Is inadequate thrombopoietin production a major cause of thrombocytopenia in cirrhosis of the liver?

A Multicenter International Retrospective Investigation Assessing the Prognostic Role of Inflammation-Based Scores (Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte, Lymphocyte-to-Monocyte, and Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratios) in Patients with Intermediate-Stage Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) Undergoing Chemoembolizations of the Liver

BACKGROUND

The utilization of inflammation-based scores, such as the Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR), Lymphocyte-to-Monocyte Ratio (LMR), and Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (PLR), has garnered attention for their potential as prognostic indicators in various cancers. However, their predictive role in patients with intermediate-stage HCC undergoing transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) remains an area that requires further investigation, as early recognition of TACE refractoriness holds the potential to guide tailored therapeutic interventions.

METHODS

This multicenter international retrospective study analyzed data from patients with intermediate-stage HCC undergoing TACE between 2018 and 2024. Inflammation-based scores (NLR, LMR, PLR) were assessed preoperatively to predict treatment outcomes.

RESULTS

Two hundred and fourteen patients were enrolled. Preoperative LMR showed the largest area under the curve for the prediction of 6-months PFS, based on the ROC curve analysis. Both high LMR (≥2.24) and low NLR (<4.72) were associated with improved objective response rates and 6-month progression-free survival. Lymphocyte count emerged as a strong predictor of treatment response in both simple (p < 0.001) and multiple (p < 0.001) logistic regression analyses.

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlights the prognostic value of inflammation-based scores, particularly LMR and NLR, in predicting the treatment response and short-term outcomes of patients with intermediate-stage HCC undergoing TACE. Future investigations should focus on validating these scores' clinical applicability and assessing their impact on long-term patient survival and therapeutic decision-making.

Minimum platelet count threshold before invasive procedures in cirrhosis: Evolution of the guidelines

Cirrhotic patients with severe thrombocytopenia are at increased risk of bleeding during invasive procedures. The need for preprocedural prophylaxis aimed at reducing the risk of bleeding in cirrhotic patients with thrombocytopenia who undergo scheduled procedures is assessed via the platelet count; however, establishing a minimum threshold considered safe is challenging. A platelet count ≥ 50000/μL is a frequent target, but levels vary by provider, procedure, and specific patient. Over the years, this value has changed several times according to the different guidelines proposed in the literature. According to the latest guidelines, many procedures can be performed at any level of platelet count, which should not necessarily be checked before the procedure. In this review, we aim to investigate and describe how the guidelines have evolved in recent years in the evaluation of the minimum platelet count threshold required to perform different invasive procedures, according to their bleeding risk.

Dissecting Platelet's Role in Viral Infection: A Double-Edged Effector of the Immune System

Platelets play a major role in the processes of primary hemostasis and pathological inflammation-induced thrombosis. In the mid-2000s, several studies expanded the role of these particular cells, placing them in the "immune continuum" and thus changing the understanding of their function in both innate and adaptive immune responses. Among the many receptors they express on their surface, platelets express Toll-Like Receptors (TLRs), key receptors in the inflammatory cell-cell reaction and in the interaction between innate and adaptive immunity. In response to an infectious stimulus, platelets will become differentially activated. Platelet activation is variable depending on whether platelets are activated by a hemostatic or pathogen stimulus. This review highlights the role that platelets play in platelet modulation count and adaptative immune response during viral infection.

Recombinant human thrombopoietin increases platelet count in severe thrombocytopenic patients with hepatitis B-related cirrhosis: Multicentre real-world observational study

Patients with hepatitis B-related cirrhosis complicated with thrombocytopenia have a higher risk of bleeding, which may lead to higher mortality. We aimed to explore the efficacy and safety of recombinant human thrombopoietin (rhTPO) in the treatment of hepatitis B-related cirrhosis complicated with severe thrombocytopenia. Patients with hepatitis B-related compensated liver cirrhosis complicated with severe thrombocytopenia were divided into four groups according to the treatment method for thrombocytopenia. Platelet counts, the appearance of bleeding symptoms and adverse events were evaluated during the observation period. Also during the observational period, the platelet counts in the prednisone group, rhTPO group and prednisone plus rhTPO group were higher than those in the no treatment group. Patients without splenomegaly reacted better to rhTPO. Fewer bleeding events of grade 2 or worse were observed in the three treatment groups compared to the no treatment group. The platelet counts at baseline and treatment with rhTPO and/or prednisone were factors associated with bleeding events of grade 2 or worse in multivariate analysis. There could be a potential advantage for the use of rhTPO plus prednisone based on higher platelet counts and fewer bleeding events. Treatment with rhTPO was more effective in patients without splenomegaly.

Relationship between baseline clinical characteristics and efficacy of lusutrombopag in thrombocytopenic patients with chronic liver disease: post hoc analysis of two placebo-controlled phase 3 trials

OBJECTIVE

Lusutrombopag is a thrombopoietin receptor agonist approved to treat thrombocytopenia in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD). This post hoc analysis of the Japanese L-PLUS 1 and global L-PLUS 2 trials aimed to clarify factors related to platelet count increase after lusutrombopag treatment.

METHODS

In L-PLUS 1, Pearson's correlation coefficients were used to evaluate correlations between platelet count and spleen index, thrombopoietin concentration, white blood cell (WBC) counts, and red blood cell counts (intent-to-treat [ITT] population). Associations between platelet count increase after lusutrombopag treatment and each parameter were assessed by regression analysis and mixed-effect model for repeated measures (MMRM). Associations between time-dependent changes in platelet count increase and each parameter were also examined in the L-PLUS 2 lusutrombopag ITT population by MMRM.

RESULTS

In L-PLUS 1, the baseline platelet count was correlated with pretreatment spleen index (r = -0.23, 95% confidence interval [CI] -0.41 to -0.03) and WBC count (r = 0.26, 95% CI 0.06 to 0.43). No selected parameters were associated with the maximum platelet count increase from baseline. Patients with WBC counts below the normal range showed smaller platelet count increases after lusutrombopag treatment than patients with WBC counts within the normal range (p = .0028). In L-PLUS 2 (p = .0533), findings were similar and confirmed by larger pooled data of L-PLUS 1/L-PLUS 2 (p = .0021).

CONCLUSIONS

This post hoc analysis revealed a possible association between baseline WBC count and platelet count increase after lusutrombopag treatment. WBC count could be a relevant factor for lusutrombopag efficacy.

Thrombocytopenia in Chronic Liver Disease: Challenges and Treatment Strategies

Thrombocytopenia is a common hematologic complication seen in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD). The pathophysiology of thrombocytopenia in CLD is multifactorial, primarily stemming from platelet sequestration and decreased platelet production. This review focuses on the pathophysiology and current treatment options in the treatment of thrombocytopenia in chronic liver disease. While platelet transfusions are the gold standard of treatment, considerations ought to be given to CLD patients who can benefit from transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt and splenic artery embolization. Finally, the recent approval of thrombopoietin receptor agonists for use in CLD patients paves a way for a safe and effective alternative method of improving platelet levels and reducing the need for recurrent platelet transfusions.

Efficacy and safety of laparoscopic splenectomy for hypersplenism secondary to portal hypertension after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt

Background

Laparoscopic splenectomy (LS) being used after Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) has not been reported. This report aims to explore the feasibility, safety, and potential efficacy of LS after TIPS hypersplenism secondary to portal hypertension (PHT).

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed a series of six patients who underwent LS after TIPS for hypersplenism secondary to PHT between 2014 and 2020. The perioperative data and patients’ clinical outcomes were recorded.

Results

LS was successfully performed in all patients. Hypersplenism was corrected after LS in all six patients. Postoperative prothrombin time, prothrombin activity, international normalized ratio, and total bilirubin showed a trend toward improvement. The preoperative and 1-month postoperative albumin and activated partial thromboplastin levels showed no significant difference. Plasma ammonia level and thromboelastography indicators were ameliorated in two limited recorded patients. No postoperative complications such as subphrenic abscess, portal vein thrombosis, variceal bleeding, hepatic encephalopathy, and liver failure occurred during the 1-month follow-up period.

Conclusion

LS following TIPS is feasible, safe, and beneficial for patients with hypersplenism secondary to PHT. The following LS not only corrects the hypersplenism, but also has the potential to improve liver function.

INR-to-platelet ratio (INPR) as a novel noninvasive index for predicting liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B

Objective: We aimed to investigate whether a novel noninvasive index, i.e., the international normalized ratio-to-platelet ratio (INPR), was a variable in determining liver fibrosis stage in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Methods: A total of 543 treatment-naïve CHB patients were retrospectively enrolled. Liver histology was assessed according to the Metavir scoring scheme. All common demographic and clinical parameters were analyzed. Results: Based on routine clinical parameters (age, sex, HBeAg status, HBV DNA, hematological parameters, coagulation index, and liver biochemical indicators), a novel index, i.e., the INR-to-platelet ratio (INPR), was developed to magnify the unfavorable effects of liver fibrosis on INR and platelets. The AUCs of INPR for predicting significant fibrosis, advanced fibrosis, and cirrhosis were 0.74, 0.76 and 0.86, respectively. Compared with APRI, FIB-4, and GPR, the INPR had comparable predictive efficacy for significant fibrosis and better predictive performance for advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis. Conclusion: INPR could be an accurate, easily calculated and inexpensive index to assess liver fibrosis in patients with CHB. Further studies are needed to verify this indicator and compare it with other noninvasive methods for predicting liver fibrosis in CHB patients.

Platelet-to-white blood cell ratio: A novel and promising prognostic marker for HBV-associated decompensated cirrhosis

Aim

The present study aimed to investigate associations of the platelet‐to‐white blood cell ratio (PWR)—a novel hematological indicator of inflammatory responses—with 30‐day outcomes in patients with HBV‐associated decompensated cirrhosis (HBV‐DeCi).

Methods

We recruited 131 patients with HBV‐DeCi for this retrospective study and extracted baseline clinical data and laboratory characteristics from medical records. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine major factors influencing 30‐day mortality. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve analyses was performed to compare the predictive values of prognostic markers.

Results

During the 30‐day follow‐up period, 15 patients died. The PWR was significantly different between nonsurvivors and survivors. Lower PWR was found to be associated with an increased risk of mortality, and PWR was found to be an independent predictor of mortality in patients with HBV‐DeCi.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrate that low PWR may be a predictor of poor prognosis in patients with HBV‐DeCi, and this factor may be a useful supplement to standard approaches to enable effective management of these patients.

Thrombocytopenia in Chronic Liver Disease: New Management Strategies

Thrombocytopenia is common in advanced liver disease, and such patients frequently need invasive procedures. Numerous mechanisms for thrombocytopenia exist, including splenic sequestration and reduction of levels of the platelet growth factor thrombopoietin. Traditionally, platelet transfusions have been used to increase platelet counts before elective procedures, usually to a threshold of greater than or equal to 50,000/μL, but levels vary by provider, procedure, and specific patient. Recently, the thrombopoietin receptor agonists avatrombopag and lusutrombopag were studied and found efficacious for increasing platelet count in the outpatient setting for select patients with advanced liver disease who need a procedure.

Identification of Selective Inhibitors of LdDHFR Enzyme Using Pharmacoinformatic Methods

Dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) is a well-known enzyme of the folate metabolic pathway and it is a validated drug target for leishmaniasis. However, only a few leads are reported against Leishmania donovani DHFR (LdDHFR), and thus, there is a need to identify new inhibitors. In this article, pharmacoinformatic tools such as molecular docking, virtual screening, absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) profiling, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were utilized to identify potential LdDHFR inhibitors. Initially, a natural DHFR substrate (dihydrofolate), a classical DHFR inhibitor (methotrexate), and a potent LdDHFR inhibitor, that is, "5-(3-(octyloxy)benzyl)pyrimidine-2,4-diamine" (LEAD) were docked in the active site of the LdDHFR and MD simulated to understand the binding mode characteristics of the substrates/inhibitors in the LdDHFR. The shape of the LEAD molecule was used as a query for shape-based virtual screening, while the three-dimensional structure of LdDHFR was utilized for docking-based virtual screening. In silico ADMET factors were also considered during virtual screening. These two screening processes yielded 25 suitable hits, which were further validated for their selectivity toward LdDHFR using molecular docking and prime molecular mechanics/generalized born surface area analysis in the human DHFR (HsDHFR). Best six hits, which were selective and energetically favorable for the LdDHFR, were chosen for MD simulations. The MD analysis showed that four of the hits exhibited very good binding affinity for LdDHFR with respect to HsDHFR, and two hits were found to be more selective than the reported potent LdDHFR inhibitor. The present study thus identifies hits that can be further designed and modified as potent LdDHFR inhibitors.

Thrombocytopenia and Procedural Prophylaxis in the Era of Thrombopoietin Receptor Agonists

Thrombocytopenia is common in patients with advanced liver disease. These patients frequently require invasive diagnostic or therapeutic procedures in the setting of thrombocytopenia. A common platelet goal before such procedures is ≥50,000/μL, but target levels vary by provider and the procedure. Platelet transfusion has disadvantages, including safety and cost. No other short‐term options for ameliorating thrombocytopenia before procedures were available until the thrombopoietin receptor agonists were recently approved. Avatrombopag and lusutrombopag can be used in certain patients with thrombocytopenia due to advanced liver disease undergoing elective invasive procedures; these new agents are highly effective in carefully selected patients, and real world data of safety and efficacy are awaited.

TPO receptor agonists are an exciting new development that can raise platelet counts in liver patients with thrombocytopenia before elective procedures. We review the strategies to address peri‐procedure thrombocytopenia including data on the most recent trials involving TPO receptor agonists.

Association of Platelet Count and Mean Platelet Volume with Overall Survival in Patients with Cirrhosis and Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Platelets have been reported to influence tumor biology and may promote metastasis. Traditionally, thrombocytopenia, a hallmark of cirrhosis, was associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development. However, the impact of platelet count on outcome in patients with established HCC is not well studied.

METHODS

Outcomes of patients with cirrhosis diagnosed with HCC between 1995 and 2013 (derivation cohort) and 2000-2016 (validation cohort) who were not eligible for surgical treatment and did not receive antiplatelet therapy were retrospectively studied. Thrombocytopenia was defined as platelet count < 150 g/L. High mean platelet volume (MPV) was defined as ≥median value of the respective cohort (derivation cohort: ≥11 fL; validation cohort: ≥10.6 fL).

RESULTS

Among 626 patients with unresectable HCC, thrombocytopenia was present in 378 (60.4%) and was associated with favorable baseline tumor characteristics: lower diameter of the largest nodule (5.6 ± 3.2 vs. 7.6 ± 4.2 cm), less extrahepatic spread (9.5 vs. 20.2%, both p < 0.001), less macrovascular invasion (21.2 vs. 31.0%, p = 0.005), and lower BCLC stages (63.0 vs. 73.4% BCLC C/D; p = 0.007) as compared to patients with normal platelet count. On univariate analysis, thrombocytopenia and larger MPV were associated with longer overall survival (OS) (thrombocytopenia: median OS [95% CI], 11.5 [9.3-13.8] vs. 5.5 [3.8-7.1] months; p = 0.001; MPV ≥11 fL: 11.7 [9.1-14.2] vs. 6.0 [4.4-7.6] months; p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, the combined variable of thrombocytopenia and larger MPV was independently associated with longer OS (HR [95% CI], 0.80 [0.65-0.98]; p = 0.029). These results were confirmed in an independent external validation cohort of 525 patients with cirrhosis and HCC. Again, patients with thrombocytopenia and high MPV had significantly longer OS (15.3 [11.7-18.9] vs. 9.3 [7.4-11.2] months; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Thrombocytopenia and higher MPV are associated with better outcome in patients with advanced HCC. These findings may prompt further clinical research on additive antiplatelet therapy in the prevention and management of HCC.

Acute Liver Failure: Mechanisms of Disease and Multisystemic Involvement

Acute liver failure is accompanied by a pathologic syndrome common to numerous different etiologies of liver injury. This acute liver failure syndrome leads to potentially widespread devastating end-organ consequences. Systemic dysregulation and dysfunction is likely propagated via inflammation as well as underlying hepatic failure itself. Decoding the mechanisms of the disease process and multisystemic involvement of acute liver failure offers potential for targeted treatment opportunities and improved clinical outcomes in this sick population.

Immature platelet fraction and thrombopoietin in patients with liver cirrhosis: A cohort study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Thrombocytopenia occurs frequently in patients with cirrhosis. The immature platelet fraction (IPF%) is measured to differentiate the causes of thrombocytopenia. To date the relevance of thrombopoietin (TPO) in the context of cirrhosis is unknown. The aim of our study was to investigate the cause of thrombocytopenia in patients with liver cirrhosis by measuring IPF%, TPO and spleen size. In addition we examined the use of IPF% to evaluate the severity of cirrhosis and its complications.

METHODS

Overall, we included 88 in-patients with cirrhosis in our study. The collected data comprises current health status, blood parameters, severity of cirrhosis evaluated by Child-Pugh score and MELD score, spleen diameter, ascites and esophageal varices. The IPF% was measured using an automatic hematology analyzer. TPO was measured with ELISA.

RESULTS

IPF% (p = 0.003) and spleen diameter (p = 0.001) were significantly higher in patients with thrombocytopenia. There was no significant difference in TPO between patients with and without thrombocytopenia. The mean values of IPF% varied significantly (p = 0.044) in Child-Pugh stages. IPF% was significantly (p = 0.005) elevated in patients with esophageal varices. Moreover, IPF% higher than 3.85% displayed sensitivity of 76.6% and specificity of 52.4% with an area under receiver operating curve characteristics of 0.669 for the presence of esophageal varices.

CONCLUSION

On closer examination of the three compartments known to have an influence on platelet count splenomegaly seems to be the major cause of thrombocytopenia in patients with cirrhosis according to current knowledge. Higher IPF% in patients with thrombocytopenia indicates peripheral consumption of platelets. The relation between spleen diameter and platelet count indicates the spleen to be the major place of platelets' consumption. TPO did not differ between patients with and without thrombocytopenia. Furthermore, we cannot exclude an influence of impaired thrombopoietin synthesis on platelet counts. The association between IPF% and platelet count suggests that there is physiological regulation of platelets in patients with cirrhosis. In our study IPF% is associated with esophageal varices and the stage of cirrhosis. Further studies are needed to confirm these results.

Retrospective Clinical Study of the Effects of T-Tube Placement for Bile Duct Stricture

Background

T-tube placement in the common bile duct (CBD) is a surgical alternative to bile duct reconstruction in cholecystectomy for cholecysto-choledocholithiasis, or gallstones. The aim of this retrospective clinical study was to investigate the incidence of late complications of T-tube placement.

Material/Methods

Retrospective review identified 35 patients who had T-tube placement during cholecystectomy. Clinical data were collected on surgical indications, patient demographics, and clinical symptoms. Ultrasound (US) was used measure the diameter of the common bile duct (CBD), intrahepatic ducts, and presence or absence of stones in the CBD. Data from laboratory investigations included the aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI), which was used as a non-invasive method to evaluate both cholestasis and liver fibrosis.

Results

Of the 35 patients included in the study, 33 (94.3%) underwent open cholecystectomy, CBD exploration, and T-tube placement due to cholecysto-choledocholithiasis. The remaining two patients (5.7%) underwent primary CBD repair and T-tube placement secondary to CBD injury. The mean follow-up period after T-tube placement was 69 months. In patients with T-tube placement, the CBD diameters ranged from 4–21 mm, were normal in 20 patients (57.1%), dilated in 15 patients (42.9%), with the mean CBD diameter being 8.91±4.82 mm. No residual or recurrent CBD calculus and no clinical or laboratory evidence of cholangitis or cholestasis were found.

Conclusions

A retrospective clinical study at a single surgical center, showed that T-tube placement during open cholecystectomy and CBD exploration was a safe procedure that did not result in late complications.

Thrombocytopenia in chronic liver disease

Thrombocytopenia is a common haematological disorder in patients with chronic liver disease. It is multifactorial and severity of liver disease is the most influential factor. As a result of the increased risk of bleeding, thrombocytopenia may impact upon medical procedures, such as surgery or liver biopsy. The pathophysiology of thrombocytopenia in chronic liver disease has long been associated with the hypothesis of hypersplenism, where portal hypertension causes pooling and sequestration of all corpuscular elements of the blood, predominantly thrombocytes, in the enlarged and congested spleen. Other mechanisms of importance include bone marrow suppression by toxic substances, such as alcohol or viral infection, and immunological removal of platelets from the circulation. However, insufficient platelet recovery after relief of portal hypertension by shunt procedures or minor and transient recovery after splenic artery embolization have caused many to question the importance and relative contribution of this mechanism to thrombocytopenia. The discovery of the cytokine thrombopoietin has led to the elucidation of a central mechanism. Thrombopoietin is predominantly produced by the liver and is reduced when liver cell mass is severely damaged. This leads to reduced thrombopoiesis in the bone marrow and consequently to thrombocytopenia in the peripheral blood of patients with advanced-stage liver disease. Restoration of adequate thrombopoietin production post-liver transplantation leads to prompt restoration of platelet production. A number of new treatments that substitute thrombopoietin activity are available or in development.

Association of different types of liver disease with demographic and clinical factors

BACKGROUND AND AIM

A metric that predicts the presence of cancer-related liver disease would allow early implementation of treatment. We compared the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with no evidence of liver disease, with a cancer-associated liver disease, and with a liver disease not associated with cancer.

METHODS

Retrospective, hospital-based, cross-sectional study which reviewed the medical records of subjects who underwent health examinations at a Taiwanese hospital from 2000 to 2004 and who had normal levels of amino transaminases. Demographic and clinical data were analyzed by univariate and multivariate statistics.

RESULTS

A total of 2344 subjects had no evidence of liver disease (non-LD), and 1918 subjects had at least one liver disease (LD). The LD group was further divided into those with a cancer-associated liver disease (LD-1, n = 1632) and those with a liver disease not associated with cancer (LD-2, n = 286). Age, BMI, percentage of males, globulin:albumin ratio (G/A), percentage of patients with gallstones, AST, and ALT were significantly higher in the LD group. Univariate analysis showed that the G/A was significantly higher in the LD-2 group than the LD-1 group; multivariate analysis indicated that the G/A was not independently associated with liver disease, but that subjects who were older and had higher BMI were significantly more likely to have a cancer-associated liver disease.

CONCLUSIONS

For patients with liver disease, a multivariate model can be used to distinguish those with a cancer-associated liver disease from those with a liver disease not associated with cancer.

Thrombocytopenia in Critical Care Patients

Thrombocytopenia is a common laboratory finding in the intensive care unit (ICU) patient. Because the causes can range from laboratory artifact to life-threatening processes such as thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), identifying the cause of thrombocytopenia is important. In the evaluation of the thrombocytopenia patient, one should incorporate all clinical clues such as why the patient is in the hospital, medications the patient is on, and other abnormal laboratory findings. One should ensure that the patient does not suffer from heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) or one of the thrombotic microangiopathies (TMs). HIT can present in any patient on heparin and requires specific testing and antithrombotic therapy. TMs cover a spectrum of disease ranging from TTP to pregnancy complications and can have a variety of presentations. Management of disseminated intravascular coagulation depends on the patient’s condition and complication. Other causes of ICU thrombocytopenia include sepsis, medication side effects, post-transfusion purpura, catastrophic anti phospholipid antibody disease, and immune thrombocytopenia.

Combining routine markers improves the accuracy of transient elastography for hepatitis B cirrhosis detection

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Vibration Controlled Transient Elastography (VCTE) is a non-invasive test for liver fibrosis and cirrhosis but may be inaccurate in some patients, especially in those with chronic hepatitis B. This study aims at improving the accuracy of VCTE in cirrhosis detection by combining ultrasound and routine blood parameters.

METHODS

Hepatitis B patients with liver biopsies samples ≥20mm underwent VCTE, ultrasound and blood tests, and were divided into training set (n=170) and validation set (n=75).

RESULTS

An algorithm consisting of VCTE, international normalization ratio (INR), ultrasonic hepatic vessel and platelet count (CIR-4) and a VCTE-based cirrhosis six-index score (CIR-6) comprised VCTE, INR, platelet, albumin, ultrasonic hepatic vessel and liver parenchyma were derived. In training set, area under receiver operating characteristics curve of CIR-6 and CIR-4 to detect cirrhosis was 0.946 and 0.945, respectively, which was superior to that of VCTE 0.907. CIR-4 could save more liver biopsies. In validation set, CIR-6 detected cirrhosis with accuracy similar to that in training set. However, the sensitivity of CIR-4 and VCTE in validation set lowered to 0.538 and 0.846, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Combining routine markers improve the accuracy of VCTE for cirrhosis detection in hepatitis B patients. CIR-6 may be more valuable.

The pathophysiology of thrombocytopenia in chronic liver disease

Thrombocytopenia is the most common hematological abnormality encountered in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD). In addition to being an indicator of advanced disease and poor prognosis, it frequently prevents crucial interventions. Historically, thrombocytopenia has been attributed to hypersplenism, which is the increased pooling of platelets in a spleen enlarged by congestive splenomegaly secondary to portal hypertension. Over the past decade, however, there have been significant advances in the understanding of thrombopoiesis, which, in turn, has led to an improved understanding of thrombocytopenia in cirrhosis. Multiple factors contribute to the development of thrombocytopenia and these can broadly be divided into those that cause decreased production, splenic sequestration, and increased destruction. Depressed thrombopoietin levels in CLD, together with direct bone marrow suppression, result in a reduced rate of platelet production. Thrombopoietin regulates both platelet production and maturation and is impaired in CLD. Bone marrow suppression can be caused by viruses, alcohol, iron overload, and medications. Splenic sequestration results from hypersplenism. The increased rate of platelet destruction in cirrhosis also occurs through a number of pathways: increased shear stress, increased fibrinolysis, bacterial translocation, and infection result in an increased rate of platelet aggregation, while autoimmune disease and raised titers of antiplatelet immunoglobulin result in the immunologic destruction of platelets. An in-depth understanding of the complex pathophysiology of the thrombocytopenia of CLD is crucial when considering treatment strategies. This review outlines the recent advances in our understanding of thrombocytopenia in cirrhosis and CLD.

Helicobacter pylori infection influences the severity of thrombocytopenia and its treatment response in chronic hepatitis B patients with compensatory cirrhosis: A multicenter, observational study

The role of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection on thrombocytopenia in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) related compensatory cirrhotic patients is unknown. We conducted an observational study to determine whether H. pylori plays a role in these patients. A total of 255 patients from three centers in China were enrolled in the study. All patients received nucleoside analogs (NA) therapy and were screened for H. pylori infection. Patients were divided into three groups based on their H. pylori infection status and the therapy administered: patients without H. pylori infection who received NA therapy alone (N = 146); patients with H. pylori infection who received NA therapy alone (n = 48); and patients with H. pylori infection who received H. pylori eradication combined with NA therapy (N = 61). We observed that in CHB compensatory cirrhotic patients with H. pylori infection, the platelets count was significantly lower relative to uninfected patients (31 versus 60 × 10(9)/L, p < 0.01). During a 2-year follow-up, the elevation in platelet count was significantly higher in HBV/H. pylori co-infected patients who received the NA and H. pylori eradication treatment compared to the other two groups (p < 0.01). It suggested that H. pylori infection and eradication treatment combined with NA were independent risk factors associated with platelets response during treatment of thrombocytopenia in CHB compensatory cirrhosis (p < 0.01). In conclusion, H. pylori infection may associate with thrombocytopenia in CHB compensatory cirrhosis. H. pylori eradication combined with NA treatment may prove to be beneficial to CHB compensatory cirrhotic patients with thrombocytopenia who are infected with H. pylori.

Immature platelet fraction values predict recovery of platelet counts following liver transplantation

BACKGROUND

Thrombocytopenia after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is a well-recognized and prevalent early postoperative complication. In the current study, we assessed the clinical utility of the immature platelet fraction (expressed as a percent of total platelets, IPF %) to predict platelet count recovery following OLT.

METHODS

We analyzed the changes in peripheral platelet counts, IPF values, and liver function before OLT, and 21 days after transplantation in 30 patients with liver cirrhosis. All patients were followed up for at least six months.

RESULTS

The nadir in the peripheral platelet counts most commonly occurred on the 5th day after post-transplant. Platelets counts gradually rose again to exceed pre-transplant levels by the 3rd to 4th day after the IPF % reached its peak.

CONCLUSION

The IPF % increased prior to the elevation of platelet counts in patients with OLT suggesting that the IPF % may reflect production of platelets. These findings suggest IPF% could be useful as a predictor of platelet recovery in patients with OLT.

Changes in liver and spleen volumes after living liver donation: a report from the Adult-to-Adult Living Donor Liver Transplantation Cohort Study (A2ALL)

Previous reports have drawn attention to persistently decreased platelet counts among liver donors. We hypothesized an etiologic association between altered platelet counts and postdonation splenomegaly and sought to explore this relationship. This study analyzed de-identified computed tomography/magnetic resonance scans of 388 donors from 9 Adult-to-Adult Living Donor Liver Transplantation Cohort Study centers read at a central computational image analysis laboratory. Resulting liver and spleen volumes were correlated with time-matched clinical laboratory values. Predonation liver volumes varied 2-fold in healthy subjects, even when they were normalized by the body surface area (BSA; range = 522-1887 cc/m(2) , n = 346). At month 3 (M3), postdonation liver volumes were, on average, 79% of predonation volumes [interquartile range (IQR) = 73%-86%, n = 165] and approached 88% at year 1 (Y1; IQR = 80%-93%, n = 75). The mean spleen volume before donation was 245 cc (n = 346). Spleen volumes greater than 100% of the predonation volume occurred in 92% of donors at M3 (n = 165) and in 88% at Y1 after donation (n = 75). We sought to develop a standard spleen volume (SSV) model to predict normal spleen volumes in donors before donation and found that decreased platelet counts, a younger age, a higher predonation liver volume, higher hemoglobin levels, and a higher BSA predicted a larger spleen volume (n = 344, R(2)  = 0.52). When this was applied to postdonation values, some large volumes were underpredicted by the SSV model. Models developed on the basis of the reduced sample of postdonation volumes yielded smaller underpredictions. These findings confirm previous observations of thrombocytopenia being associated with splenomegaly after donation. The results of the SSV model suggest that the biology of this phenomenon is complex. This merits further long-term mechanistic studies of liver donors with an investigation of the role of other factors such as thrombopoietin and exposure to viral infections to better understand the evolution of the spleen volume after liver donation.

Deficiency in thrombopoietin induction after liver surgery is associated with postoperative liver dysfunction

Background and Aims

Thrombopoietin (TPO) has been implicated in the process of liver regeneration and was found to correlate with hepatic function in patients with liver disease. With this investigation we aimed to determine if perioperative TPO levels were associated with postoperative outcome in patients undergoing liver resection.

Methods

Perioperative TPO was analyzed prior to liver resection as well as on the first and fifth postoperative day in 46 colorectal cancer patients with liver metastasis (mCRC) as well as 23 hepatocellular carcinoma patients (HCC). Serum markers of liver function within the first postoperative week were used to define liver dysfunction.

Results

While circulating TPO levels significantly increased one day after liver resection in patients without liver cirrhosis (mCRC) (P < 0.001), patients with underlying liver disease (HCC) failed to significantly induce TPO postoperatively. Accordingly, HCC patients had significantly lower TPO levels on POD1 and 5. Similarly, patients with major resections failed to increase circulating TPO levels. Perioperative dynamics of TPO were found to specifically predict liver dysfunction (AUC: 0.893, P < 0.001) after hepatectomy and remained an independent predictor upon multivariate analysis.

Conclusions

We here demonstrate that perioperative TPO dynamics are associated with postoperative LD. Postoperative TPO levels were found to be lowest in high-risk patients (HCC patients undergoing major resection) but showed an independent predictive value. Thus, a dampened TPO increase after liver resection reflects a poor capacity for hepatic recovery and may help to identify patients who require close monitoring or intervention for potential complications.

Modeling and simulation support eltrombopag dosing in thrombocytopenic patients with chronic HCV infection

PURPOSE

The pharmacokinetics of eltrombopag and its stimulation of platelet production were characterized in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection to optimize an eltrombopag dosing regimen for treatment of HCV-related thrombocytopenia before and throughout peginterferon (pegIFN)-based antiviral therapy.

METHODS

Population pharmacokinetic analysis for eltrombopag included 663 individuals (healthy subjects, n = 28; patients with HCV, n = 635). Population pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic analysis for platelet response involved patients with HCV only. Simulations were conducted using various dosing scenarios in the same patient population.

RESULTS

Eltrombopag pharmacokinetics were described by a two-compartment model with dual sequential first-order absorption and elimination. Age, race, sex, and severity of hepatic impairment were predictors of eltrombopag clearance. The effect of eltrombopag on platelet counts was adequately described by a model with four transit compartments in which eltrombopag concentrations stimulated the production rate of platelet precursors in an Emax manner.

CONCLUSIONS

Modeling and simulation results support once-daily eltrombopag 25 mg as an appropriate starting dosing regimen followed by biweekly dose escalation (in 25-mg increments) up to once-daily eltrombopag 100 mg to raise platelet counts sufficiently for initiation of pegIFN-based antiviral therapy in patients with HCV. Biweekly dose adjustment allows patients to stay on the lowest possible eltrombopag dose during antiviral therapy.

Clinical utility of simple non-invasive liver fibrosis indices for predicting hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) among Egyptian patients

AIM

Serological indices for liver fibrosis have been widely used to estimate liver fibrosis, but as far as we know they have not been tested to predict hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Our aim is to study the clinical usefulness of some simple non-invasive fibrosis indices in the prediction of HCC among Egyptian patients.

METHODS

Ninety patients with HCC who were presented to the National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, were included in this study, together with 30 patients with cirrhosis as a benign control group and 30 apparently healthy volunteers as a normal control group. FIB4 Score, Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) to Platelet (PLT) Ratio Index (APRI) Score, AST/PLT ratio, Age/PLT Index and AST/alanine aminotransferase indices were calculated for all patients and controls and were tested for their clinical use to predict HCC.

RESULTS

Double combination between alpha-fetoprotein and FIB4 Score when either one was abnormal showed the highest diagnostic performance between the HCC group and the cirrhosis and control groups with sensitivity and specificity of (93% and 96%), respectively, whereas the APRI Score was the best to differentiate between the cirrhosis and control groups with sensitivity and specificity of 100% each.

CONCLUSIONS

Using some simple non-costly indices can accurately predict HCC and differentiate it from cirrhosis and normal control cases among Egyptian patients, it can also differentiate cirrhosis from normal controls, so can be used as diagnostic and screening tools for both HCC and liver cirrhosis among the Egyptian population.

Management of thrombocytopenia in advanced liver disease

Thrombocytopenia (defined as a platelet count <150×10(9)) is a well-known complication in patients with liver cirrhosis and has been observed in 76% to 85% of patients. Significant thrombocytopenia (platelet count <50×10(9) to 75×10(9)) occurs in approximately 13% of patients with cirrhosis. Thrombocytopenia can negatively impact the care of patients with severe liver disease by potentially interfering with diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Multiple factors can contribute to the development of thrombocytopenia including splenic platelet sequestration, immunological processes, bone marrow suppression by chronic viral infection, and reduced levels or activity of the hematopoietic growth factor thrombopoietin. The present review focuses on the etiologies and management options for severe thrombocytopenia in the setting of advanced liver disease.

The utility of thrombopoietin in predicting liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B

Many noninvasive serum markers have been studied to determine the liver fibrosis score (LFS). In this study, we aimed to investigate the association between thrombopoietin (TPO) levels and the stage of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Seventy-seven patients (64 active and 13 inactive) with CHB were included in this cross-sectional study. Patients were divided into three groups: In group 1, patients with mild or no fibrosis (F0, F1); in group 2, patients with significant fibrosis (F2-F4); and in group 3, inactive CHB carriers. Digital patient records were used to access pre-treatment laboratory findings including HBV DNA, HBeAg, ALT, AST, total bilirubin, PLT, albumin, INR. Liver biopsies were examined by experienced pathologists in our hospital who were blinded to the data of the patients. Serum TPO levels were measured using commercial ELISA kit. Serum TPO levels were significantly lower in patients with active CHB compared with the inactive carriers (528 vs 687.1 p=0.003). There was no statistically significant difference in TPO levels between the patients with and patients without significant fibrosis (568.9 vs 459.8 p=0.367). Correlation analysis with respect to ALT, AST, TPO, HBV-DNA level, platelet count, histological activity index (HAI) and liver fibrosis score was performed. TPO was only weakly positively correlated with AST, ALT and HBV-DNA levels (r=0.269 p=0.018; r=0.341 p=0.002; r=0.308 p=0.006; respectively) and no correlation in TPO with LFS and HAI was found (r=0.140 p=0.270, r=0.162 p=0.201; respectively). TPO was not associated with significant fibrosis (p=0.270). In conclusion, TPO levels were decreased in active CHB patients compared with inactive carriers but there was no correlation between TPO levels and the stage of fibrosis in active CHB.

Serum thrombopoietin levels and its relationship with thrombocytopenia in patients with cirrhosis

BACKGROUND

Patients with cirrhosis usually have thrombocytopenia in discrete levels. The mechanism of thrombocytopenia is thought as splenic sequestration and destruction of platelets, impaired bone marrow generation and diminished hepatic thrombopoietin synthesis.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to evaluate serum thrombopoietin levels and its relationship with thrombocytopenia at patients with cirrhosis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Ninety-two cirrhotic patients and 45 healthy controls without history or findings of pathologies that can effect thrombopoietin levels were enrolled by simple random sampling to patient and control groups of this case control study performed at Eskisehir-Turkey. Thrombopoietin was measured in serum samples with a solid phase enzyme-linked immune absorbent assay. Additionally, spleen size and volume index were determined.

RESULTS

Platelet counts were lower in patients with cirrhosis (97000 ± 8000/mm(3)) than in healthy subjects (240000 ± 51000/mm(3), P < 0.001). Significant difference was determined for platelet counts among child A, B and C stages (Child A vs. Child B P < 0.05 Child A vs. Child C P < 0.001-Child B vs. Child C P < 0.05). Serum TPO concentration was higher (69 ± 12 pg/mL) in cirrhotic group than healthy controls (49 ± 9 pg/ml) (P < 0.05). No significant difference in TPO levels were found among the Child A, B and C stages (64 ± 11 pg/mL, 75 ± 13 pg/mL and 68 ± 10 pg/mL, respectively). Spleen size and SVI was significantly higher in the cirrhotic patients than healthy controls (148 ± 14 mm vs. 98 ± 11 mm, P < 0.001-9167 ± 287 cm(2) vs. 4118 ± 123 cm(2)). Significant difference was determined for spleen size and spleen index among child A, B and C stages (Child A vs. Child B P < 0.05 Child A vs. Child C P < 0.001-Child B vs. Child C P < 0.05). TPO levels were significantly different between cirrhotic patients with platelet levels below 50.000/mm(3) (n = 16, plt-count: 41000 ± 8300/mm(3), TPO levels: 73 ± 7 pg/mL) and above 50.000/mm(3) (n = 76, plt-count: 105000 ± 9500/mm(3), TPO levels: 65 ± 10 pg/mL) (P < 0.01). In correlation analysis, there was a strong negative correlation between platelet count-spleen size (P < 0.001, r = -0.74) and platelet count-serum TPO levels (P < 0.001, r = -0.71).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that liver cirrhosis does not cause impaired thrombopoietin production even in the late stage of disease. Thrombopoietin has no contribution for the occurrence of thrombocytopenia in cirrhosis; splenic sequestration seems to be the main factor.

Milestones in understanding platelet production: a historical overview

The discovery of thrombopoietin (TPO, also termed THPO) in 1994 was a major achievement in understanding the regulation of platelet production. In prior decades, physiological studies had demonstrated that platelets were produced from bone marrow megakaryocytes and that the megakaryocytes responded to thrombocytopenia by increasing their number, size and DNA ploidy. In 1958, it was proposed that a 'thrombopoietin' must exist that regulated this interaction between the circulating platelet mass and the bone marrow megakaryocytes. After over three decades of effort, TPO was finally purified by five independent laboratories. TPO stimulated megakaryocyte colony-forming cell growth and increased the number, size and ploidy of megakaryocytes. When the genes for TPO or TPO receptor were eliminated in mice, megakaryocytes grew and platelets were made, but at 15% of their normal number. A first generation of recombinant human (rh) TPO molecules [rhTPO and pegylated recombinant human megakaryocyte growth and development factor (PEG-rhMGDF)] rapidly entered clinical trials in 1995 and increased platelet counts in humans undergoing non-myeloablative chemotherapy but not in those undergoing stem cell transplantation. Antibodies developed against PEG-rhMGDF and development of these recombinant thrombopoietins ended. A second generation of TPO receptor agonists (romiplostim and eltrombopag) was then developed. Neither of these TPO receptor agonists demonstrated any significant untoward effects and both are now licensed in many countries for the treatment of immune thrombocytopenia. This review describes the significant experiments that have surrounded the discovery of TPO and its clinical development.

The significance of platelet consumption in the development of thrombocytopenia in patients with cirrhosis

INTRODUCTION

Thrombocytopenia in cirrhosis is mainly explained by accelerated platelet destruction/sequestration because of hypersplenism or by decreased thrombopoietin levels. Excessive platelet consumption because of cirrhosis-related hypercoagulability has also been assumed to be an etiopathologic factor in thrombocytopenia. To clarify whether excessive platelet consumption (eg, venous thrombosis and disseminated intravascular coagulation) contributes to thrombocytopenia in cirrhosis, the following autopsy-based study was performed.

METHODS

Ninety-nine autopsies of chronic liver disease (80 cirrhosis and 19 noncirrhosis) were examined retrospectively. Platelet count, weight of spleen and thrombotic complications were checked in autopsy protocols. Megakaryocytes in bone marrow were counted under high-power microscopic view. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate significances of these factors in thrombocytopenia.

RESULTS

The platelet count was significantly lower in the cirrhosis cases (88 ± 51 × 10/L) than in the noncirrhosis cases (150 ± 120 × 10/L). The megakaryocyte count was also lower in the cirrhosis cases (1.5 ± 0.6 per high-power field) than in the noncirrhosis cases (1.9 ± 0.5 per high-power field). The weight of the spleen was greater in the cirrhosis cases (264 ± 179 g) than in the noncirrhosis cases (142 ± 82 g). Thrombotic complications had been recorded in 29 cases, whose platelet count (70 ± 41 × 10/L) was lower than that of those without these complications (113 ± 80 × 10/L). Multivariate analysis revealed that these 3 factors (megakaryocyte count, weight of spleen, and thrombotic complications) were independently correlated with the platelet count.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that the imbalance of platelet production-destruction/sequestration-consumption contributes to thrombocytopenia in cirrhosis. Excessive platelet consumption cannot be ignored to explain this complex condition, especially in patients with major thrombotic events.

The biology of thrombopoietin and thrombopoietin receptor agonists

Thrombopoietin (TPO) is the major physiological regulator of platelet production. TPO binds the TPO receptor, activates JAK and STAT pathways, thus stimulating megakaryocyte growth and platelet production. There is no "sensor" of the platelet count; rather TPO is produced in the liver at a constant rate and cleared by TPO receptors on platelets. TPO levels are inversely proportional to the rate of platelet production. Early recombinant TPO molecules were potent stimulators of platelet production and increased platelets in patients with immune thrombocytopenia, chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia, myelodysplastic syndromes and platelet apheresis donors. Neutralizing antibodies formed against one recombinant protein and ended their development. A second generation of TPO receptor agonists, romiplostim and eltrombopag, has been developed. Romiplostim is an IgG heavy chain into which four TPO agonist peptides have been inserted. Eltrombopag is an oral small molecule. These activate the TPO receptor by different mechanisms to increase megakaryocyte growth and platelet production. After administration of either to healthy volunteers, there is a delay of 5 days before the platelet count rises and subsequently reaches a peak after 12-14 days. Both have been highly effective in treating ITP and hepatitis C thrombocytopenia. Studies in a wide variety of other thrombocytopenic conditions are underway.

A Simple Noninvasive Score Based on Routine Parameters can Predict Liver Cirrhosis in Patients With Chronic Hepatitis C

BACKGROUND

Liver biopsy has remained the gold standard for the diagnosis of chronic hepatitis C; even though, it has a low but non-negligible rate of both false negative and complications. Several authors have proposed noninvasive tools to diagnose cirrhosis. But none of them showed complete concordance with liver biopsy.

OBJECTIVES

To devise a score based on noninvasive routine parameters that discriminate between patients with a high risk, and those with a low risk of cirrhosis among patients with chronic hepatitis C without performing liver biopsy, and to compare this score with other ones using routine parameters devoted to this aim.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We reviewed the charts of patients with chronic hepatitis C who performed a liver biopsy between 2000 and 2004. Multivariate analysis was used to identify independent predictors of cirrhosis. An independent group of patients with chronic hepatitis C admitted for a liver biopsy between 2007 and 2012 constituted the validation set.

RESULTS

We enrolled 249 patients who had complete laboratoristic data, and sufficient liver tissue for fibrosis staging. Age, AST, prothrombin activity, and platelets were identified as independent predictors of histological cirrhosis. We categorized these variables, and devised a novel score called CISCUN (Cirrhosis Score University of Naples), giving one point to each of the following predictors: age > 40 years; AST > 2 upper normal values; platelet count < 160.000/mmc; prothrombin activity < 100%. Cirrhosis rate was 2.9% for the 103 patients with a CISCUN = 0 or 1, 23.4% for the 124 patients with a CISCUN of 2 or 3, and 86.4% for the 22 patients with a CISCUN = 4. These results were confirmed in the independent validation group of 285 patients with similar characteristics.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with chronic hepatitis C and with a CISCUN ≤ 1 had a very low rate of cirrhosis while those with a CISCUN = 4 had a high risk of cirrhosis. Patients with CISCUN = 2 or 3 had an intermediate rate of cirrhosis, and therefore needed to perform a liver biopsy to receive a reliable diagnosis.

Liver disease as a cause of thrombocytopenia

BACKGROUND

Liver disease is frequently missed as the cause for a patient's thrombocytopenia.

AIM

To evaluate the role of liver disease in causing thrombocytopenia within a tertiary hospital.

DESIGN

A hospital-based retrospective study.

METHODS

Analysis of medical records of outpatients and inpatients with a platelet count <100 × 10(9)/l seen at St Mary's Hospital, London in October 2011, was conducted. Cause for thrombocytopenia was determined in each case and patients with liver disease were analysed further looking at factors associated with their low platelet count.

RESULTS

In total, 223 patients were included in this study, 109 of them were outpatients and 114 were inpatients. The mean age was 57.1 years (range 22-106), 64% male and 36% female. Liver disease was the cause for thrombocytopenia in 58% of outpatients. Overall, 92 patients with liver disease were identified; cirrhosis and/or splenomegaly were present in 78%, a further 8% were on interferon therapy. Thrombocytopenia was not explained by the extent of liver disease in 8%, significantly more in hepatitis C than other causes of liver disease (P < 0.05). Factors correlating with low platelet count in patients with liver disease were spleen size (P < 0.05) and serum bilirubin (P < 0.001). There were none, or mild abnormalities only in liver function tests in 19 patients with liver disease-associated thrombocytopenia.

CONCLUSION

Liver disease should be considered in all patients with an unknown cause of thrombocytopenia. Advanced liver disease does not have to be present for thrombocytopenia to develop. All patients with unexplained thrombocytopenia should be evaluated to see if liver disease is present, even when liver function tests are normal.

Eltrombopag in patients with chronic liver disease

INTRODUCTION

Thrombocytopenia may represent a barrier to optimal management of chronic liver disease patients undergoing invasive procedures, or who need to be treated with interferon-based antiviral therapy. Eltrombopag is a thrombopoietic drug that acts upon binding thrombopoietin receptor and stimulates megakaryocytopoiesis and platelet production.

AREAS COVERED

A summary of the preclinical studies and of studies carried out in patients with chronic liver disease with eltrombopag are presented in this paper. Data are based on abstracts from journal articles and international conferences found in a PubMed search of literature published up to November 2012.

EXPERT OPINION

Eltrombopag has shown to be capable of reducing the need for platelet transfusion in thrombocytopenic patients with advanced liver disease undergoing invasive procedures and help increase the sustained virological response rate to interferon-based antiviral therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C who were poor candidates to treatment because of thrombocytopenia. In chronic liver disease patients, the possible benefits of eltrombopag administration should be accurately weighed against the adverse events profile of the drug due to possible concerns regarding the occurrence of thromboembolic events and the potential for decompensation of chronic liver disease.

Comparisons of noninvasive indices based on daily practice parameters for predicting liver cirrhosis in chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis C patients in hospital and community populations

Several noninvasive indices have been proposed for predicting liver cirrhosis (LC), particularly in chronic hepatitis C (CHC). In this study, noninvasive indices for predicting LC and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were compared. A total of 119 chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients and 240 CHC patients were evaluated in a hospital-based setting using various predictors for pathologic LC such as aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase (AST/ALT) ratio (AAR), AAR-to-platelet ratio index (AARPRI), AST-to-platelet ratio index (APRI), age-platelet (AP) index, and platelet counts. In addition, these indices were used to predict LC [based on ultrasound (US)] in a community-based population of 201 patients with endemic hepatitis C virus (HCV). These indices were evaluated for their ability to predict HCC in CHB and CHC patients (n = 200). In CHB patients, the diagnostic performance of all indices was inadequate for predicting LC (areas under receiver operating characteristic curves < 0.7). Thrombocytopenia consistently demonstrated comparable accuracy to AARPRI ≥ 0.7 in CHB and AP index ≥ 7.0 in CHC patients. The best cut-off values for APRI, AARPRI, and AP index in predicting LC in CHC were 1.3, 0.8, and 7.0, respectively. The best cut-off values for APRI, AARPRI, and AP index in predicting LC (based on US) were 1.0, 1.2, and 8.0, respectively, in a HCV endemic community. An AAR > 1.4 might be a useful tool to identify candidates at high risk for HCC. In conclusion, platelet count was both consistent and accurate in predicting LC. An AAR > 1.4 is proposed as a possible surrogate marker for identifying patients at high risk for developing HCC.

Causes of thrombocytopenia in chronic hepatitis C viral infection

We retrospectively studied 89 patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, including 50 chronic hepatitis (CH) cases, 18 liver cirrhosis (LC) cases, and 21 LC with hepatocellular carcinoma (LC + HCC) cases, with regard to various factors related with thrombocytopenia. The platelet count decreased with the stage advancement of liver diseases. Multiple regression analysis revealed that splenomegaly and von Willebrand factor (vWF) were explanatory variables that correlated with thrombocytopenia. Splenomegaly appears to be the most responsible factor, although there are a considerable number of thrombocytopenic cases without splenomegaly, suggesting other factors may also be responsible. The vWF level is inversely correlated with the platelet count. Soluble thrombomodulin, a marker of endothelial dysfunction, increases with the advancement of liver fibrosis. It is positively correlated with vWF and inversely with the platelet count. Our present results imply that vascular endothelial dysfunction is also involved in thrombocytopenia during chronic HCV infection.

Factors predicting persistent thrombocytopenia after living donor liver transplantation in pediatric patients

Thrombocytopenia is common after LT for pediatric end-stage liver diseases. Seventy-six pediatric patients (≤15 yr old) who underwent LDLT were evaluated for the incidence and predictive factors of post-transplant thrombocytopenia (PLT <100, 000/mm(3) ). The prevalence of thrombocytopenia at two wk and at 12 months post-transplant was 22/76 (28.9%) and 11/62 (17.7%), respectively. Thrombocytopenia at two wk after LDLT was significantly associated with age at transplant, preoperative PLT, GRWR, acute rejection, and CMV infection in univariate analysis. Moreover, preoperative PLT, GRWR, and acute rejection had a strong correlation in multivariate analysis. Thrombocytopenia at 12 months after LDLT was associated only with preoperative PLT. We also demonstrated that vascular complications caused thrombocytopenia and that successful treatment recovered the PLT. These results showed that, in addition to considering the preoperative PLT, post-operative monitoring of platelets is very helpful for the early detection of adverse events related to the graft liver in pediatric liver transplant patients.

Can serum fibrosis markers predict medium/large oesophageal varices in patients with liver cirrhosis?

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS

Non-invasive predictors of medium/large oesophageal varices (LOVs) could reduce the number of screening endoscopies. As portal hypertension is a consequence of liver fibrosis, serum fibrosis markers were evaluated together with other variables as possible non-invasive predictors of medium OV/LOV.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 154 cirrhotic patients with splenomegaly and 30 healthy control subjects were recruited in a prospective study in two gastroenterology centres in Upper Egypt. Clinical parameters assessed included Child-Pugh class, liver size and ascites. Laboratory parameters included complete blood count, liver function tests, and aspartate aminotransferase (AST)/platelet ratio. Transforming growth factor-β(1) (TGF-β(1)), alpha(2) macroglobulin (A(2)M) and hyaluronic acid (HA) were assayed. Ultrasonographic examination was done for assessment of liver span, portal vein diameter and detection of minimal ascites. Oesophageal varices were diagnosed and graded by oesophagogastroduodenoscopy.

RESULTS

Fifty-four patients (35%) had no or small varices and 100 (65%) patients had medium OV/LOV by endoscopy. On multivariate analysis, the independent predictors of medium OV/LOV were the presence of ascites (β=0.258, p=0.047) and serum HA (β=0.449, p=0.009). The receiver operating characteristic curve for HA showed the area under the curve to be 0.916. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values and diagnostic accuracy of HA at a cut-off value of 207μgl(-1) were 94%, 77.8%, 88.7%, 87.5% and 88.3%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of ascites and serum HA level higher than 207μgl(-1) can predict the presence of medium OV/LOV in cirrhotic patients. This would help physicians to identify patients who would most likely benefit from screening endoscopy and thus, reduce costs and discomfort from unnecessary endoscopic procedures.

Platelet production and destruction in liver cirrhosis

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Thrombocytopenia is common in liver cirrhosis (LC) but the mechanisms are not fully understood. The purpose of our work was to evaluate platelet kinetics in LC with different etiologies by examining platelet production and destruction.

METHODS

Ninety-one consecutive LC patients (36 HCV, 49 alcoholics, 15 HBV) were enrolled. As controls, 25 subjects with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, 10 subjects with aplastic anemia, and 40 healthy blood donors were studied. Plasma thrombopoietin (TPO) was measured by ELISA. Reticulated platelets (RP) were determined using the Thiazole Orange method. Plasma glycocalicin (GC) was measured using monoclonal antibodies. Platelet associated and serum antiplatelet antibodies were detected by flow cytometry. B-cell monoclonality in PBMC was assessed by immunoglobulin fingerprinting.

RESULTS

Serum TPO was significantly lower in LC (29.9±18.1 pg/ml) compared to controls (82.3±47.6 pg/ml). The GC levels were higher in LC (any etiology) than in healthy cases. Conversely, the absolute levels of RP were lower in LC (any etiology) than in healthy controls. The platelet-associated and serum anti-platelet antibodies were higher in HCV+ LC compared to healthy subjects (p<0.0064), alcoholic LC (p<0.018), and HBV+ LC (p<0.0001). B-cell monoclonality was found in 27% of the HCV+LC, while it was not found in HBV+ or alcoholic LC.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with LC present decreased plasma TPO, accelerated platelet turnover, and reduced platelet production. This indicates that LC thrombocytopenia is a multifactorial condition involving both increased platelet clearance and impaired thrombopoiesis.

Infectious causes of chronic immune thrombocytopenia

Persistent thrombocytopenia may be the consequence of chronic infections with hepatitis C virus (HCV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and Helicobacter pylori, and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). Studies have shown that on diagnosis of infections, treatment of the primary disease often results in substantial improvement or complete recovery of the thrombocytopenia. In patients with thrombocytopenia due to HCV-related chronic liver disease, the use of eltrombopag, a thrombopoietin receptor agonist, normalizes platelet levels, thereby permitting the initiation of antiviral therapy. Antiviral therapy with highly active antiretroviral therapy for HIV has aided in platelet recovery, with a corresponding decrease in circulating viral load. Thrombocytopenia in the absence of other disease symptoms requires screening for H. pylori, especially in countries such as Japan, where there is a high prevalence of the disease and the chances of a platelet response to eradication therapy are high.