were analyzed after adjusting competing events. The high-risk patients, who were defined as age ≥ 55 years & elevated serum alanine aminotransferase, were further analyzed.

Findings

The 10-year cumulative incidence of HCC in the treated group was significantly lower than that in the untreated group (0.25% [95% CI, 0.19-0.32%] vs. 0.67% [95% CI, 0.54-0.81%]; P < 0.001). Aspirin therapy was significantly associated with a reduced HCC risk (adjusted HR [aHR] 0.48 [95% CI, 0.37-0.63]; P < 0.001). In the high-risk patients, the 10-year cumulative incidence of HCC in the treated group was significantly lower than that in the untreated group (3.59% [95% CI, 2.99-4.19%] vs. 6.54% [95% CI, 5.65-7.42%]; P < 0.001). Aspirin therapy remained associated with a reduced HCC risk (aHR 0.63 [95% CI, 0.53-0.76]; P < 0.001). Subgroup sensitivity analyses verified this significant association in nearly all subgroups. In the time-varying model amongst aspirin users, HCC risk was significantly lower through the use of aspirin for ≥ 3 years (aHR 0.64 [95% CI, 0.44-0.91]; P = 0.013), when compared with short-term use (< 1 year).

Interpretation

Daily aspirin therapy is significantly associated with a reduced HCC risk in NAFLD patients.

Funding

Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Health and Welfare, and Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taiwan.

Efficacy of Co-Medications in Patients with Alcoholic Liver Disease

BACKGROUND

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is still increasing and leads to acute liver injury but also liver cirrhosis and subsequent complications such as liver failure or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). As most patients fail to achieve alcohol abstinence, it is essential to identify alternative treatment options in order to improve the outcome of ALD patients.

METHODS

Evaluating two large cohorts of patients with ALD from the USA and Korea with a total of 12,006 patients, we investigated the effect on survival of aspirin, metformin, metoprolol, dopamine, and dobutamine drugs in patients with ALD between 2000 and 2020. Patient data were obtained through the "The Observational Health Data Sciences and Informatics consortium," an open-source, multi-stakeholder, and interdisciplinary collaborative effort.

RESULTS

The use of aspirin (p = 0.000, p = 0.000), metoprolol (p = 0.002, p = 0.000), and metformin (p = 0.000, p = 0.000) confers a survival benefit for both AUSOM- and NY-treated cohorts. Need of catecholamines dobutamine (p = 0.000, p = 0.000) and dopamine (p = 0.000, p = 0.000) was strongly indicative of poor survival. β-Blocker treatment with metoprolol (p = 0.128, p = 0.196) or carvedilol (p = 0.520, p = 0.679) was not shown to be protective in any of the female subgroups.

CONCLUSION

Overall, our data fill a large gap in long-term, real-world data on patients with ALD, confirming an impact of metformin, acetylsalicylic acid, and β-blockers on ALD patient's survival. However, gender and ethnic background lead to diverse efficacy in those patients.

Microvascular Thrombosis and Liver Fibrosis Progression: Mechanisms and Clinical Applications

Fibrosis is an unavoidable consequence of chronic inflammation. Extracellular matrix deposition by fibroblasts, stimulated by multiple pathways, is the first step in the onset of chronic liver disease, and its propagation promotes liver dysfunction. At the same time, chronic liver disease is characterized by alterations in primary and secondary hemostasis but unlike previously thought, these changes are not associated with an increased risk of bleeding complications. In recent years, the role of coagulation imbalance has been postulated as one of the main mechanisms promoting hepatic fibrogenesis. In this review, we aim to investigate the function of microvascular thrombosis in the progression of liver disease and highlight the molecular and cellular networks linking hemostasis to fibrosis in this context. We analyze the predictive and prognostic role of coagulation products as biomarkers of liver decompensation (ascites, variceal hemorrhage, and hepatic encephalopathy) and liver-related mortality. Finally, we evaluate the current evidence on the application of antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapies for prophylaxis of hepatic decompensation or prevention of the progression of liver fibrosis.

Regular Aspirin Use Is Associated with a Reduced Risk of Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) in Chronic Liver Disease: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

PURPOSE

Aspirin reduces the incidence of various gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies. This meta-analysis assessed the efficacy and safety of regular aspirin use on the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with chronic liver disease.

METHODS

Electronic reference databases were searched for studies in patients with chronic liver disease exposed to aspirin. The primary outcome was the incidence of HCC in regular aspirin users compared to non-users. The secondary outcome was the incidence of major GI bleeding events in both groups. The propensity score (PS) and non-PS-adjusted pooled hazard ratio (HR) were calculated using random-effects models.

RESULTS

Six observational studies with 71,211 subjects were included. The median duration of follow-up ranged from 2.7 to 7.9 years. Four studies included patients with viral hepatitis; five studies used aspirin 100 mg/day. All six studies reported the non-PS-matched HR, and there was a 54% reduction in the incidence of HCC among regular aspirin users [HR (95% CI): 0.46(0.31-0.67), p < 0.001]. Four studies reported on the PS-matched HR; this showed a 46% reduced incidence of HCC in those using aspirin [HR (95% CI): 0.54(0.38-0.79), p < 0.001]. Subgroup analysis on studies restricted to viral hepatitis (n = 4) showed a 28% reduction in HCC incidence in aspirin users [HR (95% CI): 0.72(0.64-0.80), p < 0.001]. Four studies reported the incidence of major GI bleeds, there was no significant difference between the two groups [HR (95% CI: 1.00(0.69-1.45), p = 0.90]. All outcome analysis, except the subgroup analysis, had significant inter-study heterogeneity.

CONCLUSION

Regular aspirin use in chronic liver disease is associated with reduced incidence of HCC without increasing the risk of major GI bleeding.

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

Background

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

Methods

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

Results

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

Conclusions

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