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Curtis MR, Epstein RL, Pei P, Linas BP, Ciaranello AL. Cost-Effectiveness of Strategies for Treatment Timing for Perinatally Acquired Hepatitis C Virus. JAMA Pediatr 2024; 178:489-496. [PMID: 38466273 PMCID: PMC10928541 DOI: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2024.0114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Importance Prevalence of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among pregnant people is increasing in the US. HCV is transmitted vertically in 7% to 8% of births. Direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy was recently approved for children with HCV who are 3 years or older. The clinical and economic impacts of early DAA therapy for young children with HCV, compared with treating at older ages, are unknown. Objective To develop a state-transition model to project clinical and economic outcomes for children with perinatally acquired HCV to investigate the cost-effectiveness of treating at various ages. Design, Setting, and Participants The study team modeled the natural history of perinatally acquired HCV to simulate disease progression and costs of a simulated a cohort of 1000 US children with HCV from 3 years old through death. Added data were analyzed January 5, 2021, through July 1, 2022. Interventions The study compared strategies offering 8 weeks of DAA therapy at 3, 6, 12, or 18 years old, as well as a comparator of never treating HCV. Main Outcomes and Measures Outcomes of interest include life expectancy from 3 years and average lifetime per-person health care costs. Other clinical outcomes include cases of cirrhosis, decompensated cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Results The study team projected that treating HCV at 3 years old was associated with lower mean lifetime per-person health care costs ($148 162) than deferring treatment until 6 years old ($164 292), 12 years old ($171 909), or 18 years old ($195 374). Projected life expectancy was longest when treating at 3 years old (78.36 life years [LYs]) and decreased with treatment deferral until 6 years old (76.10 LYs), 12 years old (75.99 LYs), and 18 years old (75.46 LYs). In a cohort of 1000 children with perinatally acquired HCV, treating at 3 years old prevented 89 projected cases of cirrhosis, 27 cases of HCC, and 74 liver-related deaths compared with deferring treatment until 6 years old. In sensitivity analyses, increasing loss to follow-up led to even greater clinical benefits and cost savings with earlier treatment. Conclusions and Relevance These study results showed that DAA therapy for 3-year-old children was projected to reduce health care costs and increase survival compared with deferral until age 6 years or older. Measures to increase DAA access for young children will be important to realizing these benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Rose Curtis
- Medical Practice Evaluation Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Boston Medical Center, Massachusetts
- Department of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Boston University School of Medicine, Massachusetts
| | - Rachel L. Epstein
- Boston Medical Center, Massachusetts
- Department of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Boston University School of Medicine, Massachusetts
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Infectious Diseases, Boston University School of Medicine, Massachusetts
| | - Pamela Pei
- Medical Practice Evaluation Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
| | - Benjamin P. Linas
- Boston Medical Center, Massachusetts
- Department of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Boston University School of Medicine, Massachusetts
| | - Andrea L. Ciaranello
- Medical Practice Evaluation Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
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Xu S, Qiu L, Xu L, Liu Y, Zhang J. Development and validation of a nomogram for assessing hepatocellular carcinoma risk after SVR in hepatitis C patients with advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis. Infect Agent Cancer 2024; 19:17. [PMID: 38664813 PMCID: PMC11046761 DOI: 10.1186/s13027-024-00578-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis C patients with advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis are at high risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), even after sustained virological response (SVR). Clinical recommendations impose a significant burden on patients by recommending lifelong screening for HCC every six months. The goals of this study were to develop a nomogram that accurately stratifies risk of HCC and improve the screening approach that is currently in use. METHOD Risk factors for HCC were identified using univariate and multivariate analyses in this prospective study. We developed and validated a nomogram for assessing hepatocellular carcinoma risk after SVR in patients with advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis. RESULTS During the median follow-up period of 61.00 (57.00-66.00) months in the derivation cohort, 37 patients (9.61%) developed HCC. Older age (HR = 1.08, 95% CI 1.02-1.14, p = 0.009), male gender (HR = 2.38, 95% CI 1.10-5.13, p = 0.027), low serum albumin levels (HR = 0.92, 95% CI 0.86-1.00, p = 0.037), and high liver stiffness measurement (LSM) (HR = 1.03, 95% CI 1.01-1.06, p = 0.001) were found to be independent predictors of HCC development. Harrell's C-index for the derivation cohort was 0.81. The nomogram's 3-, 5- and 7-years time-dependent AUROCSs were 0.84 (95% CI 0.80-0.88), 0.83 (95% CI 0.79-0.87), and 0.81 (95% CI 0.77-0.85), respectively (all p > 0.05). According to the nomogram, patients are categorized as having low, intermediate, or high risk. The annual incidence rates of HCC in the three groups were 0.18%, 1.29%, and 4.45%, respectively (all p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Older age, male gender, low serum albumin levels, and high LSM were risk factors for HCC after SVR in hepatitis C patients with advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis. We used these risk factors to establish a nomogram. The nomogram can identify a suitable screening plan by classifying hepatitis C patients according to their risk of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Xu
- The Third Unit, Department of Hepatology, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, People's Republic of China
| | - Lixia Qiu
- The Third Unit, Department of Hepatology, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, People's Republic of China
| | - Liang Xu
- Department of Hepatology, Tianjin Second People's Hospital, Tianjin Research Institute of Liver Diseases, Tianjin, 300192, People's Republic of China
| | - Yali Liu
- The Third Unit, Department of Hepatology, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Zhang
- The Third Unit, Department of Hepatology, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, People's Republic of China.
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Radmanić L, Šimičić P, Bodulić K, Vince A, Zidovec-Lepej S. Antiviral treatment significantly reduces the levels of CXCL9, CXCL10 and CXCL11 in chronic hepatitis C. Cytokine 2024; 176:156529. [PMID: 38335772 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2024.156529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
In this study, we aimed to elucidate the changes in the immune response during antiviral treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C, with an emphasis on the chemokine dynamics and their association with liver fibrosis. Serum concentrations of 12 chemokines. (CCL2, CCL3, CCL4, CCL11, CCL17, CCL20, CXCL1, CXCL5, CXCL8, CXCL9, CXCL10 and CXCL11) were measured in 32 patients with chronic hepatitis C before direct-acting antiviral treatment and after sustained virological response using bead-based flow cytometry. Chemokine levels were also measured in 14 sex- and age-matched healthy individuals. Concentrations of CXCL9, CXCL10, CXCL11 and CCL20 were significantly higher in chronic hepatitis C patients before direct-acting antiviral treatment compared to healthy individuals. We also observed a significant reduction in CXCL9, CXCL10 and CXCL11 levels after sustained virological response. Furthermore, we demonstrated a strong positive correlation between CXCL9, CXCL10 and CXCL11 levels before antiviral treatment. When considering liver fibrosis, we found significantly higher levels of CXCL10 and lower levels of CCL17 and CXCL5 in pre-treatment patients with severe fibrosis. None of the analysed chemokines were able to predict METAVIR fibrosis score reduction after sustained virological response. The results of this study emphasize the importance of proinflammatory pathways in liver fibrosis immunopathology during chronic hepatitis C. Finally, our results also characterized CXCL10 as the chemokine which most accurately distinguished pre-treatment CHC patients and healthy individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leona Radmanić
- Department of Immunological and Molecular Diagnostics, University Hospital for Infectious Diseases, "Dr. Fran Mihaljević", HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Petra Šimičić
- Department of Immunological and Molecular Diagnostics, University Hospital for Infectious Diseases, "Dr. Fran Mihaljević", HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Kristian Bodulić
- Research Department, University Hospital for Infectious Diseases, "Dr. Fran Mihaljević", HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Adriana Vince
- Department of Viral Hepatitis, University Hospital for Infectious Diseases, "Dr. Fran Mihaljević", HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia; School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Snjezana Zidovec-Lepej
- Department of Immunological and Molecular Diagnostics, University Hospital for Infectious Diseases, "Dr. Fran Mihaljević", HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
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Wang TJ, Chen MY, Lin YC, Chiu WN, Huang TJ, Weng HH. High prevalence of fatty liver and its association with metabolic syndrome among rural adults with chronic hepatitis C: Implications for primary healthcare. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:532. [PMID: 38378519 PMCID: PMC10880326 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-17851-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) virus infection is a global health concern that is associated with significant liver-related morbidity and mortality. Owing to the inflammatory pathway, CHC can causefatty liver, liver cirrhosis, and liver cancer and is associated with cardiometabolic diseases, such as hypertension and diabetes. Fatty liver is associated with metabolic disorders, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and liver cancer. Hence, the early detection of fatty liver through noninvasive screening in adults with CHC is important in primary healthcare settings. This study aimed to explore the prevalence of fatty liver and its association with metabolic syndrome amongrural adults with CHC. METHODS This was a series of cohort studies related to the elimination of the CHC burden around the western coastal Yunlin County, Taiwan, between August 2018 and July 2021. A cross-sectional study was conducted after hepatitis C virus RNA confirmation in a hepatitis C- endemic area. A gastrointestinal physician or radiologist assessed fatty liver by ultrasonography. Fatty liver was classified into four grades: normal, mild, moderate, and severe. Three liver enzyme biomarkers were identified. According to the Taiwan national standard, metabolic syndrome was defined based on the presence of three or more of the five abnormal biomarkers, including increased waist circumference, elevated blood pressure, elevated fasting blood glucose level, elevated triglyceride level, and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level. RESULTS A total of 256 rural adults with CHC were enrolled. The mean age of the participants was 67.5 (standard deviation = 11.8) years, with a low educational level. High prevalence of fatty liver (79%), central obesity (54.3%), elevated blood pressure (55.5%),elevated fasting blood glucose (FBG) level (44.9%), and metabolic syndrome (37.9%) were observed.The results showed that adults with CHC with moderate to severe fatty liver were significantly associated with an increased risk of increased waist circumference (P < 0.001), increased blood pressure (P < 0.001), low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level (P < 0.05), and elevated liver enzyme biomarker levels (all P < 0.05) after adjusting for age, sex, and educational level. Furthermore, adults with CHC with moderate to severe fatty liver were significantly associated with a greater risk of metabolic syndrome (odds ratio = 2.85, 95% confidence interval = 1.66 to 4.92). CONCLUSIONS The findings demonstrate a high prevalence of fatty liver in rural adults with CHC, which is significantly associated with obesity, metabolic syndrome, and elevated liver biomarker levels. Clinicians and primary healthcare providers must encourage patients with CHC to receive antiviral therapy combined with weight loss management and lifestyle modification, allowing general improvements in their liver and cardiometabolic health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ta-Jen Wang
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan
| | - Mei-Yen Chen
- Department of Nursing, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Chiayi, Taiwan
- Department of Cardiology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan
- School of Nursing, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Chih Lin
- Department of Family Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Nan Chiu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan
| | - Tung-Jung Huang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan
- Department of Respiratory Care, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Chiayi, Taiwan
| | - Hsu-Huei Weng
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan.
- Department of Nursing, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Chiayi, Taiwan.
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
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Rogal SS, Taddei TH, Monto A, Yakovchenko V, Patton H, Merante M, Spoutz P, Chia L, Yudkevich J, Aytaman A, Rabiee A, John BV, Blechacz B, Cai CX, Gilles H, Shah AS, McCurdy H, Puri P, Jou J, Mazhar K, Dominitz JA, Anwar J, Morgan TR, Ioannou GN. Hepatocellular Carcinoma Diagnosis and Management in 2021: A National Veterans Affairs Quality Improvement Project. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2024; 22:324-338. [PMID: 37460005 PMCID: PMC10788380 DOI: 10.1016/j.cgh.2023.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS The coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic profoundly disrupted preventative health care services including cancer screening. As the largest provider of cirrhosis care in the United States, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) National Gastroenterology and Hepatology Program aimed to assess factors associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) stage at diagnosis, treatment, and survival. METHODS Veterans with a new diagnosis of HCC in 2021 were identified from electronic health records (N = 2306). Structured medical record extraction was performed by expert reviewers in a 10% random subsample of Veterans with new HCC diagnoses. Factors associated with stage at diagnosis, receipt of treatment, and survival were assessed using multivariable models. RESULTS Among 199 patients with confirmed HCC, the average age was 71 years and most (72%) had underlying cirrhosis. More than half (54%) were at an early stage (T1 or T2) at diagnosis. Less-advanced liver disease, number of imaging tests adequate for HCC screening, HCC diagnosis in the VA, and receipt of VA primary care were associated significantly with early stage diagnosis. HCC-directed treatments were administered to 145 (73%) patients after a median of 37 days (interquartile range, 19-54 d) from diagnosis, including 70 (35%) patients who received potentially curative treatments. Factors associated with potentially curative (vs no) treatments included HCC screening, early stage at diagnosis, and better performance status. Having fewer comorbidities and better performance status were associated significantly with noncurative (vs no) treatment. Early stage diagnosis, diagnosis in the VA system, and receipt of curative treatment were associated significantly with survival. CONCLUSIONS These results highlight the importance of HCC screening and engagement in care for HCC diagnosis, treatment, and survival while demonstrating the feasibility of developing a national quality improvement agenda for HCC screening, diagnosis, and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shari S Rogal
- VA Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
| | - Tamar H Taddei
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut; Section of Digestive Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Alexander Monto
- San Francisco VA Health Care System, San Francisco, California
| | - Vera Yakovchenko
- VA Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Heather Patton
- Gastroenterology Section, Jennifer Moreno VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California
| | - Monica Merante
- VA Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Patrick Spoutz
- Pharmacy Benefits Management, Veterans Integrated Service Network 20, Vancouver, Washington
| | - Linda Chia
- Pharmacy Benefits Management, Veterans Integrated Service Network 20, Vancouver, Washington
| | - Jennifer Yudkevich
- VA New York Harbor Healthcare System, Brooklyn Campus, Brooklyn, New York
| | - Ayse Aytaman
- VA New York Harbor Healthcare System, Brooklyn Campus, Brooklyn, New York; SUNY Health Science Center Brooklyn, Brooklyn, New York
| | - Atoosa Rabiee
- Washington DC VA Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Binu V John
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Miami VA Healthcare System, Miami, Florida; Division of Digestive Health and Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Boris Blechacz
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, VA South Texas Health Care System, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Cindy X Cai
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, VA Loma Linda Healthcare System, Loma Linda, California; Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California; Department of Internal Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, California
| | - HoChong Gilles
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Central Virginia VA Healthcare System, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Anand S Shah
- Division of Gastroenterology, Joseph Maxwell Cleland Atlanta VA Medical Center, Decatur, Georgia; Division of Digestive Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | | | - Puneet Puri
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Central Virginia VA Healthcare System, Richmond, Virginia; Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Janice Jou
- VA Portland Healthcare System, Portland, Oregon; Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Khurram Mazhar
- VA North Texas Health Care System, Dallas, Texas; Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Jason A Dominitz
- VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington; Division of Gastroenterology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington
| | - Jennifer Anwar
- Gastroenterology Section, VA Long Beach Healthcare System, Long Beach, California
| | - Timothy R Morgan
- Gastroenterology Section, VA Long Beach Healthcare System, Long Beach, California; Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, California
| | - George N Ioannou
- VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington; Division of Gastroenterology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington
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Hong H, Choi WM, Lee D, Shim JH, Kim KM, Lim YS, Lee HC, Choi J. Prediction of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Development in Korean Patients after Hepatitis C Cure with Direct-Acting Antivirals. Gut Liver 2024; 18:147-155. [PMID: 37076993 PMCID: PMC10791507 DOI: 10.5009/gnl220386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2022] [Revised: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Background/Aims With the wide application of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) for hepatitis C virus infection, the number of patients achieving a sustained virologic response (SVR) will continue to increase. However, no consensus has been achieved on exempting SVR-achieving patients from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) surveillance. Methods Between 2013 and 2021, 873 Korean patients who achieved SVR following DAA treatment were analyzed. We evaluated the predictive performance of seven noninvasive scores (PAGE-B, modified PAGE-B, Toronto HCC risk index, fibrosis-4, aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index, albumin-bilirubin, and age male albumin-bilirubin platelet [aMAP]) at baseline and after SVR. Results The mean age of the 873 patients (39.3% males) was 59.1 years, and 224 patients (25.7%) had cirrhosis. During 3,542 person-years of follow-up, 44 patients developed HCC, with an annual incidence of 1.24/100 person-years. Male sex (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR], 2.21), cirrhosis (AHR, 7.93), and older age (AHR, 1.05) were associated with a significantly higher HCC risk in multivariate analysis. The performance of all scores at the time of SVR were numerically better than those at baseline as determined by the integrated area under the curve. Time-dependent area under the curves for predicting the 3-, 5-, and 7-year risk of HCC after SVR were higher in mPAGE-B (0.778, 0.746, and 0.812, respectively) and aMAP (0.776, 0.747, and 0.790, respectively) systems than others. No patients predicted as low-risk by the aMAP or mPAGE-B systems developed HCC. Conclusions aMAP and mPAGE-B scores demonstrated the highest predictive performance for de novo HCC in DAA-treated, SVR-achieving patients. Hence, these two systems may be used to identify low-risk patients that can be exempted from HCC surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyeyeon Hong
- Department of Gastroenterology, Liver Center, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Won-Mook Choi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Liver Center, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Danbi Lee
- Department of Gastroenterology, Liver Center, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ju Hyun Shim
- Department of Gastroenterology, Liver Center, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kang Mo Kim
- Department of Gastroenterology, Liver Center, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Young-Suk Lim
- Department of Gastroenterology, Liver Center, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Han Chu Lee
- Department of Gastroenterology, Liver Center, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jonggi Choi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Liver Center, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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Pugliese N, Polverini D, Arcari I, De Nicola S, Colapietro F, Masetti C, Ormas M, Ceriani R, Lleo A, Aghemo A. Hepatitis C Virus Infection in the Elderly in the Era of Direct-Acting Antivirals: Evidence from Clinical Trials and Real Life. Trop Med Infect Dis 2023; 8:502. [PMID: 37999621 PMCID: PMC10674442 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed8110502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The introduction of direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) into clinical practice has revolutionized the therapeutic approach to patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. According to the most recent guidelines, the first line of treatment for HCV infection involves the use of one of three pan-genotypic DAA combinations, sofosbuvir/velpatasvir (SOF/VEL), glecaprevir/pibrentasvir (GLE/PIB), and sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir (SOF/VEL/VOX). These drugs have been shown to be effective and safe in numerous clinical trials and real-world studies, but special populations have been neglected. Among the special populations to be treated are elderly patients, whose numbers are increasing in clinical practice. The management of these patients can be challenging, in particular due to multiple comorbidities, polypharmacotherapy, and potential drug-drug interactions. This narrative review aims to summarize the current scientific evidence on the efficacy and safety of DAAs in the elderly population, both in clinical trials and in real-life settings. Although there is still a paucity of real-world data and no clinical trials have yet been conducted in the population aged ≥ 75 years old, some considerations about the efficacy and safety of DAAs in the elderly can be made based on the results of these studies. The pan-genotypic associations of DAAs appear to be as efficacious and safe in the elderly population as in the general population; this is both in terms of similar sustained virologic response (SVR) rates and similar frequencies of adverse events (AEs). However, further studies specifically involving this patient population would be necessary to confirm this evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Pugliese
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, 20072 Pieve Emanuele, MI, Italy; (N.P.); (D.P.); (I.A.); (F.C.); (A.L.)
- Division of Internal Medicine and Hepatology, Department of Gastroenterology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, 20089 Rozzano, MI, Italy; (S.D.N.); (C.M.); (M.O.); (R.C.)
| | - Davide Polverini
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, 20072 Pieve Emanuele, MI, Italy; (N.P.); (D.P.); (I.A.); (F.C.); (A.L.)
- Division of Internal Medicine and Hepatology, Department of Gastroenterology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, 20089 Rozzano, MI, Italy; (S.D.N.); (C.M.); (M.O.); (R.C.)
| | - Ivan Arcari
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, 20072 Pieve Emanuele, MI, Italy; (N.P.); (D.P.); (I.A.); (F.C.); (A.L.)
- Division of Internal Medicine and Hepatology, Department of Gastroenterology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, 20089 Rozzano, MI, Italy; (S.D.N.); (C.M.); (M.O.); (R.C.)
| | - Stella De Nicola
- Division of Internal Medicine and Hepatology, Department of Gastroenterology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, 20089 Rozzano, MI, Italy; (S.D.N.); (C.M.); (M.O.); (R.C.)
| | - Francesca Colapietro
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, 20072 Pieve Emanuele, MI, Italy; (N.P.); (D.P.); (I.A.); (F.C.); (A.L.)
- Division of Internal Medicine and Hepatology, Department of Gastroenterology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, 20089 Rozzano, MI, Italy; (S.D.N.); (C.M.); (M.O.); (R.C.)
| | - Chiara Masetti
- Division of Internal Medicine and Hepatology, Department of Gastroenterology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, 20089 Rozzano, MI, Italy; (S.D.N.); (C.M.); (M.O.); (R.C.)
| | - Monica Ormas
- Division of Internal Medicine and Hepatology, Department of Gastroenterology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, 20089 Rozzano, MI, Italy; (S.D.N.); (C.M.); (M.O.); (R.C.)
| | - Roberto Ceriani
- Division of Internal Medicine and Hepatology, Department of Gastroenterology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, 20089 Rozzano, MI, Italy; (S.D.N.); (C.M.); (M.O.); (R.C.)
| | - Ana Lleo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, 20072 Pieve Emanuele, MI, Italy; (N.P.); (D.P.); (I.A.); (F.C.); (A.L.)
- Division of Internal Medicine and Hepatology, Department of Gastroenterology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, 20089 Rozzano, MI, Italy; (S.D.N.); (C.M.); (M.O.); (R.C.)
| | - Alessio Aghemo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, 20072 Pieve Emanuele, MI, Italy; (N.P.); (D.P.); (I.A.); (F.C.); (A.L.)
- Division of Internal Medicine and Hepatology, Department of Gastroenterology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, 20089 Rozzano, MI, Italy; (S.D.N.); (C.M.); (M.O.); (R.C.)
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Meyers NL, Ashuach T, Lyons DE, Khalid MM, Simoneau CR, Erickson AL, Bouhaddou M, Nguyen TT, Kumar GR, Taha TY, Natarajan V, Baron JL, Neff N, Zanini F, Mahmoudi T, Quake SR, Krogan NJ, Cooper S, McDevitt TC, Yosef N, Ott M. Hepatitis C virus infects and perturbs liver stem cells. mBio 2023; 14:e0131823. [PMID: 37938000 PMCID: PMC10746249 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01318-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the leading cause of death from liver disease. How HCV infection causes lasting liver damage and increases cancer risk remains unclear. Here, we identify bipotent liver stem cells as novel targets for HCV infection, and their erroneous differentiation as the potential cause of impaired liver regeneration and cancer development. We show 3D organoids generated from liver stem cells from actively HCV-infected individuals carry replicating virus and maintain low-grade infection over months. Organoids can be infected with a primary HCV isolate. Virus-inclusive single-cell RNA sequencing uncovered transcriptional reprogramming in HCV+ cells supporting hepatocytic differentiation, cancer stem cell development, and viral replication while stem cell proliferation and interferon signaling are disrupted. Our data add a new pathogenesis mechanism-infection of liver stem cells-to the biology of HCV infection that may explain progressive liver damage and enhanced cancer risk through an altered stem cell state.ImportanceThe hepatitis C virus (HCV) causes liver disease, affecting millions. Even though we have effective antivirals that cure HCV, they cannot stop terminal liver disease. We used an adult stem cell-derived liver organoid system to understand how HCV infection leads to the progression of terminal liver disease. Here, we show that HCV maintains low-grade infections in liver organoids for the first time. HCV infection in liver organoids leads to transcriptional reprogramming causing cancer cell development and altered immune response. Our finding shows how HCV infection in liver organoids mimics HCV infection and patient pathogenesis. These results reveal that HCV infection in liver organoids contributes to liver disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tal Ashuach
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and Center for Computational Biology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | | | - Mir M. Khalid
- Gladstone Institute of Virology, San Francisco, California, USA
| | | | - Ann L. Erickson
- California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Mehdi Bouhaddou
- Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
- Gladstone Institute of Data Science and Biotechnology, San Francisco, California, USA
- Quantitative Biosciences Institute, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Thong T. Nguyen
- Gladstone Institute of Virology, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - G. Renuka Kumar
- Gladstone Institute of Virology, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Taha Y. Taha
- Gladstone Institute of Virology, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Vaishaali Natarajan
- Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Jody L. Baron
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Norma Neff
- Chan Zuckerburg Biohub, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Fabio Zanini
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Tokameh Mahmoudi
- Department of Biochemistry, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Stephen R. Quake
- Chan Zuckerburg Biohub, San Francisco, California, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Nevan J. Krogan
- Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
- Gladstone Institute of Data Science and Biotechnology, San Francisco, California, USA
- Quantitative Biosciences Institute, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Stewart Cooper
- California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Todd C. McDevitt
- Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, San Francisco, California, USA
- Bioengineering & Therapeutic Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Nir Yosef
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and Center for Computational Biology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
- Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Melanie Ott
- Gladstone Institute of Virology, San Francisco, California, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Chan Zuckerburg Biohub, San Francisco, California, USA
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9
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Ozaki K, Ohtani T, Ishida T, Takahashi K, Ishida S, Takata K, Sakai T, Higuchi S, Gabata T. Liver fibrosis estimated using extracellular volume fraction obtained from dual-energy CT as a risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma after sustained virologic response: A preliminary case-control study. Eur J Radiol 2023; 168:111112. [PMID: 37783146 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2023.111112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To assess hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) risk after sustained virologic response (SVR) through clinical data analyses, including evaluation of liver fibrosis using the extracellular volume fraction (ECV) obtained from dual-energy computed tomography (DECT). METHODS Ninety-two patients (52 men and 40 women; mean age, 69.9 years) with hepatitis C virus infection after SVR underwent DECT of the liver (3-minute equilibrium-phase images) between January 2020 and March 2022. The ECV was calculated by measuring iodine density; fibrous markers, including ECV, fibrosis-4 index, aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index, and platelet count, were statistically analyzed (p < 0.05). The risk factors associated with HCC were analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. RESULTS The ECV (26.1 ± 4.6 %) in patients with HCC (n,21) was significantly larger than the ECV (20.7 ± 3.3 %) in patients without HCC (n = 71) (p < 0.001). The cutoff value for the ECV was 24.3 %. The area under the operating characteristic curve of the ECV was 0.857, which was higher than that of the serum fibrosis markers. Older age, SVR achieved with interferon, alpha-fetoprotein level (>5 ng/mL), advanced fibrosis before treatment (>F3), and ECV were associated with HCC according to the univariate analysis. Multivariate analyses showed that ECV was the only factor independently associated with HCC (odds ratio 0.619, 95 % confidence interval 0.482-0.795, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION Liver fibrosis estimated using ECV can be a predictive marker in patients with HCC after SVR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kumi Ozaki
- Departments of Radiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, Japan; Department of Radiology, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Japan.
| | - Takashi Ohtani
- Radiological Center, University of Fukui Hospital, Japan
| | | | | | - Shota Ishida
- Radiological Center, University of Fukui Hospital, Japan; Department of Radiological Technology, Faculty of Medical Science, Kyoto College of Medical Science, Japan
| | - Kenji Takata
- Departments of Radiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, Japan
| | - Toyohiko Sakai
- Departments of Radiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, Japan
| | - Shohei Higuchi
- Departments of Pathology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, Japan
| | - Toshifumi Gabata
- Department of Radiology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan
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10
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Abdalla MMI. Serum resistin and the risk for hepatocellular carcinoma in diabetic patients. World J Gastroenterol 2023; 29:4271-4288. [PMID: 37545641 PMCID: PMC10401662 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v29.i27.4271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 06/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the predominant type of liver cancer, is a major contributor to cancer-related fatalities across the globe. Diabetes has been identified as a significant risk factor for HCC, with recent research indicating that the hormone resistin could be involved in the onset and advancement of HCC in diabetic individuals. Resistin is a hormone that is known to be involved in inflammation and insulin resistance. Patients with HCC have been observed to exhibit increased resistin levels, which could be correlated with more severe disease stages and unfavourable prognoses. Nevertheless, the exact processes through which resistin influences the development and progression of HCC in diabetic patients remain unclear. This article aims to examine the existing literature on the possible use of resistin levels as a biomarker for HCC development and monitoring. Furthermore, it reviews the possible pathways of HCC initiation due to elevated resistin and offers new perspectives on comprehending the fundamental mechanisms of HCC in diabetic patients. Gaining a better understanding of these processes may yield valuable insights into HCC’s development and progression, as well as identify possible avenues for prevention and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona Mohamed Ibrahim Abdalla
- Department of Human Biology, School of Medicine, International Medical University, Bukit Jalil 57000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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11
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Nguyen T, Mills JC, Cho CJ. The coordinated management of ribosome and translation during injury and regeneration. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1186638. [PMID: 37427381 PMCID: PMC10325863 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1186638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Diverse acute and chronic injuries induce damage responses in the gastrointestinal (GI) system, and numerous cell types in the gastrointestinal tract demonstrate remarkable resilience, adaptability, and regenerative capacity in response to stress. Metaplasias, such as columnar and secretory cell metaplasia, are well-known adaptations that these cells make, the majority of which are epidemiologically associated with an elevated cancer risk. On a number of fronts, it is now being investigated how cells respond to injury at the tissue level, where diverse cell types that differ in proliferation capacity and differentiation state cooperate and compete with one another to participate in regeneration. In addition, the cascades or series of molecular responses that cells show are just beginning to be understood. Notably, the ribosome, a ribonucleoprotein complex that is essential for translation on the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and in the cytoplasm, is recognized as the central organelle during this process. The highly regulated management of ribosomes as key translational machinery, and their platform, rough endoplasmic reticulum, are not only essential for maintaining differentiated cell identity, but also for achieving successful cell regeneration after injury. This review will cover in depth how ribosomes, the endoplasmic reticulum, and translation are regulated and managed in response to injury (e.g., paligenosis), as well as why this is essential for the proper adaptation of a cell to stress. For this, we will first discuss how multiple gastrointestinal organs respond to stress through metaplasia. Next, we will cover how ribosomes are generated, maintained, and degraded, in addition to the factors that govern translation. Finally, we will investigate how ribosomes and translation machinery are dynamically regulated in response to injury. Our increased understanding of this overlooked cell fate decision mechanism will facilitate the discovery of novel therapeutic targets for gastrointestinal tract tumors, focusing on ribosomes and translation machinery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thanh Nguyen
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Jason C. Mills
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Charles J. Cho
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
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12
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Li D, Cao D, Cui Y, Sun Y, Jiang J, Cao X. The potential of epigallocatechin gallate in the chemoprevention and therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1201085. [PMID: 37292151 PMCID: PMC10244546 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1201085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), one of the most notorious malignancies globally, has a high fatality and poor prognosis. Though remarkable breakthroughs have been made in the therapeutic strategies recently, the overall survival of HCC remains unsatisfactory. Consequently, the therapy of HCC remains a great challenge. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a natural polyphenol extracted from the leaves of the tea bush, has been extensively investigated for its antitumor effects. In this review, we summarize the previous literature to elucidate the roles of EGCG in the chemoprophylaxis and therapy of HCC. Accumulating evidence has confirmed EGCG prevents and inhibits the hepatic tumorigenesis and progression through multiple biological mechanisms, mainly involving hepatitis virus infection, oxidative stress, proliferation, invasion, migration, angiogenesis, apoptosis, autophagy, and tumor metabolism. Furthermore, EGCG enhances the efficacy and sensitivity of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and targeted therapy in HCC. In conclusion, preclinical studies have confirmed the potential of EGCG for chemoprevention and therapy of HCC under multifarious experimental models and conditions. Nevertheless, there is an urgent need to explore the safety and efficacy of EGCG in the clinical practice of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongming Li
- Department of Gastric and Colorectal Surgery, General Surgery Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Donghui Cao
- Division of Clinical Epidemiology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yingnan Cui
- Department of Gastric and Colorectal Surgery, General Surgery Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Yuanlin Sun
- Department of Gastric and Colorectal Surgery, General Surgery Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Jing Jiang
- Division of Clinical Epidemiology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xueyuan Cao
- Department of Gastric and Colorectal Surgery, General Surgery Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
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13
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Kouroumalis E, Tsomidis I, Voumvouraki A. Pathogenesis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: The Interplay of Apoptosis and Autophagy. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11041166. [PMID: 37189787 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11041166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 04/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a multifactorial process that has not yet been fully investigated. Autophagy and apoptosis are two important cellular pathways that are critical for cell survival or death. The balance between apoptosis and autophagy regulates liver cell turnover and maintains intracellular homeostasis. However, the balance is often dysregulated in many cancers, including HCC. Autophagy and apoptosis pathways may be either independent or parallel or one may influence the other. Autophagy may either inhibit or promote apoptosis, thus regulating the fate of the liver cancer cells. In this review, a concise overview of the pathogenesis of HCC is presented, with emphasis on new developments, including the role of endoplasmic reticulum stress, the implication of microRNAs and the role of gut microbiota. The characteristics of HCC associated with a specific liver disease are also described and a brief description of autophagy and apoptosis is provided. The role of autophagy and apoptosis in the initiation, progress and metastatic potential is reviewed and the experimental evidence indicating an interplay between the two is extensively analyzed. The role of ferroptosis, a recently described specific pathway of regulated cell death, is presented. Finally, the potential therapeutic implications of autophagy and apoptosis in drug resistance are examined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elias Kouroumalis
- Department of Gastroenterology, PAGNI University Hospital, University of Crete School of Medicine, 71500 Heraklion, Crete, Greece
- Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Crete Medical School, 71500 Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Ioannis Tsomidis
- Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Crete Medical School, 71500 Heraklion, Crete, Greece
- 1st Department of Internal Medicine, AHEPA University Hospital, 54621 Thessaloniki, Central Macedonia, Greece
| | - Argyro Voumvouraki
- 1st Department of Internal Medicine, AHEPA University Hospital, 54621 Thessaloniki, Central Macedonia, Greece
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14
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Role of Etiology in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients Treated with Lenvatinib: A Counterfactual Event-Based Mediation Analysis. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15020381. [PMID: 36672330 PMCID: PMC9856921 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15020381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Whether the etiology of underlying liver disease represents a prognostic factor in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with lenvatinib is still a matter of debate. This study investigates whether the viral etiology of HCC plays a prognostic role in overall survival (OS). Methods: Data derived from a multicenter series of 313 HCC patients treated with lenvatinib between 2019 and 2022 were analyzed. Actuarial survival estimates were computed using the Kaplan−Meier method and compared with the log-rank test. We performed an event-based counterfactual mediation analysis to estimate direct (chronic inflammation and immunosuppression), indirect (tobacco smoking, alcohol use, illicit drug abuse with injections), and the total effect of viral etiology on OS. Results were expressed as hazard ratio (HR) and 95% CI. Results: Median OS was 21 months (95% CI: 20−23) in the group with other etiologies and 15 months (14−16) in the group with viral etiology (p < 0.0001). The total effect of viral etiology was associated with OS (HR 2.76, 1.32−5.21), and it was mainly explained by the pure direct effect of viral etiology (HR 2.74, 1.15−4.45). By contrast, its total indirect effect was not associated with poorer survival (HR 1.05, 0.82−2.13). These results were confirmed when considering tobacco, alcohol consumption, or injection drug abuse as potential mediators. Median progression-free survival was 9 months (8−10) in patients with other etiologies and 6 months (5−7) in patients with viral etiology (p < 0.0001). No difference in terms of adverse event rate was observed between the two groups. Conclusions: Patients affected by HCC with nonviral etiology treated with lenvatinib exhibit longer survival than those with viral etiology. This finding may have relevance in the treatment decision-making process.
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15
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Tripathi SK, Pal A, Ghosh S, Goel A, Aggarwal R, Banerjee S, Das S. LncRNA NEAT1 regulates HCV-induced Hepatocellular carcinoma by modulating the miR-9-BGH3 axis. J Gen Virol 2022; 103. [PMID: 36748628 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.001809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a leading cause of end-stage liver diseases, such as fibrosis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Several cellular entities, including paraspeckles and their related components, are involved in viral pathogenesis and cancer progression. NEAT1 lncRNA is a major component of paraspeckles that has been linked to several malignancies. In this study, analysis of the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and validation in HCV-induced HCC tissue and serum samples showed significantly high expression of NEAT1 in patients with liver cancer. Moreover, we found that NEAT1 levels increased upon HCV infection. To further understand the mechanism of NEAT1-induced HCC progression, we selected one of its targets, miR-9-5 p, which regulates BGH3 mRNA levels. Interestingly, miR-9-5 p levels were downregulated upon HCV infection, whereas BGH3 levels were upregulated. Additionally, partial NEAT1 knockdown increased miR-9-5 p levels and decreased BGH3 levels, corroborating our initial results. BGH3 levels were also upregulated in HCV-induced HCC and TCGA tissue samples, which could be directly correlated with NEAT1 levels. As a known oncogene, BGH3 is directly linked to HCC progression mediated by NEAT1. We also found that NEAT1 levels remained upregulated in serum samples from patients treated with direct-acting antivirals (DAA), indicating that NEAT1 might be a molecular trigger that promotes HCC development. Collectively, these findings provide molecular insights into HCV-induced HCC progression via the NEAT1-miR-9-BGH3 axis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Apala Pal
- Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Suchandrima Ghosh
- Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education & Research, Kolkata, India
| | - Amit Goel
- Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, India
| | - Rakesh Aggarwal
- Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, India
| | - Soma Banerjee
- Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education & Research, Kolkata, India
| | - Saumitra Das
- Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India.,National Institute of Biomedical Genomics, Kalyani, India
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16
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White MC, Wu X, Damania B. Oncogenic viruses, cancer biology, and innate immunity. Curr Opin Immunol 2022; 78:102253. [PMID: 36240666 DOI: 10.1016/j.coi.2022.102253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Malignancies that arise as a result of viral infection account for roughly 15% of cancer cases worldwide. The innate immune system is the body's first line of defense against oncogenic viral infection and is also involved in the response against viral-driven tumors. In this review, we discuss research advances made over the last five years elucidating how the innate immune system recognizes and responds to oncogenic viruses, how these viruses have evolved to escape this immune pressure, and ways that innate immunity can inform the development of novel therapeutics against oncogenic viral infection and their associated cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria C White
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Xinjun Wu
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Blossom Damania
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
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17
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Atif M, Mustaan MA, Falak S, Ghaffar A, Munir B. Targeting the effect of sofosbuvir on selective oncogenes expression level of hepatocellular carcinoma Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK pathway in Huh7 cell line. Saudi J Biol Sci 2022; 29:103332. [PMID: 35813116 PMCID: PMC9256646 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2022.103332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Direct acting antiviral agents are emerging line of treatment to eradicate Hepatitis C virus. Recent controversy over whether direct acting antiviral agents increase rate of hepatocellular carcinoma in HCV patients or prevent it, has increased the need to elaborate underlying mechanisms on molecular basis. This work was aimed to investigate the effect of sofosbuvir on the expression of selected oncogenes from the Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK pathway in Huh7 cell line. Results found concrete molecular evidence that sofosbuvir has significantly altered the expression of selected genes when huh7 cell line was treated with sofosbuvir. Nine genes related to HCC were found to be affected by sofosbuvir in a mixed effect manner. The relative expression of growth factors (VEGF, PDGFRB and HGF) was increased in sofosbuvir treated cell lines. The kinase family genes H-RAS, B-RAF, MET except MAPK1 were downregulated. Similarly, DUSP1 was upregulated and SPRY2 was slightly downregulated; both were negative feedback inhibitors of ERK signalling cascade. Sofosbuvir upregulated the growth factors and MAPK1 which suggests it to be a carcinogen. The downregulation of kinases and upregulation of DUSP1 make it an anticancer drug. Hence, the results from this study are important to prove that sofosbuvir neither reduce nor induce hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Atif
- Department of Biochemistry, Government College University, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
| | | | - Sadia Falak
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Jhang, Jhang 35200, Pakistan
| | - Abdul Ghaffar
- Department of Biochemistry, Government College University, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
- Corresponding authors.
| | - Bushra Munir
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Sargodha, Sargodha 40100, Pakistan
- Corresponding authors.
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