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Martelletti C, Ricotti A, Gesualdo M, Carucci P, Gaia S, Rolle E, Burlone ME, Okolicsanyi S, Mattalia A, Pirisi M, Berchialla P, Tabone M. Radioembolization vs sorafenib in locally advanced hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombosis: A propensity score and Bayesian analysis. J Dig Dis 2021; 22:496-502. [PMID: 34189839 DOI: 10.1111/1751-2980.13030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Revised: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In this study we aimed to compare patient outcomes between the use of transarterial radioembolization (TARE) and sorafenib in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and intrahepatic portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT). METHODS A total of 65 patients with HCC and intrahepatic PVTT treated in five Italian hospitals between 2012 and 2018 were included in the analysis. Those with any previous treatment, extension of PVTT to the main portal tract and extrahepatic involvement were excluded. Propensity score matching analysis and Bayesian model averaging analysis were performed. RESULTS Of the 41 patients treated with TARE and 24 with sorafenib, 11 patients were downstaged to curative-intent surgery (liver transplant in three and hepatectomy in eight), including 10 treated with TARE and one with sorafenib. TARE was more effective than sorafenib in downstaging patients to surgery, achieving a mean survival of 54 months. In the 54 patients without downstaging after treatment, of whom 31 were treated with TARE and 23 with sorafenib, median survival was 20.3 and 9.1 months, respectively (P = 0.001), with different 1-, 2- and 3-year OS rates (64.5%, 42.6% and 37.3% vs 39.1%, 13.0% and 0%). Both propensity score and Bayesian model averaging confirmed an improvement in overall survival in the TARE group compared with sorafenib treatment. CONCLUSIONS TARE was more effective than sorafenib in downstaging patients with HCC to surgery, providing a significant improvement in survival. Even in patients who were not downstaged to surgery, survival appeared to be superior with TARE over sorafenib.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andrea Ricotti
- Medical Direction of Hospital, Mauriziano Hospital, Turin, Italy.,Department of Public Health and Pediatric, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Marcantonio Gesualdo
- Division of Gastroenterology, Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Patrizia Carucci
- Division of Gastroenterology, Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Silvia Gaia
- Division of Gastroenterology, Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Emanuela Rolle
- Division of Gastroenterology, Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | | | - Stefano Okolicsanyi
- Division of Gastroenterology, Regional Hospital of Aosta Valley, Aosta, Italy
| | - Alberto Mattalia
- Division of Gastroenterology, Santa Croce e Carle General Hospital, Cuneo, Italy
| | - Mario Pirisi
- Internal Medicine Division, Maggiore della Carità Hospital, Novara, Italy
| | - Paola Berchialla
- Department of Clinical and Biological Science, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Marco Tabone
- Division of Gastroenterology, Mauriziano Hospital, Turin, Italy
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2
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Muñoz-Martínez S, Sapena V, Forner A, Nault JC, Sapisochin G, Rimassa L, Sangro B, Bruix J, Sanduzzi-Zamparelli M, Hołówko W, El Kassas M, Mocan T, Bouattour M, Merle P, Hoogwater FJH, Alqahtani SA, Reeves HL, Pinato DJ, Giorgakis E, Meyer T, Villadsen GE, Wege H, Salati M, Mínguez B, Di Costanzo GG, Roderburg C, Tacke F, Varela M, Galle PR, Alvares-da-Silva MR, Trojan J, Bridgewater J, Cabibbo G, Toso C, Lachenmayer A, Casadei-Gardini A, Toyoda H, Lüdde T, Villani R, Matilla Peña AM, Guedes Leal CR, Ronzoni M, Delgado M, Perelló C, Pascual S, Lledó JL, Argemi J, Basu B, da Fonseca L, Acevedo J, Siebenhüner AR, Braconi C, Meyers BM, Granito A, Sala M, Rodríguez-Lope C, Blaise L, Romero-Gómez M, Piñero F, Gomez D, Mello V, Pinheiro Alves RC, França A, Branco F, Brandi G, Pereira G, Coll S, Guarino M, Benítez C, Anders MM, Bandi JC, Vergara M, Calvo M, Peck-Radosavljevic M, García-Juárez I, Cardinale V, Lozano M, Gambato M, Okolicsanyi S, Morales-Arraez D, Elvevi A, Muñoz AE, Lué A, Iavarone M, Reig M. Assessing the impact of COVID-19 on liver cancer management (CERO-19). JHEP Rep 2021; 3:100260. [PMID: 33644725 PMCID: PMC7901294 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2021.100260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2020] [Revised: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background & Aims The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has posed unprecedented challenges to healthcare systems and it may have heavily impacted patients with liver cancer (LC). Herein, we evaluated whether the schedule of LC screening or procedures has been interrupted or delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods An international survey evaluated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on clinical practice and clinical trials from March 2020 to June 2020, as the first phase of a multicentre, international, and observational project. The focus was on patients with hepatocellular carcinoma or intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, cared for around the world during the first COVID-19 pandemic wave. Results Ninety-one centres expressed interest to participate and 76 were included in the analysis, from Europe, South America, North America, Asia, and Africa (73.7%, 17.1%, 5.3%, 2.6%, and 1.3% per continent, respectively). Eighty-seven percent of the centres modified their clinical practice: 40.8% the diagnostic procedures, 80.9% the screening programme, 50% cancelled curative and/or palliative treatments for LC, and 41.7% modified the liver transplantation programme. Forty-five out of 69 (65.2%) centres in which clinical trials were running modified their treatments in that setting, but 58.1% were able to recruit new patients. The phone call service was modified in 51.4% of centres which had this service before the COVID-19 pandemic (n = 19/37). Conclusions The first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic had a tremendous impact on the routine care of patients with liver cancer. Modifications in screening, diagnostic, and treatment algorithms may have significantly impaired the outcome of patients. Ongoing data collection and future analyses will report the benefits and disadvantages of the strategies implemented, aiding future decision-making. Lay summary The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has posed unprecedented challenges to healthcare systems globally. Herein, we assessed the impact of the first wave pandemic on patients with liver cancer and found that routine care for these patients has been majorly disrupted, which could have a significant impact on outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Muñoz-Martínez
- BCLC group, Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic Barcelona, IDIBAPS, CIBERehd, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Victor Sapena
- BCLC group, Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic Barcelona, IDIBAPS, CIBERehd, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alejandro Forner
- BCLC group, Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic Barcelona, IDIBAPS, CIBERehd, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jean-Charles Nault
- Service d'hépatologie, Hôpital Avicenne, Hôpitaux Universitaires Paris-Seine-Saint-Denis, Assistance-Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Bobigny, France.,Unité de Formation et de Recherche Santé Médecine et Biologie Humaine, Université Paris Nord, Paris, France.,Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Inserm, Sorbonne Université, Université Paris, INSERM UMR 1138 Functional Genomics of Solid Tumors Laboratory, Paris, France
| | - Gonzalo Sapisochin
- Abdominal Transplant & HPB Surgical Oncology, University Health Network, Toronto General Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Lorenza Rimassa
- Medical Oncology and Hematology Unit, Humanitas Cancer Center, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center - IRCCS, Rozzano, Milan, Italy.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy
| | - Bruno Sangro
- Unidad de Hepatología, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, IDISNA, CIBERehd, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Jordi Bruix
- BCLC group, Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic Barcelona, IDIBAPS, CIBERehd, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marco Sanduzzi-Zamparelli
- BCLC group, Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic Barcelona, IDIBAPS, CIBERehd, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Wacław Hołówko
- Department of General, Transplant and Liver Surgery, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Mohamed El Kassas
- Endemic Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Helwan University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Tudor Mocan
- 3rd Medical Department, 'Octavian Fodor' Institute for Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Mohamed Bouattour
- AP-HP, Hôpital Beaujon, Department of Digestive Oncology, Clichy, France
| | - Philippe Merle
- Department of Hepatology, Groupement Hospitalier Lyon Nord, Lyon, France
| | - Frederik J H Hoogwater
- Department of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Saleh A Alqahtani
- Department of Liver Transplant, King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Helen L Reeves
- Liver Unit, Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - David J Pinato
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Emmanouil Giorgakis
- Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, UAMS Medical Center, Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, Little Rock, AK, USA
| | - Tim Meyer
- Department of Oncology, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK
| | | | - Henning Wege
- Department of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Massimiliano Salati
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
| | - Beatriz Mínguez
- Liver Unit, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Liver Diseases Research Group, Vall d'Hebron Institut of Research (VHIR), Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus. Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Christoph Roderburg
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Frank Tacke
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - María Varela
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology. Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, IUOPA, ISPA, Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Peter R Galle
- I. Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Mario Reis Alvares-da-Silva
- GI/Liver Unit, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Jörg Trojan
- Medical Clinic 1, Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - John Bridgewater
- Department of Oncology, University College of London, London, UK
| | - Giuseppe Cabibbo
- Section of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, PROMISE, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Christian Toso
- Department of Surgery, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Anja Lachenmayer
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland
| | | | - Hidenori Toyoda
- Department of Gastroenterology, Ogaki Municipal Hospital, Ogaki, Japan
| | - Tom Lüdde
- Clinic for Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Disease, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Rosanna Villani
- Liver Unit, Department of Surgical and Medical Sciences, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | | | | | - Monica Ronzoni
- Medical Oncology Unit, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Manuel Delgado
- Department of Digestive Disease, University Hospital La Coruña, La Coruña, Spain
| | - Christie Perelló
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Puerta de Hierro, Majadahonda, Spain
| | | | - José Luis Lledó
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
| | - Josepmaria Argemi
- Internal Medicine - Liver Unit, Clinica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Bristi Basu
- Department of Oncology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.,Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
| | - Leonardo da Fonseca
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Sao Paulo Clinicas Liver Cancer group, Insitituto do Cancer do Estado de São Paulo, University of São Paulo, San Paulo, Brazil
| | - Juan Acevedo
- South West Liver Unit, University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, Plymouth, UK
| | - Alexander R Siebenhüner
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Chiara Braconi
- Department of Medical Oncology, Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Brandon M Meyers
- Department of Oncology, Juravinski Cancer Centre, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Alessandro Granito
- Division of Internal Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Margarita Sala
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology Unit, Hospital Doctor Josep Trueta, CIBERehd, Girona, Spain
| | - Carlos Rodríguez-Lope
- Servicio de Aparato Digestivo, Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla, IDIVAL, Santander, Spain
| | - Lorraine Blaise
- Service d'hépatologie, Hôpital Avicenne, Hôpitaux Universitaires Paris-Seine-Saint-Denis, Assistance-Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Bobigny, France.,Unité de Formation et de Recherche Santé Médecine et Biologie Humaine, Université Paris Nord, Paris, France.,Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Inserm, Sorbonne Université, Université Paris, INSERM UMR 1138 Functional Genomics of Solid Tumors Laboratory, Paris, France
| | - Manuel Romero-Gómez
- SeLiver group, UGC de Enfermedades Digestivas, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, Hospital Virgen del Rocío, CIBERehd, Seville, Spain
| | - Federico Piñero
- Liver Unit, Hospital Universitario Austral, Pilar, Argentina
| | - Dhanny Gomez
- HPB Surgery and Hepatology, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham, UK
| | | | | | - Alex França
- Department of Medicine, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracaju, Brazil
| | | | - Giovanni Brandi
- Division of Oncology - Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - Gustavo Pereira
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, Hospital Federal de Bonsucesso, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Susanna Coll
- Hepatology Section, Gastroenterology Department, Hospital del Mar, IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria Guarino
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Carlos Benítez
- Department of Gastroenterology, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | | | - Juan C Bandi
- Department of Hepatology, Hospital Italiano, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Mercedes Vergara
- Unitat d'Hepatologia, Servei d'Aparell Digestiu, Parc Taulí Sabadell Hospital Universitari, Institut d'Investigació i Innovació I3PT, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Sabadell, Barcelona, Spain.,Departament de Medicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain.,CIBERehd, Instituto Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mariona Calvo
- Oncología Médica, Institut Català d'Oncologia, L'Hospitalet del Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Markus Peck-Radosavljevic
- Innere Medizin & Gastroenterologie, Klinikum Klagenfurt am Wörthersee, Klagenfurt am Wörthersee, Austria
| | - Ignacio García-Juárez
- Gastroenterology Department, National Institute of Medical Sciences and Nutrition Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Vincenzo Cardinale
- Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Polo Pontino, Italy
| | - Mar Lozano
- Aparato Digestivo, Hospital Universitario Infanta Leonor, Madrid, Spain
| | - Martina Gambato
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy.,Multivisceral Transplant Unit, Gastroenterology, Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy
| | - Stefano Okolicsanyi
- Department of Surgical Disciplines, Gastroenterology and Digestive Endoscopy, Umberto Parini Hospital, Aosta, Italy
| | - Dalia Morales-Arraez
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hospital Universitario de Canarias, La Laguna, Spain
| | - Alessandra Elvevi
- Division of Gastroenterology and Center for Autoimmune Liver Diseases, San Gerardo Hospital University of Milano-Bicocca School of Medicine, Monza, Italy
| | - Alberto E Muñoz
- Sección Hepatología, Hospital Dr. Carlos Bonorino Udaondo, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alberto Lué
- Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition Unit, San Jorge General Hospital, Huesca, Spain
| | - Massimo Iavarone
- Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granada Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, CRC 'A.M. and A. Migliavacca' Center for Liver Disease, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Reig
- BCLC group, Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic Barcelona, IDIBAPS, CIBERehd, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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3
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Cortesi PA, Conti S, Scalone L, Jaffe A, Ciaccio A, Okolicsanyi S, Rota M, Fabris L, Colledan M, Fagiuoli S, Belli LS, Cesana G, Strazzabosco M, Mantovani LG. Health related quality of life in chronic liver diseases. Liver Int 2020; 40:2630-2642. [PMID: 32851764 DOI: 10.1111/liv.14647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Revised: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS The impact of chronic liver diseases (CLDs) on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is relevant to understand the burden of these conditions and inform decision-making processes related to their care. Studies simultaneously comparing the HRQoL of patients affected by the major CLDs to that of the general population are still lacking and are the subject of this study. METHODS Using the EQ-5D-3L questionnaire, we analysed and compared HRQoL data from 2962 Italian patients affected by CLDs and forming a representative sample of the general Italian population (6800 individuals). Exploratory analyses were conducted to investigate the effects of each CLD on HRQoL, using the general population as reference and adjusting for possible confounders. RESULTS Patients with CLDs (HBV, HCV, PSC, PBC, AIH, NAFLD/NASH) in the chronic hepatitis stage and with compensated cirrhosis (CC) showed HRQoL similar to the general population. However, AIH were more likely to report problems in self-care and lower EQ-5D VAS score, while NAFLD/NASH and HCV showed an increased risk of anxiety/depression. On the other hand, with progression to more advanced stages of liver disease (DC or HCC), HRQoL decreased significantly with higher risk of reporting problems in the physical domains, and significant reductions in the VAS and utility index scores. CONCLUSIONS Different subtypes of CLD affected different QoL domains. This study therefore provides a real estimate of the impact of CLDs on patients' HRQoL, and represents a much needed tool to inform decision-making while assessing the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the care of these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo A Cortesi
- Research Centre on Public Health (CESP), University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Sara Conti
- Research Centre on Public Health (CESP), University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Luciana Scalone
- Research Centre on Public Health (CESP), University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Ariel Jaffe
- Liver Center & Section of Digestive Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Antonio Ciaccio
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Okolicsanyi
- Department of Surgical Disciplines, Gastroenterology and Digestive Endoscopy, Umberto Parini Hospital, Aosta, Italy
| | - Matteo Rota
- Research Centre on Public Health (CESP), University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy.,Department of Molecular and Traslational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Luca Fabris
- Liver Center & Section of Digestive Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.,Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua School of Medicine, Padua, Italy
| | - Michele Colledan
- Department of Surgery, Papa Giovanni XXIII Hospital, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Stefano Fagiuoli
- Department of Gastroenterology, Papa Giovanni XXIII Hospital, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Luca S Belli
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Liver Unit, Niguarda Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Cesana
- Research Centre on Public Health (CESP), University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Mario Strazzabosco
- Liver Center & Section of Digestive Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.,Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Lorenzo G Mantovani
- Research Centre on Public Health (CESP), University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy.,IRCCS Multimedica, Sesto San Giovanni, Italy
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4
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Strazzabosco M, Cortesi PA, Conti S, Okolicsanyi S, Rota M, Ciaccio A, Cozzolino P, Fornari C, Gemma M, Scalone L, Cesana G, Fabris L, Colledan M, Fagiuoli S, Ideo G, Zavaglia C, Perricone G, Munari LM, Mantovani LG, Belli LS. Clinical outcome indicators in chronic hepatitis B and C: A primer for value-based medicine in hepatology. Liver Int 2020; 40:60-73. [PMID: 31654608 PMCID: PMC10916792 DOI: 10.1111/liv.14285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2019] [Revised: 10/03/2019] [Accepted: 10/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Chronic liver diseases (CLDs) are major health problems that require complex and costly treatments. Liver-specific clinical outcome indicators (COIs) able to assist both clinicians and administrators in improving the value of care are presently lacking. The Value-Based Medicine in Hepatology (VBMH) study aims to fill this gap, devising and testing a set of COIs for CLD, that could be easily collected during clinical practice. Here we report the COIs generated and recorded for patients with HBV or HCV infection at different stages of the disease. METHODS/RESULTS In the first phase of VBMH study, COIs were identified, based on current international guidelines and literature, using a modified Delphi method and a RAND 9-point appropriateness scale. In the second phase, COIs were tested in an observational, longitudinal, prospective, multicentre study based in Lombardy, Italy. Eighteen COIs were identified for HBV and HCV patients. Patients with CLD secondary to HBV (547) or HCV (1391) were enrolled over an 18-month period and followed for a median of 4 years. The estimation of the proposed COIs was feasible in the real-word clinical practice and COI values compared well with literature data. Further, the COIs were able to capture the impact of new effective treatments like direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) in the clinical practice. CONCLUSIONS The COIs efficiently measured clinical outcomes at different stages of CLDs. While specific clinical practice settings and related healthcare systems may modify their implementation, these indicators will represent an important component of the tools for a value-based approach in hepatology and will positively affect care delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Strazzabosco
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
- International Center for Digestive Health, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
- Liver Center & Section of Digestive Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Paolo A. Cortesi
- Research Centre on Public Health (CESP), University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Sara Conti
- Research Centre on Public Health (CESP), University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Okolicsanyi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
- International Center for Digestive Health, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Rota
- Research Centre on Public Health (CESP), University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
- Department of Molecular and Traslational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Antonio Ciaccio
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
- International Center for Digestive Health, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Cozzolino
- Research Centre on Public Health (CESP), University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Carla Fornari
- Research Centre on Public Health (CESP), University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Marta Gemma
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
- International Center for Digestive Health, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Luciana Scalone
- Research Centre on Public Health (CESP), University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Cesana
- Research Centre on Public Health (CESP), University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Fabris
- International Center for Digestive Health, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
- Liver Center & Section of Digestive Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua School of Medicine, Padua, Italy
| | - Michele Colledan
- Department of Surgery, Papa Giovanni XXIII Hospital, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Stefano Fagiuoli
- Department of Gastroenterology, Papa Giovanni XXIII Hospital, Bergamo, Italy
| | | | - Claudio Zavaglia
- Hepatology and Gastroenterology Unit - Liver Unit, ASST GOM Niguarda, Milan, Italy
| | - Giovanni Perricone
- Hepatology and Gastroenterology Unit - Liver Unit, ASST GOM Niguarda, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Lorenzo G. Mantovani
- Research Centre on Public Health (CESP), University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Luca S. Belli
- International Center for Digestive Health, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
- Hepatology and Gastroenterology Unit - Liver Unit, ASST GOM Niguarda, Milan, Italy
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5
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Ippolito D, Querques G, Pecorelli A, Talei Franzesi C, Okolicsanyi S, Strazzabosco M, Sironi S. Diagnostic Value of Quantitative Perfusion Computed Tomography Technique in the Assessment of Tumor Response to Sorafenib in Patients With Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma. J Comput Assist Tomogr 2019; 43:206-213. [PMID: 30407241 DOI: 10.1097/rct.0000000000000807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
AIM The aim of this study was to assess the role of dynamic contrast-enhanced perfusion computed tomography (pCT) imaging in the early detection of blood flow changes related to antiangiogenic treatment with sorafenib, in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), being the modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (mRECIST) criteria the standard of reference. METHODS Between 2012 and 2016, 43 cirrhotic patients (male, n = 39; female, n = 4) with biopsy-proven multifocal HCC underwent multi-detector-row computed tomography, and pCT examinations were performed before and every 2 months after sorafenib administration. Perfusion CT technique is based on the acquisition of 16 dynamic slices/scan per 40 scans, performed on a 256-slice multi-detector-row computed tomography scanner, after intravenous bolus injection of 50 mL of iodinated contrast agent (350 mg I/mL) at a flow rate of 5 mL/s. According to mRECIST, patients were stratified into complete (CR) or partial response (PR) and stable (SD) or progressive disease (PD). The following pCT parameters were calculated: hepatic perfusion (mL/s per 100 g), time to peak (seconds), arterial perfusion (mL/s), and hepatic perfusion index (%). Perfusion CT values at baseline and first follow-up were reported for all mRECIST groups and then compared between the nonprogressor (CR, PR, SD) and progressor groups (PD). RESULTS Most pCT values were significantly higher (P < 0.01) between baseline and follow-up in the CR and PR groups, whereas nonsignificant differences were found among SD patients, and a nonsignificant trend (P > 0.05) toward increase was observed among PD patients. Moreover, pCT values were significantly higher (P = 0.05) at baseline in the nonprogressor group compared with the progressor. CONCLUSION Preliminary results suggest that pCT adds quantitative data of vascularization, thus demonstrating its usefulness in the assessment of therapeutic response to sorafenib in advanced HCC, in line with mRECIST criteria, offering 1-step information on tissue cellularity and vascularization.
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Ippolito D, Querques G, Okolicsanyi S, Talei Franzesi C, Pecorelli A, Lombardi S, Orsini E, Strazzabosco M, Sironi S. Dynamic contrast enhanced perfusion CT imaging: A diagnostic biomarker tool for survival prediction of tumour response to antiangiogenetic treatment in patients with advanced HCC lesions. Eur J Radiol 2018; 106:62-68. [PMID: 30150052 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2018.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2018] [Revised: 05/24/2018] [Accepted: 07/12/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate whether perfusion-CT (p-CT) imaging could depict the inhibition of tumor neoangiogenesis induced by Sorafenib in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and whether it could be useful in predicting survival during treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS Ninety-eight p-CT examinations were performed among 29 cirrhotic patients, with advanced HCC, before and every 2 months after Sorafenib administration, on a 256-slice MDCT scanner. Perfusion parameters were considered and statistically compared, at baseline and follow-up, between non-progressor (complete response, stable disease or partial response) and progressor (progressive disease) group. Kaplan-Meier analyses estimated the time-to-survival in overall population, after stratifying patients according to mRECIST. RESULTS The group that responded to Sorafenib showed a significant reduction of values in HCC target lesions after anti-angiogenic therapy (p < 0.01), in comparison with progressor group that demonstrated an increase or no significant variation. When patients were stratified into mRECIST, higher survival rate was observed in the non-progressor group compared to the progressor (48.6% vs 28.6%), and statistically significant correlation (p=0.01) was found between percentage variation of perfusion parameters, from baseline to follow-up, and overall survival rate. CONCLUSION Quantitative analysis of perfusion parameters, represents prognostic indicators useful in assessment of response to anti-angiogenic therapy, allowing for optimization of individualized treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Ippolito
- School of Medicine, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy; Department of Diagnostic Radiology, H. S. Gerardo, Monza MB, Italy.
| | - Giulia Querques
- School of Medicine, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy; Department of Diagnostic Radiology, H. S. Gerardo, Monza MB, Italy
| | - Stefano Okolicsanyi
- School of Medicine, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy; Department of Surgery and Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Cammillo Talei Franzesi
- School of Medicine, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy; Department of Diagnostic Radiology, H. S. Gerardo, Monza MB, Italy
| | - Anna Pecorelli
- School of Medicine, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy; Department of Diagnostic Radiology, H. Papa Giovanni XXIII, Piazza OMS 1, 24127, Bergamo BG, Italy
| | - Sophie Lombardi
- School of Medicine, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy; Department of Diagnostic Radiology, H. S. Gerardo, Monza MB, Italy
| | - Eleonora Orsini
- School of Medicine, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy; Department of Diagnostic Radiology, H. S. Gerardo, Monza MB, Italy
| | - Mario Strazzabosco
- School of Medicine, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy; Department of Surgery and Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy; Liver Center Section of Digestive Diseases, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Sandro Sironi
- School of Medicine, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy; Department of Diagnostic Radiology, H. Papa Giovanni XXIII, Piazza OMS 1, 24127, Bergamo BG, Italy
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Garancini M, Nespoli S, Romano F, Uggeri F, Degrate L, Okolicsanyi S, Gianotti L. Surgical management of hepatocellular carcinoma within and beyond BCLC indications in a middle volume center. J Visc Surg 2018; 155:275-282. [PMID: 29606603 DOI: 10.1016/j.jviscsurg.2017.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
AIM OF THE STUDY Current criteria for hepatic resection in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) according to Barcellona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) classification is debated. Actually, patients with multinodular or large HCC>5cm are excluded from surgical treatment following the algorithm, but several studies from referral centers showed that such patients may benefit from surgical resection in the clinical practice. The aim of this study was to compare short- and long-term outcomes after liver resection for HCC in stage 0/A or B in a middle volume center. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients were grouped according to BCLC classification. Postoperative mortality, morbidity, overall and disease-free survival, univariate analysis of prognostic factors on survival was analyzed. RESULTS Among 66 surgical procedures in 64 patients included in the study, 41 were BCLC stage 0/A (62.1%) and 25 BCLC stage B (37.9%). The overall 30- and the 90-days mortality rates were 1.5% and 3%. Patients in BCLC stage B had higher transfusion rate (P=0.04) but similar morbidity and mortality compared to patients in BCLC stage 0/A. After a median follow-up of 35 months (range: 14-147), the overall survival at 1, 3 and 5 years resulted 95%, 61.1%, 46.2% for stage 0-A and 83.3%, 50%, 41.2% for stage B (P=0.73). Univariate analysis identified poorly differentiated tumors (P=0.02) and positive margin (P=0.02) as negative prognostic factors on survival. CONCLUSIONS Surgical treatment of HCC in BCLC stage B offers similar results than the ones in BCLC stage 0/A and consequently should not be considered contraindicated for such patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Garancini
- Department of Surgery, San Gerardo Hospital, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano- Bicocca, via Pergolesi 33, 20900 Monza, MI, Italy.
| | - S Nespoli
- Department of Surgery, San Gerardo Hospital, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano- Bicocca, via Pergolesi 33, 20900 Monza, MI, Italy
| | - F Romano
- Department of Surgery, San Gerardo Hospital, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano- Bicocca, via Pergolesi 33, 20900 Monza, MI, Italy
| | - F Uggeri
- Department of Surgery, San Gerardo Hospital, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano- Bicocca, via Pergolesi 33, 20900 Monza, MI, Italy
| | - L Degrate
- Department of Surgery, San Gerardo Hospital, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano- Bicocca, via Pergolesi 33, 20900 Monza, MI, Italy
| | - S Okolicsanyi
- Department of Gastroenterology, San Gerardo Hospital, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano- Bicocca, via Pergolesi 33, 20900 Monza, MI, Italy
| | - L Gianotti
- Department of Surgery, San Gerardo Hospital, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano- Bicocca, via Pergolesi 33, 20900 Monza, MI, Italy
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Cortesi PA, Conti S, Scalone L, Ciaccio A, Okolicsanyi S, Rota M, Belli LS, Cesana G, Strazzabosco M, Mantovani LG. Difference in health related quality of life of chronic liver diseases and general population. Eur J Public Health 2017. [DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckx187.078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Carbone M, Cristoferi L, Cortesi PA, Rota M, Ciaccio A, Okolicsanyi S, Gemma M, Scalone L, Cesana G, Fabris L, Colledan M, Fagiuoli S, Ideo G, Belli LS, Munari LM, Mantovani L, Strazzabosco M. Optimising the clinical strategy for autoimmune liver diseases: Principles of value-based medicine. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2017; 1864:1415-1422. [PMID: 28844954 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2017.08.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2017] [Revised: 08/14/2017] [Accepted: 08/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cholangitis, and primary sclerosing cholangitis represent the three major autoimmune liver diseases (AILDs). Their management is highly specialized, requires a multidisciplinary approach and often relies on expensive, orphan drugs. Unfortunately, their treatment is often unsatisfactory, and the care pathway heterogeneous across different centers. Disease-specific clinical outcome indicators (COIs) able to evaluate the whole cycle of care are needed to assist both clinicians and administrators in improving quality and value of care. Aim of our study was to generate a set of COIs for the three AILDs. We then prospectively validated these indicators based on a series of consecutive patients recruited at three tertiary clinical centers in Lombardy, Italy. METHODS In phase I using a Delphi method and a RAND 9-point appropriateness scale a set of COIs was generated. In phase II the indicators were applied in a real-life dataset. RESULTS Two-hundred fourteen patients were enrolled and followed-up for a median time of 54months and the above COIs were recorded using a web-based electronic medical record program. The COIs were easy to collect in the clinical practice environment and their values compared well with the available natural history studies. CONCLUSIONS We have generated a comprehensive set of COIs which sequentially capture different clinical outcome of the three AILDs explored. These indicators represent a critical tool to implement a value-based approach to patients with these conditions, to monitor, compare and improve quality through benchmarking of clinical performance and to assess the significance of novel drugs and technologies. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Cholangiocytes in Health and Diseaseedited by Jesus Banales, Marco Marzioni, Nicholas LaRusso and Peter Jansen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Carbone
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy; International Center for Digestive Health, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Cristoferi
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy; International Center for Digestive Health, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Angelo Cortesi
- Research Centre on Public Health (CESP), University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Rota
- International Center for Digestive Health, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Antonio Ciaccio
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy; International Center for Digestive Health, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Okolicsanyi
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy; International Center for Digestive Health, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Marta Gemma
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy; International Center for Digestive Health, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Luciana Scalone
- Research Centre on Public Health (CESP), University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Cesana
- Research Centre on Public Health (CESP), University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Fabris
- International Center for Digestive Health, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy; Liver Center & Section of Digestive Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua School of Medicine, Padua, Italy
| | - Michele Colledan
- Department of Surgery, Papa Giovanni XXIII Hospital, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Stefano Fagiuoli
- Department of Gastroenterology, Papa Giovanni XXIII Hospital, Bergamo, Italy
| | | | - Luca Saverio Belli
- International Center for Digestive Health, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy; Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Liver Unit, Niguarda Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Maria Munari
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Liver Unit, Niguarda Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Mantovani
- Research Centre on Public Health (CESP), University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Mario Strazzabosco
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy; International Center for Digestive Health, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy; Liver Center & Section of Digestive Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
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Ciaccio A, Cortesi PA, Bellelli G, Rota M, Conti S, Okolicsanyi S, Rota M, Cesana G, Mantovani LG, Annoni G, Strazzabosco M. Direct-acting antivirals combination for elderly patients with chronic hepatitis C: A cost-effectiveness analysis. Liver Int 2017; 37:982-994. [PMID: 27943549 DOI: 10.1111/liv.13339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2016] [Accepted: 11/28/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) has been undertreated among elderly patients. Interferon-free treatment represents an opportunity for these patients. The aim of this study was to assess the cost-effectiveness of directly acting antivirals (DAAs) in CHC elderly patients. METHODS A Markov model of CHC natural history was built. This study focuses on CHC patients older than 65 years, stratified according to genotype (1/4, 2 and 3), liver fibrosis (METAVIR F1 to F4), age and frailty phenotype (robust, pre-frail and frail). DAAs combination vs no treatment was simulated for each theoretical population, assessing life years, quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), costs, incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) in a lifetime time horizon and by the Healthcare System perspective. RESULTS Incremental cost-effectiveness ratio increased with age and frailty status in all fibrosis stages. For robust F3 and F4 patients ICERs remained below the willingness-to-pay threshold (WTP) of 40 000€/QALY up to age 75 and 86 years, respectively, depending on drug price and sustained virological response probability (sensitivity analysis). Notably, in F4 and frail subjects older than 75 years, ICER was more sensitive to non-liver-related mortality rate. In elderly F1 and F2 patients, ICERs were below WTP only up to 77 years old, with wide variability among frailty phenotypes. CONCLUSIONS Cost-effectiveness of DAAs treatment of elderly CHC patients is solid in those with advanced fibrosis, but it depends strongly on frailty status and age, particularly in patients with milder fibrosis stages. Accurate assessment of clinical variables, including frailty, is necessary to allocate limited resources to this special population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Ciaccio
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Center for Digestive Health, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Paolo A Cortesi
- Research Centre on Public Health (CESP), University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Bellelli
- Department of Health Science, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Rota
- Research Centre on Public Health (CESP), University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Sara Conti
- Research Centre on Public Health (CESP), University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Okolicsanyi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Center for Digestive Health, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Monica Rota
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Center for Digestive Health, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Cesana
- Research Centre on Public Health (CESP), University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Lorenzo G Mantovani
- Research Centre on Public Health (CESP), University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Giorgio Annoni
- Department of Health Science, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Mario Strazzabosco
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Center for Digestive Health, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy.,Center & Section of Digestive Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
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Ippolito D, Querques G, Okolicsanyi S, Franzesi CT, Strazzabosco M, Sironi S. Diagnostic value of dynamic contrast-enhanced CT with perfusion imaging in the quantitative assessment of tumor response to sorafenib in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: A feasibility study. Eur J Radiol 2017; 90:34-41. [PMID: 28583645 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2017.02.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2016] [Revised: 02/11/2017] [Accepted: 02/15/2017] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the feasibility of perfusion-CT (p-CT) measurements in quantitative assessment of hemodynamic changes related to sorafenib in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty-two patients with advanced HCC underwent p-CT study (256-MDCT scanner) before and 2 months after sorafenib administration. Dedicated perfusion software generated a quantitative map of arterial and portal perfusion and calculated the following perfusion parameters in target liver lesion: hepatic perfusion (HP), time-to-peak (TTP), blood volume (BV), arterial perfusion (AP), and hepatic perfusion index (HPI). After the follow-up scan, patients were categorized as responders and non-responders, according to mRECIST. Perfusion values were analyzed and compared in HCC lesions and in the cirrhotic parenchyma (n=22), such as between baseline and follow-up in progressors and non-progressors. RESULTS Before treatment, all mean perfusion values were significantly higher in HCC lesions than in the cirrhotic parenchyma (HP 47.8±17.2 vs 13.3±6.3mL/s per 100g; AP 47.9±18.1 vs 12.9±10.7mL/s; p<0.001). The group that responded to sorafenib (n=17) showed a significant reduction of values in HCC target lesions after therapy (HP 29.2±23.3 vs 48.1±15.1; AP 29.4±24.6 vs 49.2±17.4; p<0.01), in comparison with the non-responder group (n=5) that demonstrated no significant variation before and after treatment of HP (46.9±25.1 vs 46.7±24.1) and AP (43.4±21.7 vs 43.5±24.6). Among the responder group, HP percentage variation (Δ) in target lesions, during treatment, showed a significantly different (p=0.04) ΔHP in the group with complete response (79%) compared to the group with partial response or stable disease (16%). CONCLUSIONS p-CT technique can be used for HCC quantitative assessment of changes related to anti-angiogenic therapy. Identification of response predictors might help clinicians in selection of patients who may benefit from targeted-therapy allowing for optimization of individualized treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Ippolito
- School of Medicine, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy; Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University of Milano-Bicocca, H. S. Gerardo, Monza, Italy.
| | - Giulia Querques
- School of Medicine, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy; Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University of Milano-Bicocca, H. S. Gerardo, Monza, Italy
| | - Stefano Okolicsanyi
- School of Medicine, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy; Department of Surgery and Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Cammillo Talei Franzesi
- School of Medicine, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy; Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University of Milano-Bicocca, H. S. Gerardo, Monza, Italy
| | - Mario Strazzabosco
- School of Medicine, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy; Department of Surgery and Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy; Liver Center Section of Digestive Diseases, Yale University, New Haven, CTUSA
| | - Sandro Sironi
- School of Medicine, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy; Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University of Milano-Bicocca, H. S. Gerardo, Monza, Italy
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Zavaglia C, Okolicsanyi S, Cesarini L, Mazzarelli C, Pontecorvi V, Ciaccio A, Strazzabosco M, Belli LS. Is the risk of neoplastic recurrence increased after prescribing direct-acting antivirals for HCV patients whose HCC was previously cured? J Hepatol 2017; 66:236-237. [PMID: 27592303 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2016.08.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2016] [Accepted: 08/07/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Zavaglia
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Liver Unit, Niguarda Hospital, Milan, Italy.
| | - Stefano Okolicsanyi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy; International Center for Digestive Health, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Lucia Cesarini
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Liver Unit, Niguarda Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Mazzarelli
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Liver Unit, Niguarda Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Valerio Pontecorvi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy; International Center for Digestive Health, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Antonio Ciaccio
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy; International Center for Digestive Health, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Mario Strazzabosco
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy; International Center for Digestive Health, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Saverio Belli
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Liver Unit, Niguarda Hospital, Milan, Italy; International Center for Digestive Health, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
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Cortesi PA, Ciaccio A, Rota M, Lim JK, De Salvia S, Okolicsanyi S, Vinci M, Belli LS, Mantovani LG, Strazzabosco M. Management of treatment-naïve chronic hepatitis C genotype 1 patients: a cost-effectiveness analysis of treatment options. J Viral Hepat 2015; 22:175-83. [PMID: 25040391 PMCID: PMC4519006 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.12278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2013] [Accepted: 06/03/2014] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
New and more promising therapies for chronic hepatitis C (CHC) genotype 1 (G1) naive patients have recently been approved in the United States and Europe, and several more regimens are expected to become available within the next several years. While this scenario unfolds, it is necessary to develop a rational method to allocate current treatment in CHC G1 patients. We performed a cost-effectiveness analysis of boceprevir (BOC)- and telaprevir (TVR)-based triple therapy according to different patients' selection strategies. A semi-Markov model of CHC natural history and progression towards end-stage liver disease was built. We considered 3 selection strategies based on METAVIR fibrosis stage: (i) treat all patients with F1-F4 fibrosis, (ii) only F2-F4 and (iii) only F3-F4. For each strategy, TVR interleukin-28B-guided (IL28B-guided) and BOC rapid virologic response-guided (RVR-guided) therapies were applied. The model assessed the costs and outcomes, using a lifetime and 5-year time horizon, and adopting the Italian National Health System perspective. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) for F1-F4 strategy relative to F3-F4 was €5132 per quality-adjusted life years gained, across TVR IL-28B-guided therapy, and €7042 in the BOC RVR-guided therapy. Conversely, in the 5-year scenario, the ICER for F1-F4 strategy relative to F3-F4 was €1 818 679 (TVR IL28B-guided) and €1 866 437 (BOC RVR-guided) per end-stage liver disease or death (ESLD-D) avoided. In view of anticipated improvement in the efficacy of future regimens, selective treatment of only patients with advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis with TVR or BOC could represent the most cost-effective strategy to optimize resource utilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- P. A. Cortesi
- Research Centre on Public Health (CESP), University of Milan-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - A. Ciaccio
- Department of Surgical and Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Milan-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - M. Rota
- Department of Health Sciences, Centre of Biostatistics for Clinical Epidemiology, University of Milan-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - J. K. Lim
- Liver Center & Section of Digestive Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - S. De Salvia
- Department of Surgical and Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Milan-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - S. Okolicsanyi
- Department of Surgical and Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Milan-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - M. Vinci
- Department of Hepatology and Liver Unit, Niguarda Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - L. S. Belli
- Department of Hepatology and Liver Unit, Niguarda Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - L. G. Mantovani
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University Federico II of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - M. Strazzabosco
- Department of Surgical and Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Milan-Bicocca, Monza, Italy,Liver Center & Section of Digestive Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
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Cortesi PA, Rota M, Scalone L, Cozzolino P, Cesana G, Mantovani L, Okolicsanyi S, Ciaccio A, Gemma M, Fagiuoli S, Valsecchi MG, Belli LS, Strazzabosco M. A Comparison Between The Health-Related Quality Of Life Reported By The General Population And By Patients With Major Liver Diseases. Value Health 2014; 17:A369. [PMID: 27200782 DOI: 10.1016/j.jval.2014.08.835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- P A Cortesi
- University of Milano - Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - M Rota
- University of Milano - Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - L Scalone
- University of Milano - Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | | | - G Cesana
- University of Milano - Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - L Mantovani
- Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | | | - A Ciaccio
- University of Milano - Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - M Gemma
- University of Milano - Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - S Fagiuoli
- Papa Giovanni XXIII Hospital, Bergamo, Italy
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15
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Spirli C, Morell CM, Locatelli L, Okolicsanyi S, Ferrero C, Kim AK, Fabris L, Fiorotto R, Strazzabosco M. Cyclic AMP/PKA-dependent paradoxical activation of Raf/MEK/ERK signaling in polycystin-2 defective mice treated with sorafenib. Hepatology 2012; 56:2363-74. [PMID: 22653837 PMCID: PMC3460040 DOI: 10.1002/hep.25872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2011] [Accepted: 05/25/2012] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Mutations in polycystins are a cause of polycystic liver disease. In polycystin-2 (PC2)-defective mice, cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)/protein kinase A (PKA)-dependent activation of the Rat Sarcoma (Ras)/rapidly accelerated fibrosarcoma (Raf)/mitogen signal-regulated kinase-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 pathway stimulates the growth of liver cysts. To test the hypothesis that sorafenib, a Raf inhibitor used for the treatment of liver and kidney cancers, inhibits liver cyst growth in PC2-defective mice, we treated PC2 (i.e., Pkd2(flox/-) :pCxCreER(TM) [Pkd2cKO]) mice with sorafenib-tosylate for 8 weeks (20-60 mg/kg/day). Sorafenib caused an unexpected increase in liver cyst area, cell proliferation (Ki67), and expression of phosphorylated ERK (pERK) compared with Pkd2cKO mice treated with vehicle. When given to epithelial cells isolated from liver cysts of Pkd2cKO mice (Pkd2cKO-cells), sorafenib progressively stimulated pERK1/2 and cell proliferation [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium and bromodeoxyuridine assay (MTS)] at doses between 0.001 and 1 μM; however, both pERK1/2 and cell proliferation significantly decreased at the dose of 10 μM. Raf kinase activity assay showed that whereas B-Raf is inhibited by sorafenib in both wild-type (WT) and Pkd2cKO cells, Raf-1 is inhibited in WT cells but is significantly stimulated in Pkd2cKO cells. In Pkd2cKO cells pretreated with the PKA inhibitor 14-22 amide, myristolated (1 μM) and in mice treated with octreotide in combination with sorafenib, the paradoxical activation of Raf/ERK1/2 was abolished, and cyst growth was inhibited. CONCLUSION In PC2-defective cells, sorafenib inhibits B-Raf but paradoxically activates Raf-1, resulting in increased ERK1/2 phosphorylation, cell proliferation, and cyst growth in vivo. These effects are consistent with the ability of Raf inhibitors to transactivate Raf-1 when a PKA-activated Ras promotes Raf-1/B-Raf heterodimerization, and are inhibited by interfering with cAMP/PKA signaling both in vitro and in vivo, as shown by the reduction of liver cysts in mice treated with combined octreotide and sorafenib.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Spirli
- Liver Center & Section of Digestive Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Carola M. Morell
- Liver Center & Section of Digestive Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.,Department of Clinical Medicine and Prevention, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Luigi Locatelli
- Liver Center & Section of Digestive Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.,Department of Clinical Medicine and Prevention, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Okolicsanyi
- Liver Center & Section of Digestive Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.,Department of Clinical Medicine and Prevention, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Cecilia Ferrero
- Liver Center & Section of Digestive Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Amy K. Kim
- Liver Center & Section of Digestive Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Luca Fabris
- Department of Surgical, Oncological, and Gastroenterological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Romina Fiorotto
- Liver Center & Section of Digestive Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Mario Strazzabosco
- Liver Center & Section of Digestive Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.,Department of Clinical Medicine and Prevention, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
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16
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Meloni MF, Andreano A, Lava M, Lazzaroni S, Okolicsanyi S, Sironi S. Segmental portal vein thrombosis after microwave ablation of liver tumors: Report of two cases. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrex.2010.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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17
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Spirli C, Okolicsanyi S, Fiorotto R, Fabris L, Cadamuro M, Lecchi S, Tian X, Somlo S, Strazzabosco M. Mammalian target of rapamycin regulates vascular endothelial growth factor-dependent liver cyst growth in polycystin-2-defective mice. Hepatology 2010; 51:1778-88. [PMID: 20131403 PMCID: PMC2930014 DOI: 10.1002/hep.23511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Polycystic liver disease may complicate autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), a disease caused by mutations in polycystins, which are proteins that regulate signaling, morphogenesis, and differentiation in epithelial cells. The cystic biliary epithelium [liver cystic epithelium (LCE)] secretes vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which promotes liver cyst growth via autocrine and paracrine mechanisms. The expression of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1), insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R), and phosphorylated mammalian target of rapamycin (p-mTOR) and the protein kinase A (PKA)-dependent phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) are also up-regulated in LCE. We have hypothesized that mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) represents a common pathway for the regulation of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF1alpha)-dependent VEGF secretion by IGF1 and ERK1/2. Conditional polycystin-2-knockout (Pkd2KO) mice were used for in vivo studies and to isolate cystic cholangiocytes [liver cystic epithelial cells (LCECs)]. The expression of p-mTOR, VEGF, cleaved caspase 3 (CC3), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), IGF1, IGF1R, phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase, p-P70S6K, HIF1alpha, and VEGF in LCE, LCECs, and wild-type cholangiocytes was studied with immunohistochemistry, western blotting, or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The cystic area was measured by computer-assisted morphometry of pancytokeratin-stained sections. Cell proliferation in vitro was studied with 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium and bromodeoxyuridine assays. The treatment of Pkd2KO mice with the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin significantly reduced the liver cyst area, liver/body weight ratio, pericystic microvascular density, and PCNA expression while increasing expression of CC3. Rapamycin inhibited IGF1-stimulated HIF1alpha accumulation and VEGF secretion in LCECs. IGF1-stimulated LCEC proliferation was inhibited by rapamycin and SU5416 (a vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 inhibitor). Phosphorylation of the mTOR-dependent kinase P70S6K was significantly reduced by PKA inhibitor 14-22 amide and by the mitogen signal-regulated kinase inhibitor U1026. CONCLUSION These data demonstrate that PKA-dependent up-regulation of mTOR has a central role in the proliferative, antiapoptotic, and pro-angiogenic effects of IGF1 and VEGF in polycystin-2-defective mice. This study also highlights a mechanistic link between PKA, ERK, mTOR, and HIF1alpha-mediated VEGF secretion and provides a proof of concept for the potential use of mTOR inhibitors in ADPKD and conditions with aberrant cholangiocyte proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Spirli
- Dept. of Internal Medicine, Section of Digestive Diseases, Yale University, New Haven Connecticut, USA.,Center for Liver Research (CeLiveR), Ospedali Riuniti di Bergamo, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Stefano Okolicsanyi
- Dept. of Internal Medicine, Section of Digestive Diseases, Yale University, New Haven Connecticut, USA.,Center for Liver Research (CeLiveR), Ospedali Riuniti di Bergamo, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Romina Fiorotto
- Dept. of Internal Medicine, Section of Digestive Diseases, Yale University, New Haven Connecticut, USA.,Center for Liver Research (CeLiveR), Ospedali Riuniti di Bergamo, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Luca Fabris
- Center for Liver Research (CeLiveR), Ospedali Riuniti di Bergamo, Bergamo, Italy
| | | | - Silvia Lecchi
- Dept. of Internal Medicine, Section of Digestive Diseases, Yale University, New Haven Connecticut, USA.,Center for Liver Research (CeLiveR), Ospedali Riuniti di Bergamo, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Xin Tian
- Dept. of Internal Medicine, Section of Nephrology, Yale University, New Haven Connecticut, USA
| | - Stefan Somlo
- Dept. of Internal Medicine, Section of Nephrology, Yale University, New Haven Connecticut, USA
| | - Mario Strazzabosco
- Dept. of Internal Medicine, Section of Digestive Diseases, Yale University, New Haven Connecticut, USA.,Center for Liver Research (CeLiveR), Ospedali Riuniti di Bergamo, Bergamo, Italy.,Dept. of Clinical Medicine and Prevention, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
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18
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Cavestro GM, Zuppardo RA, Bertolini S, Sereni G, Frulloni L, Okolicsanyi S, Calzolari C, Singh SK, Sianesi M, Del Rio P, Leandro G, Franzè A, Di Mario F. Connections between genetics and clinical data: Role of MCP-1, CFTR, and SPINK-1 in the setting of acute, acute recurrent, and chronic pancreatitis. Am J Gastroenterol 2010; 105:199-206. [PMID: 19844201 DOI: 10.1038/ajg.2009.611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Acute, acute recurrent, and chronic pancreatitis are inflammatory diseases with multifactorial pathogenic mechanisms. Genetic mutations and polymorphisms have been correlated with pancreatitis. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) and serine protease inhibitor Kazal type 1 (SPINK-1) gene mutations and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) -2518A/G polymorphism with acute pancreatitis (AP), acute recurrent pancreatitis (ARP), and chronic pancreatitis (CP), and to associate genetic backgrounds with clinical phenotype in these three conditions. METHODS One hundred eighteen AP, 64 ARP, 142 CP patients, and 88 normal controls were enrolled consecutively. We analyzed MCP-1 serum levels using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Polymorphism -2518 of MCP-1 and SPINK-1 N34S gene mutations were determined by PCR-restriction-fragment length polymorphism. Sequence analysis was performed when necessary. Thirty-three CFTR mutations were analyzed in CP and ARP patients using multiplex DNA testing. RESULTS Serum MCP-1 levels were significantly higher in all patients affected by pancreatic inflammatory diseases. Moreover, we found a significant over-representation of the MCP-1G allele in ARP patients. We found a statistically significant association of CFTR gene mutations with ARP, but not with CP. We did not find a statistically significant association of ARP or CP with the N34S SPINK-1 gene mutation. Interestingly, 39 of 64 ARP patients (61%) carried at least one genetic mutation and/or polymorphism. Five of 64 ARP patients had pancreas divisum and four of these five also carried the G allele. CONCLUSIONS Analysis of a comprehensive range of potential susceptibility variants is needed to support modeling of the effects of genes and environment in pancreatitis. As such, beyond gene mutations, the context within which those mutations exist must be considered. In pancreatitis the context includes the inflammatory response, clinical features, and exogenous factors.
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