Asian Pacific Association for the Study of the Liver clinical practice guidelines on liver transplantation

Liver transplantation is a highly complex and challenging field of clinical practice. Although it was originally developed in western countries, it has been further advanced in Asian countries through the use of living donor liver transplantation. This method of transplantation is the only available option in many countries in the Asia-Pacific region due to the lack of deceased organ donation. As a result of this clinical situation, there is a growing need for guidelines that are specific to the Asia-Pacific region. These guidelines provide comprehensive recommendations for evidence-based management throughout the entire process of liver transplantation, covering both deceased and living donor liver transplantation. In addition, the development of these guidelines has been a collaborative effort between medical professionals from various countries in the region. This has allowed for the inclusion of diverse perspectives and experiences, leading to a more comprehensive and effective set of guidelines.

High-dose proton pump inhibitor treatment is associated with a higher mortality in cirrhotic patients: A multicentre study

BACKGROUND

Proton pump inhibitors (PPI) are frequently used in patients with cirrhosis.

AIMS

This study aimed to determine whether PPI use is associated with the prognosis of cirrhotic patients.

METHODS

We conducted a multicentre retrospective cohort study involving 1485 patients who had experienced hepatic encephalopathy (HE) from 7 referral centres in Korea. The primary outcome was overall survival and secondary outcomes included the development of cirrhotic complications, including recurrent HE, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP), hepatorenal syndrome (HRS), and gastrointestinal bleeding. Patients treated with PPI with a mean defined daily dose (mDDD) ≥0.5 (high-dose PPI group) were compared to those treated with PPI of an mDDD < 0.5 (No or low-dose PPI group) for each outcome.

RESULTS

Among 1485 patients (median age, 61 years; male, 61%), 232 were assigned to the high-dose PPI group. High-dose PPI use was independently associated with a higher risk of death (adjusted HR [aHR] = 1.71, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.38-2.11, p < 0.001). This result was reproducible after propensity score-matching (PSM) (aHR = 1.90, 95% CI = 1.49-2.44, p < 0.001). High-dose PPI use was an independent risk factor of recurrent HE (before PSM: aHR = 2.04, 95% CI = 1.66-2.51, p < 0.001; after PSM: aHR = 2.16, 95% CI = 1.70-2.74, p < 0.001), SBP (before PSM: aHR = 1.87, 95% CI = 1.43-2.43, p < 0.001; after PSM: aHR = 1.76, 95% CI = 1.31-2.36, p = 0.002), HRS (before PSM: aHR = 1.48, 95% CI = 1.02-2.15, p = 0.04; after PSM: aHR = 1.47, 95% CI = 0.95-2.28, p = 0.09), and gastrointestinal bleeding (before PSM: aHR = 1.46, 95% CI = 1.12-1.90, p = 0.006; after PSM: aHR = 1.74, 95% CI = 1.28-2.37, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The use of high-dose PPI was independently associated with increased risks of mortality and cirrhotic complications.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease and risk of cardiovascular disease

OBJECTIVE

We explored clinical implications of the new definition of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) by assessing its prevalence and associated cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk.

DESIGN

From nationwide health screening data, we identified 9 775 066 adults aged 20-79 who underwent health examination in 2009. Participants were categorised into four mutually exclusive groups: (1) MASLD; (2) MASLD with increased alcohol intake (MetALD); (3) MASLD with other combined aetiology (the three collectively referred to as MASLD/related steatotic liver disease (SLD)); and (4) no MASLD/related SLD. SLD was determined by fatty liver index ≥30. The primary outcome was CVD event, defined as a composite of myocardial infarction, ischaemic stroke, heart failure or cardiovascular death.

RESULTS

The prevalence of MASLD, MetALD and MASLD with other combined aetiology was 27.5%, 4.4% and 1.5%, respectively. A total of 8 808 494 participants without prior CVD were followed up for a median of 12.3 years, during which 272 863 CVD events occurred. The cumulative incidence and multivariable-adjusted risk of CVD were higher in participants with MASLD/related SLD than in those without (HR 1.38 (95% CI 1.37 to 1.39)). Multivariable-adjusted HR (95% CI) of CVD events was 1.39 (1.38 to 1.40) for MASLD, 1.28 (1.26 to 1.30) for MetALD and 1.30 (1.26 to 1.34) for MASLD with other combined aetiology compared to the absence of any of these conditions. CVD risk was also higher in participants with metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease than in those without the respective condition.

CONCLUSION

Over one-third of Korean adults have MASLD/related SLD and bear a high CVD risk.

Identification of patients with favorable prognosis after resection in intermediate-stage-hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUNDS

It is unclear which patients benefit from resection in intermediate-stage-hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The authors aimed to identify high-risk patients for early recurrence among patients with resectable intermediate-stage HCC.

METHODS

This multicenter retrospective study included patients who underwent resection or trans-arterial chemoembolization (TACE) for intermediate-stage HCC (2008-2019). Multivariable Cox proportional analysis was performed to identify high-risk patients when treated with resection. A prediction score for 2-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) was developed using the training cohort and validated. The 2-year RFS in each risk group was compared with that in TACE group, after propensity score matching (PSM).

RESULTS

A total of 1686 patients were included (480 and 1206 patients in the resection and TACE groups). During a median follow-up of 31.4 months, the 2-year RFS was significantly higher in the resection (47.7%) than in the TACE group (19.8%) [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR)=1.471, 95% CI: 1.199-1.803, P <0.001). On multivariate analysis, alpha-fetoprotein ≥5.0 ng/ml (aHR=0.202), ALBI grade ≥2 (aHR=0.709), tumor number ≥3 (aHR=0.404), and maximal tumor size ≥5 cm (aHR=0.323) were significantly associated with the lower risk of 2-year RFS in the resection group. The newly developed Surgery Risk score in BCLC-B (SR-B score) with four significant risk factors showed an area under the curve of 0.801 for the 2-year RFS and was validated. Based on the SR-B score, low-risk patients had a significantly higher 2-year RFS (training: aHR=5.834; validation: aHR=5.675) than high-risk patients (all P <0.001) did. In a PSM cohort, a low-risk resection group had a significantly higher (aHR=3.891); a high-risk resection group had a comparable 2-year RFS to those treated with TACE (aHR=0.816).

CONCLUSIONS

Resection may be beneficial for resectable intermediate-stage HCC based on the SR-B score.

Improving primary prophylaxis of variceal bleeding by adapting therapy to the clinical stage of cirrhosis. A competing-risk meta-analysis of individual participant data

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Non-selective β-blockers (NSBBs) and endoscopic variceal-ligation (EVL) have similar efficacy preventing first variceal bleeding. Compensated and decompensated cirrhosis are markedly different stages, which may impact treatment outcomes. We aimed to assess the efficacy of NSBBs vs EVL on survival in patients with high-risk varices without previous bleeding, stratifying risk according to compensated/decompensated stage of cirrhosis.

METHODS

By systematic review, we identified RCTs comparing NSBBs vs EVL, in monotherapy or combined, for primary bleeding prevention. We performed a competing-risk, time-to-event meta-analysis, using individual patient data (IPD) obtained from principal investigators of RCTs. Analyses were stratified according to previous decompensation of cirrhosis.

RESULTS

Of 25 RCTs eligible, 14 failed to provide IPD and 11 were included, comprising 1400 patients (656 compensated, 744 decompensated), treated with NSBBs (N = 625), EVL (N = 546) or NSBB+EVL (N = 229). Baseline characteristics were similar between groups. Overall, mortality risk was similar with EVL vs. NSBBs (subdistribution hazard-ratio (sHR) = 1.05, 95% CI = 0.75-1.49) and with EVL + NSBBs vs either monotherapy, with low heterogeneity (I2  = 28.7%). In compensated patients, mortality risk was higher with EVL vs NSBBs (sHR = 1.76, 95% CI = 1.11-2.77) and not significantly lower with NSBBs+EVL vs NSBBs, without heterogeneity (I2  = 0%). In decompensated patients, mortality risk was similar with EVL vs. NSBBs and with NSBBs+EVL vs. either monotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with compensated cirrhosis and high-risk varices on primary prophylaxis, NSBBs significantly improved survival vs EVL, with no additional benefit noted adding EVL to NSBBs. In decompensated patients, survival was similar with both therapies. The study suggests that NSBBs are preferable when advising preventive therapy in compensated patients.

PAGE-B incorporating moderate HBV DNA levels predicts risk of HCC among patients entering into HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Recent studies reported that moderate HBV DNA levels are significantly associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) risk in hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive, non-cirrhotic patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). We aimed to develop and validate a new risk score to predict HCC development using baseline moderate HBV DNA levels in patients entering into HBeAg-positive CHB from chronic infection.

METHODS

This multicenter cohort study recruited 3,585 HBeAg-positive, non-cirrhotic patients who started antiviral treatment with entecavir or tenofovir disoproxil fumarate at phase change into CHB from chronic infection in 23 tertiary university-affiliated hospitals of South Korea (2012-2020). A new HCC risk score (PAGED-B) was developed (training cohort, n = 2,367) based on multivariable Cox models. Internal validation using bootstrap sampling and external validation (validation cohort, n = 1,218) were performed.

RESULTS

Sixty (1.7%) patients developed HCC (median follow-up, 5.4 years). In the training cohort, age, gender, platelets, diabetes and moderate HBV DNA levels (5.00-7.99 log10 IU/ml) were independently associated with HCC development; the PAGED-B score (based on these five predictors) showed a time-dependent AUROC of 0.81 for the prediction of HCC development at 5 years. In the validation cohort, the AUROC of PAGED-B was 0.85, significantly higher than for other risk scores (PAGE-B, mPAGE-B, CAMD, and REAL-B). When stratified by the PAGED-B score, the HCC risk was significantly higher in high-risk patients than in low-risk patients (sub-distribution hazard ratio = 8.43 in the training and 11.59 in the validation cohorts, all p <0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The newly established PAGED-B score may enable risk stratification for HCC at the time of transition into HBeAg-positive CHB.

IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS

In this study, we developed and validated a new risk score to predict hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development in patients entering into hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive chronic hepatitis B (CHB) from chronic infection. The newly established PAGED-B score, which included baseline moderate HBV DNA levels (5-8 log10 IU/ml), improved on the predictive performance of prior risk scores. Based on a patient's age, gender, diabetic status, platelet count, and moderate DNA levels (5-8 log10 IU/ml) at the phase change into CHB from chronic infection, the PAGED-B score represents a reliable and easily available risk score to predict HCC development during the first 5 years of antiviral treatment in HBeAg-positive patients entering into CHB. With a scoring range from 0 to 12 points, the PAGED-B score significantly differentiated the 5-year HCC risk: low <7 points and high ≥7 points.

Increased spine bone density in patients with chronic hepatitis B switched to tenofovir alafenamide: A prospective, multinational study

BACKGROUND

Data on patients switched to tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) from nucleos(t)ide analogues (NUCs) other than tenofovir disoproxil fumarate are limited.

AIMS

To assess the treatment and renal/bone safety outcomes following the switch to TAF.

METHODS

We prospectively enrolled adult patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) who switched from any NUC to TAF at 14 centres in Japan, Korea, Taiwan and the U.S. Study outcomes were viral suppression (VR; HBV DNA < 20 IU/mL), biochemical response (BR; alanine aminotransferase normalisation), and changes in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and T-scores (L-spine) by bone absorptiometry by 24 months after switch to TAF.

RESULTS

We enrolled 270 eligible patients. Mean age was 58.1; 58.2% were male; 12.2% had cirrhosis and 73.3% previously received entecavir monotherapy. VR rate increased significantly from 95.2% to 98.8% by 24 months after the switch to TAF (p = 0.014). Between the switch and 24 months later, the mean spine T-score improved significantly from -1.43 ± 1.36 to -1.17 ± 1.38 (p < 0.0001), while there was no significant change in mean eGFR (88.4 ± 16.9-89.5 ± 16.3 mL/min/1.73 m2 , p = 0.13). On multivariable analysis adjusted for age, sex, baseline spine T-score and prior TDF or adefovir dipivoxil use, male sex was significantly associated with lower risk of worsening spine T-score (odds ratio: 0.29, p = 0.020), while age was significantly associated with a higher risk of worsening chronic kidney disease stage (OR: 1.07, p = 0.019).

CONCLUSIONS

At 24 months after the switch to TAF, VR rates and spine bone density improved significantly while renal function remained stable.

The Clinical Courses and Prognosis of Cirrhotic Patients after First Acute Decompensation: Prospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

The European Foundation for the Study of Chronic Liver Failure (EF-CLIF) consortium suggested that the clinical courses after acute decompensation (AD) stratify the long-term prognosis: stable decompensated cirrhosis (SDC), unstable decompensated cirrhosis (UDC), pre acute-on-chronic liver failure (pre ACLF), and ACLF. However, previous studies included patients with a history of previous AD and had limitations associated with identifying the clinical factors related to prognosis after the first AD.

METHOD

The prospective Korean Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure (KACLiF) cohort included cirrhotic patients who were hospitalised with first AD between July 2015 and August 2018. We analysed the factors associated with readmission after the first AD and compared the characteristics and prognosis among each subgroup to evaluate the risk factors for the occurrence of pre ACLF after AD.

RESULT

A total of 746 cirrhotic patients who were hospitalised with first AD were enrolled. The subgroups consisted of SDC (n = 565), UDC (n = 29), pre ACLF (n = 28), and ACLF (n = 124). Of note, pre ACLF showed a poorer prognosis than ACLF. The risk factors associated with readmission within 3 months of first AD were non-variceal gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, hepatic encephalopathy (HE), and high MELD score. Viral aetiology was associated with the occurrence of pre ACLF compared with alcohol aetiology regardless of baseline liver function status.

CONCLUSION

Cirrhotic patients with first AD who present as non-variceal GI bleeding and HE can easily relapse. Interestingly, the occurrence of AD with organ failure within 3 months of first AD (pre ACLF) has worse prognosis compared with the occurrence of organ failure at first AD (ACLF). In particular, cirrhotic patients with viral hepatitis with/without alcohol consumption showed poor prognosis compared to other aetiologies. Therefore, patients with ACLF after AD within 3 months should be treated more carefully and definitive treatment through LT should be considered.

Personalized Antiviral Drug Selection in Patients With Chronic Hepatitis B Using a Machine Learning Model: A Multinational Study

INTRODUCTION

Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) is reportedly superior or at least comparable to entecavir (ETV) for the prevention of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with chronic hepatitis B; however, it has distinct long-term renal and bone toxicities. This study aimed to develop and validate a machine learning model (designated as Prediction of Liver cancer using Artificial intelligence-driven model for Network-antiviral Selection for hepatitis B [PLAN-S]) to predict an individualized risk of HCC during ETV or TDF therapy.

METHODS

This multinational study included 13,970 patients with chronic hepatitis B. The derivation (n = 6,790), Korean validation (n = 4,543), and Hong Kong-Taiwan validation cohorts (n = 2,637) were established. Patients were classified as the TDF-superior group when a PLAN-S-predicted HCC risk under ETV treatment is greater than under TDF treatment, and the others were defined as the TDF-nonsuperior group.

RESULTS

The PLAN-S model was derived using 8 variables and generated a c-index between 0.67 and 0.78 for each cohort. The TDF-superior group included a higher proportion of male patients and patients with cirrhosis than the TDF-nonsuperior group. In the derivation, Korean validation, and Hong Kong-Taiwan validation cohorts, 65.3%, 63.5%, and 76.4% of patients were classified as the TDF-superior group, respectively. In the TDF-superior group of each cohort, TDF was associated with a significantly lower risk of HCC than ETV (hazard ratio = 0.60-0.73, all P < 0.05). In the TDF-nonsuperior group, however, there was no significant difference between the 2 drugs (hazard ratio = 1.16-1.29, all P > 0.1).

DISCUSSION

Considering the individual HCC risk predicted by PLAN-S and the potential TDF-related toxicities, TDF and ETV treatment may be recommended for the TDF-superior and TDF-nonsuperior groups, respectively.

Impact of Low Skeletal Muscle Mass on Long-Term Outcomes in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Treated with Trans-Arterial Radioembolization: A Retrospective Multi-Center Study

Trans-arterial radioembolization (TARE) is a form of radiation therapy performed for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) via selective intra-arterial injection of Yttrium-90-loaded microspheres. This was a multi-center retrospective study of consecutive patients with HCC who underwent TARE between July 2009 and May 2019. Using pre-treatment computed tomography imaging, the total cross-sectional area (cm2) of the abdominal skeletal muscle at the third lumbar vertebra was measured. The skeletal muscle index (SMI) was calculated by normalizing the muscle area to patient height. In total, 347 patients (median age, 65 years; 284 male) were included in the study. A total of 108 (31.1%) patients had portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT), and 126 (36.3%) were classified as LSMM. The median overall survival (OS) was 28.1 months (95% CI, 24.8-35.7), and median progression-free survival was 8.0 months (95% CI, 6.4-9.4). Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that LSMM (hazard ratio [HR], 1.36; 95% CI, 1.00-1.85, p = 0.05), PVTT (HR, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.33-2.49, p < 0.01), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) (≥200 ng/mL) (HR 1.41; 95% CI, 1.04-1.92, p = 0.03), and albumin-bilirubin grade (2-3) (HR 1.74; 95% CI, 1.24-2.43, p < 0.01) were independently associated with poor OS. TARE provided favorable long-term outcomes for patients with advanced HCC. Pre-treatment LSMM independently associated with survival, suggesting its utility as a surrogate biomarker for identifying TARE candidates.

TM4SF5-mediated abnormal food-intake behavior and apelin expression facilitate non-alcoholic fatty liver disease features

Transmembrane 4 L six family member 5 (TM4SF5) engages in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), although its mechanistic roles are unclear. Genetically engineered Tm4sf5 mice fed ad libitum normal chow or high-fat diet for either an entire day or a daytime-feeding (DF) pattern were analyzed for metabolic parameters. Compared to wild-type and Tm4sf5-/- knockout mice, hepatocyte-specific TM4SF5-overexpressing Alb-TGTm4sf5-Flag (TG) mice showed abnormal food-intake behavior during the mouse-inactive daytime, increased apelin expression, increased food intake, and higher levels of NASH features. DF or exogenous apelin injection of TG mice caused severe hepatic pathology. TM4SF5-mediated abnormal food intake was correlated with peroxisomal β-oxidation, mTOR activation, and autophagy inhibition, with triggering NASH phenotypes. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients' samples revealed a correlation between serum apelin and NAFLD activity score. Altogether, these observations suggest that hepatic TM4SF5 may cause abnormal food-intake behaviors to trigger steatohepatitic features via the regulation of peroxisomal β-oxidation, mTOR, and autophagy.

Transarterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma: 2023 expert consensus-based practical recommendations of the Korean Liver Cancer Association

Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) was introduced in 1977 with the administration of chemotherapeutic agent to gelatin sponge particles through the hepatic artery in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and was established as conventional TACE using Lipiodol in the 1980s. In the 2000s, drug-eluting beads were developed and applied clinically. Currently, TACE is a commonly used non-surgical treatment modality for patients with HCC who are unsuitable for curative treatment. Considering the vital role of TACE in the management of HCC, it is crucial to organize current knowledge and expert opinions regarding patient preparation, procedural techniques, and post-treatment care in TACE, which can enhance therapeutic efficacy and safety. A group of 12 experts in the fields of interventional radiology and hepatology, convened by the Research Committee of the Korean Liver Cancer Association (KLCA), has developed expert consensus-based practical recommendations in TACE. These recommendations have been endorsed by the Korean Society of Interventional Radiology and provide useful information and direction in performing TACE procedure as well as pre- and post- procedural patient care.

The efficacy of treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma in elderly patients

BACKGROUND/AIM

Despite the increasing proportion of elderly patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) over time, treatment efficacy in this population is not well established.

METHODS

Data collected from the Korean Primary Liver Cancer Registry, a representative cohort of patients newly diagnosed with HCC in Korea between 2008 and 2017, were analyzed. Overall survival (OS) according to tumor stage and treatment modality was compared between elderly and non-elderly patients with HCC.

RESULTS

Among 15,186 study patients, 5,829 (38.4%) were elderly. A larger proportion of elderly patients did not receive any treatment for HCC than non-elderly patients (25.2% vs. 16.7%). However, OS was significantly better in elderly patients who received treatment compared to those who did not (median, 38.6 vs. 22.3 months; P<0.001). In early-stage HCC, surgery yielded significantly lower OS in elderly patients compared to non-elderly patients (median, 97.4 vs. 138.0 months; P<0.001), however, local ablation (median, 82.2 vs. 105.5 months) and transarterial therapy (median, 42.6 vs. 56.9 months) each provided comparable OS between the two groups after inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) analysis (all P>0.05). After IPTW, in intermediate-stage HCC, surgery (median, 66.0 vs. 90.3 months) and transarterial therapy (median, 36.5 vs. 37.2 months), and in advanced-stage HCC, transarterial (median, 25.3 vs. 26.3 months) and systemic therapy (median, 25.3 vs. 26.3 months) yielded comparable OS between the elderly and non-elderly HCC patients (all P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Personalized treatments tailored to individual patients can improve the prognosis of elderly patients with HCC to a level comparable to that of non-elderly patients.

Effect of 12-week intermittent calorie restriction compared to standard of care in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common cause of chronic liver disease. NAFLD can result in various complications. Owing to the lack of effective pharmacological therapies, lifestyle modifications are the cornerstone treatment for NAFLD. However, there has been no recommendation for a specific dietary therapy. Because no significant effects have been observed in previous studies. Intermittent calorie restriction (ICR) consists of alternating phases of extreme energy restriction and regular energy intake. Recent studies have demonstrated a significantly higher reduction in liver fat content in the ICR group than in the standard of care (SOC) or continuous calorie restriction groups in patients with NAFLD. However, critical weaknesses limit the broader application of ICR in clinical practice; those are a lack of appropriate assessment tools, different cutoffs of body mass index (BMI) used to define obesity, and different food portions. Thus, we report a protocol for a prospective, randomized controlled trial. The trial will evaluate the effect of 12-week ICR on improving liver fat content in NAFLD patients (Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease-Intermittent Calorie Restriction [FLICR]).

METHODS

We will include adult (19-75 years) NAFLD patients. NAFLD will be diagnosed by histologic assessment or magnetic resonance imaging-proton density fat fraction (MRI-PDFF) ≥ 8%. A total of 72 patients will be classified according to BMI (obese group: BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 [n = 36] and non-obese group: BMI < 25 kg/m2 [n = 36]). Participants will be followed up for 24 weeks. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of the two groups: the SOC or ICR group. The primary objective will be the change in liver fat content measured using MRI-PDFF from baseline to 12 weeks.

DISCUSSION

This FLICR study may provide clinical evidence on ICR in the treatment of NAFLD in both obese and non-obese patients. The use of ICR in patients with NAFLD will improve the clinical outcomes of patients facing a shortage of effective medical therapy.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

This trial was registered at the United States National Library of Medicine (NLM) at the National Institutes of Health.

CLINICALTRIALS

gov NCT05309642. Registered on April 4, 2022.

Risk Stratification for Sarcopenic Obesity in Subjects With Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

BACKGROUND & AIMS

The impact of the severity of sarcopenic obesity (SO) in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) on the risk of significant liver fibrosis or cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains unclear. We aimed to identify high-risk subjects with SO for significant liver fibrosis or CVD among subjects with SO and NAFLD.

METHODS

This multicenter, retrospective study involved 23,889 subjects with NAFLD who underwent a health screening program (2014-2020). Sarcopenia was defined based on gender-specific sarcopenia index cutoff using multi-frequency bioelectric impedance analysis. High-risk subjects with SO were defined as those with significant liver fibrosis by fibrosis-4 index >2.67 or atherosclerotic CVD risk score >20%. Multivariable logistic regression analysis for identifying high-risk subjects with SO was performed in a cross-sectional cohort with SO, and further validation was performed in a longitudinal cohort.

RESULTS

SO prevalence was 5.4% (n = 1297 of 23,889). Older age (unstandardized beta [β] = 3.23; P < .001), male (β = 1.66; P = .027), sarcopenia index (β = -6.25; P = .019), and metabolic syndrome (β = 1.75; P < .001) were significant risk factors for high-risk SO. Based on a high-risk SO screening model, high-risk subjects with SO had significantly higher odds of significant liver fibrosis (training: adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 3.72; validation: aOR, 2.38) or CVD (training: aOR, 5.20; validation: aOR, 3.71) than subjects without SO (all P < .001). In subgroup analyses, the cumulative incidence of significant liver fibrosis or CVD development was significantly higher in high-risk subjects with SO than in low-risk subjects with SO in a longitudinal cohort considering all-cause mortality and liver transplantation as competing risks (sub-distribution hazard ratio, 5.37; P < .001).

CONCLUSION

The high-risk screening model may enable the identification of high-risk subjects with SO with NAFLD.

Transarterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma: 2023 Expert consensus-based practical recommendations of the Korean Liver Cancer Association

Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) was introduced in 1977 with the administration of chemotherapeutic agent to gelatin sponge particles through the hepatic artery in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and was established as conventional TACE using Lipiodol in the 1980s. In the 2000s, drug-eluting beads were developed and applied clinically. Currently, TACE is a commonly used non-surgical treatment modality for patients with HCC who are unsuitable for curative treatment. Considering the vital role of TACE in the management of HCC, it is crucial to organize current knowledge and expert opinions regarding patient preparation, procedural techniques, and post-treatment care in TACE, which can enhance therapeutic efficacy and safety. A group of 12 experts in the fields of interventional radiology and hepatology, convened by the Research Committee of the Korean Liver Cancer Association (KLCA), has developed expert consensus-based practical recommendations in TACE. These recommendations have been endorsed by the Korean Society of Interventional Radiology and provide useful information and direction in performing TACE procedure as well as pre- and post- procedural patient care.

Transarterial Chemoembolization for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: 2023 Expert Consensus-Based Practical Recommendations of the Korean Liver Cancer Association

Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) was introduced in 1977 with the administration of chemotherapeutic agent to gelatin sponge particles through the hepatic artery in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and was established as conventional TACE using Lipiodol in the 1980s. In the 2000s, drug-eluting beads were developed and applied clinically. Currently, TACE is a commonly used non-surgical treatment modality for patients with HCC who are unsuitable for curative treatment. Considering the vital role of TACE in the management of HCC, it is crucial to organize current knowledge and expert opinions regarding patient preparation, procedural techniques, and post-treatment care in TACE, which can enhance therapeutic efficacy and safety. A group of 12 experts in the fields of interventional radiology and hepatology, convened by the Research Committee of the Korean Liver Cancer Association (KLCA), has developed expert consensus-based practical recommendations in TACE. These recommendations have been endorsed by the Korean Society of Interventional Radiology and provide useful information and direction in performing TACE procedure as well as pre- and post-procedural patient care.

Transarterial Radioembolization versus Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor in Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Portal Vein Thrombosis

Background and aims

Transarterial radioembolization (TARE) has shown promising results in treating advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT). However, whether TARE can provide superior or comparable outcomes to tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) in patients with HCC and PVTT remains unclear. We compared the outcomes of TARE and TKI therapy in treatment-naïve patients with locally advanced HCC and segmental or lobar PVTT.

Methods

This multicenter study included 216 patients initially treated with TARE (n=124) or TKI (sorafenib or lenvatinib; n=92) between 2011 and 2021. Baseline characteristics were balanced using propensity score matching (PSM) or inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW). The primary outcome was overall survival (OS). The secondary outcomes included progression-free survival (PFS) and objective response rate (ORR).

Results

In the unmatched cohort, the median OS of the TARE and TKI groups were 28.2 and 7.2 months, respectively (P<0.001), and the TARE group experienced significantly and independently longer OS compared to the TKI group (adjusted hazard ratio=0.41, 95% confidence interval=0.28-0.60, P<0.001). Similar results were observed in the study cohorts balanced with IPTW (P=0.003) or PSM (P=0.004). Although PFS was comparable between the two groups, the TARE group showed a trend of prolonged PFS in a subpopulation of patients with Vp1 or Vp2 PVTT (P=0.052). In the matched cohorts, the ORR of the TARE group was 53.0-56.7%, whereas that of the TKI group was 12.3-15.0%.

Conclusion

For patients with advanced HCC with segmental or lobar PVTT and well-preserved liver function, TARE may provide superior OS compared to sorafenib or lenvatinib.

Inverse Propensity Score-Weighted Analysis of Entecavir and Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B: A Large-Scale Multicenter Study

Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) is reportedly superior or at least comparable to entecavir (ETV) in preventing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) among chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients; however, it remains controversial. This study aimed to conduct comprehensive comparisons between the two antivirals. CHB patients initially treated with ETV or TDF between 2012 and 2015 at 20 referral centers in Korea were included. The primary outcome was the cumulative incidence of HCC. The secondary outcomes included death or liver transplantation, liver-related outcome, extrahepatic malignancy, development of cirrhosis, decompensation events, complete virologic response (CVR), seroconversion rate, and safety. Baseline characteristics were balanced using the inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW). Overall, 4210 patients were enrolled: 1019 received ETV and 3191 received TDF. During the median follow-ups of 5.6 and 5.5 years, 86 and 232 cases of HCC were confirmed in the ETV and TDF groups, respectively. There was no difference in HCC incidence between the groups both before (p = 0.36) and after IPTW was applied (p = 0.81). Although the incidence of extrahepatic malignancy was significantly higher in the ETV group than in the TDF group before weighting (p = 0.02), no difference was confirmed after IPTW (p = 0.29). The cumulative incidence rates of death or liver transplantation, liver-related outcome, new cirrhosis development, and decompensation events were also comparable in the crude population (p = 0.24-0.91) and in the IPTW-adjusted population (p = 0.39-0.80). Both groups exhibited similar rates of CVR (ETV vs. TDF: 95.1% vs. 95.8%, p = 0.38), and negative conversion of hepatitis B e antigen (41.6% vs. 37.2%, p = 0.09) or surface antigen (2.8% vs. 1.9%, p = 0.10). Compared to the ETV group, more patients in the TDF group changed initial antivirals due to side effects, including decreased kidney function (n = 17), hypophosphatemia (n = 20), and osteoporosis (n = 18). In this large-scale multicenter study, ETV and TDF demonstrated comparable effectiveness across a broad range of outcomes in patients with treatment-naïve CHB during similar follow-up periods.

Therapeutic Mechanisms and Clinical Effects of Glucagon-like Peptide 1 Receptor Agonists in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) can lead to liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. Recently, glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs), a class of drugs used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity, have shown therapeutic effects against NAFLD. In addition to reducing blood glucose levels and body weight, GLP-1RAs are effective in improving the clinical, biochemical, and histological markers of hepatic steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis in patients with NAFLD. Additionally, GLP-1RAs have a good safety profile with minor side effects, such as nausea and vomiting. Overall, GLP-1RAs show promise as a potential treatment for NAFLD, and further studies are required to determine their long-term safety and efficacy.

CAGE-B and SAGE-B models better predict the hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma after 5-year of entecavir treatment than PAGE-B

AIM

The PAGE-B model consists of variables at the initiation of antiviral therapy (AVT), whereas the SAGE-B and CAGE-B models consist of variables after 5 years of AVT. We compared the predictive accuracy of three risk prediction models for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development after 5 years of AVT in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).

METHODS

A total of 1,335 patients who initiated entecavir (ETV) treatment between 2006 and 2011 and were followed up for more than 5 years were enrolled in the stduy.

RESULTS

At ETV initiation, the median age of the patients was 49 years and the median of the PAGE-B model was 14. After 5 years of ETV treatment, the median SAGE-B and CAGE-B values were 6 and 6, respectively. During the study period, 93 (7.0%) patients developed HCC after 5-year treatment. In multivariate analysis, PAGE-B (hazard ratio [HR], 1.151; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.087-1.219), SAGE-B (HR, 1.340; 95% CI, 1.228-1.463), and CAGE-B (HR, 1.327; 95% CI, 1.223-1.440) models independently predicted HCC development after 5 years of treatment (all P<0.001). The high-risk groups of the three risk prediction models showed a significantly higher risk of HCC development compared to the medium- and low-risk groups (all P<0.05). The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves of the SAGE-B (0.772-0.844) and CAGE-B (0.785-0.838) models were significantly higher than those of the PAGE-B model (0.696-0.745) in predicting HCC development after 5 years of treatment (all P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The SAGE-B and CAGE-B models might be better than the PAGE-B model in predicting HCC development after 5 years of ETV treatment in patients with CHB.

Age, Sex, and Body Mass Index Should Be Considered When Assessing Spleen Length in Patients with Compensated Advanced Chronic Liver Disease

Background/Aims

We investigated the factors related to spleen length and the diagnostic accuracy of a model using spleen length corrected by related factors, for the prediction of varices needing treatment (VNT).

Methods

Various prediction models for VNT including spleen length were analyzed in the cohort of compensated advanced chronic liver disease (cACLD), defined as liver stiffness (LS) ≥10 kPa in a recent study. The associated factors for spleen length were identified in healthy subjects to improve the prediction of VNT.

Results

Among 1,218 cACLD patients, VNT was noted in 249 patients (20.4%). On multivariate analysis, longer spleen length, lower platelet count, and higher LS value were independent predictors for VNT (all p<0.001). In multivariate analysis of 1,041 healthy subjects, age (β=-0.027), sex (β=0.762), and body mass index (β=0.097) were found to be significant factors for spleen length (all p<0.001). Using the β values, the estimated spleen length was calculated. To improve the prediction of VNT, the ratio of measured and estimated spleen length was calculated. Based on binary regression analysis results, the LS value-spleen ratio to platelet score (LSRPS) was calculated as follows: 0.027×LS value (kPa)+2.690×measured/estimated spleen ratio-0.011×platelet count (cells×10⁹/L)-4.215. The area under the receiver operating characteristic of the LSRPS for VNT was 0.820, which was significantly higher than 0.797 of LS value-spleen diameter to platelet ratio score (LSPS) (p=0.006).

Conclusions

Spleen length is influenced by age, sex, and body mass index in the Asian population. The LSRPS using the measured/estimated spleen ratio had higher diagnostic accuracy than LSPS in predicting VNT in patients with cACLD.

Noninvasive imaging biomarkers for liver fibrosis in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: current and future

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is increasingly prevalent worldwide and becoming a major cause of liver disease-related morbidity and mortality. The presence of liver fibrosis in patients with NAFLD is closely related to prognosis, including the development of hepatocellular carcinoma and other complications of cirrhosis. Therefore, assessment of the presence of significant or advanced liver fibrosis is crucial. Although liver biopsy has been considered the "gold standard" method for evaluating the degree of liver fibrosis, it is not suitable for extensive use in all patients with NAFLD owing to its invasiveness and high cost. Therefore, noninvasive biochemical and imaging biomarkers have been developed to overcome the limitations of liver biopsy. Imaging biomarkers for the stratification of liver fibrosis have been evaluated in patients with NAFLD using different imaging techniques, such as transient elastography, shear wave elastography, and magnetic resonance elastography. Furthermore, artificial intelligence and deep learning methods are increasingly being applied to improve the diagnostic accuracy of imaging techniques and overcome the pitfalls of existing imaging biomarkers. In this review, we describe the usefulness and future prospects of noninvasive imaging biomarkers that have been studied and used to evaluate the degree of liver fibrosis in patients with NAFLD.

Comparable outcomes between immune-tolerant and active phases in noncirrhotic chronic hepatitis B: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Antiviral therapy is not indicated for patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) in the immune-tolerant (IT) phase. We compared the outcomes between the untreated IT phase and the treated immune-active (IA) phase in noncirrhotic HBeAg-positive CHB patients.

METHODS

We systematically searched 4 databases, including PubMed, Medline, Embase, and Cochrane, until August 2021. The pooled incidence rates of HCC and mortality in the IT and IA cohorts and phase change in the IT cohort were investigated. Studies that included patients with liver cirrhosis were excluded.

RESULTS

Thirteen studies involving 11,903 patients were included. The overall median of the median follow-up period was 62.4 months. The pooled 5-year and 10-year incidence rates of HCC were statistically similar between the IT and IA cohorts (1.1%, 95% CI: 0.4%-2.8% vs. 1.1%, 95% CI: 0.5%-2.3%, and 2.7%, 95% CI: 1.0%-7.3% vs. 3.6%, 95% CI: 2.4%-5.5%, respectively, all p>0.05). The pooled 5-year odds ratio of HCC between IT and IA cohorts was 1.05 (95% CI: 0.32-3.45; p=0.941). The pooled 5-year incidence rate of mortality was statistically similar between the IT and IA cohorts (1.9%, 95% CI: 1.1%-3.4% vs. 1.0%, 95% CI: 0.3%-2.9%, p=0.285). Finally, the pooled 5-year incidence rate of phase change in the IT cohort was 36.1% (95% CI: 29.5%-43.2%).

CONCLUSION

The pooled incidence rates of HCC and mortality were comparable between the untreated IT and the treated IA phases in noncirrhotic HBeAg-positive CHB patients.

The clinical effect of antiviral therapy in patients with hepatitis B virus-related decompensated cirrhosis and undetectable DNA

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Antiviral therapy (AVT) is the mainstay of hepatitis B virus (HBV) management. We investigated whether AVT improves the outcomes of HBV-related decompensated cirrhosis and undetectable HBV-DNA.

METHODS

Between 2000 and 2017, treatment-naïve patients with HBV-related decompensated cirrhosis and undetectable HBV-DNA were recruited from two tertiary hospitals. The endpoints included death and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

RESULTS

A total of 429 patients were analyzed (50 and 379 patients in the AVT and non-AVT groups, respectively). Patients in the AVT group were significantly younger and had higher alanine aminotransferase and alpha-fetoprotein levels than those in the non-AVT group (all P < 0.05). During follow-up (median 49.6 months), 98 patients died and 105 developed HCC. The cumulative incidence rates of death (2.0%, 4.1%, and 6.4%, and 4.9%, 7.2%, and 10.2% at 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years, respectively) and HCC (8.6%, 15.8%, and 26.4% vs 1.6%, 7.7%, and 24.4% at 1, 2, and 5 years, respectively) were statistically comparable between the AVT and non-AVT groups (all P > 0.05). Using Cox regression analysis, AVT was not significantly associated with death nor HCC (all P > 0.05). Similar results were observed after balancing baseline characteristics with inverse probability of treatment weighting. In the non-AVT group, the cumulative incidence rates of HBV-DNA detection at 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years were 2.0%, 3.1%, and 6.4%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Antiviral therapy did not attenuate the risk of death nor HCC in patients with HBV-related decompensated cirrhosis and undetectable HBV-DNA.

The long-term prognosis and the need for histologic assessment in chronic hepatitis B in serological immune-tolerant phase

Background/Aims

The effect of histologic status of immune-tolerant (IT) phase of chronic hepatitis B on long-term outcomes is yet unclear. The aim of this study is to find out how well serological criteria currently used corresponds to the histologic criteria in determining IT phase and to suggest the indication for liver biopsy.

Methods

Patients in serological IT phase, defined by criteria of positive hepatitis B e antigen, HBV-DNA ≥ 106 IU/mL and normal or minimally elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ≤ 60 IU/L, who underwent liver biopsy at three different hospitals were included. The distribution of histologic IT phase, defined as fibrosis of stage 1 or less and inflammation of grade 1 or less, was compared with that of serological IT phase. The risk factors for the incidence of liver-related events, such as hepatocellular carcinoma, liver cirrhosis, liver transplantation and death, were also analyzed.

Results

Eighty-two (31.7%) out of 259 clinically suspected IT phase patients belonged to histologic IT phase. Age over 35, high AST and low albumin were useful for ruling out histologic IT phase. Risk factors predicting liver-related events were age and significant fibrosis stage. There was no significant difference in the proportion of histologic IT phase and clinical prognosis between normal ALT and mildly elevated ALT groups. However, even in patients with normal ALT, age was an important factor in predicting the presence of histologic IT phase.

Conclusions

A significant number of patients who belonged to serological IT phase were not in histologic IT phase. Patients over 35 years and those with high AST, low albumin and low HBV DNA levels were more likely to experience poor long-term clinical outcomes. Therefore, additional histologic assessment should be considered.

Endoscopic variceal obturation and retrograde transvenous obliteration for acute gastric cardiofundal variceal bleeding in liver cirrhosis

BACKGROUND/AIMS

We retrospectively compared the effect of endoscopic variceal obturation (EVO) and retrograde transvenous obliteration (RTO) in acute cardiofundal variceal bleeding.

METHODS

Patients with acute cardiofundal variceal bleeding treated with EVO or RTO at two hospitals were included.

RESULTS

Ninety patients treated with EVO and 86 treated with RTO were analyzed. The mean model for end-stage liver disease score was significantly higher in EVO group than in RTO group (13.5 vs. 11.7, P = 0.016). The bleeding control rates were high (97.8% vs. 96.5%), and the treatment-related complication rates were low in both EVO and RTO groups (2.2% vs. 3.5%). During the median follow-up of 18.0 months, gastric variceal (GV) and esophageal variceal rebleeding occurred in 34 (19.3%) and 7 (4.0%) patients, respectively. The all-variceal rebleeding rates were comparable between EVO and RTO groups (32.4% vs. 20.8% at 2-year, P = 0.150), while the GV rebleeding rate was significantly higher in EVO group than in RTO group (32.4% vs. 12.8% at 2-year, P = 0.003). On propensity score-matched analysis (71 patients in EVO vs. 71 patients in RTO group), both all-variceal and GV rebleeding rates were significantly higher in EVO group than in RTO group (all P < 0.05). In Cox regression analysis, EVO (vs. RTO) was the only significant predictor of higher GV rebleeding risk (hazard ratio 3.132, P = 0.005). The mortality rates were similar between two groups (P = 0.597).

CONCLUSIONS

Both EVO and RTO effectively controlled acute cardiofundal variceal bleeding. RTO was superior to EVO in preventing all-variceal and GV rebleeding after treatment, with similar survival outcomes.

Therapeutic mechanisms and beneficial effects of non-antidiabetic drugs in chronic liver diseases

The global burden of chronic liver disease (CLD) is substantial. Due to the limited indication of and accessibility to antiviral therapy in viral hepatitis and lack of effective pharmacological treatment in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, the beneficial effects of antidiabetics and non-antidiabetics in clinical practice have been continuously investigated in patients with CLD. In this narrative review, we focused on non-antidiabetic drugs, including ursodeoxycholic acid, silymarin, dimethyl4,4'-dimethoxy-5,6,5',6'-dimethylenedixoybiphenyl-2,2'-dicarboxylate, L-ornithine L-aspartate, branched chain amino acids, statin, probiotics, vitamin E, and aspirin, and summarized their beneficial effects in CLD. Based on the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory properties, and regulatory functions in glucose or lipid metabolism, several non-antidiabetic drugs have shown beneficial effects in improving liver histology, aminotransferase level, and metabolic parameters and reducing risks of hepatocellular carcinoma and mortality, without significant safety concerns, in patients with CLD. Although the effect as the centerpiece management in patients with CLD is not robust, the use of these non-antidiabetic drugs might be potentially beneficial as an adjuvant or combined treatment strategy.

Impact of HBeAg on Hepatocellular Carcinoma Risk During Oral Antiviral Treatment in Patients With Chronic Hepatitis B

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Antiviral treatment from hepatitis B envelope antigen (HBeAg)-positive status may attenuate the integration of hepatitis B virus DNA into the host genome causing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We investigated the impact of HBeAg status at the onset of antiviral treatment on the risk of HCC.

METHODS

The incidence of HCC was evaluated in Korean patients with chronic hepatitis B who started entecavir or tenofovir in either HBeAg-positive or HBeAg-negative phase. The results in the Korean cohort were validated in a Caucasian PAGE-B cohort.

RESULTS

A total of 9143 Korean patients (mean age, 49.2 years) were included: 49.1% were HBeAg-positive and 49.2% had cirrhosis. During follow-up (median, 5.1 years), 916 patients (10.0%) developed HCC. Baseline HBeAg positivity was not associated with the risk of HCC in the entire cohort or cirrhotic subcohort. However, in the non-cirrhotic subcohort, HBeAg positivity was independently associated with a lower risk of HCC in multivariable (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 0.41; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.26-0.66), propensity score-matching (aHR, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.28-0.76), and inverse probability weighting analyses (aHR, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.28-0.70). In the Caucasian cohort (n = 719; mean age, 51.8 years; HBeAg-positive, 20.3%; cirrhosis, 34.8%), HBeAg-positivity was not associated with the risk of HCC either in the entire cohort or cirrhotic subcohort. In the non-cirrhotic subcohort, none of the HBeAg-positive group developed HCC, although the difference failed to reach statistical significance (aHR, 0.21; 95% CI, 0.00-1.67).

CONCLUSIONS

This multinational cohort study implies that HBeAg positivity at the onset of antiviral treatment seems to be an independent factor associated with a lower risk of HCC in patients with chronic hepatitis B without cirrhosis, but not in those with cirrhosis.

Hepatitis B Core-Related Antigen Is Useful for Predicting Phase and Prognosis of Hepatitis B e Antigen-Positive Patients

The role of hepatitis B core-related antigen (HBcrAg) level in defining clinical phase and predicting prognosis of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) has not been fully studied. CHB patients who had undergone liver biopsy in Korea University Medical Center were included. Patients with liver cirrhosis were excluded. The associations of HBcrAg level with CHB phase, and nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA)-induced hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion were analyzed. In total, 387 patients (median follow-up of 82.4 months) were included. The CHB phases of patients were defined histologically as immune-tolerant (IT, n = 32, 8.3%), HBeAg-positive and immune-active (PIA, n = 211, 54.5%), HBeAg-negative and immune-active (n = 125, 32.3%), and inactive (n = 19, 4.9%), respectively. In HBeAg-positive patients, the mean HBV DNA levels were comparable between the two groups (p = 0.990). However, the mean HBsAg (7.4 log IU/mL and 6.9 log IU/mL, p = 0.002) and HBcrAg levels (8.2 log U/mL vs. 7.6 log U/mL, p < 0.001) of IT patients were significantly higher than that of PIA patients. In multivariate analysis, younger age (odds ratio [OR] 0.949, p = 0.025), lower alanine aminotransferase (OR 0.988, p = 0.002) and higher HBcrAg level (OR = 2.745 p = 0.022) were independent predictors of the IT phase. Of the patients in the PIA phase, 194 received NA after liver biopsy, and 61 (31.4%) had achieved HBeAg seroconversion after antiviral therapy. In Cox regression analysis, the higher HBcrAg level was the only independent predictor of the NA-induced HBeAg seroconversion (hazard ratio 1.285, p = 0.028). The HBcrAg level is useful for predicting clinical phase of CHB and NA-induced HBeAg seroconversion in HBeAg-positive patients.

An artificial intelligence model to predict hepatocellular carcinoma risk in Korean and Caucasian patients with chronic hepatitis B

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Several models have recently been developed to predict risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Our aims were to develop and validate an artificial intelligence-assisted prediction model of HCC risk.

METHODS

Using a gradient-boosting machine (GBM) algorithm, a model was developed using 6,051 patients with CHB who received entecavir or tenofovir therapy from 4 hospitals in Korea. Two external validation cohorts were independently established: Korean (5,817 patients from 14 Korean centers) and Caucasian (1,640 from 11 Western centers) PAGE-B cohorts. The primary outcome was HCC development.

RESULTS

In the derivation cohort and the 2 validation cohorts, cirrhosis was present in 26.9%-50.2% of patients at baseline. A model using 10 parameters at baseline was derived and showed good predictive performance (c-index 0.79). This model showed significantly better discrimination than previous models (PAGE-B, modified PAGE-B, REACH-B, and CU-HCC) in both the Korean (c-index 0.79 vs. 0.64-0.74; all p <0.001) and Caucasian validation cohorts (c-index 0.81 vs. 0.57-0.79; all p <0.05 except modified PAGE-B, p = 0.42). A calibration plot showed a satisfactory calibration function. When the patients were grouped into 4 risk groups, the minimal-risk group (11.2% of the Korean cohort and 8.8% of the Caucasian cohort) had a less than 0.5% risk of HCC during 8 years of follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

This GBM-based model provides the best predictive power for HCC risk in Korean and Caucasian patients with CHB treated with entecavir or tenofovir.

LAY SUMMARY

Risk scores have been developed to predict the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with chronic hepatitis B. We developed and validated a new risk prediction model using machine learning algorithms in 13,508 antiviral-treated patients with chronic hepatitis B. Our new model, based on 10 common baseline characteristics, demonstrated superior performance in risk stratification compared with previous risk scores. This model also identified a group of patients at minimal risk of developing HCC, who could be indicated for less intensive HCC surveillance.

Long-term effects of entecavir and tenofovir treatment on the fibrotic burden in patients with chronic hepatitis B

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Antiviral therapy (AVT) induces fibrosis regression in patients with chronic hepatitis B. We investigated long-term effects of entecavir (ETV) versus tenofovir (TDF) on fibrotic burden.

METHODS

Treatment-naïve chronic hepatitis B patients who had begun ETV or TDF were recruited from four tertiary hospitals. The aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI) and fibrosis index based on four factors (FIB-4) were used to determine fibrotic burden.

RESULTS

In the entire population (n = 3277), although patients treated with ETV had higher baseline APRI (1.71 vs 1.07, P < 0.001) and FIB-4 (3.60 vs 2.80, P < 0.001) than those treated with TDF, significant fibrosis regression was identified during 6 years of AVT in both ETV (APRI, mean 1.71 → 0.48, P < 0.001; FIB-4, mean 3.60 → 2.21, P < 0.001) and TDF groups (APRI, mean 1.07 → 0.43, P < 0.001; FIB-4, mean 2.80 → 2.19, P < 0.001). In patients without cirrhosis (n = 2366), baseline APRI was significantly higher in ETV group than in TDF group (1.72 vs 0.97, P < 0.001); however, they became similar after 6 months. Similarly, baseline FIB-4 was significantly higher in ETV group than in TDF group (3.25 vs 2.35, P < 0.001), but became similar from 4 to 6 years. In patients with cirrhosis (n = 911), baseline APRI (1.70 vs 1.34, P < 0.001) and FIB-4 (4.62 vs 3.91, P = 0.005) were higher in ETV group than in TDF, however, both parameters became statistically similar from 6 months to 6 years.

CONCLUSION

Significant regression of APRI and FIB-4 was observed during long-term ETV and TDF treatment. Despite higher baseline fibrotic burden in ETV group, fibrotic burden between the groups eventually converged through significant fibrosis regression after 1 to 4 years of AVT.

Salvage External Beam Radiotherapy after Incomplete Transarterial Chemoembolization for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review

Background and objective: Although transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) has been the commonest local modality for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), incomplete repsonse occurs especially for tumors with a large size or difficult tumor accessment. The present meta-analysis assessed the efficacy and feasibility of external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) as a salvage modality after incomplete TACE. Materials and Methods: We systematically searched the PubMed, Embase, Medline, and Cochrane databases. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS), and the secondary endpoints included the response ratem toxicity of grade 3, and local control. Results: Twelve studies involving 757 patients were included; the median of portal vein thrombosis rate was 25%, and the pooled median of tumor size was 5.8 cm. The median prescribed dose ranged from 37.3 to 150 Gy (pooled median: 54 Gy in *EQD2). The pooled one- and two-year OS rates were 72.3% (95% confidence interval (CI): 60.2-81.9%) and 50.5% (95% CI: 35.6-65.4%), respectively; the pooled response and local control rates were 72.2% (95% CI: 65.4-78.1%) and 86.6 (95% CI: 80.1-91.2%) respectively. The pooled rates of grade ≥3 gastrointestinal toxicity, radiation-induced liver disease, hepatotoxicity, and hematotoxicity were 4.1%, 3.5%, 5.7%, and 4.9%, respectively. Local control was not correlated with intrahepatic (p = 0.6341) or extrahepatic recurrences (p = 0.8529) on meta-regression analyses. Conclusion: EBRT was feasible and efficient in regard to tumor response and control; after incomplete TACE. Out-field recurrence, despite favorable local control, necessitates the combination of EBRT with systemic treatments. *Equivalent dose in 2 Gy per fraction scheme.

Current knowledge about biomarkers of acute kidney injury in liver cirrhosis

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is common in advanced cirrhosis. Prerenal azotemia, hepatorenal syndrome, and acute tubular necrosis are the main causes of AKI in patients with cirrhosis. Evaluation of renal function and differentiation between functional and structural kidney injury are important issues in the management of cirrhosis. However, AKI in cirrhosis exists as a complex clinical spectrum rather than concrete clinical entity. Based on current evidence, changes in serum creatinine (Cr) levels remain the most appropriate standard for defining AKI in cirrhosis. However, serum Cr has a limited role in assessing renal function in this population. This review examines previous studies that investigated the ability of recent biomarkers for AKI in cirrhosis from the perspective of earlier and accurate diagnosis, classification of AKI phenotype, and prediction of clinical outcomes. Serum cystatin C and urine neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin have been extensively studied in cirrhosis, and have facilitated improved diagnosis and prognosis prediction in patients with AKI. In addition, urine N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase, interleukin 18, and kidney injury molecule 1 are other promising biomarkers for advanced cirrhosis. However, the clinical significance of these markers remains unclear because there are no cut-off values defining the normal range and differentiating phenotypes of AKI. In addition, AKI has been defined in terms of serum Cr, and renal biopsy-the gold standard-has not been carried out in most studies. Further discovery of innovate biomarkers and incorporation of various markers could improve the diagnosis and prognosis prediction of AKI, and will translate into meaningful improvements in patient outcomes.

Lens culinaris agglutinin-reactive fraction of alpha-fetoprotein improves diagnostic accuracy for hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Diagnostic accuracy of various tumor markers and their combinations for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was not fully investigated.

AIM

To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), the Lens culinaris agglutinin-reactive fraction of AFP (AFP-L3), and protein induced by vitamin K absence or antagonist-II (PIVKA-II) and their combination for HCC diagnosis.

METHODS

Patients with newly detected liver mass or elevated serum AFP levels were considered eligible. Serum AFP level, AFP-L3 fraction, and PIVKA-II level were measured at the first visit.

RESULTS

In total, 622 patients were included; 355 patients (57.1%) had chronic liver disease, and 208 (33.4%) had liver cirrhosis. HCC was diagnosed in 160 patients (25.7%). The area under the receiver operating characteristics curves (AUROCs) of the serum AFP, AFP-L3 fraction, AFP-L3, and PIVKA-II levels for the diagnosis of HCC were 0.775, 0.792, 0.814, and 0.834, respectively. A novel diagnostic model was developed by classifying patients in a 1:1 ratio into training and validation sets. Using the binary regression analysis of the training cohort, the AFP, AFP-L3 fraction, and PIVKA-II (ALPs) score was calculated as follows: ALPs score = 3.8 × [serum AFP level (ng/mL) × AFP-L3 fraction (%) × 0.01] + 0.2 × PIVKA-II level (mAU/mL). The AUROC of the ALPs score for diagnosis of HCC was 0.878, significantly higher than that of serum AFP level (P < 0.001), AFP-L3 fraction (P < 0.001), PIVKA-II level (P = 0.036), and AFP-L3 level (P = 0.006). The optimal ALPs score cut-off was 5.3 (sensitivity, 85.0%, specificity 80.1%). The validation cohort showed similar results.

CONCLUSION

The ALPs score calculated using serum AFP level, AFP-L3 fraction, and PIVKA-II level showed improved accuracy in HCC diagnosis.

Direct Bilirubin Is More Valuable than Total Bilirubin for Predicting Prognosis in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis

Background/Aims

Most prognostic prediction models for patients with liver cirrhosis include serum total bilirubin (TB) level as a component. This study investigated prognostic performance of serum direct bilirubin (DB) and developed new DB level-based prediction models for cirrhosis.

Methods

A total of 983 hospitalized patients with liver cirrhosis were included. DB-Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score was calculated using MELD score formula, with serum DB level replacing TB level.

Results

Mean age of study population was 56.1 years. Alcoholic liver disease was the most frequent underlying condition (471 patients, 47.9%). Within 6 months, 144 patients (14.6%) died or received liver transplantation due to severe liver dysfunction. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) for prediction of 6-month mortality with DB level was significantly higher than that with TB level (p<0.001). The AUROC of DB-MELD score for prediction of 6-month mortality was significantly higher than that of MELD score (p<0.001). Patients were randomly divided into training (n=492) and validation (n=491) cohorts. A new prognostic prediction model, “Direct Bilirubin, INR, and Creatinine” (DiBIC) score, was developed based on the most significant predictors of 6-month mortality. In training set, AUROC of DiBIC score for prediction of 6-month mortality was 0.892, which was significantly higher than that of the MELD score (0.875, p=0.017), but not different from that of DB-MELD score (0.886, p=0.272). Similar results were observed in validation set.

Conclusions

New prognostic models, DB-MELD and DiBIC scores, have good prognostic performance in liver cirrhosis patients, outperforming other currently available models.

Natural killer cell activity is a risk factor for the recurrence risk after curative treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma

Background

Natural killer (NK) cells have been known to contribute to surveillance and control of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the association of NK cell activity with stage and recurrence risk of HCC have not been fully evaluated.

Methods

Untreated patients with newly diagnosed HCC were prospectively enrolled. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated at the time of diagnosis. Patients who had undergone surgery or radiofrequency ablation were classified as the curative treatment group, and their blood samples were collected again at 1 month after treatment.

Results

A total of 80 patients with HCC were enrolled. The mean age was 62.5 years. At baseline, interferon (IFN)-γ producing NK cell proportion was significantly lower in patients with Barcelona clinic liver cancer (BCLC) stage B, C, or D than in those with BCLC stage 0 (42.9% vs. 56.8%, P = 0.045). Among all patients, 56 patients had undergone curative treatment, and 42 patients re-visited at 1 month after curative treatment. There was no significant change in total NK cell and IFN-γ producing NK cell proportion from baseline to 1 month after treatment (all P > 0.05). During a median follow-up of 12.4 months, HCC recurred in 14 patients (33.3%). When patients were classified according to the IFN-γ producing NK cell proportion (group 1, ≥ 45%; and group 2, < 45%), HCC recurrence rate did not differ according to the IFN-γ producing NK cell proportion at baseline (log-rank test, P = 0.835). However, patients with < 45% IFN-γ producing NK cell proportion at 1 month after treatment had a significantly higher HCC recurrence rate than patients with that of ≥ 45% (log-rank test, P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that BCLC stage B (hazard ratio [HR] = 3.412, P = 0.045) and < 45% IFN-γ producing NK cell proportion at 1 month after treatment (HR = 6.934, P = 0.001) independently predicted an increased risk of HCC recurrence.

Conclusions

Decreased NK cell activity is significantly associated with the advanced stage of HCC, and the increased recurrence risk of HCC after curative treatment.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12876-021-01833-2.

Change in the Recurrence Pattern and Predictors over Time after Complete Cure of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Background/Aims

We investigated changes in recurrence rates and significant recurrence predictors over time after complete cure of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods

A total of 1,491 patients with first-time diagnosis of Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage A HCC, completely cured by treatment between 2007 and 2016, were recruited from two Korean tertiary institutes.

Results

The mean age of the population (1,144 men and 347 women) was 58.6 years. Of the total population, 914 patients (61.3%) had liver cirrhosis. Nine-hundred and forty-one (63.1%) and 550 (36.9%) patients were treated with surgical resection and radiofrequency ablation (RFA), respectively. One-year cumulative incidences of HCC recurrence were 14.3%, 9.9%, and 5.1% from the time of treatment, 3 years after treatment, and 5 years after treatment, respectively. Upon multivariate analysis, multiple tumors, maximal tumor size ≥3 cm, and high Model for End-Stage Liver Disease scores were independently associated with increased HCC recurrence risk from the time of treatment and 1 and 2 years after curative treatment (all p<0.05, except for maximal tumor size ≥3 cm for recurrence 2 years after treatment). Meanwhile, liver cirrhosis and RFA were independently associated with the increased HCC recurrence risk for almost all time points (liver cirrhosis all p<0.05; RFA all p<0.005 except for recurrence from 5 years after treatment).

Conclusions

The recurrence rate of HCC after curative treatment gradually decreased over time. Two years after treatment, when tumor-related factors lose their prognostic implications, may be used as a cutoff to define the boundary between early and late recurrence of HCC. (Gut Liver 2021;15-429)

Empirical Treatment With Carbapenem vs Third-generation Cephalosporin for Treatment of Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Third-generation cephalosporins (TGCs) are recommended as first-line antibiotics for treatment of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP). However, antibiotics against multidrug-resistant organisms (such as carbapenems) might be necessary. We aimed to evaluate whether carbapenems are superior to TGC for treatment of SBP.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective study of 865 consecutive patients with a first presentation of SBP (275 culture positive; 103 with TGC-resistant bacterial infections) treated at 7 referral centers in Korea, from September 2013 through January 2018. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. We made all comparisons using data from patients whose baseline characteristics were balanced by inverse probability of treatment weighting.

RESULTS

Of patients who initially received empirical treatment with antibiotics, 95 (11.0%) received carbapenems and 655 (75.7%) received TGCs. Among the entire study cohort, there was no significant difference in in-hospital mortality between the carbapenem (25.8%) and TGC (25.3%) groups (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.97; 95% CI, 0.85-1.11; P = .66). In the subgroup of patients with high chronic liver failure-sequential organ failure assessment (CLIF-SOFA) scores (score of 7 or greater, n = 314), carbapenem treatment was associated with lower in-hospital mortality (23.1%) than in the TGC group (38.8%) (aOR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.75-0.94; P=.002). In contrast, among patients with lower CLIF-SOFA scores (n = 436), in-hospital mortality did not differ significantly between the carbapenem group (24.7%) and the TGC group (16.0%) (aOR, 1.06; 95% CI, 0.85-1.32; P = .58).

CONCLUSIONS

For patients with a first presentation of SBP, empirical treatment with carbapenem does not reduce in-hospital mortality compared to treatment with TGCs. However, among critically ill patients (CLIF-SOFA scores ≥7), empirical carbapenem treatment was significantly associated with lower in-hospital mortality than TGCs.

Addition of liver stiffness enhances the predictive accuracy of the PAGE-B model for hepatitis B-related hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

The modified PAGE-B (mPAGE-B) and PAGE-B models reliably predict the risk of developing chronic hepatitis B (CHB)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

AIM(S)

To investigate whether the addition of liver stiffness (LS) value, assessed using transient elastography, enhanced the predictive accuracies of these models METHODS: Patients with CHB who started anti-viral therapy (AVT) between 2007 and 2017 were enrolled. The training (Yonsei University Hospital) and validation (seven Korean referral institutes) cohorts contained 1211 and 973 patients, respectively.

RESULTS

Based on multivariate analysis, older age (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.051, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.031-1.071), male sex (HR = 2.265, 95% CI = 1.463-3.506), lower platelet count (HR = 0.993, 95% CI = 0.989-0.997) and greater LS values (HR = 1.015, 95% CI = 1.002-1.028) were independently associated with an increased risk of HCC development (all P < 0.05). Thus, we developed a modified PAGE^LS -B model (maximum score 34) that included age, male sex, platelet count and LS value. The integrated area under the curve of the modified PAGE^LS model was greater than those of the PAGE-B and mPAGE-B models (0.760 vs 0.714 and 0.716, respectively) in the derivation dataset. The cumulative HCC incidence was significantly higher in the high-risk (modified PAGE-B^LS score ≥ 24) group than in the intermediate-risk (modified PAGE^LS -B score 12-24) or low-risk (modified PAGE^LS -B score < 12) group (all P < 0.001). Similar results were observed in the validation cohort.

CONCLUSIONS

The predictive accuracies of the PAGE-B and mPAGE-B models were validated in Korean patients with CHB receiving AVT. However, the modified PAGE^LS -B model featuring the addition of LS value showed higher predictability than the PAGE-B and mPAGE-B models.

Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Korea: an Analysis of the 2015 Korean Nationwide Cancer Registry

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related death in Korea. This study evaluated the characteristics of Korean patients newly diagnosed with HCC in 2015.

METHODS

Data from the Korean Primary Liver Cancer Registry (KPLCR), a representative sample of patients newly diagnosed with HCC in Korea, were analyzed. A total of 1,558 patients with HCC registered in the KPLCR in 2015 were investigated.

RESULTS

The median age was 61.0 years (interquartile range, 54.0-70.0 years), and men accounted for 79.7% of the subjects. Hepatitis B virus infection was the most common underlying liver disease (58.1%). According to the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) staging system, stage 0, A, B, C, and D HCCs accounted for 14.2%, 31.5%, 7.6%, 39.0%, and 7.8% of patients, respectively. Transarterial therapy (32.1%) was the most commonly performed initial treatment, followed by surgical resection (23.2%), best supportive care (20.2%), and local ablation therapy (10.7%). Overall, 34.5% of patients were treated in accordance with the BCLC guidelines: 59.2% in stage 0/A, 48.4% in stage B, 18.1% in stage C, and 71.6% in stage D. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS rates were 67.1%, 50.9%, and 27.0%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

In 2015, approximately 45% of Korean HCC cases were diagnosed at a very early or early stage, and 35% of patients underwent potentially curative initial treatment. BCLC guidance was followed in 34.5% of patients; in patients with stage B or C disease, there was relatively low adherence.

Serum milk fat globule-EGF factor 8 protein as a potential biomarker for metabolic syndrome

Background/Aims

Useful biomarkers for metabolic syndrome have been insufficient. We investigated the performance of serum milk fat globule-EGF factor-8 (MFG-E8), the key mediator of inflammatory pathway, in diagnosis of metabolic syndrome.

Methods

Subjects aged between 30 and 64 years were prospectively enrolled in the Seoul Metabolic Syndrome cohort. Serum MFG-E8 levels were measured at baseline.

Results

A total of 556 subjects were included, comprising 279 women (50.2%) and 277 men (49.8%). Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed in 236 subjects (42.4%), and the mean MFG-E8 level of subjects with metabolic syndrome was significantly higher than that of subjects without metabolic syndrome (P<0.001). MFG-E8 level was significantly correlated with all metabolic syndrome components and pulse wave velocity (all P<0.05). Subjects were categorized into two groups according to the best MFG-E8 cut-off value as follows: group 1, MFG-E8 level <4,745.1 pg/mL (n=401, 72.1%); and group 2, MFG-E8 level ≥4,745.1 (n=155, 27.9%). At baseline, metabolic syndrome in group 2 was significantly more prevalent than in group 1 (63.9% vs. 34.2%, P<0.001). During median follow-up of 17 months, metabolic syndrome developed in 122 (38.1%) subjects among 320 subjects without it at baseline. The incidence of metabolic syndrome in group 2 was significantly higher than that in group 1 (55.4% vs. 34.5%, P=0.003). On multivariate analysis, MFG-E8 level ≥4,745.1 pg/mL was an independent predictor for diagnosis and development of metabolic syndrome after adjusting other factors (all P<0.05).

Conclusions

Serum MFG-E8 level is a potent biomarker for the screening and prediction of metabolic syndrome.

Association Between Curative Treatment after Transarterial Radioembolization and Better Survival Outcomes in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Transarterial radioembolization (TARE) is one of the therapeutic options for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study aimed to investigate the predictors and prognostic values of achieving curative treatments after TARE. Overall, 143 patients with intrahepatic HCC treated with TARE between 2011 and 2017 were recruited from two Korean tertiary institutes. Twenty-seven patients received curative treatments after TARE. Younger age than 65 years and AFP of ≤200 ng/mL independently predicted the increased probability of achieving curative treatment after TARE, and the curative treatment after TARE provided a survival benefit in patients with intrahepatic HCC.

Validation of risk prediction scores for hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with chronic hepatitis B treated with entecavir or tenofovir

Several prediction scores for the early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are available. We validated the predictive accuracy of age, albumin, sex, liver cirrhosis (AASL), RESCUE-B, PAGE-B and modified PAGE-B (mPAGE-B) scores in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients treated with entecavir (ETV) or tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF). Between 2007 and 2014, 3171 patients were recruited (1645, ETV; 1517, TDF). The predictive accuracy of each prediction score was assessed. The mean age of the study population (1977 men; 1194 women) was 48.8 years. Liver cirrhosis was present in 1040 (32.8%) patients. During follow-up (median, 58.2 months), 280 (8.8%) patients developed HCC; these patients were significantly older; more likely to be male; had significantly higher proportions of liver cirrhosis, hypertension and diabetes; and had significantly higher values for the four risk scores than those who did not develop HCC (all P < .05). Older age (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.048), male sex (HR = 2.142), liver cirrhosis (HR = 3.144) and prolonged prothrombin time (HR = 2.589) were independently associated with an increased risk of HCC (all P < .05), whereas a higher platelet count (HR = 0.996) was independently associated with a decreased risk of HCC (P < .05). The predictive accuracy of AASL score was the highest for 3- and 5-year HCC predictions (areas under the curve [AUCs] = 0.818 and 0.816, respectively), followed by RESCUE-B, PAGE-B and mPAGE-B scores (AUC = 0.780-0.815 and 0.769-0.814, respectively). In conclusion, four HCC prediction scores were assessed in Korean CHB patients treated with ETV or TDF. The AASL score showed the highest predictive accuracy.

Efficacy of Local Treatments for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Involving the Inferior Vena Cava and/or Right Atrium

Major vessel invasion is frequently observed in locally advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The most commonly involved major vessel is the portal vein; however, approximately 4% of patients with HCC have inferior vena cava (IVC) and/or right atrium (RA) invasion. Although these conditions have dismal prognoses, local treatments have not been regularly administered because they may affect systemic circulation. Owing to recent technological advances, various local treatments including surgery and external radiotherapy have increasingly been performed in these patients. Since irradiating tumorous lesions in the liver while preserving normal tissues is possible and major vessels are relatively resistant to radiation, external radiotherapy has been a feasible palliative modality for treating vessel-invasive HCC. In addition, systemic fatal complications that were initially a cause of concern have become rare after radiotherapy. While invasive procedures such as extracorporeal circulation or hepatic vascular exclusion may be required, pioneering surgeons have performed surgical resections in selected patients and have obtained promising results. Surgery has shown the best survival outcomes compared to other treatment options including radiotherapy, but the possibility of perioperative morbidity should be considered. In addition, a combination of local treatment and novel systemic agents, which demonstrated better survival and response rates than sorafenib, is expected to maximize therapeutic effects. In this review, we have discussed the most recent treatments for HCC with IVC and/or RA involvement and have provided information intended to guide therapeutic decisions and facilitate future research.

Discontinuation of nucleos(t)ide analogues is not associated with a higher risk of HBsAg seroreversion after antiviral-induced HBsAg seroclearance: a nationwide multicentre study

OBJECTIVE

Direct comparison of the clinical outcomes between nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA) discontinuation versus NA continuation has not been performed in patients with chronic hepatitis B who achieved HBsAg-seroclearance. Whether NA discontinuation was as safe as NA continuation after NA-induced surface antigen of HBV (HBsAg) seroclearance was investigated in the present study.

DESIGNS

This multicentre study included 276 patients from 16 hospitals in Korea who achieved NA-induced HBsAg seroclearance: 131 (47.5%) discontinued NA treatment within 6 months after HBsAg seroclearance (NA discontinuation group) and 145 (52.5%) continued NA treatment (NA continuation group). Primary endpoint was HBsAg reversion and secondary endpoints included serum HBV DNA redetection and development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

RESULTS

During follow-up (median=26.9 months, IQR=12.2-49.2 months), 10 patients (3.6%) experienced HBsAg reversion, 6 (2.2%) showed HBV DNA redetection and 8 (2.9%) developed HCC. Compared with NA continuation, NA discontinuation was not associated with HBsAg reversion in both univariable (HR=0.45, 95% CI=0.12 to 1.76, log-rank p=0.24) and multivariable analyses (adjusted HR=0.65, 95% CI=0.16 to 2.59, p=0.54). The cumulative probabilities of HBsAg reversion at 1, 3 and 5 years were 0.8%, 2.3% and 5.0% in the NA discontinuation group, and 1.5%, 6.3% and 8.4% in the NA continuation group, respectively. NA discontinuation was not associated with higher risk of either HBV redetection (HR=0.83, 95% CI=0.16 to 4.16, log-rank p=0.82) or HCC development (HR=0.53, 95% CI=0.12 to 2.23, log-rank p=0.38).

CONCLUSION

The discontinuation of NA was not associated with a higher risk of either HBsAg reversion, serum HBV DNA redetection or HCC development compared with NA continuation among patients who achieved HBsAg seroclearance with NA.

A multi-centre study of trends in hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma risk over time during long-term entecavir therapy

The risk of developing hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is reduced by antiviral therapy. Here, we evaluated the chronological trends in HCC development risk starting in 2007, when entecavir reimbursement was first initiated in South Korea. Treatment-naïve patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) receiving entecavir 0.5 mg/d were stratified into three groups according to entecavir start time: early (2007-2010), middle (2011-2012) and late (2013-2014) cohorts Among 2442 patients, cumulative probabilities of developing HCC after 1, 3 and 5 years were, respectively, 1.7%, 5.1%, and 8.2% (early cohort; n = 672); 1.5%, 5.1% and 8.9% (middle cohort; n = 757); and 1.2%, 5.3% and 10.6% (late cohort; n = 1013; P > .05 between each pair). Older age, male, positive hepatitis B e antigen, liver cirrhosis, Child-Pugh class B (vs A) and lower platelet count significantly predicted HCC development in univariate analysis (P < .001), whereas entecavir start time (early vs middle vs late cohorts) did not affect the risk of HCC development (P = .457). A multivariate analysis revealed that older age (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]=1.041), male gender (aHR = 2.069), liver cirrhosis (aHR = 3.771) and Child-Pugh class B (vs A, aHR = 1.548) were independently associated with an increased risk of HCC development, whereas higher platelet count was independently associated with a reduced risk of HCC development (aHR = 0.993; all P < .05). In conclusion, the risk of developing HCC among patients receiving entecavir in South Korea has been stable since 2007. To establish more effective HCC surveillance programs, further studies regarding the carcinogenic roles of nonviral factors are required.

Evaluation of Treatment Response after Endoscopic Variceal Obturation with Abdominal Computed Tomography

Backgrounds/Aims

Rebleeding of gastric varices (GVs) after endoscopic variceal obturation (EVO) can be fatal. This study was performed to evaluate the usefulness of computed tomography (CT) for the prediction of rebleeding after EVO GV bleeding.

Methods

Patients who were treated with EVO for GV bleeding and underwent CT before and after EVO were included. CT images of the portal phase showing pretreatment GVs and feeding vessels, and nonenhanced images showing posttreatment cyanoacrylate impaction were reviewed.

Results

Fifty-three patients were included. Their mean age was 60.6±11.6 years, and 40 patients (75.5%) were men. Alcoholic liver disease was the most frequent underlying liver disease (45.3%). Complete impaction of cyanoacrylate in GVs and feeding vessels were achieved in 40 (75.5%) and 24 (45.3%) of patients, respectively. During the follow-up, GV rebleeding occurred in nine patients, and the cumulative incidences of GV rebleeding at 3, 6, and 12 months were 11.8%, 18.9%, and 18.9%, respectively. The GV rebleeding rate did not differ significantly according to the complete cyanoacrylate impaction in the GV, while it differed significantly according to complete cyanoacrylate impaction in the feeding vessels. The cumulative incidences of GV rebleeding at 3, 6, and 12 months were 22.3%, 35.2%, and 35.2%, respectively, in patients with incomplete impaction in feeding vessels, and there was no rebleeding during the follow-up period in patients with complete impaction in the feeding vessels (p=0.002).

Conclusions

Abdominal CT is useful in the evaluation of the treatment response after EVO for GV bleeding. Incomplete cyanoacrylate impaction in feeding vessels is a risk factor for GV rebleeding.