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Zeng Y, Huang J, Pang J, Pan S, Wu Y, Jie Y, Li X, Chong Y. The occurrence of immune-related adverse events is an independent risk factor both for serum HBsAg increase and HBV reactivation in HBsAg-positive cancer patients receiving PD-1 inhibitor combinational therapy. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1330644. [PMID: 38558804 PMCID: PMC10979302 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1330644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Previous studies have suggested the potential of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in the treatment of chronic HBV infection. However, since phase III clinical trials have not yet been announced, additional clinical insights may be obtained by observing changes in serum hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and HBV-DNA levels in cancer patients undergoing PD-1 inhibitor therapy. Objective To explore the effects of PD-1 inhibitor combinational therapy on serum HBsAg and HBV-DNA levels, investigate the incidence of HBsAg loss, HBV reactivation (HBVr), and immune-related adverse events (irAEs), and identify the risk factors associated with significant HBsAg fluctuations and HBVr. Methods A retrospective study including 1195 HBsAg-positive cancer patients who received PD-1 inhibitors between July 2019 and June 2023 was conducted, and 180 patients were enrolled in this study. Serum HBsAg levels before and after PD-1 inhibitor administration were compared across different subgroups. The Pearson χ2 or Fisher exact test was performed to investigate the relationships between categorical variables. Univariable and multivariable analysis were performed to identify the risk factors associated with significant HBsAg fluctuations and HBVr. Results With the concurrent use of antiviral agents, serum HBsAg levels decreased (Z=-3.966, P < 0.0001) in 129 patients and increased (t=-2.047, P=0.043) in 51 patients. Additionally, 7 patients (3.89%) achieved serum HBsAg loss. Virus replication was suppressed in most of the enrolled patients. When divided patients into different subgroups, significant HBsAg decreases after PD-1 inhibitor administration were discovered in lower baseline HBsAg group (Z=-2.277, P=0.023), HBeAg-seronegative group (Z=-2.200, P=0.028), non-irAEs occurrence group (Z=-2.007, P=0.045) and liver cancer group (Z=-1.987, P=0.047). Of note, 11 patients and 36 patients experienced HBVr (6.11%) and irAEs (20%), respectively, which could lead to discontinuation or delayed use of PD-1 inhibitors. After multivariable analysis, HBeAg-seropositive (OR, 7.236 [95% CI, 1.757-29.793], P=0.01) and the occurrence of irAEs (OR, 4.077 [95% CI, 1.252-13.273], P=0.02) were identified as the independent risk factors for significant HBsAg increase, the occurrence of irAEs (OR, 5.560 [95% CI, 1.252-13.273], P=0.01) was identified as the only independent risk factor for HBVr. Conclusion PD-1 inhibitors combined with nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs) may exert therapeutic potential for chronic HBV infection in cancer patients. However, attention also should be paid to the risk of significant elevation in HBsAg levels, HBVr, and irAEs associated with PD-1 inhibitor combinational therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingfu Zeng
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiwei Huang
- Department of Pharmacy, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiahui Pang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shufang Pan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuankai Wu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yusheng Jie
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xinhua Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yutian Chong
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
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Zhang L, Guo M. Correlation of TGF-β1 and Smad2 expression with clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis in hepatitis B virus associated hepatocellular carcinoma. Shijie Huaren Xiaohua Zazhi 2023; 31:1014-1021. [DOI: 10.11569/wcjd.v31.i24.1014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The occurrence and development of liver cancer are affected by many classical signaling pathways, and as a result, the growth of cancer cells is either inhibited or promoted. The transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)/Smad2 signaling pathway is often involved in the development of cancer.
AIM To investigate the expression of TGF-β1 and Smad2 in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues and its correlation with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.
METHODS Sixty-five patients with hepatocellular carcinoma diagnosed by pathology after surgical resection at our hospital from February 2016 to March 2019 were selected for the study, and they were divided into 37 HBV-infected cases and 28 non-infected cases based on whether HBV infection occurred. Eight cases were lost after 3 years of follow-up, and the remaining patients with hepatocellular carcinoma were divided into two subgroups based on their survival status: 36 cases in survival group and 21 cases in death group. The expression of TGF-β1 and Smad2 in liver cancer tissues and paraneoplastic tissues was detected by protein immunoblotting (Western blot). The correlation of TGF-β1 and Smad2 protein expression with clinicopathological characteristics and survival rate was analyzed. Cox regression analysis of prognostic factors was performed.
RESULTS The expression of TGF-β1 and Smad2 in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues of both HBV-infected and non-infected patients was higher than that in paracancerous tissues, and their expression in HBV-infected patients was higher than that of non-infected patients (P < 0.05). The expression of TGF-β1 and Smad2 was associated with the degree of differentiation, satellite lesions, cirrhosis, TNM stage, and lymph node metastasis (P < 0.05). TGF-β1 and Smad2 expression was higher in dead patients than in survivors (P < 0.05). The survival rate within 3 years was lower in patients with high TGF-β1 expression (48.28%) than in those with low expression (78.57%; P = 0.003). The survival rate within 3 years was also lower inpatients with high Smad2 expression (50.00%) than in those with low expression (77.78%; P = 0.012). TNM stage, lymph node metastasis, TGF-β1 expression, and Smad2 expression were identified to be independent risk factors for poor prognosis within 3 years (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSION The expression levels of TGF-β1 and Smad2 in HBV-infected hepatocellular carcinoma tissues are elevated, and are associated with clinical pathological characteristics and poor prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Ji'an People's Hospital, Huzhou 313300, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Ming Guo
- Department of Gastroenterology, Ji'an People's Hospital, Huzhou 313300, Zhejiang Province, China
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Qin R, Jin T, Xu F. Biomarkers predicting the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors in hepatocellular carcinoma. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1326097. [PMID: 38187399 PMCID: PMC10770866 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1326097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
In recent years, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have emerged as a transformative approach in treating advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Despite their success, challenges persist, including concerns about their effectiveness, treatment costs, frequent occurrence of treatment-related adverse events, and tumor hyperprogression. Therefore, it is imperative to identify indicators capable of predicting the efficacy of ICIs treatment, enabling optimal patient selection to maximize clinical benefits while minimizing unnecessary toxic side effects and economic losses. This review paper categorizes prognostic biomarkers of ICIs treatment into the following categories: biochemical and cytological indicators, tumor-related markers, imaging and personal features, etiology, gut microbiome, and immune-related adverse events (irAEs). By organizing these indicators systematically, we aim to guide biomarker exploration and inform clinical treatment decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tianqiang Jin
- Department of General Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Feng Xu
- Department of General Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
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Xia Z, Zhang J, Chen W, Zhou H, Du D, Zhu K, Chen H, Meng J, Yang J. Hepatitis B reactivation in cancer patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Infect Dis Poverty 2023; 12:87. [PMID: 37736699 PMCID: PMC10515058 DOI: 10.1186/s40249-023-01128-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immunotherapy shows promise as a treatment option for various cancers. However, there is growing concern over potential complications from hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation after checkpoint blockade immunotherapy. Although most of the previous clinical trials on immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) excluded patients with HBV, a few case reports and retrospective studies of HBV reactivation have been published. The aim of this study is to assess the risk of hepatitis B virus reactivation (HBVr) in patients receiving ICIs for advanced cancer. METHODS English and Chinese language literature published prior to April 30, 2023, was searched in PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane, SinoMed, CNKI and Wanfang Data for studies reporting HBVr rates in cancer patients treated with ICIs. A pooled risk estimate was calculated for HBVr rates with 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS Data from 34 studies including 7126 patients were retrieved and analyzed. The pooled HBVr rate in cancer patients treated with ICIs was 1.3% (I2 = 90.44%, 95% CI: 0.2-2.9%, P < 0.001). Subgroup analysis revealed that patients diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), HBV carriers, and patients from Asian regions or in developing countries have a higher rate of HBVr. CONCLUSIONS Our meta-analysis demonstrated a low risk of HBVr in patients treated with ICIs for advanced cancer. ICI treatment may be safely used in patients with existing HBV infection or chronic hepatitis B, accompanied by regular monitoring and appropriate antiviral prophylaxis if necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengzheng Xia
- Department of Pharmacy, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- Department of Pharmacy, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital and Shenzhen Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jianyu Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital and Shenzhen Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shenzhen, China
| | - Wenjun Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital and Shenzhen Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shenzhen, China
| | - Haiyan Zhou
- Department of Pharmacy, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Di Du
- Department of Pharmacy, Hubei Cancer Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Kongcai Zhu
- Department of Pharmacy, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Hui Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, Tangshan Central Hospital, Tangshan, China
| | - Jun Meng
- Department of Pharmacy, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital and Shenzhen Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Jun Yang
- Department of Pharmacy, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
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Efficacy and Safety of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Patients with Cancer and Hepatitis B or C: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 2023; 2023:2525903. [PMID: 36647390 PMCID: PMC9840556 DOI: 10.1155/2023/2525903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Background Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have changed the situation of tumor therapy in recent years. However, for security reasons, those special populations are often excluded from clinical trials, such as infected hepatitis B or hepatitis C patients. ICIs are systematically reviewed and meta-analyzed for the first time in patients infected with hepatitis B or C in this paper. Methods The relevant studies were searched in PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science until October 2022. Trials and observational studies meeting the inclusion criteria were included. The outcomes included the effectiveness of ICIs in patients with HBC/HCV (ORR, DCR, mOS, and mPFS), the incidence of adverse reactions, high-grade adverse reactions, and abnormal liver enzymes. At the same time, these indexes were compared with those of uninfected patients. Results A total of 2,625 patients were enrolled, involving 1,179 patients with hepatitis (HBV or HCV). We found that ICIs showed higher ORR (25.80% vs. 18.10%) and DCR (66.22% vs. 58.74%) in patients with hepatitis B/C than those without infection. In terms of survival time, patients with hepatitis virus infection showed longer mOS (15.44 m vs. 13.30 m) but shorter mPFS (4.94 m vs. 5.01 m) than uninfected patients. As for safety data, patients with hepatitis showed a lower incidence of all-grade irAEs (68.02% vs. 70.43%) than uninfected patients, while that of 3-4 irAEs (21.27% vs. 21.79%) was similar in the two groups. However, hepatic dysfunction was more common and serious in hepatitis patients. Four HBVr and no HCVr were observed. Conclusion According to this meta-analysis, ICIs are effective and safe for patients with hepatitis B or C, but basic liver enzymes have to be evaluated before treatment to avoid liver adverse events.
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Shen J, Wang X, Wang N, Wen S, Yang G, Li L, Fu J, Pan X. HBV reactivation and its effect on survival in HBV-related hepatocarcinoma patients undergoing transarterial chemoembolization combined with tyrosine kinase inhibitors plus immune checkpoint inhibitors. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1179689. [PMID: 37197205 PMCID: PMC10183577 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1179689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective This study aimed to access hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation and its effect on survival in HBV-related hepatocarcinoma (HCC) patients who underwent transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) plus immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Methods In this single-center retrospective study, we enrolled 119 HBV-related unresectable advanced HCC patients receiving TACE combined with TKIs plus ICIs. Risk factors for HBV reactivation were analyzed by logistic regression. Kaplan-Meier method was applied to draw the survival curve, and log-rank test was used to compare survival between patients with and without HBV reactivation. Results A total of 12 patients (10.1%) encountered HBV reactivation in our study, of which only 4 patients received antiviral prophylaxis. The incidence of HBV reactivation was 1.8% (1/57) in patients with detectable baseline HBV DNA and 4.2% (4/95) in patients with antiviral prophylaxis respectively. Lack of prophylactic antiviral treatment (OR=0.047, 95%CI 0.008-0.273, P=0.001) and undetectable HBV DNA (OR=0.073, 95%CI 0.007-0.727, P=0.026) were independent risk factors for HBV reactivation. The median survival time (MST) for all patients was 22.4 months. No survival difference was observed in patients with or without HBV reactivation. (MST: undefined vs 22.4 months, log-rank test: P=0.614). Conclusion HBV reactivation could occur in HBV-related HCC patients who treated with TACE in combination with TKIs plus ICIs. Before and during the combination treatment, it is necessary to routinely monitor HBV DNA and to take effective prophylactic antiviral therapy.
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Lou S, Cao Z, Chi W, Wang X, Feng M, Lin L, Ding Y, Liu K, Qu L, Zhao G, Bao S, Wang H. The safety concerns regarding immune checkpoint inhibitors in liver cancer patients rising mainly from CHB. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1164309. [PMID: 37168999 PMCID: PMC10165088 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1164309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim: To analyze the safety of immune checkpoint inhibitors in primary liver cancer patients and to identify the risk factors for immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Methods: The study enrolled 106 patients with primary liver cancer, including 81 with hepatocellular carcinoma and 25 with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. We analyzed the differences between groups in irAE occurrence, including those with and without targeted drugs and those who received interventional therapy. Results: The incidence of irAEs was 39%, with thyroid function, liver function, and skin events being the most common. There was no correlation among irAE incidence and the liver cancer type, stage, or severity; grade of Child-Pugh score; and Barcelona Clinical Liver Cancer classification. However, being overweight was a significant risk factor for irAEs, correlating with high body mass index. The combination of targeted drugs and/or transcatheter arterial chemoembolization therapy did not increase the incidence of irAEs. Conclusion: Being overweight is a potential risk factor for irAEs in primary liver cancer patients. However, there is no correlation between irAE incidence and the liver cancer type, stage, or severity or a combination of targeted drugs or transarterial chemoembolization therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shike Lou
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhujun Cao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wanqing Chi
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Disease, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Xiaoyin Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Mingyang Feng
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Lanyi Lin
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yezhou Ding
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Kehui Liu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Lihong Qu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, East Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Gangde Zhao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Hui Wang, ; Shisan Bao, ; Gangde Zhao,
| | - Shisan Bao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Hui Wang, ; Shisan Bao, ; Gangde Zhao,
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Hui Wang, ; Shisan Bao, ; Gangde Zhao,
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