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Luan CH, Su PS, Chu CJ, Lin CC, Su CW, Lee SD, Wang YJ, Lee FY, Huang YH, Hou MC. Residual risk of hepatocellular carcinoma development for chronic hepatitis C patients treated by all oral direct-acting antivirals with sustained virological response. J Chin Med Assoc 2023; 86:795-805. [PMID: 37466658 DOI: 10.1097/jcma.0000000000000965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The treatment of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) infection underwent a significant transformation with the introduction of all-oral direct-acting anti-virals (DAAs). These medications offered a high success rate in treatment, shorter duration, good tolerability, and expanded treatment options. However, a residual risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development remained for a few patients even after achieving sustained virological response (SVR). To date, there is a lack of real-world data on evaluating risk factors associated with de novo HCC in CHC patients post-SVR, particularly in Taiwan. METHODS Between January 2017 and December 2019, a total of 671 consecutive CHC patients who achieved SVR after receiving DAAs were included for analysis. Patients with a history of HCC or liver transplantation prior to DAAs, a short follow-up period (<1 year), or treatment failure with DAAs were excluded. The primary outcome was the development of HCC following the initiation of DAAs. Variables associated with the primary outcome were assessed using multivariate Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS The mean age of the enrolled patients was 65.1 ± 12.8 years, with 39.6% of them being male. Among the patients, 30.6% had advanced (F3-4) fibrosis, and the median follow-up period was 2.90 years. The cumulative incidence of HCC in CHC patients post-SVR12 was 1.6% at 1 year, 4.4% at 2 years, 4.8% at 3 years, 5.3% at 4 years, and 6.1% at 4.8 years, respectively. Variables independently associated with de novo HCC were advanced liver fibrosis (hazard ratio [HR] = 6.745; 95% CI = 1.960-23.218; p = 0.002), end-of-treatment 12 weeks (EOT 12 ) alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) >7 ng/mL (HR = 3.059; 95% CI = 1.215-7.669; p = 0.018), EOT 12 albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) grade ≥ 2 (HR = 2.664; 95% CI = 1.158-6.128; p = 0.021), and body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m 2 (HR = 2.214; 95% CI = 1.011-4.852; p = 0.047). CONCLUSION Despite achieving viral clearance with DAAs, CHC patients still face a residual risk of de novo HCC. Establishing a risk stratification model based on independent variables could facilitate the prediction of future HCC development and enhance screening strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chih-Hsuan Luan
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Pin-Shuo Su
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Chi-Jen Chu
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
- Faculty of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Chung-Chi Lin
- Faculty of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
- Healthcare and Services Center, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Chien-Wei Su
- Faculty of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
- Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Shou-Dong Lee
- Faculty of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Cheng Hsin General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Yuan-Jen Wang
- Faculty of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
- Healthcare and Services Center, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Fa-Yauh Lee
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
- Faculty of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Yi-Hsiang Huang
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
- Faculty of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Ming-Chih Hou
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
- Faculty of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
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Fernández-Alvarez P, Guerra-Veloz MF, Vilches-Arenas A, Cordero-Ruíz P, Bellido-Muñoz F, Caunedo-Alvarez A, Carmona-Soria I. Dynamic Changes in Non-Invasive Markers of Liver Fibrosis Are Predictors of Liver Events after SVR in HCV Patients. Viruses 2023; 15:1251. [PMID: 37376551 DOI: 10.3390/v15061251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives: The course of progressive liver damage after achieving sustained virological response (SVR) with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) remains undetermined. We aimed to determine risk factors associated with the development of liver-related events (LREs) after SVR, focusing on the utility of non-invasive markers. Methods: An observational, retrospective study that included patients with advanced chronic liver disease (ACLD) caused by hepatitis C virus (HCV), who achieved SVR with DAAs between 2014 and 2017. Patients were followed-up until December 2020. LREs were defined as the development of portal hypertension decompensation and the occurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Serological markers of fibrosis were calculated before treatment and one and two years after SVR. Results: The study included 321 patients, with a median follow-up of 48 months. LREs occurred in 13.7% of patients (10% portal hypertension decompensation and 3.7% HCC). Child-Pugh [HR 4.13 (CI 95% 1.74; 9.81)], baseline FIB-4 [HR 1.12 (CI 95% 1.03; 1.21)], FIB-4 one year post-SVR [HR 1.31 (CI 95% 1.15; 1.48)] and FIB-4 two years post-SVR [HR 1.42 (CI 95% 1.23; 1.64)] were associated with portal hypertension decompensation. Older age, genotype 3, diabetes mellitus and FIB-4 before and after SVR were associated with the development of HCC. FIB-4 cut-off values one and two years post-SVR to predict portal hypertension decompensation were 2.03 and 2.21, respectively, and to predict HCC were 2.42 and 2.70, respectively. Conclusions: HCV patients with ACLD remain at risk of developing liver complications after having achieved SVR. FIB-4 evaluation before and after SVR may help to predict this risk, selecting patients who will benefit from surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Fernández-Alvarez
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hospital Universitario Virgen Macarena, 41009 Seville, Spain
| | | | - Angel Vilches-Arenas
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Seville, 41009 Seville, Spain
| | - Patricia Cordero-Ruíz
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hospital Universitario Virgen Macarena, 41009 Seville, Spain
| | - Francisco Bellido-Muñoz
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hospital Universitario Virgen Macarena, 41009 Seville, Spain
| | - Angel Caunedo-Alvarez
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hospital Universitario Virgen Macarena, 41009 Seville, Spain
| | - Isabel Carmona-Soria
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hospital Universitario Virgen Macarena, 41009 Seville, Spain
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Omer S, Iftime A, Constantinescu I, Dina I. Low-Cost Predictors for Liver Function and Clinical Outcomes after Sustained Virological Response in Patients with HCV-Related Cirrhosis and Thrombocytopenia. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2023; 59:medicina59010146. [PMID: 36676770 PMCID: PMC9865508 DOI: 10.3390/medicina59010146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Background and Objectives: To find low-cost markers that can identify the hepatitis C virus cirrhotic patients that are at risk for long-term severe adverse liver effects (ascites, ascites or upper gastrointestinal bleeding, hepatocellular carcinoma), after treatment. There is established evidence for the benefits of treating hepatitis C virus cirrhotic patients, but there is still some need for clarification concerning the real impact on the long-term evolution after achieving sustained virological response; there is no general consensus in the literature about identifying the patients that do not improve post-treatment. Materials and Methods: Our retrospective analysis investigated the long-term (2 years) evolution of 46 patients with cirrhosis with thrombocytopenia, previously infected with VHC, treated and who obtained an SVR after DAA treatment. Results: Despite the overall improvement, 8.7% patients developed hepatocellular carcinoma and 6.5% patients ascites/upper GI bleeding. We found that FIB-4, MELD and AFP changes at 1 year were the most significant predictors for these outcomes. Additionally, a drop in leukocyte count after 1 year seemed to indicate a risk for hepatocellular carcinoma, but this was not consistent. Conclusions: It might be beneficial to intensify the surveillance for post-treatment adverse liver effects for the patients with these marker changes at 1 year.
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Affiliation(s)
- Secil Omer
- Department of Medical Semiology, Saint Joan Hospital Bucharest, Carol Davila University of Medicine, 042122 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Adrian Iftime
- Department of Biophysics, Carol Davila University of Medicine, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
- Correspondence:
| | - Ileana Constantinescu
- Department of Immunology and Transplant Immunology, Fundeni Clinical Institute Bucharest, Carol Davila University of Medicine, 022328 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Ion Dina
- Department of Medical Semiology, Saint Joan Hospital Bucharest, Carol Davila University of Medicine, 042122 Bucharest, Romania
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Yongpisarn T, Thimphitthaya C, Laoveeravat P, Wongjarupong N, Chaiteerakij R. Non-invasive tests for predicting liver outcomes in chronic hepatitis C patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis. World J Hepatol 2021; 13:949-968. [PMID: 34552701 PMCID: PMC8422917 DOI: 10.4254/wjh.v13.i8.949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Liver fibrosis leads to liver-related events in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) infection. Although non-invasive tests (NITs) are critical to early detection of the development of liver fibrosis, the prognostic role of NITs remains unclear due to the limited types of NITs and liver outcomes explored in previous studies.
AIM To determine the prognostic value of NITs for risk stratification in CHC patients.
METHODS The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews; no. CRD42019128176). The systematic review was performed in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Search was performed using MEDLINE and EMBASE databases under a timeframe from the inception of the databases through February 25, 2020. We restricted our search to CHC cohort studies reporting an association between liver fibrosis assessed by NITs and the development of hepatocellular carcinoma, decompensation, or mortality. Pooled hazard ratios (HR) and area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) for each NIT were estimated using a random effects model. Subgroup analyses were performed for NITs assessed at pre-treatment or post-treatment with sustained virologic response (SVR), treatment with either pegylated interferon and ribavirin or direct acting antiviral, Eastern or Western countries, and different cutoff points.
RESULTS The present meta-analysis included 29 cohort studies, enrolling 69339 CHC patients. Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) index, aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio (APRI) score, and liver stiffness measurement (LSM) were found to have hepatocellular carcinoma predictive potential with pooled adjusted HRs of 2.48 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.91-3.23, I2 = 96%], 4.24 (95%CI: 2.15-8.38, I2 = 20%) and 7.90 (95%CI: 3.98-15.68, I2 = 52%) and AUROCs of 0.81 (95%CI: 0.73-0.89, I2 = 77%), 0.81 (95%CI: 0.75-0.87, I2 = 68%), and 0.79 (95%CI: 0.63-0.96, I2 = 90%), respectively. Pooled adjusted HR with a pre-treatment FIB-4 cutoff of 3.25 was 3.22 (95%CI: 2.32-4.47, I2 = 80%). Pooled adjusted HRs for post-treatment with SVR FIB-4, APRI, and LSM were 3.01 (95%CI: 0.32-28.61, I2 = 89%), 9.88 (95%CI: 2.21-44.17, I2 = 24%), and 6.33 (95%CI: 2.57-15.59, I2 = 17%), respectively. Pooled adjusted HRs for LSM in patients with SVR following direct acting antiviral therapy was 5.55 (95%CI: 1.47-21.02, I2 = 36%). Pooled AUROCs for post-treatment with SVR FIB-4 and LSM were 0.75 (95%CI: 0.55-0.95, I2 = 88%) and 0.84 (95%CI: 0.66-1.03, I2 = 88%), respectively. Additionally, FIB-4 and LSM were associated with overall mortality, with pooled adjusted HRs of 2.07 (95%CI: 1.49-2.88, I2 = 27%) and 4.04 (95%CI: 2.40-6.80, I2 = 63%), respectively.
CONCLUSION FIB-4, APRI, and LSM showed potential for risk stratification in CHC patients. Cutoff levels need further validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanat Yongpisarn
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University and King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Chanattha Thimphitthaya
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University and King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Passisd Laoveeravat
- Division of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, United States
| | - Nicha Wongjarupong
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, United States
| | - Roongruedee Chaiteerakij
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University and King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
- Center of Excellence for Innovation and Endoscopy in Gastrointestinal Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
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Negro F. Residual risk of liver disease after hepatitis C virus eradication. J Hepatol 2021; 74:952-963. [PMID: 33276027 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2020.11.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Revised: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Treatment of hepatitis C with direct-acting antivirals is safe and highly efficacious, resulting in viral clearance (sustained virological response [SVR]) in the vast majority of patients. Although SVR is mostly permanent and associated with a significant reduction of liver morbidity and mortality, some patients may still suffer from a major risk of progressive liver damage, potentially leading to severe complications - including liver decompensation, hepatocellular carcinoma and death. This concise review discusses some of the most important features of residual liver disease in patients with chronic hepatitis C who have achieved SVR after antiviral therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Negro
- Divisions of Gastroenterology and hepatology, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland; Divisions of Clinical pathology, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland.
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Marasco G, Colecchia A, Silva G, Rossini B, Eusebi LH, Ravaioli F, Dajti E, Alemanni LV, Colecchia L, Renzulli M, Golfieri R, Festi D. Non-invasive tests for the prediction of primary hepatocellular carcinoma. World J Gastroenterol 2020; 26:3326-3343. [PMID: 32655261 PMCID: PMC7327793 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v26.i24.3326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Revised: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignancies in the world and it is one of the main complications of cirrhosis and portal hypertension. Even in the presence of a well-established follow-up protocol for cirrhotic patients, to date poor data are available on predictive markers for primary HCC occurrence in the setting of compensated advanced chronic liver disease patients (cACLD). The gold standard method to evaluate the prognosis of patients with cACLD, beyond liver fibrosis assessed with histology, is the measurement of the hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG). An HVPG ≥10 mmHg has been related to an increased risk of HCC in cACLD patients. However, these methods are burdened by additional costs and risks for patients and are mostly available only in referral centers. In the last decade increasing research has focused on the evaluation of several, simple, non-invasive tests (NITs) as predictors of HCC development. We reviewed the currently available literature on biochemical and ultrasound-based scores developed for the non-invasive evaluation of liver fibrosis and portal hypertension in predicting primary HCC. We found that the most reliable methods to assess HCC risk were the liver stiffness measurement, the aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index score and the fibrosis-4 index. Other promising NITs need further investigations and validation for different liver disease aetiologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Marasco
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, Bologna 40138, Italy
| | - Antonio Colecchia
- Unit of Gastroenterology, Borgo Trento University Hospital of Verona, Verona 37126, Italy
| | - Giovanni Silva
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, Bologna 40138, Italy
| | - Benedetta Rossini
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, Bologna 40138, Italy
| | - Leonardo Henry Eusebi
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, Bologna 40138, Italy
| | - Federico Ravaioli
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, Bologna 40138, Italy
| | - Elton Dajti
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, Bologna 40138, Italy
| | - Luigina Vanessa Alemanni
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, Bologna 40138, Italy
| | - Luigi Colecchia
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, Bologna 40138, Italy
| | - Matteo Renzulli
- Radiology Unit, Sant’Orsola Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna 40138, Italy
| | - Rita Golfieri
- Radiology Unit, Sant’Orsola Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna 40138, Italy
| | - Davide Festi
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, Bologna 40138, Italy
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