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Rimini M, Rimassa L, Ueshima K, Burgio V, Shigeo S, Tada T, Suda G, Yoo C, Cheon J, Pinato DJ, Lonardi S, Scartozzi M, Iavarone M, Di Costanzo GG, Marra F, Soldà C, Tamburini E, Piscaglia F, Masi G, Cabibbo G, Foschi FG, Silletta M, Pressiani T, Nishida N, Iwamoto H, Sakamoto N, Ryoo BY, Chon HJ, Claudia F, Niizeki T, Sho T, Kang B, D'Alessio A, Kumada T, Hiraoka A, Hirooka M, Kariyama K, Tani J, Atsukawa M, Takaguchi K, Itobayashi E, Fukunishi S, Tsuji K, Ishikawa T, Tajiri K, Ochi H, Yasuda S, Toyoda H, Ogawa C, Nishimur T, Hatanaka T, Kakizaki S, Shimada N, Kawata K, Tanaka T, Ohama H, Nouso K, Morishita A, Tsutsui A, Nagano T, Itokawa N, Okubo T, Arai T, Imai M, Naganuma A, Koizumi Y, Nakamura S, Joko K, Iijima H, Hiasa Y, Pedica F, De Cobelli F, Ratti F, Aldrighetti L, Kudo M, Cascinu S, Casadei-Gardini A. Atezolizumab plus bevacizumab versus lenvatinib or sorafenib in non-viral unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma: an international propensity score matching analysis. ESMO Open 2022; 7:100591. [PMID: 36208496 PMCID: PMC9808460 DOI: 10.1016/j.esmoop.2022.100591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 08/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A growing body of evidence suggests that non-viral hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) might benefit less from immunotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS We carried out a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from consecutive patients with non-viral advanced HCC, treated with atezolizumab plus bevacizumab, lenvatinib, or sorafenib, in 36 centers in 4 countries (Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, and UK). The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS) with atezolizumab plus bevacizumab versus lenvatinib. Secondary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS) with atezolizumab plus bevacizumab versus lenvatinib, and OS and PFS with atezolizumab plus bevacizumab versus sorafenib. For the primary and secondary endpoints, we carried out the analysis on the whole population first, and then we divided the cohort into two groups: non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)/non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) population and non-NAFLD/NASH population. RESULTS One hundred and ninety patients received atezolizumab plus bevacizumab, 569 patients received lenvatinib, and 210 patients received sorafenib. In the whole population, multivariate analysis showed that treatment with lenvatinib was associated with a longer OS [hazard ratio (HR) 0.65; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.44-0.95; P = 0.0268] and PFS (HR 0.67; 95% CI 0.51-0.86; P = 0.002) compared to atezolizumab plus bevacizumab. In the NAFLD/NASH population, multivariate analysis confirmed that lenvatinib treatment was associated with a longer OS (HR 0.46; 95% CI 0.26-0.84; P = 0.0110) and PFS (HR 0.55; 95% CI 0.38-0.82; P = 0.031) compared to atezolizumab plus bevacizumab. In the subgroup of non-NAFLD/NASH patients, no difference in OS or PFS was observed between patients treated with lenvatinib and those treated with atezolizumab plus bevacizumab. All these results were confirmed following propensity score matching analysis. By comparing patients receiving atezolizumab plus bevacizumab versus sorafenib, no statistically significant difference in survival was observed. CONCLUSIONS The present analysis conducted on a large number of advanced non-viral HCC patients showed for the first time that treatment with lenvatinib is associated with a significant survival benefit compared to atezolizumab plus bevacizumab, in particular in patients with NAFLD/NASH-related HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Rimini
- IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute Hospital, Department of Oncology, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - L Rimassa
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy; Medical Oncology and Hematology Unit, Humanitas Cancer Center, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - K Ueshima
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, Higashi-Osaka, Japan
| | - V Burgio
- IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute Hospital, Department of Oncology, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - S Shigeo
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Japan
| | - T Tada
- Department of Internal Medicine, Japanese Red Cross Himeji Hospital, Himeji, Japan
| | - G Suda
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hokkaido, Japan; University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - C Yoo
- Department of Oncology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - J Cheon
- Department of Medical Oncology, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University School of Medicine, Seongnam, Republic of Korea
| | - D J Pinato
- Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK; Department of Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - S Lonardi
- Oncology Unit 3, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - M Scartozzi
- Medical Oncology, University and University Hospital of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - M Iavarone
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | | | - F Marra
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale e Clinica, Università di Firenze, Firenze, Italy
| | - C Soldà
- Oncology Unit 1, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - E Tamburini
- Department of Oncology and Palliative Care, Cardinale Hospital, Naples, Italy
| | - F Piscaglia
- Division of Internal Medicine, Hepatobiliary and Immunoallergic Disease, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - G Masi
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy; Unit of Medical Oncology 2, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
| | - G Cabibbo
- Section of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, PROMISE, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - F G Foschi
- Internal Medicine, Infermi Hospital, Faenza (AUSL ROMAGNA), Ravenna, Italy
| | - M Silletta
- Division of Medical Oncology, Policlinico Universitario Campus Bio-Medico, Rome, Italy
| | - T Pressiani
- Medical Oncology and Hematology Unit, Humanitas Cancer Center, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - N Nishida
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, Higashi-Osaka, Japan
| | - H Iwamoto
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Japan
| | - N Sakamoto
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hokkaido, Japan; University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - B-Y Ryoo
- Department of Oncology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - H J Chon
- Department of Medical Oncology, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University School of Medicine, Seongnam, Republic of Korea
| | - F Claudia
- Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK; Department of Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - T Niizeki
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Japan
| | - T Sho
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hokkaido, Japan; University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - B Kang
- Department of Medical Oncology, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University School of Medicine, Seongnam, Republic of Korea
| | - A D'Alessio
- Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK; Department of Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - T Kumada
- Department of Nursing, Gifu Kyoritsu University, Ogaki, Japan
| | - A Hiraoka
- Gastroenterology Center, Ehime Prefectural Central Hospital, Matsuyama, Japan
| | - M Hirooka
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabology, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Ehime, Japan
| | - K Kariyama
- Department of Gastroenterology, Okayama City Hospital, Okayama, Japan
| | - J Tani
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kagawa University, Kagawa, Japan
| | - M Atsukawa
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | - K Takaguchi
- Department of Hepatology, Kagawa Prefectural Central Hospital, Takamatsu, Japan
| | - E Itobayashi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Asahi General Hospital, Asahi, Japan
| | - S Fukunishi
- Premier Departmental Research of Medicine, Osaka Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Shinya Fukunishi, Osaka, Japan
| | - K Tsuji
- Center of Gastroenterology, Teine Keijinkai Hospital, Sapporo, Japan
| | - T Ishikawa
- Department of Gastroenterology, Saiseikai Niigata Hospital, Niigata, Japan
| | - K Tajiri
- Department of Gastroenterology, Toyama University Hospital, Toyama, Japan
| | - H Ochi
- Hepato-biliary Center, Japanese Red Cross Matsuyama Hospital, Matsuyama, Japan
| | - S Yasuda
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ogaki Municipal Hospital, Ogaki, Japan
| | - H Toyoda
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ogaki Municipal Hospital, Ogaki, Japan
| | - C Ogawa
- Department of Gastroenterology, Japanese Red Cross Takamatsu Hospital, Takamatsu, Japan
| | - T Nishimur
- Department of Internal medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hyogo College of Medicine, Nishinomiya, Japan
| | - T Hatanaka
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gunma Saiseikai Maebashi Hospital, Maebashi, Japan
| | - S Kakizaki
- Department of Clinical Research, National Hospital Organization Takasaki General Medical Center, Takasaki, Japan
| | - N Shimada
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Otakanomori Hospital, Kashiwa, Japan
| | - K Kawata
- Department of Hepatology, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan
| | - T Tanaka
- Gastroenterology Center, Ehime Prefectural Central Hospital, Matsuyama, Japan
| | - H Ohama
- Premier Departmental Research of Medicine, Osaka Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Shinya Fukunishi, Osaka, Japan
| | - K Nouso
- Department of Gastroenterology, Okayama City Hospital, Okayama, Japan
| | - A Morishita
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kagawa University, Kagawa, Japan
| | - A Tsutsui
- Department of Hepatology, Kagawa Prefectural Central Hospital, Takamatsu, Japan
| | - T Nagano
- Department of Hepatology, Kagawa Prefectural Central Hospital, Takamatsu, Japan
| | - N Itokawa
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | - T Okubo
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | - T Arai
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | - M Imai
- Department of Gastroenterology, Saiseikai Niigata Hospital, Niigata, Japan
| | - A Naganuma
- Department of Gastroenterology, National Hospital Organization Takasaki General Medical Center, Takasaki, Japan
| | - Y Koizumi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabology, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Ehime, Japan
| | - S Nakamura
- Department of Internal Medicine, Japanese Red Cross Himeji Hospital, Himeji, Japan
| | - K Joko
- Hepato-biliary Center, Japanese Red Cross Matsuyama Hospital, Matsuyama, Japan
| | - H Iijima
- Department of Internal medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hyogo College of Medicine, Nishinomiya, Japan
| | - Y Hiasa
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabology, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Ehime, Japan
| | - F Pedica
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Pathology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - F De Cobelli
- School of Medicine, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - F Ratti
- Hepatobiliary Surgery Division, Liver Center, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - L Aldrighetti
- Hepatobiliary Surgery Division, Liver Center, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - M Kudo
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, Higashi-Osaka, Japan
| | - S Cascinu
- Department of Oncology, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - A Casadei-Gardini
- Department of Oncology, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute Hospital, Milan, Italy.
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Rimini M, Kudo M, Tada T, Shigeo S, Kang W, Suda G, Jefremow A, Burgio V, Iavarone M, Tortora R, Marra F, Lonardi S, Tamburini E, Piscaglia F, Masi G, Cabibbo G, Foschi FG, Silletta M, Kumada T, Iwamoto H, Aoki T, Goh MJ, Sakamoto N, Siebler J, Hiraoka A, Niizeki T, Ueshima K, Sho T, Atsukawa M, Hirooka M, Tsuji K, Ishikawa T, Takaguchi K, Kariyama K, Itobayashi E, Tajiri K, Shimada N, Shibata H, Ochi H, Yasuda S, Toyoda H, Fukunishi S, Ohama H, Kawata K, Tani J, Nakamura S, Nouso K, Tsutsui A, Nagano T, Takaaki T, Itokawa N, Okubo T, Arai T, Imai M, Joko K, Koizumi Y, Hiasa Y, Cucchetti A, Ratti F, Aldrighetti L, Cascinu S, Casadei-Gardini A. Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in hepatocarcinoma: new insights about its prognostic role in patients treated with lenvatinib. ESMO Open 2021; 6:100330. [PMID: 34847382 PMCID: PMC8710492 DOI: 10.1016/j.esmoop.2021.100330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 10/31/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treatment remains a big challenge in the field of oncology. The liver disease (viral or not viral) underlying HCC turned out to be crucial in determining the biologic behavior of the tumor, including its response to treatment. The aim of this analysis was to investigate the role of the etiology of the underlying liver disease in survival outcomes. PATIENTS AND METHODS We conducted a multicenter retrospective study on a large cohort of patients treated with lenvatinib as first-line therapy for advanced HCC from both Eastern and Western institutions. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. RESULTS Among the 1232 lenvatinib-treated HCC patients, 453 (36.8%) were hepatitis C virus positive, 268 hepatitis B virus positive (21.8%), 236 nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) correlate (19.2%) and 275 had other etiologies (22.3%). The median progression-free survival (mPFS) was 6.2 months [95% confidence interval (CI) 5.9-6.7 months] and the median overall survival (mOS) was 15.8 months (95% CI 14.9-17.2 months). In the univariate analysis for OS NASH-HCC was associated with longer mOS [22.2 versus 15.1 months; hazard ratio (HR) 0.69; 95% CI 0.56-0.85; P = 0.0006]. In the univariate analysis for PFS NASH-HCC was associated with longer mPFS (7.5 versus 6.5 months; HR 0.84; 95% CI 0.71-0.99; P = 0.0436). The multivariate analysis confirmed NASH-HCC (HR 0.64; 95% CI 0.48-0.86; P = 0.0028) as an independent prognostic factor for OS, along with albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) grade, extrahepatic spread, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, portal vein thrombosis, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status and alpha-fetoprotein. An interaction test was performed between sorafenib and lenvatinib cohorts and the results highlighted the positive predictive role of NASH in favor of the lenvatinib arm (P = 0.0047). CONCLUSION NASH has been identified as an independent prognostic factor in a large cohort of patients with advanced HCC treated with lenvatinib, thereby suggesting the role of the etiology in the selection of patients for tyrosine kinase treatment. If validated, this result could provide new insights useful to improve the management of these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Rimini
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, Division of Oncology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - M Kudo
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, Higashi-osaka, Japan
| | - T Tada
- Department of Internal Medicine, Japanese Red Cross Himeji Hospital, Himeji, Japan
| | - S Shigeo
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - W Kang
- Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea; Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Sciences and Technology (SAIHST), Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, Korea
| | - G Suda
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - A Jefremow
- Department of Medicine 1, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany; Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Erlangen, Germany
| | - V Burgio
- Department of Oncology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - M Iavarone
- Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico di Milano, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Milan, Italy
| | - R Tortora
- Liver Unit, Department of Transplantation, Cardarelli Hospital, Naples, Italy
| | - F Marra
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - S Lonardi
- Medical Oncology Unit 3, Department of Oncology, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - E Tamburini
- Department of Medical Oncology, Card. G. Panico Hospital of Tricase, Tricase, Italy
| | - F Piscaglia
- Division of Internal Medicine, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - G Masi
- Unit of Medical Oncology, Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy
| | - G Cabibbo
- Section of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, PROMISE, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - F G Foschi
- Azienda Unità Sanitaria della Romagna, Ospedale degli Infermi, Faenza, Italy
| | - M Silletta
- Medical Oncology Unit, University Campus Bio-Medico, Rome, Italy
| | - T Kumada
- Faculty of Nursing, Gifu Kyoritsu University, Ogaki, Japan
| | - H Iwamoto
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - T Aoki
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, Higashi-osaka, Japan
| | - M J Goh
- Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - N Sakamoto
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - J Siebler
- Department of Medicine 1, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany; Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Erlangen, Germany
| | - A Hiraoka
- Gastroenterology Center, Ehime Prefectural Central Hospital, Matsuyama, Japan
| | - T Niizeki
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - K Ueshima
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, Higashi-osaka, Japan
| | - T Sho
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - M Atsukawa
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | - M Hirooka
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabology, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Matsuyama, Japan
| | - K Tsuji
- Center of Gastroenterology, Teine Keijinkai Hospital, Sapporo, Japan
| | - T Ishikawa
- Department of Gastroenterology, Saiseikai Niigata Hospital, Niigata, Japan
| | - K Takaguchi
- Department of Hepatology, Kagawa Prefectural Central Hospital, Takamatsu, Japan
| | - K Kariyama
- Department of Gastroenterology, Okayama City Hospital, Okayama, Japan
| | - E Itobayashi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Asahi General Hospital, Asahi, Japan
| | - K Tajiri
- Department of Gastroenterology, Toyama University Hospital, Toyama, Japan
| | - N Shimada
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Otakanomori Hospital, Kashiwa, Japan
| | - H Shibata
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tokushima Prefectural Central Hospital, Tokushima, Japan
| | - H Ochi
- Hepato-biliary Center, Matsuyama Red Cross Hospital, Matsuyama, Japan
| | - S Yasuda
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ogaki Municipal Hospital, Ogaki, Japan
| | - H Toyoda
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ogaki Municipal Hospital, Ogaki, Japan
| | - S Fukunishi
- Second Department of Internal Medicine, Osaka Medical College, Takatsuki, Japan
| | - H Ohama
- Second Department of Internal Medicine, Osaka Medical College, Takatsuki, Japan
| | - K Kawata
- Hepatology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan
| | - J Tani
- Department of Gastroenterology and Neurology, Kagawa University School of Medicine, Kagawa, Japan
| | - S Nakamura
- Department of Internal Medicine, Japanese Red Cross Himeji Hospital, Himeji, Japan
| | - K Nouso
- Department of Gastroenterology, Okayama City Hospital, Okayama, Japan
| | - A Tsutsui
- Department of Hepatology, Kagawa Prefectural Central Hospital, Takamatsu, Japan
| | - T Nagano
- Department of Hepatology, Kagawa Prefectural Central Hospital, Takamatsu, Japan
| | - T Takaaki
- Gastroenterology Center, Ehime Prefectural Central Hospital, Matsuyama, Japan
| | - N Itokawa
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | - T Okubo
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | - T Arai
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | - M Imai
- Department of Gastroenterology, Saiseikai Niigata Hospital, Niigata, Japan
| | - K Joko
- Gastroenterology Center, Ehime Prefectural Central Hospital, Matsuyama, Japan
| | - Y Koizumi
- Gastroenterology Center, Ehime Prefectural Central Hospital, Matsuyama, Japan
| | - Y Hiasa
- Gastroenterology Center, Ehime Prefectural Central Hospital, Matsuyama, Japan
| | - A Cucchetti
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences-DIMEC, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy; Department of Surgery, Morgagni - Pierantoni Hospital, Forlì, Italy
| | - F Ratti
- Hepatobiliary Surgery Division, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - L Aldrighetti
- Hepatobiliary Surgery Division, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - S Cascinu
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy; Department of Oncology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - A Casadei-Gardini
- Department of Oncology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute Hospital, Milan, Italy; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy.
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3
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Rapposelli IG, Shimose S, Kumada T, Okamura S, Hiraoka A, Di Costanzo GG, Marra F, Tamburini E, Forgione A, Foschi FG, Silletta M, Lonardi S, Masi G, Scartozzi M, Nakano M, Shibata H, Kawata K, Pellino A, Vivaldi C, Lai E, Takata A, Tajiri K, Toyoda H, Tortora R, Campani C, Viola MG, Piscaglia F, Conti F, Fulgenzi CAM, Frassineti GL, Rizzato MD, Salani F, Astara G, Torimura T, Atsukawa M, Tada T, Burgio V, Rimini M, Cascinu S, Casadei-Gardini A. Identification of lenvatinib prognostic index via recursive partitioning analysis in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. ESMO Open 2021; 6:100190. [PMID: 34144271 PMCID: PMC8219999 DOI: 10.1016/j.esmoop.2021.100190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Revised: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND After the advent of new treatment options for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the identification of prognostic factors is crucial for the selection of the most appropriate therapy for each patient. PATIENTS AND METHODS With the aim to fill this gap, we applied recursive partitioning analysis (RPA) to a cohort of 404 patients treated with lenvatinib. RESULTS The application of RPA resulted in a classification based on five variables that originated a new prognostic score, the lenvatinib prognostic index (LEP) index, identifying three groups: low risk [patients with prognostic nutritional index (PNI) >43.3 and previous trans-arterial chemoembolization (TACE)]; medium risk [patients with PNI >43.3 but without previous TACE and patients with PNI <43.3, albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) grade 1 and Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage B (BCLC-B)]; high risk [patients with PNI <43.3 and ALBI grade 2 and patients with PNI <43.3, albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) grade 1 and Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage C (BCLC-C)]. Median overall survival was 29.8 months [95% confidence interval (CI) 22.8-29.8 months] in low risk patients (n = 128), 17.0 months (95% CI 15.0-24.0 months) in medium risk (n = 162) and 8.9 months (95% CI 8.0-10.7 months) in high risk (n = 114); low risk hazard ratio (HR) 1 (reference group), medium risk HR 1.95 (95% CI 1.38-2.74), high risk HR 4.84 (95% CI 3.16-7.43); P < 0.0001. The LEP index was validated in a cohort of 127 Italian patients treated with lenvatinib. While the same classification did not show a prognostic value in a cohort of 311 patients treated with sorafenib, we also show a possible predictive role in favor of lenvatinib in the low risk group. CONCLUSIONS LEP index is a promising, easy-to-use tool that may be used to stratify patients undergoing systemic treatment of advanced HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- I G Rapposelli
- Department of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori 'Dino Amadori'-IRST, Meldola, Italy
| | - S Shimose
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Japan
| | - T Kumada
- Faculty of Nursing, Gifu Kyoritsu University, Ogaki, Japan
| | - S Okamura
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Japan
| | - A Hiraoka
- Gastroenterology Center, Ehime Prefectural Central Hospital, Matsuyama, Japan
| | - G G Di Costanzo
- Liver Unit, Department of Transplantation, Cardarelli Hospital, Naples, Italy
| | - F Marra
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale e Clinica, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - E Tamburini
- Department of Medical Oncology, Card. G. Panico Hospital of Tricase, Tricase, Italy
| | - A Forgione
- Division of Internal Medicine, Hepatobiliary and Immunoallergic Diseases, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Italy
| | - F G Foschi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faenza Hospital, AUSL Romagna, Faenza, Italy
| | - M Silletta
- Medical Oncology Unit, University Campus Bio-Medico, Rome, Italy
| | - S Lonardi
- Early Phase Clinical Trial Unit, Department of Oncology, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy; Medical Oncology Unit 1, Department of Oncology, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV - IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - G Masi
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy; Unit of Medical Oncology 2, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
| | - M Scartozzi
- Medical Oncology, University and University Hospital of Cagliari, Italy
| | - M Nakano
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Japan
| | - H Shibata
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tokushima Prefectural Central Hospital, Tokushima, Japan
| | - K Kawata
- Hepatology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan
| | - A Pellino
- Medical Oncology Unit 1, Department of Oncology, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV - IRCCS, Padua, Italy; Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - C Vivaldi
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy; Unit of Medical Oncology 2, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
| | - E Lai
- Medical Oncology, University and University Hospital of Cagliari, Italy
| | - A Takata
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Japan
| | - K Tajiri
- Department of Gastroenterology, Toyama University Hospital, Toyama, Japan
| | - H Toyoda
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ogaki Municipal Hospital, Ogaki, Japan
| | - R Tortora
- Liver Unit, Department of Transplantation, Cardarelli Hospital, Naples, Italy
| | - C Campani
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale e Clinica, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - M G Viola
- Department of Surgery, Card. G. Panico Hospital of Tricase, Tricase, Italy
| | - F Piscaglia
- Division of Internal Medicine, Hepatobiliary and Immunoallergic Diseases, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Italy
| | - F Conti
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faenza Hospital, AUSL Romagna, Faenza, Italy
| | - C A M Fulgenzi
- Medical Oncology Unit, University Campus Bio-Medico, Rome, Italy
| | - G L Frassineti
- Department of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori 'Dino Amadori'-IRST, Meldola, Italy
| | - M D Rizzato
- Medical Oncology Unit 1, Department of Oncology, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV - IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - F Salani
- Unit of Medical Oncology 2, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
| | - G Astara
- Medical Oncology, University and University Hospital of Cagliari, Italy
| | - T Torimura
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Japan
| | - M Atsukawa
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | - T Tada
- Department of Internal Medicine, Japanese Red Cross Himeji Hospital, Himeji, Japan
| | - V Burgio
- Unit of Oncology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - M Rimini
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, Division of Oncology, University Hospital of Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - S Cascinu
- Unit of Oncology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy; School of Medicine, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - A Casadei-Gardini
- Unit of Oncology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy; School of Medicine, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy.
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4
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Vukotic R, Conti F, Fagiuoli S, Morelli MC, Pasulo L, Colpani M, Foschi FG, Berardi S, Pianta P, Mangano M, Donato MF, Malinverno F, Monico S, Tamè M, Mazzella G, Belli LS, Viganò R, Carrai P, Burra P, Russo FP, Lenci I, Toniutto P, Merli M, Loiacono L, Iemmolo R, Degli Antoni AM, Romano A, Picciotto A, Rendina M, Andreone P. Long-term outcomes of direct acting antivirals in post-transplant advanced hepatitis C virus recurrence and fibrosing cholestatic hepatitis. J Viral Hepat 2017; 24:858-864. [PMID: 28370880 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.12712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2016] [Accepted: 02/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Long-term functional outcomes of sofosbuvir-based antiviral treatment were evaluated in a cohort study involving 16 Italian centres within the international compassionate use programme for post-transplant hepatitis C virus (HCV) recurrence. Seventy-three patients with cirrhosis (n=52) or fibrosing cholestatic hepatitis (FCH, n=21) received 24-week sofosbuvir with ribavirin±pegylated interferon or interferon-free sofosbuvir-based regimen with daclatasvir/simeprevir+ribavirin. The patients were observed for a median time of 103 (82-112) weeks. Twelve of 73 (16.4%) died (10 non-FCH, 2 FCH) and two underwent re-LT. Sustained virological response was achieved in 46 of 66 (69.7%): 31 of 47 (66%) non-FCH and 15 of 19 (79%) FCH patients. All relapsers were successfully retreated. Comparing the data of baseline with last follow-up, MELD and Child-Turcotte-Pugh scores improved both in non-FCH (15.3±6.5 vs 10.5±3.8, P<.0001 and 8.4±2.1 vs 5.7±1.3, P<.0001, respectively) and FCH (17.3±5.9 vs 10.1±2.8, P=.001 and 8.2±1.6 vs 5.5±1, P=.001, respectively). Short-treatment mortality was higher in patients with baseline MELD≥25 than in those with MELD<25 (42.9% vs 4.8%, P=.011). Long-term mortality was 53.3% among patients with baseline MELD≥20 and 7.5% among those with MELD<20 (P<.0001). Among deceased patients 75% were Child-Turcotte-Pugh class C at baseline, while among survivors 83.9% were class A or B (P<.0001). Direct acting antivirals-based treatments for severe post-transplant hepatitis C recurrence, comprising fibrosing cholestatic hepatitis, significantly improve liver function, even without viral clearance and permit an excellent long-term survival. The setting of severe HCV recurrence may require the identification of "too-sick-to-treat patients" to avoid futile treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Vukotic
- Centro di Ricerca per lo Studio delle Epatiti, Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche e Chirurgiche, Università degli Studi di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - F Conti
- Centro di Ricerca per lo Studio delle Epatiti, Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche e Chirurgiche, Università degli Studi di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - S Fagiuoli
- Dipartimento di Medicina Specialistica e dei Trapianti, U.S.C. Gastroenterologia Epatologia e Trapiantologia, Azienda Ospedaliera Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo, Italy
| | - M C Morelli
- Centro di Ricerca per lo Studio delle Epatiti, Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche e Chirurgiche, Università degli Studi di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - L Pasulo
- Dipartimento di Medicina Specialistica e dei Trapianti, U.S.C. Gastroenterologia Epatologia e Trapiantologia, Azienda Ospedaliera Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo, Italy
| | - M Colpani
- Dipartimento di Medicina Specialistica e dei Trapianti, U.S.C. Gastroenterologia Epatologia e Trapiantologia, Azienda Ospedaliera Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo, Italy
| | - F G Foschi
- AUSL della Romagna, Presidio Ospedaliero di Faenza, Faenza, Italy
| | - S Berardi
- Centro di Ricerca per lo Studio delle Epatiti, Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche e Chirurgiche, Università degli Studi di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - P Pianta
- Centro di Ricerca per lo Studio delle Epatiti, Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche e Chirurgiche, Università degli Studi di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - M Mangano
- Centro di Ricerca per lo Studio delle Epatiti, Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche e Chirurgiche, Università degli Studi di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - M F Donato
- Gastroenterologia ed Epatologia, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda - Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico ed Univerisità di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - F Malinverno
- Gastroenterologia ed Epatologia, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda - Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico ed Univerisità di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - S Monico
- Gastroenterologia ed Epatologia, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda - Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico ed Univerisità di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - M Tamè
- Centro di Ricerca per lo Studio delle Epatiti, Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche e Chirurgiche, Università degli Studi di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - G Mazzella
- Centro di Ricerca per lo Studio delle Epatiti, Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche e Chirurgiche, Università degli Studi di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - L S Belli
- Dipartimento di Epatologia e Gastroenterologia, Ospedale Niguarda, Milan, Italy
| | - R Viganò
- Dipartimento di Epatologia e Gastroenterologia, Ospedale Niguarda, Milan, Italy
| | - P Carrai
- Chirurgia biliopancreatica e Trapianto di Fegato, Università di Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - P Burra
- Dipartimento di Chirurgia, Oncologia e Gastroenterologia, Unità di Trapianto Multiviscerale, Ospedale Universitario Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - F P Russo
- Dipartimento di Chirurgia, Oncologia e Gastroenterologia, Unità di Trapianto Multiviscerale, Ospedale Universitario Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - I Lenci
- Unità di Epatologia, Università Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - P Toniutto
- Medicina Interna Sezione di Trapianto di Fegato, Università di Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - M Merli
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica La Sapienza, Gastroenterologia, Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | | | - R Iemmolo
- Chirurgia Oncologica Epato-bilio-pancreatica e Chirurgia dei Trapianti di fegato, AOU di Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - A M Degli Antoni
- Unità di Malattie Infettive ed Epatologia, AOU di Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - A Romano
- Dipartimento di Medicina, Unità delle Emergenze epatologiche e dei Trapianti di fegato, Università di Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - A Picciotto
- Dipartimento di Medicina Interna, Università degli Studi di Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - M Rendina
- Unità Operativa Gastroenterologia ed Endoscopia Digestiva, Policlinico Universitario di Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - P Andreone
- Centro di Ricerca per lo Studio delle Epatiti, Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche e Chirurgiche, Università degli Studi di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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5
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Conti F, Brillanti S, Buonfiglioli F, Vukotic R, Morelli MC, Lalanne C, Massari M, Foschi FG, Bernabucci V, Serio I, Prati GM, Negri E, Badia L, Caraceni P, Muratori P, Vitale G, Porro A, Morotti M, Mazzella G, Andreone P. Safety and efficacy of direct-acting antivirals for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C in a real-world population aged 65 years and older. J Viral Hepat 2017; 24:454-463. [PMID: 27976461 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.12663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2016] [Accepted: 12/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The availability of direct-acting antiviral agents (DAA) regimens has expanded the pool of patients eligible for treatment. However, data on the virologic response and tolerability of DAAs in elderly patients are lacking. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of DAAs in patients with advanced fibrosis/cirrhosis in real-life practice with the focus on those aged ≥65 years. Between January and December 2015, all consecutive patients with HCV-related advanced fibrosis/cirrhosis treated with DAA at eleven tertiary referral centres in Emilia Romagna (Italy) were enrolled. Regimen choice was based on viral genotype and stage of disease, according to guidelines. The primary end point was sustained virologic response 12 weeks after the end of treatment (SVR12). Overall, 282 of 556 (50.7%) patients evaluated were elderly, most of them with cirrhosis. Antiviral therapy was stopped prematurely in four (1.4%) patients. Two patients, both with cirrhosis, died during treatment due to worsening of liver/renal function. SVR12 was achieved by 94.7% and was comparable to that obtained in patients aged <65 (P=.074). Similar data were also reported in subgroup of patients aged ≥75 years. All patients with advanced fibrosis achieved virologic response. SVR12 was 80.8% in Child-Pugh-Turcotte (CTP)-B cirrhosis and 95.4% in CTP-A (P=.013). According to genotype, the SVR12 was achieved in 172 of 181 (95%) with genotype 1b cirrhosis and in 44 of 48 (91.7%) with genotype 2 cirrhosis. In conclusions, in a real-world setting, DAAs are safe and effective in elderly patients with HCV-related advanced fibrosis/cirrhosis, but SVR12 is lower with worsening CTP class.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Conti
- Centro di Ricerca per lo Studio delle Epatiti, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche e Chirurgiche, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Policlinico S. Orsola, Bologna, Italy
| | - S Brillanti
- Centro di Ricerca per lo Studio delle Epatiti, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche e Chirurgiche, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Policlinico S. Orsola, Bologna, Italy
| | - F Buonfiglioli
- Centro di Ricerca per lo Studio delle Epatiti, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche e Chirurgiche, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Policlinico S. Orsola, Bologna, Italy
| | - R Vukotic
- Centro di Ricerca per lo Studio delle Epatiti, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche e Chirurgiche, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Policlinico S. Orsola, Bologna, Italy
| | - M C Morelli
- U.O. di Medicina Interna per il trattamento delle gravi insufficienze d'organo, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Policlinico S. Orsola, Bologna, Italy
| | - C Lalanne
- Centro di Ricerca per lo Studio delle Epatiti, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche e Chirurgiche, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Policlinico S. Orsola, Bologna, Italy
| | - M Massari
- U.O. di Malattie Infettive, Azienda Ospedaliera S. Maria Nuova - IRCCS, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - F G Foschi
- U.O. di Medicina Interna, Ospedale di Faenza, Faenza, Italy
| | - V Bernabucci
- U.O. di Gastroenterologia, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - I Serio
- U.O. di Medicina Interna, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Policlinico S. Orsola, Bologna, Italy
| | - G M Prati
- U.O. di Gastroenterologia ed Epatologia, Ospedale "G da Saliceto", Piacenza, Italy
| | - E Negri
- U.O. di Malattie Infettive ed Epatologia, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - L Badia
- U.O. di Malattie Infettive, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Policlinico S. Orsola, Bologna, Italy
| | - P Caraceni
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche e Chirurgiche, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Policlinico S. Orsola, Bologna, Italy
| | - P Muratori
- Centro di Ricerca per lo Studio delle Epatiti, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche e Chirurgiche, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Policlinico S. Orsola, Bologna, Italy
| | - G Vitale
- Centro di Ricerca per lo Studio delle Epatiti, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche e Chirurgiche, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Policlinico S. Orsola, Bologna, Italy
| | - A Porro
- Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Policlinico S. Orsola, Bologna, Italy
| | - M Morotti
- U.O. di Farmacia Clinica, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Policlinico S. Orsola, Bologna, Italy
| | - G Mazzella
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche e Chirurgiche, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Policlinico S. Orsola, Bologna, Italy
| | - P Andreone
- Centro di Ricerca per lo Studio delle Epatiti, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche e Chirurgiche, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Policlinico S. Orsola, Bologna, Italy
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6
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Petta S, Cabibbo G, Barbara M, Attardo S, Bucci L, Farinati F, Giannini EG, Tovoli F, Ciccarese F, Rapaccini GL, Di Marco M, Caturelli E, Zoli M, Borzio F, Sacco R, Virdone R, Marra F, Felder M, Morisco F, Benvegnù L, Gasbarrini A, Svegliati-Baroni G, Foschi FG, Olivani A, Masotto A, Nardone G, Colecchia A, Persico M, Boccaccio V, Craxì A, Bruno S, Trevisani F, Cammà C. Hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence in patients with curative resection or ablation: impact of HCV eradication does not depend on the use of interferon. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2017; 45:160-168. [PMID: 27790734 DOI: 10.1111/apt.13821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2016] [Revised: 08/07/2016] [Accepted: 09/14/2016] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In HCV-infected cirrhotic patients with successfully treated early hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the time to HCC recurrence and the effects of sustained viral eradication (SVR) by interferon (IFN)-based or IFN-free regimens on HCC recurrence remain unclear. AIM To perform an indirect comparison of time to recurrence (TTR) in patients with successfully treated early HCC and active HCV infection with those of patients with SVR by IFN-based and by IFN-free regimens. METHODS We evaluated 443 patients with HCV-related cirrhosis and Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer Stage A/0 HCC who had a complete radiological response after curative resection or ablation. Active HCV infection was present in 328, selected from the Italian Liver Cancer group cohort; 58 patients had SVR achieved by IFN-free regimens after HCC cure, and 57 patients had SVR achieved by IFN-based regimens after HCC cure. Individual data of patients in the last two groups were extracted from available publications. RESULTS TTR by Kaplan-Meier curve was significantly lower in patients with active HCV infection compared with those with SVR both by IFN-free (P = 0.02) and by IFN-based (P < 0.001) treatments. TTR was similar in patients with SVR by IFN-free or by IFN-based (P = 0.49) strategies. CONCLUSION In HCV-infected, successfully treated patients with early HCC, SVR obtained by IFN-based or IFN-free regimens significantly reduce tumour recurrence without differences related to the anti-viral strategy used.
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7
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Gasbarrini G, Addolorato G, Castelli E, Foschi FG, Marsigli L, Capristo E, Gentiloni N, Cammarota G, Gasbarrini A, Nicora M, Quercia O, Stefanini GF. Oxatomide in Food Allergies. Comparative Study versus Disodium Chromoglycate. Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol 2016. [DOI: 10.1177/039463209801100304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
A randomized, controlled, single blind study was carried out to compare the efficacy and safety of oxatomide and disodium chromoglycate in the treatment of adverse reactions to food. Twenty-three patients (16F and 7M) with urticaria (16 patients), respiratory (5 patients), intestinal (15 patients) and/or neurological symptoms (3 patients) were treated for 60 days: 14 (9F and 5M; mean ± SD age 36.3 ± 13.8 years) with oxatomide, 60 mg every evening and 9 (7F and 2M; 31.5 ± 15.1 years) with disodium chromoglycate, 500 mg three times a day. Both therapies lasted two months. On admission and after 15,30 and 60 days skin (wheals, itching, vesicular blisters, scratching lesions), respiratory (rhinorrhea, sneezing, coughing, wheezing), intestinal (constipation, diarrhea, bloating, abdominal pain and/or cramps) and neurological (headache, irritability) symptoms were assessed. Wheals decreased in number and size in both groups (p<0.005). Itching became less severe in the two groups (p<0.05), although the improvement in the oxatomide group was faster. Vesicular blisters, present in one patient in the oxatomide group at baseline, disappeared by days 15 and 30, reappearing in a mild form at the end of the study. The frequency of scratching lesions decreased. Sneezing and wheezing disappeared in both groups. Digestive system symptoms also improved. Both treatments were effective as regards cutaneous, intestinal and respiratory symptoms, with a significant reduction of itching, wheals and vesicular blisters and the complete relies of intestinal disorders. The drugs were well tolerated.
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Affiliation(s)
- G. Gasbarrini
- Institute of Internal Medicine, Catholic University “Sacro Cuore”, Rome
| | - G. Addolorato
- Institute of Internal Medicine, Catholic University “Sacro Cuore”, Rome
| | - E. Castelli
- Institute of Medical Pathology, “Institute Rizzoli”, University of Bologna, Bologna
| | - F. G. Foschi
- Institute of Medical Pathology, “Institute Rizzoli”, University of Bologna, Bologna
| | - L. Marsigli
- Institute of Medical Pathology, “Institute Rizzoli”, University of Bologna, Bologna
| | - E. Capristo
- Institute of Internal Medicine, Catholic University “Sacro Cuore”, Rome
| | - N. Gentiloni
- Institute of Internal Medicine, Catholic University “Sacro Cuore”, Rome
| | - G. Cammarota
- Institute of Internal Medicine, Catholic University “Sacro Cuore”, Rome
| | - A. Gasbarrini
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, “Institute Rizzoli”, University of Bologna, Bologna
| | - M. Nicora
- Formenti Pharmaceutical Laboratory, Milan
| | - O. Quercia
- Department of Internal Medicine, Civic Hospital “Ospedale degli Infermi”, Faenza; Italy
| | - G. F. Stefanini
- Department of Internal Medicine, Civic Hospital “Ospedale degli Infermi”, Faenza; Italy
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8
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Cucchetti A, Trevisani F, Bucci L, Ravaioli M, Farinati F, Giannini EG, Ciccarese F, Piscaglia F, Rapaccini GL, Di Marco M, Caturelli E, Zoli M, Borzio F, Sacco R, Maida M, Felder M, Morisco F, Gasbarrini A, Gemini S, Foschi FG, Missale G, Masotto A, Affronti A, Bernardi M, Pinna AD. Years of life that could be saved from prevention of hepatocellular carcinoma. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2016; 43:814-24. [PMID: 26864152 DOI: 10.1111/apt.13554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2015] [Revised: 11/25/2015] [Accepted: 01/18/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) causes premature death and loss of life expectancy worldwide. Its primary and secondary prevention can result in a significant number of years of life saved. AIM To assess how many years of life are lost after HCC diagnosis. METHODS Data from 5346 patients with first HCC diagnosis were used to estimate lifespan and number of years of life lost after tumour onset, using a semi-parametric extrapolation having as reference an age-, sex- and year-of-onset-matched population derived from national life tables. RESULTS Between 1986 and 2014, HCC lead to an average of 11.5 years-of-life lost for each patient. The youngest age-quartile group (18-61 years) had the highest number of years-of-life lost, representing approximately 41% of the overall benefit obtainable from prevention. Advancements in HCC management have progressively reduced the number of years-of-life lost from 12.6 years in 1986-1999, to 10.7 in 2000-2006 and 7.4 years in 2007-2014. Currently, an HCC diagnosis when a single tumour <2 cm results in 3.7 years-of-life lost while the diagnosis when a single tumour ≥ 2 cm or 2/3 nodules still within the Milan criteria, results in 5.0 years-of-life lost, representing the loss of only approximately 5.5% and 7.2%, respectively, of the entire lifespan from birth. CONCLUSIONS Hepatocellular carcinoma occurrence results in the loss of a considerable number of years-of-life, especially for younger patients. In recent years, the increased possibility of effectively treating this tumour has improved life expectancy, thus reducing years-of-life lost.
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Bucci L, Garuti F, Camelli V, Lenzi B, Farinati F, Giannini EG, Ciccarese F, Piscaglia F, Rapaccini GL, Di Marco M, Caturelli E, Zoli M, Borzio F, Sacco R, Maida M, Felder M, Morisco F, Gasbarrini A, Gemini S, Foschi FG, Missale G, Masotto A, Affronti A, Bernardi M, Trevisani F. Comparison between alcohol- and hepatitis C virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma: clinical presentation, treatment and outcome. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2016; 43:385-99. [PMID: 26662476 DOI: 10.1111/apt.13485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2015] [Revised: 08/14/2015] [Accepted: 11/04/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and alcohol abuse are the main risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in Western countries. AIM To investigate the role of alcoholic aetiology on clinical presentation, treatment and outcome of HCC as well as on each Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage, as compared to HCV-related HCCs. METHODS A total of 1642 HCV and 573 alcoholic patients from the Italian Liver Cancer (ITA.LI.CA) database, diagnosed with HCC between January 2000 and December 2012 were compared for age, gender, type of diagnosis, tumour burden, portal vein thrombosis (PVT), oesophageal varices, liver function tests, alpha-fetoprotein, BCLC, treatment and survival. Aetiology was tested as predictor of survival in multivariate Cox regression models and according to HCC stages. RESULTS Cirrhosis was present in 96% of cases in both groups. Alcoholic patients were younger, more likely male, with HCC diagnosed outside surveillance, in intermediate/terminal BCLC stage and had worse liver function. After adjustment for the lead-time, median (95% CI) overall survival (OS) was 27.4 months (21.5-33.2) in alcoholic and 33.6 months (30.7-36.5) in HCV patients (P = 0.021). The prognostic role of aetiology disappeared when survival was assessed in each BCLC stage and in the Cox regression multivariate models. CONCLUSIONS Alcoholic aetiology affects survival of HCC patients through its negative effects on secondary prevention and cancer presentation but not through a greater cancer aggressiveness or worse treatment result. In fact, survival adjusted for confounding factors was similar in alcoholic and HCV patients.
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Vukotic R, Morelli MC, Pinna AD, Margotti M, Foschi FG, Loggi E, Bernardi M, Andreone P. Letter: calcineurin inhibitor level reduction during treatment with sofosbuvir in liver transplanted patients. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2014; 40:405. [PMID: 25040927 DOI: 10.1111/apt.12853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2014] [Accepted: 06/07/2014] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- R Vukotic
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche e Chirurgiche, Università di Bologna AOU Policlinico Sant'Orsola-Malpighi, Bologna, Italy
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11
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Stefanini GF, Quercia O, Emiliani F, Stefanini N, Dall'Aglio AC, Lanzi A, Foschi FG. Fever of unknown origin as unique symptom of an indolent mastocytosis. Eur Ann Allergy Clin Immunol 2012; 44:175-177. [PMID: 23092007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
A 39-years-old man afferred to our hospital for a fever lasting for more than 6 months, without abnormalities at physical examination (in particular no skin alterations); a recent laboratory and instrumental investigation was ineffective and so a fever of unknown origin (FUO) was diagnosed Since he reported an history of infantile mastocytosis (usually auto-resolving) we evaluated his serum-tryptase levels that resulted of 49 ug/L (normal value 20 ug/L), raising the doubt of the presence of an active mastocytosis. The following bone marrow evaluation showed aggregates of CD117 positive cells and a c-Kit point mutation at codon D 816V confirming the diagnosis of indolent mastocytosis.The present case confirm that FUO can be caused by an otherwise asymptomatic indolent mastocytosis, thus suggesting to include the serum-tryptase level measurement in the diagnostic approach to this pathological condition, at least in selected cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- G F Stefanini
- Department of Internal Medicine I Ospedale di Faenza AUSL Ravenna, Italy.
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12
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Quercia O, Emiliani F, Foschi FG, Stefanini GF. A case of anaphylaxis: horse-fly or hymenoptera sting? Eur Ann Allergy Clin Immunol 2009; 41:152-154. [PMID: 20101929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
In literature it has been described a high risk of systemic reaction after blood-sucking Dyptera bites, like mosquitoes and horsefly, in people sensitive to hymenoptera. A 51 year old man, allergic to hymenoptera venom and with a history of i.v. reaction after Mueller, who has been treated with Vespula sp. ITS for the last 3 years, was stung by a yellow, black and green insect on the neck. Five minutes after the bite, he suffered generalized hitching and urticaria, oral cavity and lower limbs paresthesia, followed by lost of consciousness. At the Emergency Room he was successfully treated with adrenaline, intravenous antihistamines and corticosteroid. The description of the insect as well as the lack of the sting on the site suggested a wasp as the culprit. By studying one of these insect that has been captured by the patient, it turned out it wasn't a Vespula, but a horsefly, the Tabanus bovinus, which resembles Hymenoptera. Skin prick test and RAST for Tabanus confirmed the allergology diagnosis. In conclusion, also Tabanus bovines can cause systemic reaction up to anaphylactic shock.
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Affiliation(s)
- O Quercia
- Allergology High Speciality Unit, General Medicine, Faenza Hospital, AUSL Ravenna, Italy
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13
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Foschi FG, Piscaglia F, Pompili M, Corbelli C, Marano G, Righini R, Alvisi V, Gasbarrini G, Bolondi L, Bernardi M, Stefanini GF. Real-time contrast-enhanced ultrasound--a new simple tool for detection of peritoneal-pleural communications in hepatic hydrothorax. Ultraschall Med 2008; 29:538-542. [PMID: 19241513 DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1027328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Hepatic hydrothorax is defined as the accumulation of pleural effusion in a cirrhotic patient in the absence of pulmonary or cardiac disease. Peritoneal fluid can pass into the pleural space through diaphragmatic fenestrations. The demonstration of such passage is important to establish the diagnosis of hepatic hydrothorax and can be achieved by intraperitoneal injection of nuclear contrast agents. Our aim was to evaluate the ability of contrast enhanced ultrasound in the detection of peritoneal-pleural communications. MATERIALS AND METHODS Seven patients with cirrhotic ascites and pleural effusion were studied in order to make a diagnosis of hepatic hydrothorax. SonoVue was injected into the peritoneal cavity (9.8 mL), and the peritoneal and pleural cavities were monitored by ultrasound. All patients were then studied using a nuclear scan. RESULTS Passage of SonoVue from the peritoneal to the pleural cavities was seen in 5 patients. In 2 patients, no passage of contrast agent was detectable. Nuclear scan was consistent with contrast enhanced ultrasound in all patients. CONCLUSION This study shows that the presence of peritoneal-pleural communications can be demonstrated by real time contrast enhanced ultrasound, whose results are comparable to those of nuclear scan. Contrast enhanced ultrasound is cheaper and could theoretically be performed wherever ultrasound facilities are available.
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Affiliation(s)
- F G Foschi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faenza Hospital, Faenza, RA.
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14
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Quercia O, Emiliani F, Foschi FG, Stefanini GF. The wasp-horsefly syndrome. Eur Ann Allergy Clin Immunol 2008; 40:61-63. [PMID: 18717054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Here are two cases of two male patients of 57 and 62 years of age, already known as allergic to stinging hymenoptera venom, who after a horsefly bite have presented a serious 3-4 degree-type Mueller classification systemic reaction. The diagnosis has been carried out clinically and after an accurate environmental anamnesis and along with prick tests and RAST, further specific entomological confirm. In literature the so called wasp-mosquito-syndrome has been indicated where hyaluronidase has been referred to as the cross allergen, between the hymenoptera venom and the mosquito saliva, which likely triggers the reaction. We believe that it is also possible to take into consideration a wasp-horsefly-syndrome as well, supposing the increased risk of anaphylactic reactions to Tabanidae bites, relatively frequent in areas with animals and streams, in subjects sensitized to stinging hymenoptera. We also suggest the possibility that in these subjects some systemic reactions are due in fact to Tabanidae bites and not so much for the failure of a possible active ITS of stinging hymenoptera.
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Affiliation(s)
- O Quercia
- Dipartimento di Medicina Interna, Ospedale per gli Infermi di Faenza (RA), Italia
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15
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Abstract
A 54-year-old male, who had presented 2 ventricular fibrillation (VF) episodes with post-anoxic coma and later a return to consciousness and to a sinusal rhythm after defibrillation, have been placed a ventricular intracavitary stimulator (AICD). Since all the tests including the coronarygraphy have been found normal, we have paid attention to the anamnesis revealing an Apis mellifera sting before both VF episodes, previously considered irrelevant for the absence of relevant local symptoms. Intracutaneous tests were negative to Vespula sp. and positive to A. mellifera extract at a concentration of 0.01 mug/ml. Specific IgE for A. mellifera venom presented values of 2,36 U/ml for A. mellifera and <0.35 U/ml per Vespula sp. and Polistes dominulus. The patient was then submitted to ITS with A. mellifera aqueous extract. During the RASH treatment no adverse reactions have been observed, whereas we witnessed a major adverse reaction, 3 min after the first 100 mcg maintenance dose, controlled with anti-H1 and cortisone reaction, nevertheless no reactions were observed during the 3 years the same dosage has been repeated monthly. Our case supports the hypothesis of an anaphylactic reaction as trigger of vasoconstriction in individuals affected by ventricular arrhythmia not explained with other causes such as a coronary disease, a myocardiopathy or a pharmacological toxicity. Arrhythmia can be a serious outbreak of a mediated IgE allergic reaction even without any relevant local symptoms. The diagnostics with lyophilized A. mellifera venom has been proven safe in a patient who suffered a cardiac anaphylaxis.
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Quercia O, Emiliani F, Foschi FG, Stefanini GF. Safety of etoricoxib in patients with reactions to NSAIDs. J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol 2008; 18:163-167. [PMID: 18564626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adverse reactions to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are a frequently reported problem due to the fact that these molecules are often used for control of pain and inflammation. Although the use of selective inhibitors of cyclooxygenase (COX) 2 helps to prevent some of these adverse reactions, they can have cardiac side effects when taken for prolonged periods. Here we report the safety and tolerability of etoricoxib, a selective COX-2 inhibitor with fewer cardiovascular effects, in patients with adverse reactions to NSAIDs. PATIENTS AND METHODS We performed placebo-controlled oral challenge with etoricoxib in 65 patients with previous adverse reactions to NSAIDs: 13 to salicylates, 18 to arylpropionic acids, 10 to arylacetic acid, 12 to oxicam and derivates, 8 to pyrazolones, and 4 to acetaminophen (paracetamol). The reported symptoms were urticaria or angioedema in 69%, rhinitis in 3%, and 1 case of anaphylactic shock (1.5%). The challenge was done using the placebo on the first day, half dosage of etoricoxib (45 mg) on the second day, and the therapeutic dose of 90 mg on the third day. The challenge was done in the outpatient department of the hospital and the subjects were monitored for a further 4 to 6 hours after challenge. RESULTS Oral challenge with etoricoxib was well tolerated in 97% of the patients. Only 2 systemic reactions were reported during the challenge test. CONCLUSION Etoricoxib can be considered a safe molecule for those patients with previous adverse reactions to NSAIDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- O Quercia
- Allergology High Specialty Unit, General Medicine, Faenza Hospital, AUSL Ravenna, Italy.
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17
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Foschi FG, Emiliani F, Savini S, Quercia O, Stefanini GF. CD30 serum levels and response to hymenoptera venom immunotherapy. J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol 2008; 18:279-283. [PMID: 18714536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The glycoprotein CD30 is expressed and released by T lymphocytes that secrete type 2 helper cytokines of (T(H)2). These molecules play a role in the pathogenesis of allergic diseases. Venom immunotherapy has proven to be very effective in hymenoptera venom allergy through a shift in cytokine production from T(H)2-type cytokines to T(H)1-type cytokines. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the relationship between the soluble form of CD30 (sCD30) and venom immunotherapy in patients with hymenoptera venom allergy. MATERIALS AND METHODS sCD30 levels were assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in the sera of 61 healthy controls and 14 patients with hymenoptera venom allergy who had undergone immunotherapy before treatment and 1,3, and 12 months after treatment started. Nine patients were allergic to Apis venom, 4 to Vespula venom, and 1 to Polistes venom. RESULTS CD30 serum levels (median, interquartile range) were significantly higher in venom-allergic patients before treatment (33.6 U/mL; 14.8-61.6) than in controls (9.7 U/mL, 1.9-21.3) (P < .000). These levels decreased progressively during treatment in all patients except 2 (P < .000). At the third month of therapy, the levels reached statistical significance in comparison with baseline. CONCLUSIONS This study shows that sCD30 levels are significantly higher in patients with hymenoptera venom allergy and indirectly confirms a preferential T(H)2-type cytokine production in these patients. sCD30 expression decreases during immunotherapy, thus confirming the immunomodulatory role of this treatment in promoting a shift to T(H)1-type cytokines.
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Affiliation(s)
- F G Foschi
- Allergic Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Faenza Hospital, Faenza, RA, Italy.
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18
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Affiliation(s)
- O Quercia
- Medicina Interna - Ospedale per gli Infermi via Stradone, Faenza, Ravenna, Italy
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19
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Gramenzi A, Andreone P, Loggi E, Foschi FG, Cursaro C, Margotti M, Biselli M, Bernardi M. Cytokine profile of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with different outcomes of hepatitis C virus infection. J Viral Hepat 2005; 12:525-30. [PMID: 16108769 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2893.2005.00634.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
SUMMARY The relationship between the balance of helper T-cell type 1 (Th1) or type 2 (Th2) cytokines and the clinical course of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is unclear. We evaluated Th1 [interleukin (IL)-2, interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)] and Th2 cytokine (IL-4, IL-10) and 2,5-oligoadenylate synthetase (OAS, an IFN-induced antiviral protein) production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 10 healthy anti-HCV-positive individuals (group A), 10 HCV-RNA-positive with persistently normal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels (group B), 10 HCV-RNA-positive with abnormal ALT (group C) and 10 uninfected healthy controls. IL-2 production was significantly increased in group B when compared with all the other groups. No difference was found for IFN-gamma. IL-4 was significantly higher in group C than in both group B (P = 0.0006) and controls (P = 0.004). Compared with controls, IL-10 was significantly decreased in group A (P = 0.013) and B (P = 0.004). The production of 2,5-OAS was significantly higher in group B than in A (P = 0.04) and in C (P = 0.004). Finally, in all HCV-RNA-positive patients, a significant correlation was found between ALT and both IL-2 (r = -0.78; P = 0.0008) and IL-4 (r = 0.75; P = 0.0008). IN CONCLUSION (i) subjects who cleared HCV showed a cytokine profile similar to controls; (ii) a preferential shift towards a Th1 profile seems associated with a more favourable clinical outcome in chronic hepatitis C; and (iii) a prevalent Th2 profile seems implicated in HCV pathogenesis and severity of liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Gramenzi
- Dipartimento di Medicina Interna, Cardioangiologia ed Epatologia, Università degli Studi di Bologna, Italy
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20
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Foschi FG, Savini P, Marano G, Musardo G, Bedeschi E, Girelli F, Emiliani F, Aldi M, D'Errico A, Bernardi M, Stefanini GF. Focal nodular hyperplasia after busulfan treatment. Dig Liver Dis 2005; 37:619-21. [PMID: 15886082 DOI: 10.1016/j.dld.2004.09.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2004] [Accepted: 09/30/2004] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The case of a 48-year-old woman in whom focal nodular hyperplasia of the liver developed after busulfan therapy was administered for essential thrombocytosis is described. Focal nodular hyperplasia is a reactive disorder related to a circulation disorder. The close temporal relation between the haematological disease, busulfan treatment and the appearance of hyperplastic diseases of the liver in our patient supports the possibility that the association of the events might not be casual.
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Affiliation(s)
- F G Foschi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faenza Hospital, Via Stradone no. 9, 48018 Faenza (RA), Italy.
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21
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Quercia O, Emiliani F, Foschi FG, Stefanini GF. Anaphylactic shock to Argas reflexus bite. Eur Ann Allergy Clin Immunol 2005; 37:66-8. [PMID: 15859366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Anaphylaxis is a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction, affecting both children and adults. The occurrence of anaphylaxis is not as rare as generally believed (1.21% to 15.04% of the US population). Often the cause of this reaction remain unknown, mainly due to the difficulty in defining the outbreaking causes. Herein, we describe an interesting case of a patient, who developed an anaphylactic reaction after the bite of a pigeon tick. During the last 2 years, in wintertime, the patient often came to the emergency room for general rash and swelling, hypotension and tachycardia preceded by itching and general distress. Notably, the symptoms manifested themselves as night fell. In two particular occasions the patient reached the hospital in a state of shock. After another episode of general swelling, the patient was invited to examine her domestic environment. She brought us some parasites, collected at home, particularly on the bed. A morphological examination by entomologists proved these parasites to belong to Argas reflexus (Arg.r.), one of the 31 species of soft ticks. The presence of specific IgE to a protein secreted by the Arg.r. salivary glands was in favour of immediate-type systemic reaction, as supposed by the clinical history.
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Affiliation(s)
- O Quercia
- Allergy Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Ospedale per gli Infermi Faenza (Ra), Italy
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22
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Girelli F, Foschi FG, Bedeschi E, Calderoni V, Stefanini GF, Martinelli MG. Is Anti Cyclic citrullinated peptide a useful laboratory test for the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis? Eur Ann Allergy Clin Immunol 2004; 36:127-30. [PMID: 15180353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
AIM OF THE STUDY To evaluate Anti Cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) and Rheumatoid Factor (RF) sensitivity and specificity in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). MATERIALS AND METHODS Anti-CCP and RAtest for the assessment of RF have been tried out in 35 patients with RA and in a group of 42 patients whose hands were affected by arthralgic/arthritis-like symptoms. RESULTS Sensitivity of anti-CCP was 71,4% with 95,2% of specificity. RAtest sensitivity was 91,4% with specificity of 31%. Anti-CCP and RAtest both positive showed an overall 71.4% sensitivity and 95.2% specificity; sensitivity was 91.4% and specificity was 31.0%, if at least RAtest or anti-CCP resulted positive, The positive predictive value of the two test performed together was 97.0%, higher than that of anti-CCP (71.4%) and RAtest (88.5%9) alone. The negative predictive value of the two test performed together was 30.9% similar to that of the RAtest performed alone (30.9%). All patients affected by HCV related chronic liver disease were negative for anti-CCP test; 12/14 of them had RAtest positive. CONCLUSIONS Anti-CCP antibody has a diagnostic specificity higher than RF. Anti-CCP and RA tests together prove to have the some specificity as anti-CCP alone and a lower sensitivity. Sensitivity is better when at least either RAtest or anti-CCP results positive. The best positive predictive value is obtained performing both anti-CCP and RAtest. Anti-CCP is a useful laboratory marker to confirm the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis; it seems to be very important to differentiate patients with RA from those with HCV related arthritis.
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MESH Headings
- Adult
- Aged
- Antibody Specificity
- Arthralgia/etiology
- Arthritis, Reactive/diagnosis
- Arthritis, Rheumatoid/blood
- Arthritis, Rheumatoid/diagnosis
- Arthritis, Rheumatoid/immunology
- Autoantibodies/blood
- Autoantibodies/immunology
- Autoantigens/chemistry
- Autoantigens/immunology
- Autoimmune Diseases/blood
- Autoimmune Diseases/diagnosis
- Autoimmune Diseases/immunology
- Diagnosis, Differential
- Epitopes/chemistry
- Epitopes/immunology
- Female
- Filaggrin Proteins
- Hand
- Hepatitis B, Chronic/complications
- Hepatitis B, Chronic/immunology
- Hepatitis C, Chronic/complications
- Hepatitis C, Chronic/immunology
- Humans
- Intermediate Filament Proteins/chemistry
- Intermediate Filament Proteins/immunology
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Peptides, Cyclic/chemistry
- Peptides, Cyclic/immunology
- Predictive Value of Tests
- Protein Processing, Post-Translational
- Rheumatoid Factor/blood
- Sensitivity and Specificity
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Affiliation(s)
- F Girelli
- Rheumatology Unit, Ospedale per gli Infermi di Faenza, Italia
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Addolorato G, Armuzzi A, Gasbarrini G, De Lorenzi G, Ancona C, Abenavoli L, Parente A, Leggio L, Capristo E, Greco AV, Janiri L, Pozzi G, Taranto C, Caputo F, Bernardi M, Stefanini GF, Foschi FG. Pharmacological approaches to the management of alcohol addiction. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2002; 6:89-97. [PMID: 12776801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2023]
Abstract
Alcohol abuse and alcoholism represent a world-wide problem, both from a medical and a social point of view. In the past the therapy for patients affected by alcoholism was based mainly on the psychological approach. In recent years the use of pharmacotherapy together with psychosocial interventions have enhanced the percentage of success in maintaining alcoholic patients in remission. The present review discusses the main drugs experimented both in preclinical and clinical studies. Pharmacotherapy of alcohol dependence seems to be effective in both alcohol-related emergencies and prevention relapse. However, pharmacotherapy should not be considered as the only form of treatment but as an integrated part of a multimodal approach including psychological and social support.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Addolorato
- Istituto di Medicina Interna, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma
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Trevisani F, Castelli E, Foschi FG, Parazza M, Loggi E, Bertelli M, Melotti C, Domenicali M, Zoli G, Bernardi M. Impaired tuftsin activity in cirrhosis: relationship with splenic function and clinical outcome. Gut 2002; 50:707-12. [PMID: 11950821 PMCID: PMC1773217 DOI: 10.1136/gut.50.5.707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cirrhotic patients show increased susceptibility to bacterial infections. It is not known whether tuftsin deficiency, which is associated with an increased incidence of infections in many disease states, is present in cirrhosis. Our aims were to determine whether tuftsin activity is deficient in cirrhosis and if so, whether this deficiency is related to splenic function, contributes to altered neutrophil granulocyte function, or influences the occurrence of bacterial infections and patient survival. METHODS Tuftsin activity and splenic function were assessed in 31 patients with liver cirrhosis and 31 healthy subjects. The phagocytic activity of neutrophil granulocytes from 23 patients was tested in vitro with addition of both autologous and pooled sera from healthy subjects. In 10 patients and eight controls it was also tested with addition of synthetic tuftsin. Patients were followed up until death or liver transplantation. RESULTS Patients had reduced tuftsin activity (median 8% (range 3-24.5)) compared with controls (17% (11.5-37)) (p<0.001) and a higher pitted red cell count (p<0.001). Tuftsin activity was correlated with pitted cell count (p=0.02) and the Child-Pugh score (p=0.002). Nineteen of 23 patients showed deficient phagocytic activity of neutrophil granulocytes, which was correlated with tuftsin activity (p<0.001), improved in all cases but one with addition of serum from healthy subjects, and normalised with addition of synthetic tuftsin. Reduced tuftsin activity did not influence patient survival but was associated with a higher incidence of bacterial infections (p=0.029). COMMENT Tuftsin activity was reduced in cirrhosis, and contributed to impaired phagocytic activity of neutrophil granulocytes. Such an abnormality appears to be related to impaired splenic function and severity of cirrhosis, and probably favours the occurrence of bacterial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Trevisani
- Semeiotica Medica, Dipartimento di Medicina Interna, Cardioangiologia ed Epatologia, University of Bologna, Italy
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25
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Affiliation(s)
- O Quercia
- Divisione di Medicina Interna, Ospedale di Faenza, RA, Italy
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26
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Foschi FG, Gramenzi A, Castelli E, Cursaro C, Pagani S, Margotti M, D'Errico A, Andreone P, Stefanini GF, Bernardi M. Soluble CD30 serum level in HCV-positive chronic active hepatitis: A surrogate marker of disease activity? Cytokine 2000; 12:815-8. [PMID: 10843771 DOI: 10.1006/cyto.1999.0653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
In the present study, high levels of CD30s, a glycoprotein preferentially expressed and released by T lymphocytes producing Th(2)-type cytokines, were seen in the sera of patients with chronic hepatitis C, and a correlation with histological activity of the disease was found. CD30s levels were assayed in the sera of 29 HCV RNA-positive patients with histologically proven chronic active hepatitis and in 30 healthy blood donors. Thirteen of 29 (45%) HCV patients had CD30s serum levels above the normal range (>20 U/ml). Mean CD30s serum levels were significantly higher in HCV patients than in controls (P<0.0005). A positive correlation was found between serum CD30s levels and both the histological activity index (r=0.59, P=0.001) and ALT serum levels (r=0.5; P=0.006). The raised CD30s level found in more severe HCV liver disease indirectly suggests activation and expansion of Th(2)cells. CD30s levels could represent a useful surrogate marker of activity in chronic HCV infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- F G Foschi
- Semeiotica Medica, Dipartimento di Medicina Interna, Cardioangiologia, Epatologia, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
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Foschi FG, Marsigli L, Bernardi M, Salvi F, Mascalchi M, Gasbarrini G, Stefanini GF. Acute multifocal cerebral white matter lesions during transfer factor therapy. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2000; 68:114-5. [PMID: 10671126 PMCID: PMC1760584 DOI: 10.1136/jnnp.68.1.114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Affiliation(s)
- O Quercia
- Ambulatorio Allergologico, Unità Operativa di Medicina Interna, Ospedale di Faenza, Ravenna, Italy
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Stefanini GF, Caputo F, Lizzani L, Castelli E, Dall'Aglio C, Baudanza P, Marsigli L, Foschi FG, Patussi V, Addolorato G, Bernardi M, Gasbarrini G. Different efficacy of alcohol education tools among trainee nurses. Hepatogastroenterology 1999; 46:1910-6. [PMID: 10430368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS The evaluation of the efficacy of two different forms of scientific information concerning alcohol-related problems (ARP), among Italian trainee nurses. METHODOLOGY A specific questionnaire, investigating the awareness of ARP, was distributed to 193 trainee nurses, 158 enrolled in the Italian Red Cross School for Professional Nurses at S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital in Bologna and 35 enrolled in the Professional Nursing School at the Social Security Institute in the Republic of San Marino, who had attended a scientific meeting on ARP in the last year. Eighty-one nurses (62 belonging to the Red Cross School of Bologna and 19 to the Professional Nursing School of San Marino), had previously been given an information package on ARP (Group A). One hundred twelve subjects (96 belonging to the Red Cross School of Bologna and 16 to the Professional Nursing School of San Marino) did not read the specialized material (Group B). RESULTS The results showed a statistically significant difference in the percentage of correct answers between Group A (25.98%) and Group B (21.80%). The percentage of correct answers among the Bologna trainee nurses were always significantly lower than that of the San Marino nurses. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest a scant awareness and interest in ARP among trainee nurses and show that courses and lectures are more effective than scientific printed material.
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Castelli E, Hrelia P, Maffei F, Fimognari C, Foschi FG, Caputo F, Cantelli-Forti G, Stefanini GF, Gasbarrini G. Indicators of genetic damage in alcoholics: reversibility after alcohol abstinence. Hepatogastroenterology 1999; 46:1664-8. [PMID: 10430317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS Although a primary carcinogenic role of alcohol is not proven, alcohol abuse is associated with an increased risk of cancer of the upper airways, esophagus and liver. METHODOLOGY Chromosome aberrations and the presence of micronuclei that reflect two types of genetic damage were analyzed in peripheral blood lymphocytes from 11 alcoholic patients who were heavy smokers and in a fair state of general nutrition and 9 subjects who had abstained from alcohol for at least a year. Ten heavy smokers were studied as healthy controls. RESULTS Chromosome aberrations and micronuclei in alcoholics showed significantly elevated frequencies compared to the control groups, while in alcohol abstainers the values of all two parameters were similar to the values of the control subjects. CONCLUSIONS These results show that long-term alcohol intake could induce genetic alterations in synergy with tobacco smoke. Interestingly, this damaging action is reversed by abstinence. Our results call for a further effort to find an eventual diagnostic role for these early genetic damage markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Castelli
- Centro per lo Studio ed il Trattamento Multidisciplinare dell'Uso Inadeguato dell'Alcol G. Fontana, Universita degli Studi di Bologna, Italy
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Stefanini GF, Foschi FG, Castelli E, Marsigli L, Biselli M, Mucci F, Bernardi M, Van Thiel DH, Gasbarrini G. Alpha-1-thymosin and transcatheter arterial chemoembolization in hepatocellular carcinoma patients: a preliminary experience. Hepatogastroenterology 1998; 45:209-15. [PMID: 9496515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS To evaluate the tolerability and therapeutic potential of the immunostimulating adjuvant alpha-1-thymosin in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. METHODOLOGY Twelve patients with hepatocellular carcinoma were treated with alpha-1-thymosin (900 micrograms/m2 subcutaneously twice per week for 6 months) and transcatheter arterial chemoembolization and compared to a historical control group (matched for gender, age, Okuda staging, Child's score, alpha-fetoprotein serum levels and viral infection) treated with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization alone. RESULTS No severe side effects were recorded in the 2 treatment groups. The combination of alpha-1-thymosin plus transcatheter arterial chemoembolization resulted in a longer survival that reached statistical significance 7 months after the end of treatment (p < 0.05). Patients receiving combined treatment demonstrated a significant increase in peripheral blood mononuclear cells expressing CD3 (p < 0.05) and CD8 (p < 0.025) 3 months after beginning treatment. They also had a significant increase (p < 0.05) in CD16+ and CD56+ cells after 1 month, and a slight reduction in mononuclear cells expressing CD25, a marker for cell activation. No alterations in the response to phytohemagglutinin stimulation were seen during the alpha-1-thymosin treatment. CONCLUSIONS The absence of toxicity and the favourable effects observed in this open study call for a double blind control study to confirm the efficacy of the combined treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- G F Stefanini
- Divisione di Medicina Interna, Ospedale di Faenza, Ra
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Stefanini GF, Biselli M, Grazi GL, Iovine E, Moscatello MR, Marsigli L, Foschi FG, Caputo F, Mazziotti A, Bernardi M, Gasbarrini G, Cavallari A. Orthotopic liver transplantation for alcoholic liver disease: rates of survival, complications and relapse. Hepatogastroenterology 1997; 44:1356-1359. [PMID: 9356855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS Liver transplantation for alcoholic end-stage liver disease remains controversial at many transplant centers. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the outcome of patients with alcoholic liver disease who underwent liver transplantation at Centro Trapianti, Policlinico S. Orsola, Bologna. METHODOLOGY We describe the outcomes of 18 alcoholic patients with end-stage liver disease who received orthotopic liver transplants at our center from April, 1986 to February, 1996. The data obtained was compared with that of 114 patients with virus-related cirrhosis selected as transplant controls. An absolute period of abstinence from alcohol consumption for at least six months was required. RESULTS Regarding the actuarial survival rate and non-fatal post-transplant complications, no significant differences were noted in comparing the non-alcoholic with the alcoholic recipients, except for a higher incidence of Cytomegalovirus infection in the alcoholic group followed-up for more than four months. The alcoholic relapse rate was 27.2%, but only one patient returned to harmful drinking. Seventy-three percent of subjects who were followed-up for at least six months were occupied in gainful employment. Alcoholic relapse did not affect employment status. CONCLUSION This data demonstrates that liver transplantation for selected patients with end-stage alcohol-related cirrhosis achieves good results in survival, complications and employment status, and it appears difficult to defend an inflexible claim to have demonstrated an absolute long-term abstinence before transplantation when a severe deterioration of liver function is present.
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Affiliation(s)
- G F Stefanini
- Divisione di Medicina Interna, Ospedale di Faenza (Ra)
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Biselli M, Forti P, Mucci F, Foschi FG, Marsigli L, Caputo F, Ravaglia G, Bernardi M, Stefanini GF. Chemoembolization versus chemotherapy in elderly patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma and contrast uptake as prognostic factor. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 1997; 52:M305-9. [PMID: 9310085 DOI: 10.1093/gerona/52a.5.m305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Age is considered one of the important contraindications to surgery for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in cirrhosis patients. We therefore evaluated the safety and prevalence of side effects in endoarterial therapy (EAT) in subjects aged over 65 years compared with younger treated patients. METHODS Thirty-eight patients with HCC aged 65 years and over underwent transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) (n = 28) or intraarterial chemotherapy (IAC) (n = 10). The survival rate was calculated using Kaplan-Meier's method with respect to a control group consisting of younger treated subjects (44 TACE; 21 IAC) comparable for stage of HCC and severity of the underlying cirrhosis. RESULTS The comparison between the two groups regarding side effects, procedure-related death, and survival did not show any difference considering the whole EAT procedure. TACE in elderly subjects reached a statistically lower outcome with respect to younger patients (p < .025) but remained statistically superior in survival versus both older and younger patients treated with IAC (p < .05, respectively). Stratifying the patients following the degree of Lipiodol uptake of tumor mass in the three groups (Group I, > 75%; Group II, 50-75%; Group III, < 50%), in the young subjects a higher probability of survival was strictly correlated to a degree of uptake over 75%, while in the elderly patients an impregnation over 50% was sufficient to obtain a satisfactory survival curve. CONCLUSIONS EAT is a reliable and safe therapeutic option for the geriatric patient with HCC, with TACE showing a better efficacy than IAC, requiring a lesser degree of Lipiodol uptake to achieve an improvement of outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Biselli
- G. Fontana Center for the Multidisciplinary Study and Treatment of Alcohol Abuse, University of Bologna, Italy
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Stefanini GF, Foschi FG, Marsigli L, Fumelli C, Grazi GL. Shortage of organs with a consequent increase in stand-by time and patient deaths. Liver Transpl Surg 1996; 2:332-333. [PMID: 9346671 DOI: 10.1002/lt.500020420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
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Stefanini GF, Castelli E, Foschi FG, Marsigli L, Addolorato G, Celadon M, Biagi PL, Bordoni A, Gasbarrini G, Hrelia S. Normalization of immune response and phosphoinositide fatty acid composition of peripheral blood lymphocytes in an alcoholic patient after alcohol abstinence. Biochem Mol Biol Int 1996; 39:359-67. [PMID: 8799464 DOI: 10.1080/15216549600201391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
After 10 months of alcohol abstinence a malnourished alcoholic patient improved his nutritional status. The analysis of peripheral blood lymphocyte response to mitogenic stimulation with the antibody anti-CD3 and of the fatty acid composition of the (poly)-phosphoinositide fraction derived from lymphocytes revealed: 1) a similar [3H]-thymidine uptake as in control (non-drinker) subjects; 2) a similar relative molar content of the main fatty acids in the (poly)-phosphoinositides as in control subjects. Alcohol abstinence can normalize both the parameters, which are greatly altered during alcohol abuse. This suggests a link between nutritional status and lymphocyte responsiveness via phosphoinositide fatty acid composition.
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Affiliation(s)
- G F Stefanini
- Istituto di Patologia Medica I, Università di Bologna, Policlinico S. Orsola, Italy
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Stefanini GF, Castelli E, Foschi FG, Terzi A, Biagi PL, Bordoni A, Celadon M, Hrelia S. Defective calcium increase and inositol phosphate production in anti-CD3-stimulated lymphocytes of alcoholics without progressive liver disease. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 1996; 20:523-7. [PMID: 8727248 DOI: 10.1111/j.1530-0277.1996.tb01086.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Intracellular free calcium concentration, phosphoinositide turnover, and inositol phosphate production were analyzed in peripheral blood lymphocytes from seven well-nourished alcoholic patients without severe acute or chronic liver disease, before and after stimulation with anti-CD3 antibody. Seven comparable nondrinkers were studied as controls. A lower increase in intracellular free calcium concentration was detected in alcoholics, after anti-CD3 stimulation of lymphocytes, than in control subjects. Lymphocyte activation generated inositol phosphates in both controls and alcoholics, but inositol phosphate production was significantly lower in alcoholics. The agreement between these findings indicates that the reduction in inositol phosphates is one of the most important events in the early phases of lymphocyte activation in alcoholics.
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Affiliation(s)
- G F Stefanini
- Department of Biochemistry G. Moruzzi, University of Bologna, Italy
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Hrelia S, Celadon M, Bordoni A, Castelli E, Foschi FG, Stefanini GF, Rossi CA, Biagi PL. Phosphatidylinositol metabolism in lymphocytes of chronic alcoholic patients after anti-CD3 stimulation. Immunol Lett 1995; 46:63-6. [PMID: 7590930 DOI: 10.1016/0165-2478(95)00019-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
The immunological alterations observed in chronic alcoholic patients may be due to alterations of signal transduction across the lymphocyte membrane. Upon binding of mitogens or antigens to specific plasma membrane receptors, the activation of phospholipase C leads to the hydrolysis of inositol phospholipids, producing inositol phosphates and diacylglycerol. One of the early events in lymphocyte activation is an increase of intracellular calcium concentration, due to both an influx from extracellular fluid and a release from intracellular stores mediated by inositol phosphates. In this study we verified whether the diminished mobilization of intracellular calcium, previously observed in alcoholics, is caused by alteration in phosphoinositide turnover. We evaluated total inositol phosphate production in peripheral blood lymphocytes after anti-CD3 stimulation, comparing control subjects and alcoholic patients. Lymphocyte activation generated inositol phosphates in both controls and alcoholics, but to a different extent, inositol phosphate production being significantly higher in controls than in alcoholics. This reduction in inositol phosphate production could be accounted either to an inhibition of PLC activity or to a modified affinity of phospholipase C for its own substrates, i.e., phosphoinositides, which fatty acid composition has been previously demonstrated to be greatly different in alcoholics in comparison to healthy subjects.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Hrelia
- Department of Biochemistry G. Moruzzi, University of Bologna, Italy
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Stefanini GF, Foschi FG, Marsigli L, Celi A, Addolorato G, Castelli E, D'Errico A, Mancini AM, Martoni A, Gasbarrini G. A rare case of peritoneal mesothelioma in a male with ascites. Am J Gastroenterol 1994; 89:2257-9. [PMID: 7977262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Mesothelial lesions can present significant diagnostic problems. An accurate identification of the lesion is important in deciding what course of action to follow, as well as what the required treatment will be. We report the case of a man with untreatable ascites. Four years after the first symptom appeared, the patient suddenly began to lose weight. The CT scan showed a thickening of the peritoneal profile; a diffuse lesion of the mesothelium was then observed at laparotomy. Histological examination led to a diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma in a well-differentiated mesothelial lesion with diffuse involvement of the serosa of the small intestine and the lesser omentum.
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Affiliation(s)
- G F Stefanini
- Istituto di Patologia Speciale Medica, Università di Bologna, Italy
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Stefanini GF, Addolorato G, Marsigli L, Foschi FG, D'Errico A, Scarani P, Bonvicini F, Bernardi M, Gasbarrini G. Eosinophilic gastroenteritis in a patient with large-cell anaplastic lung carcinoma: a paraneoplastic syndrome? Ital J Gastroenterol 1994; 26:354-6. [PMID: 7812030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
A 39-year-old man was hospitalized with abdominal pain and diarrhoea. The total eosinophil count was 11,800/dL; the jejunal biopsy showed diffuse and patchy eosinophils and plasma cell infiltration of the lamina propria; symptoms and hypereosinophilia disappeared after steroid therapy. Two months later the symptoms reappeared together with left supraclavicular lymphnode enlargement. The chest X-ray showed a mass within the left lung apex. Lymph node biopsy showed metastases from large-cell anaplastic carcinoma. The possibility of eosinophilic gastroenteritis as a paraneoplastic manifestation is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- G F Stefanini
- Istituto di Patologia Speciale Medica, Università degli Studi di Bologna, Italy
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Stefanini GF, Castelli E, Foschi FG, Hrelia S, Biagi PL, Celadon M, Bordoni A, Gasbarrini G. Alcoholics' impaired lymphocyte response is caused by alcohol. Gastroenterology 1994; 106:1724-6. [PMID: 8194729 DOI: 10.1016/0016-5085(94)90445-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
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Hrelia S, Biagi PL, Bordoni A, Celadon M, Rossi CA, Castelli E, Foschi FG, Gasbarrini G, Stefanini GF. In vivo effect of chronic ethanol consumption on the fatty acid composition of phosphatidylinositols in resting and anti-CD3-activated lymphocytes. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 1993; 17:1044-50. [PMID: 8279665 DOI: 10.1111/j.1530-0277.1993.tb05662.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Fatty acid composition of phosphatidylinositols was analyzed in peripheral blood lymphocytes from nine alcoholic patients who were well nourished and without severe acute and chronic liver disease, before and after stimulation with anti-CD3 antibody. Six comparable nondrinkers were studied as controls. A reduction in unsaturated fatty acid (mainly arachidonic) and an increase in palmitic and stearic acid molar content were observed in phosphatidylinositol (PI), phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate (PIP), and phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) in unstimulated samples from alcoholic patients in comparison with normal subjects, leading to a significant decrease in the saturated/unsaturated ratio. In controls, anti-CD3 stimulation caused a marked decrease in arachidonic acid relative molar content counterbalanced by an increase in other polyunsaturated fatty acid relative molar content in PI, PIP, and PIP2 fractions. Interestingly, after anti-CD3 stimulation, alcoholic patients show the same trend of modification in the fatty acid composition resulting in a sharp reduction of arachidonic acid relative molar content. These results support the hypothesis of an alteration in nutrients being responsible for immune derangement in alcoholics.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Hrelia
- Department of Biochemistry G. Moruzzi, University of Bologna, Italy
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