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2 results on '"S. Lobello"'

1. Interferon treatment in hepatitis B surface antigen-positive hepatitis B e antibody-positive chronic hepatitis B: role of hepatitis B core antibody IgM titre in patient selection and treatment monitoring

Author

S. Lobello, Annarosa Floreani, U. Lorenzoni, Maria Chiaramonte, A. Vian, and Maurizia Rossana Brunetto

Subjects
Hepatitis, HBsAg, Cirrhosis, Hepatology, business.industry, Hepatitis B, medicine.disease, Chronic liver disease, Infectious Diseases, Antigen, HBeAg, Interferon, Virology, Immunology, medicine, business, medicine.drug
Abstract

Chronic hepatitis B infection with the hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative variant is associated with a severe clinical course and a low response rate to interferon (IFN). In an attempt to improve the chances of sustained response to interferon we designed a pilot study, using titres of IgM antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAb IgM) to guide treatment initiation. Eighteen adults who were HBeAg-negative with biopsy-proven chronic active hepatitis (seven with cirrhosis) entered the study. They were followed-up bimonthly with routine liver function tests, and HBcAb IgM titres were also determined. Treatment (lymphoblastoid IFN 5 million units (MU) m(-2) three times weekly for 6 months) was started when the HBcAb IgM titre was increasing. Fifteen (83.3%) patients had normal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels and undetectable HBV DNA at the end of treatment. HBcAb IgM decreased in all responders. We observed a relapse in four patients (three with cirrhosis), in the first year after treatment, with an increase in ALT, HBV DNA and titre of HBcAb IgM. Eleven patients (61.1%) had a sustained response and eight of these 11 patients were followed-up for more than 18 months; two responders cleared hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). Hence, the rate of sustained response to IFN in HBeAb-positive patients with chronic hepatitis is improved if treatment is started when HBcAb IgM levels are increasing.

Published
1998

2. Rate of incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with compensated viral cirrhosis.

Author

Chiaramonte M, Stroffolini T, Vian A, Stazi MA, Floreani A, Lorenzoni U, Lobello S, Farinati F, and Naccarato R

Subjects
Adult, Age Factors, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Carcinoma, Hepatocellular etiology, Carcinoma, Hepatocellular virology, Female, Humans, Incidence, Liver Cirrhosis complications, Liver Neoplasms etiology, Liver Neoplasms virology, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Middle Aged, Population Surveillance, Sex Factors, Carcinoma, Hepatocellular epidemiology, Hepatitis B complications, Hepatitis C complications, Liver Cirrhosis virology, Liver Neoplasms epidemiology, Risk Assessment
Abstract

Background: Cirrhosis of viral etiology due to hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The current study evaluated the rate of incidence of HCC in patients with compensated cirrhosis of viral etiology., Methods: Two hundred fifty-nine cirrhotic patients (66 hepatitis B surface antigen [HBsAg] positive, 166 HCV positive, and 27 HBsAg/HCV positive) were longitudinally examined every 6 months by serum alpha-fetoprotein test and liver ultrasonography. The rates of incidence of HCC were calculated by the person-years method. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate the cumulative probability of HCC development. Differences in survival time were evaluated by a log rank test. Independent predictors of HCC development were estimated by Cox proportional hazard regression analysis., Results: During a mean follow-up of 64.5 months, HCC developed in 51 (19.7%) patients: in 34 of 166 HCV positive subjects (20.5%) (mean follow-up, 66.3 months), in 6 of 66 of those HBsAg positive (9.1%) (mean follow-up, 55.06 months), and in 11 of 27 of those with dual HBsAg/HCV infection (40.7%) (mean follow-up, 76.4 months). The rate of incidence of HCC per 100 person-years of follow-up was 3.7 in HCV positive subjects, 2.0 in those HBsAg positive, and 6.4 in those with dual infection. Cumulative HCC appearance rates in HBsAg positive, HCV positive, and HBsAg/HCV positive subgroups were 10%, 21%, and 23% at 5 years, 16%, 28%, and 45% at 10 years, and 16%, 40%, and 55% at 13 years, respectively. Multivariate analysis indicated that age >50 years (hazard risk [HR], 4.5; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.1-9.4), male gender (HR, 2.8; 95% CI = 1.1-5.3), and HBsAg/HCV coinfection (HR, 2.3; 95% CI = 1.1-4.6) were independent predictors of HCC development., Conclusions: These findings confirm that male gender and more advanced age (>50 years) are risk factors for HCC in patients with cirrhosis. Furthermore, the data indicate that subjects with dual HBsAg/HCV infection are at highest risk for HCC. Surveillance programs for early detection of HCC should focus especially on these patients.

Published
1999

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