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Background We previously reported on the trends in the etiologies of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) diagnosed in patients between 1995 and 2009. The aims of our updated study were to evaluate the incidence, nonhepatitis B and nonhepatitis C viral (NBNC) etiologies, and clinical characteristics of HCCs occurring in patients between 1992 and 2018. Methods The study enrolled 2171 consecutive patients with HCC between 1992 and 2018. Their medical records were reviewed. The patients were divided into two groups, patients with early diagnoses from 1992 to 2009 and those with late diagnoses from 2010 to 2018. Results NBNC-HCC occurred in 514 patients (23.6%). The percentage of patients with HCC who had NBNC-HCC increased from 26.5% in 2009 to 46.3% in 2018. Patients with NBNC-HCC were older (median ages from 67 to 73 years). Type 2 diabetes mellitus (48.5–60.3%: P = 0.008), hypertension (48.5–57.4%: P = 0.047), and hyperlipidemia (39.2–53.8%: P = 0.001) increased significantly in recent years. The median FIB-4 index decreased (4.37–3.61: P = 0.026) and the median platelet count increased (15.1–17.9 × 104/μL: P = 0.013). Among the 514 patients with NBNC-HCC, 194 underwent hepatic resection for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) (15%), alcoholic liver disease (ALD) (29%), and cryptogenic hepatitis (56%). Cirrhosis was detected in 72%, 39%, and 16% of patients with NASH, ALD, and cryptogenic hepatitis, respectively. The prevalence of cirrhosis in patients with NASH was significantly higher than the prevalence of cirrhosis in the other groups (P Conclusions The prevalence of NBNC-HCC has increased rapidly even in a regional university hospital. Metabolic syndrome may be an important risk factor for HCC. HCC was also found in patients with non-cirrhotic livers. The FIB-4 index may be a useful screening method for HCC in patients with NBNC.

Objective Lusutrombopag is a thrombopoietin receptor agonist that improves thrombocytopenia in patients with chronic liver disease scheduled to undergo invasive procedures. However, information on the efficacy of repeated lusutrombopag treatment and factors associated with the treatment is scarce. We analyzed the efficacy of repeated lusutrombopag treatment and the factors associated with a response to lusutrombopag. Methods Thirty-nine patients with chronic liver disease who received lusutrombopag treatment before undergoing invasive procedures were enrolled in this retrospective study. Of the 39 patients, 10 received lusutrombopag treatment multiple times for a total of 53 regimens of lusutrombopag treatment. Changes in platelet counts, the effects of repeated lusutrombopag treatment, and factors associated with response to lusutrombopag were analyzed. Results The median platelet count increased significantly from 4.5×104/μL before lusutrombopag treatment to 7.2×104/μL before the invasive procedure (p

AIM We analyzed the impact of hepatitis C virus eradication by direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy on the risk of development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), prognosis, and portal hypertension in patients with liver cirrhosis. METHODS The rate of HCC development and overall survival after achievement of sustained virological response (SVR) in 173 DAA-treated compensated cirrhosis patients without HCC history were retrospectively compared with that of 125 cirrhosis patients who achieved SVR by interferon (IFN)-based therapy or that of 85 cirrhosis patients who failed to respond to anti-HCV therapy. Changes in esophagogastric varices (EGV) and incidence of portosystemic encephalopathy were analyzed in 87 consecutive cirrhosis patients. RESULTS The cumulative HCC development rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were 2%, 7%, and 7% for the DAA-SVR group, significantly lower than the 3%, 7%, and 18% for the non-SVR group (log-rank, P

Background We previously reported the trends of etiologies of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) between 1995 and 2009. By updating this study, we aimed to evaluate the incidence of HCC with non- hepatitis B viral and non- hepatitis C viral (NBNC) etiologies and also explore the clinical characteristics. Methods Consecutive 2171 HCC patients at our institution were enrolled between 1992 and 2018 in this retrospective cohort study. A comparative study was conducted by dividing into two groups, an early group from 1992 to 2009 and a late group from 2010 to 2018. Results NBNC-HCC account for 514 patients (23.6%). The proportion of NBNC-HCC has continued to increase from 26.5% in 2009 to 46.3% in 2018. NBNC-HCC were getting older (median ages, 67 to 73 years). Type 2 diabetes mellitus (48.5–60.3%: P = 0.008), hypertension (48.5–57.4%: P = 0.047), and hyperlipidemia (39.2–53.8%: P = 0.001) has increased significantly in recent years. The median FIB-4 index have decreased (4.37 to 3.61: P = 0.026) and the median platelet counts have increased (15.1 to 17.9: P = 0.013) significantly. Among 514 NBNC-HCC, 194 patients underwent hepatic resection in which 14.9%, 29.3%, and 55.8% were based on nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), alcoholic liver disease (ALD), and cryptogenic, respectively. Cirrhosis was detected in 72.4%, 38.6%, and 15.5% of NASH, ALD and cryptogenic, respectively. The prevalence of cirrhosis in NASH were significantly higher than other groups (P

BACKGROUND AND AIM To examine the effect on recurrence and survival of treatment by interferon (IFN)-free direct-acting antivirals (DAA) for patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV)-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who underwent primary curative treatment. METHODS This was a retrospective cohort study of 250 patients with HCV who had received curative treatment for primary HCC. As anti-HCV treatment after HCC treatment, 38 patients received IFN-free DAA therapy (DAA patients) and 94 received IFN-based therapy (IFN patients). The recurrence of HCC and overall survival of the patient groups were compared in a case-control study. RESULTS The cumulative HCC recurrence rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were 5%, 39%, and 39% for DAA patients and 0%, 46%, and 62% for IFN patients, respectively (P = 0.370). Multivariate analysis of the HCC recurrence identified treatment responses (sustained virological response [SVR]: hazard ratio [HR] 2.237; P = 0.003) as an independent predictive factor. The cumulative overall survival rates at 3 and 5 years were 96%, 96% for DAA patients and 93%, 73% for IFN patients, respectively ( P = 0.163). Multivariate analysis identified treatment responses (SVR: HR 8.742; P

Background and Aim The relationship between the presence of villous edema (VE) in portal hypertensive enteropathy (PHE) and clinical factors remains unclear. The aim of this study was to reveal the clinical factors related to VE in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC), and investigate the clinical significance of VE. Methods Between February 2009 and September 2016, 363 consecutive patients with liver cirrhosis underwent capsule endoscopy (CE) for diagnosing PHE at Hiroshima University Hospital. We evaluated the relationship between the presence of VE and patients’ clinical characteristics, findings of esophagogastroduodenoscopy and computed tomography, and survival time. Results VE was observed in 131 patients (36%), and severe lesions were found in 71 (20%). The presence of VE was significantly greater in patients with Child-Pugh classification B or C, esophageal varices (EVs), portal hypertensive gastropathy (PHG), ascites, portal vein thrombosis (PVT), and splenomegaly. In multivariate analysis, Child-Pugh class B or C, EVs, PVT, and splenomegaly were significant predictive factors for the presence of VE. Severe VE was significantly greater in patients with Child-Pugh class B or C, serum albumin level ≤3.2 mg/dL, PHG, and PVT. In multivariate analysis, PHG, Child-Pugh class B or C, PVT, and serum albumin level ≤3.2 mg/dL were significant predictive factors for severe VE. Conclusions Clinical factors related to portal hypertension were significantly correlated with VE. In particular PVT was correlated with the appearance and exacerbation of VE. Periodic CE in LC patients may lead to early detection of portal hypertension and PVT.

Background/Aims: The clinical course and exacerbation of portal hypertensive enteropathy (PHE) are yet to be fully clarified. This study aimed to identify factors related to PHE exacerbation in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC). Methods: Fifty patients with LC (33 male; mean age, 67 years), who underwent capsule endoscopy (CE) at the Hiroshima University Hospital between February 2009 and September 2015, were followed up for >6 months. Exacerbation is defined as the appearance of new lesions or worsening of existing lesions. The association between PHE exacerbation and the clinical factors was evaluated. Results: PHE exacerbation was identified in 24 out of 50 (48%) of cases: erythema (14 cases); angioectasia (11 cases); erosions (9 cases); villous edema (8 cases); and esophageal varices (EVs; 6 cases). The following factors were significantly associated with PHE exacerbation: portosystemic shunts, EVs and portal hypertensive gastropathy (PHG) exacerbation. After therapy, CE findings among the 24 cases were as follows: villous edema (19 cases); erythema (17 cases); angioectasia (16 cases); erosions (12 cases); and EVs (9 cases), and no observable abnormalities in 2 cases. On multivariate analysis, exacerbation of EVs and PHG were independent predictors of PHE exacerbation. Conclusion: EVs and PHG exacerbation may predict PHE exacerbation in patients with LC.

AIM The aim of this study was to determine the risk factors for worsening of gastroesophageal varices (GEVs) and development of portosystemic encephalopathy in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related cirrhosis during nucleos(t)ide analog (NA) treatment. METHODS One hundred and thirty-seven patients with HBV-related cirrhosis were enrolled in this retrospective cohort study. Findings of portal hemodynamics with computed tomography, liver function, and endoscopic examinations during NA treatment were assessed. RESULTS Among 137 patients, feeding vessels for GEVs (left gastric vein, posterior gastric vein, and short gastric vein) were present in 56 (41%) patients, and extrahepatic portosystemic shunt (paraesophageal vein, paraumbilicul vein, and splenorenal shunt) were present in 36 (26%) patients at the start of NA treatment. Although NA treatment was successful, significant improvements were not observed in portosystemic collateral vessels 3 years after NA treatment and GEVs were exacerbated in 48 (35%) patients. The cumulative 5- and 10-year exacerbation rate of GEVs was 27% and 50%, respectively. By multivariate analysis, the existence of feeding vessels for GEVs at the start of NA treatment was the independent predictive factor for the exacerbation of GEVs (P

The risk factors in the progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) have not been fully clarified. Porphyromonas gingivalis (P.g) has been considered to be a confounding risk factor for systemic diseases. We aimed to evaluate the effect of P.g infection on risk of progression to NASH. (1) Serum IgG antibody titers against P.g fimbriae (fimA) in 200 biopsy-proven NAFLD patients were measured by ELISA and compared with histological findings. (2) C57BL/6J mice were fed a control diet (CD) or high-fat diet (HFD) with or without P.g-odontogenic infection and analyzed histologically. Mouse livers were analyzed using CE–TOFMS and LC–TOFMS. (1) A significant correlation between fibrosis progression and antibody titers against P.g possessing fimA type 4 was identified (P = 0.0081). Multivariate analysis identified older age and type 4 P.g-positivity as risk factors for advanced fibrosis. (2) Fibrosis and steatosis were more severe in HFD P.g(+) mice compared with HFD P.g(−) mice. In metabolome analysis, fatty acid metabolism was significantly disrupted with HFD in P.g-infected mouse livers. Monounsaturated/saturated fatty acid ratios were significantly higher in the HFD P.g(+) group than in the HFD P.g(−) group (P

Background/Aim To evaluate the safety and efficacy of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in elderly patients. Methods From 2008 to 2015, 117 patients with HCC (≦3 nodules, ≦30 mm in diameter, Child-Pugh score ≦7, no vascular or extracellular metastasis) were treated with SBRT at our hospital. We evaluated overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), local control, and adverse events. Patients were stratified according to age 75 years and older (elderly group, n = 54) and age younger than 75 years (young group, n = 63). Results The median OS in the elderly group was not significantly different from that in the young group (52 months vs. not reached, P = 0.27). The 1, 2 and 3-year OS rates were 96.2%, 77.6% and 63.9%, respectively, in the elderly group, and 96.8%, 84.8% and 67.7%, respectively, in the young group. The median DFS in the elderly group was significantly shorter than that in the young group (13 vs. 25 months, respectively; P = 0.03). The 1, 2 and 3-year DFS rates were 50.6%, 30.4% and 26.6%, respectively, in the elderly group and 66.5%, 50.7% and 45.3%, respectively, in the young group. The 3-year local tumor control rate in the elderly group was 98.1%, and that in the young group was 98.4% (P = 0.83). There was no difference between groups in the incidence of any adverse events. Conclusions SBRT can be effective and safe for the treatment of HCC in elderly patients.

The urea cycle converts ammonia and produces urea. One form of urea cycle abnormality is ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) deficiency. This hereditary disorder is associated with hyperammonemia. OTC deficiency commonly appears during neonatal and early childhood life and is rare in adults. We report a 69-year-old man who presented at the local hospital with 3-day loss of appetite, early morning vomiting, and state of confusion. Blood ammonia was 293 μg/dl. At 2-3 h after admission, the patient went into a deep coma. He was intubated and admitted immediately to the intensive care unit. Treatment, including sustained hemodialysis, failed to lower blood ammonia level. His grandchild died of OTC deficiency at 6 year of age. Computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and esophagogastroduodenoscopy showed no abnormalities. On admission to our hospital, he complained of vomiting and disturbance of consciousness, hyperammonemia, and normal anion gap. Genetic analysis showed A208T mutation. The deceased grandchild with OTC deficiency also had the same mutation. Long-term hemodialysis coupled with administration of L-arginine and lactulose resulted in improvement of blood ammonia level. Early diagnosis and treatment of adult-onset OTC deficiency are essential to avoid serious complications.

Aim To compare the efficacy and safety of edoxaban and warfarin for treatment of portal vein thrombosis (PVT) following danaparoid sodium in patients with liver cirrhosis. Methods Fifty cirrhotic patients with PVT treated initially for 2 weeks with danaparoid sodium were enrolled in this retrospective cohort study. Treatment was later switched to either edoxaban (n = 20) or warfarin (n = 30). We compared the efficacy and safety of edoxaban and warfarin for up to 6 months. The PVT volume was measured by dynamic computed tomography before treatment, at 2 weeks, and at 1, 3, and 6 months. Results There were no significant differences in the clinical characteristics of patients in the two groups. Treatment with edoxaban reduced the volume of PVT from 1.42 cm3 at 2 weeks to 0.42 cm3 at 6 months, and prevented exacerbation of PVT at 6 months after treatment with danaparoid sodium (P = 0.016). In contrast, treatment with warfarin resulted in increased PVT volume from 1.73 cm3 at 2 weeks to 2.85 cm3 at 6 months, despite the control of the international normalized ratio in 57% of the patients (P = 0.005). Multivariate regression analysis identified edoxaban therapy as the single significant and independent determinant of PVT reduction at 6 months (P = 0.0014, hazard ratio 6.400). Clinically significant gastrointestinal bleeding was encountered in 3 of 20 (15%) patients of the edoxaban group and 2 of 30 (7%) of the warfarin group (P = 0.335). Conclusion Edoxaban following danaparoid sodium is an effective anticoagulant and could be potentially considered as one of the treatment options for PVT in cirrhotic patients.

AIM Liver biopsy is still required for the diagnosis of hepatocellular ballooning and inflammation, which are important histological features of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. We undertook this multicenter, cross-sectional study to identify novel blood markers for the diagnosis of hepatocellular ballooning. METHODS We enrolled 176 patients, of whom 132 were proven by liver biopsy as having non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and classified as non-ballooning (ballooning grade 0) (n = 83) or ballooning (ballooning grade 1 and 2) (n = 49) by a central pathology review. We carried out gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry, and lipidomics with plasma. RESULTS As correlates of hepatocellular ballooning, among the clinical parameters, serum type IV collagen 7S correlated most significantly with the ballooning grade (correlation coefficient [CC] = 0.463; P

Introduction: Portal hypertensive enteropathy (PHE) is a well-known small-bowel lesion that occurs with liver cirrhosis (LC) and is associated with increased hepatic venous pressure. However, it is unclear how esophageal varices (EV) treatment actually affects PHE. We aimed to analyze the effects of EV treatment on PHE. Methods: Among LC patients who underwent capsule endoscopy (CE) more than twice to confirm PHE at our hospital from February 2009 to September 2018, we targeted those with no change in the Child-Pugh classification after EV treatment for the prevention of bleeding. Patients were assigned to groups based on the EV treatment method (endoscopic injection sclerotherapy [EIS] group or endoscopic variceal ligation [EVL] group). We analyzed the PHE findings before and after treatment, and we investigated changes in the collateral vein using computed tomography imaging. Results: We analyzed 42 LC patients (27 men; mean age, 65.3 years); 20 were in the EIS group and 22 were in the EVL group. Exacerbation of PHE was significantly prevalent in the EIS group (90%) compared to that in the EVL group (50%). CE of PHE showed significantly prevalent exacerbation of villous edema in the EIS group (65%) compared to that in the EVL group (23%). Stenosis or disappearance of the feeding vessel (55%) and exacerbation of the hepatofugal collateral vein (35%) were significantly prevalent in the EIS group. Conclusions: EIS exacerbates PHE, especially villous edema, in LC patients with changes in collateral circulation.

Background and Aims Daclatasvir and asunaprevir combination therapy has shown a high virological response for chronic genotype 1 hepatitis C virus (HCV) infected-patients. However, the real-world efficacy and safety of the therapy for patients with cirrhosis are unknown. Methods A total of 252 patients with genotype 1 HCV infection (158 with chronic hepatitis and 94 with compensated liver cirrhosis) were treated with 24 weeks of daclatasvir and asunaprevir combination therapy. Plasma concentrations of daclatasvir and asunaprevir at day 5 of treatment, end-of-treatment response, sustained virological response (SVR), and the frequencies of adverse events were analyzed. Result Plasma asunaprevir concentration was significantly higher, and daclatasvir concentration tended to be higher, in cirrhosis patients compared with chronic hepatitis patients. End-of-treatment response was achieved in 95.6% and 94.7% of chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis patients, respectively, and SVR was achieved in 94.3% and 92.6%. Although pre-treatment NS5A drug resistant-associated variants were detected, a high SVR rate was achieved when the population frequency of the variant was low. The frequencies of treatment-related adverse events in cirrhosis patients were similar to those in chronic hepatitis patients. Treatment discontinuation due to adverse events occurred in three and two patients in chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis groups, respectively; however, four out of five patients with treatment discontinuation nonetheless achieved SVR. Conclusion Patients with compensated liver cirrhosis have similar virological response and tolerance for daclatasvir plus asunaprevir therapy to patients with chronic hepatitis. This combination therapy might offer a safe and effective treatment for chronic HCV infected-patients with compensated cirrhosis.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of hepatitis C virus (HCV) eradication on the clinical outcome of patients with HCV-related advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with sorafenib. Methods: A total of 58 HCV-related advanced HCC patients with Child-Pugh grade A disease who were treated with sorafenib were enrolled in this retrospective cohort study. Of these, 27 patients were HCV RNA negative as a result of previous antiviral therapy (sustained viral response [SVR] group), while the remaining 31 were HCV RNA positive (non-SVR group). Results: The response rate, disease control rate and median time to progression in the SVR group (6, 46.0%, and 3.8 months, respectively) were similar to those in the non-SVR group (3, 51.5%, and 2.7 months, respectively). On the other hand, the median time to treatment failure (TTTF), post-progression survival (PPS), and overall survival (OS) were significantly longer in the SVR group than in the non-SVR group (9.7, 8.5, and 15 months vs. 5.9, 5.2, and 9.3 months; p = 0.023, 0.02, and 0.014, respectively). On multivariate analysis, SVR was identified as a significant and independent determinant of PPS (p = 0.009), TTTF (p = 0.028), and OS (p = 0.01). Conclusion: HCV eradication before sorafenib treatment for HCV-related advanced HCC could prolong PPS and TTTF and improve OS.

Aims We retrospectively analyzed the clinical outcome and prognostic parameters in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and bone metastases who had received treatment with zoledronic acid (ZOL). Methods Ninety-nine HCC patients with bone metastases who had been treated with ZOL were enrolled in this retrospective cohort study. We analyzed the prognostic factors, including serum N-telopeptide of type I collagen (NTX) levels, as bone metabolism markers. Results The median overall survival (OS) time was 11.5 months. Child–Pugh grade A (P = 0.004) and intrahepatic tumor stage (IHTS) T0–3 (P = 0.010) correlated significantly with favorable OS. In 46 patients with grade A and T0–3, receiver operating characteristic curve analysis defined 16 nmol BCE/L serum NTX as the cut-off level for median OS. Multivariate analysis identified baseline serum NTX

Polymorphisms in the inosine triphosphatase (ITPA) gene is associated with anemia induced by peg-interferon (PEG-IFN) plus ribavirin (RBV) treatment for patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. However, the effect of ITPA polymorphism on sofosbuvir plus RBV treatment is unknown. Two hundred and forty-four patients with chronic HCV genotype 2 infection without decompensated liver cirrhosis were treated with sofosbuvir plus RBV for 12 weeks. The effects of ITPA polymorphism on hemoglobin levels and RBV dose reduction and treatment response were analyzed. ITPA (rs1127354) was genotyped using the Invader assay. Multivariate regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with sustained virological response (SVR). Overall, SVR12 was achieved in 231 (94.7%) patients, based on intention to treat analysis. During the therapy, reduction of hemoglobin levels was significantly greater in ITPA genotype CC patients than CA/AA patients. Therefore, the cumulative proportion of patients with RBV dose reduction was significantly higher and total dose of RBV was significantly lower in patients with CC genotype compared to CA/AA genotypes. SVR12 rates were similar between ITPA genotypes CC and CA/AA (94.7 and 94.4%, respectively, P = 0.933). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified FIB4 index

Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome (BWS) is a congenital overgrowth syndrome that is occasionally associated with hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia (HH) in the neonatal period. Sotos syndrome (SS) and Kabuki syndrome (KS) are other malformation syndromes that may be complicated with HH, however, the detailed clinical characteristics of HH accompanied with these syndromes remain unclear. We herein conducted a nationwide questionnaire survey in Japan. We sent a primary questionnaire concerning the clinical experience for these syndromes to 347 perinatal care institutions. As a result, 222 departments or hospitals returned the questionnaires and the total numbers of BWS, SS, and KS patients were 113, 88, and 51, respectively. We sent a secondary questionnaire to 31 institutions where patients with these syndromes presented with HH during infancy. The secondary questionnaires were returned from the institutions and the numbers of patients were 16 for BWS, 9 for SS, and 3 for KS, respectively. Then, we compared the clinical characteristics of infants suffering from transient HH with and without these dysmorphic syndromes. As a result, BWS, SS, and KS patients showed significantly larger body size, lower Apgar scores, higher insulin levels at HH, and shorter durations of HH than non-dysmorphic infants with transient HH. We propose that a careful observation for the signs of HH, even if not specific to the syndromes, is important for the diagnosis of patients with BWS, SS, and KS in the postnatal period. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Background & Aims FibroScan® is a tool for the noninvasive diagnosis of hepatic fibrosis. Previous studies have compared liver stiffness to percutaneous liver biopsy findings, but there were no studies which compared liver stiffness to liver resection specimen findings. The aim of this study was to compare FibroScan® measurements to resected liver specimen findings. Methods From April 2011 to November 2015, a total of 114 patients with liver tumor and hepatitis C were enrolled. We divided them into two groups (training set and validation set). The first 66 patients who had liver resection from April 2011 to June 2014 were considered the training set, and the other 48 patients from August 2014 to November 2015 formed the validation set. Liver stiffness was measured by FibroScan® before surgery, and specimens obtained by liver resection were evaluated according to the METAVIR system. Results Using Spearman rank correlation analysis, a positive correlation between liver stiffness measurement and liver fibrosis stage was observed (r = 0.786, p

Background: We assessed the risk factors for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) following successful eradication of hepatitis C virus (HCV) with interferon (IFN) therapy in a long-term, large-scale cohort study. Methods: We reviewed 1094 consecutive patients with HCV who achieved sustained virological response (SVR) following IFN therapy between January 1995 and September 2013. Results: During the observation period (median 50 months: range 13–224), 36 (3%) of 1094 patients developed HCC after SVR. The median period from SVR to diagnosis of HCC was 37 months (range 17–141), and the cumulative rates of HCC at 5, 10, and 15 years were 4%, 6%, and 12%, respectively. Multivariate analysis identified old age (≥60 years, HR, 3.1: 95%CI, 1.3–6.6: P = 0.009), male sex (HR, 12.0: 95%CI, 2.8–50.0: P

Aim Older patients with chronic hepatitis C have a lower virological response to interferon (IFN)-based treatments compared to younger patients. A single nucleotide polymorphism in the IFN-λ-4 (IFNL4) gene has a potent predictive effect on treatment response to IFN-based treatments. The efficacy of simeprevir (SMV) plus pegylated-IFN (PEG-IFN) and ribavirin therapy and the predictive value of IFNL4 on the outcome of therapy for older patients have not been addressed. Methods This retrospective multicenter study included 234 consecutive Japanese patients with genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C. We assessed the predictive factors for sustained virological response (SVR) to SMV, PEG-IFN, and ribavirin triple therapy in 170 younger (

Aim Polymorphisms in the ITPA gene influence anemia during peg-interferon (PEG-IFN) and ribavirin (RBV) therapy, but their effects during triple therapy with simeprevir, PEG-IFN, and RBV are not sufficiently known. Methods We analyzed 212 patients with genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C, who were treated with simeprevir plus PEG-IFN/RBV triple therapy, and assessed the effect of the ITPA polymorphism on hemoglobin levels and RBV dose reduction. ITPA (rs1127354) and IFNL4 (ss469415590) polymorphisms were genotyped using the Invader assay. A stepwise multivariate regression analysis was carried out to identify factors associated with outcome of the therapy. Results Reduction of hemoglobin levels was similar between patients treated with simeprevir plus PEG-IFN/RBV and those treated with PEG-IFN/RBV therapy. In simeprevir plus PEG-IFN/RBV-treated patients, decreases in hemoglobin levels were faster and greater, and the cumulative proportion of patients with ribavirin dose reduction was significantly greater in ITPA genotype CC patients than in CA/AA patients. The total dose of simeprevir and PEG-IFN was similar between ITPA genotype CC and CA/AA patients. In contrast, the total dose of RBV was lower in patients with the CC genotype. Multivariate analysis showed that the IFNL4 TT/TT genotype, but not the ITPA SNP genotype, treatment history (treatment-naive or relapse during prior treatment), and treatment completion were significantly associated with outcome of therapy. Conclusion ITPA polymorphism influences hemoglobin levels and incidence of RVB dose reduction during simeprevir triple therapy, indicating the importance of monitoring anemia during treatment, particularly for ITPA genotype CC patients.

Background In patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), evidence is unclear as to whether hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) or sorafenib is superior. We performed a prospective, open-label, non-comparative phase II study to assess survival with HAIC or HAIC converted to sorafenib. Methods Fifty-five patients were prospectively enrolled. Patients received HAIC as a second course if they had complete response, partial response, or stable disease (SD) with an alpha fetoprotein (AFP) ratio 1 and a DCP ratio > 1 or disease progression. The primary endpoint was the 1-year survival rate. Secondary endpoints were the 2-year survival rate, HAIC response, survival rate among HAIC responders, progression-free survival, and adverse events. Results Of the 55 patients in the intent-to-treat population, the 1-year and 2-year survival rates were 64.0 and 48.3%, respectively. After the first course of HAIC, one (1.8%) patient showed complete response, 13 (23.6%) showed partial response, 30 (54.5%) had SD, and 10 (18.1%) patients had progressive disease. Twenty-three patients (41.8%) had SD with AFP ratios 1 and DCP ratios > 1. Thirty-seven patients (68.5%) were responders and 17 (30.9%) were non-responders to HAIC. In responders, the 1-year and 2-year survival rates were 78 and 62%, respectively. Conclusion Given the results of this study, this protocol deserves consideration for patients with advanced HCC. This trial was registered prospectively from December 12. 2012 to September 1. 2016.

Recently, treatments for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection have been drastically improved by the development of direct-acting antiviral agents. In September 2014, dual oral therapy using daclatasvir (DCV) and asunaprevir (ASV) was approved for the treatment of chronic HCV infection in Japan. We treated a patient with HCV-related liver cirrhosis with severe leg edema due to chronic renal dysfunction using this dual oral therapy. Although serum alanine aminotransferase increased rapidly during the first week of treatment, the antiviral therapy was able to continue, and liver function recovered spontaneously. After 1 month of treatment, serum HCV RNA became continuously undetectable, and serum albumin level gradually increased. Throughout the therapy, serum creatinine level nearly normalized, and leg edema gradually improved. These improvements continued after the combination therapy was completed. HCV RNA remained undetectable following the end of therapy, and sustained virological response at 12 weeks was achieved. It has been reported that chronic HCV infection is associated with renal dysfunction and that HCV eradication can improve it. DCV and ASV combination therapy is safe for patients who have renal dysfunction and may be a suitable therapy for chronic hepatitis C patients with renal dysfunction.

Aim The predictive value of the recently identified interferon-λ (IFNL)4 polymorphism on the outcome of telaprevir (TVR), pegylated interferon (PEG IFN) plus ribavirin (RBV) combination therapy for chronic hepatitis C is unknown. Methods We assessed predictive factors for sustained virological response (SVR) for TVR, PEG IFN plus RBV combination therapy in 283 genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C patients. IFNL4 polymorphism ss469415590 was analyzed by Invader assay. Results SVR rates for patients with IFNL4 TT/TT genotype were significantly higher than for those with the IFNL4 TT/ΔG or ΔG/ΔG genotypes (93% and 59%, respectively, P

Older patients with chronic hepatitis C have a lower virological response to interferon (IFN) treatment compared to younger patients. The efficacy of telaprevir (TVR) and PEG-IFN plus ribavirin combination therapy and the predictive value of recently identified IFN lambda (IFNL) 4 polymorphisms on the outcome of therapy for older patients have not been addressed.We assessed predictive factors for sustained virological response (SVR) to triple therapy in 226 younger (≤65 years) and 87 older (65 years) Japanese patients with chronic genotype 1 hepatitis C. IFNL4 polymorphism ss469415590 was analyzed by Invader assay.The SVR rate for older patients was slightly lower than for younger patients (69 vs. 82%, P = 0.043). In the older group, the SVR rate for patients with the IFNL4 TT/TT genotype was significantly higher than patients with TT/ΔG or ΔG/ΔG genotypes (81.8 and 42.9%, P = 0.003). In multivariate regression analysis, rapid virological response (OR 36.601, P = 0.002) and IFNL4 TT/TT genotype (OR 19.502, P = 0.009) were identified as significant independent predictors for SVR in older patients. Treatment-related decreases in hemoglobin and increases in serum creatinine were higher in older patients than younger patients. Reduction of initial TVR dose to 1,500 mg per day alleviated these adverse events without compromising SVR rate in older patients.Analysis of IFNL4 polymorphisms is a valuable predictor in older patients receiving TVR triple therapy. 1,500 mg per day is a suitable initial TVR dose for older Japanese patients.

Aim Acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) technology, involving the shear wave velocity (SWV) with virtual touch tissue quantification (VTTQ), are currently available for the assessment of liver fibrosis, while there is no index derived from the combination of SWV and blood tests. The aim of this study was to develop a new index for assessment of liver fibrosis. Methods The subjects were 176 consecutive patients with hepatitis C (training set [n = 120] and validation set [n = 56]) who underwent liver biopsy in our institution. Results In the training set, SWV, international normalized ratio (INR) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) correlated independently and significantly with fibrosis. According to this, we developed the VIA index = −1.282 + 0.965 × SWV + 1.785 INR + 0.00185 ALT. The areas under the receiver–operator curve (AUROC) of the VIA index were 0.838 for the diagnosis of significant fibrosis (≥F2), 0.904 for the severe fibrosis (≥F3) and 0.958 for the cirrhosis (F4) in the training set. While in the validation set, AUROC of the VIA index were 0.917 for F2 or higher, 0.906 for F3 or higher and 1.000 for F4, respectively. AUROC of the VIA index was improved compared to SWV alone, equivalent for VIA for the diagnosis of F2 or higher, and superior to that of FIB-4 index and aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index for the diagnosis of F3 or higher and F4. Conclusion The VIA index is potentially more useful for assessment of liver fibrosis than SWV alone, and easily and accurately measures liver fibrosis stage.

Aim Steatosis is a common histological feature of chronic liver disease, especially alcoholic and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, as well as chronic hepatitis C. A recent study showed that evaluating the controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) with transient elastography was an efficient way of non-invasively determining the severity of hepatic steatosis. The objective of this study was to prospectively evaluate the utility of CAP for diagnosing steatosis in patients with chronic liver disease. Methods One hundred and fifty-five consecutive patients with suspected chronic liver disease underwent steatosis diagnosis using CAP, blood sample analyses, computed tomography for assessing the liver/spleen ratio and liver biopsy. Steatosis was graded according to the percentage of fat-containing hepatocytes: S0, less than 5%; S1, 5–33%; S2, 34–66%; and S3: more than 66%. Results The CAP was significantly correlated with steatosis grade, and there were significant differences between the CAP value of the S0 patients and those of the patients with other grades of steatosis. S0 and S1–3 hepatic steatosis were considered to represent mild and significant steatosis, respectively. The CAP values of the patients with mild and significant steatosis were significantly different (P

The risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development is reduced following viral elimination by interferon therapy in chronic hepatitis C patients. However, the risk in patients treated with interferon-free direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) is unknown. We evaluated chronic hepatitis C patients who achieved viral eradication by pegylated-interferon plus ribavirin (PEG-IFN/RBV, n = 244) or daclatasvir plus asunaprevir (DCV/ASV, n = 154) therapy. None of the patients had prior history of HCC or antiviral therapy. The median observation period after the end of treatment for the PEG-IFN/RBV and DCV/ASV groups were 96 (range 10-196) and 23 (range 4-78) months, respectively. During the observation period, HCC developed in 13 (5.3%) and 7 (4.5%) patients in the PEG-IFN/RBV and DCV/ASV groups, respectively. The cumulative HCC development rate after 1-, 3- and 5-years (0.4%, 3% and 5% for the PEG-IFN/RBV group and 0.6%, 9% and 9% for the DAA group, respectively) were similar between the two groups. Propensity score matching analysis also showed no significant difference in HCC development rates between the two groups. Serum AFP levels decreased to similar levels between PEG-IFN/RBV and DCV/ASV groups following the achievement of viral eradication. The risk for HCC development following viral eradication by IFN-free DAA therapy may be similar to that in IFN-based therapy.

Wisteria floribunda agglutinin positive human Mac-2-binding protein glycosylation isomer (M2BPGi) is a novel serum glycomarker for liver fibrosis. However, it is not known whether or not M2BPGi reflects only liver fibrosis. We measured serum M2BPGi levels in patients with acute liver injury.Fifty-one patients with acute liver injury were enrolled. M2BPGi levels were measured at the initial visit and at achievement of recovery. The relationship between M2BPGi values at the initial visit and clinical outcomes was analyzed.Serum M2BPGi levels at the initial visit were elevated in 47 of 51 acute liver injury patients (8.33 ± 7.56 cutoff index). M2BPGi values were associated with prothrombin activity (r = -0.600, P = 0.001), total bilirubin level (r = 0.588, P = 0.001), and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score (r = 0.490, P = 0.001) but not with aspartate aminotransferase (r = -0.070) and alanine aminotransferase (r = -0.073) levels. M2BPGi values at the initial visit were significantly higher in patients with acute liver failure (diagnosed by prothrombin activity of 40% or less; P 0.001), subsequent development of hepatic coma (P = 0.036), and subsequent requirement of liver transplant (P = 0.014), and in a patient who died (P = 0.045). M2BPGi values decreased after aminotransferase level normalization in patients who recovered from acute liver injury; however, M2BPGi level was not a predictive factor for recovery with medical therapy.Serum M2BPGi values increased in patients with acute liver injury and decreased following recovery. The marker seems to reflect not only liver fibrosis but also other factors, such as liver inflammation, liver damage, and hepatocyte regeneration.

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with renal dysfunction. Daclatasvir and asunaprevir combination therapy showed a high virological response for genotype 1 chronic HCV-infected patients with renal dysfunction on hemodialysis. However, the safety and efficacy of the therapy for patients with renal dysfunction who are not on hemodialysis are not well-known. In total, 147 patients with chronic HCV genotype 1 infection were treated with 24 weeks of daclatasvir plus asunaprevir therapy. Among these patients, 126 had normal renal function (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] ≥ 50 ml/min/1.73 m2) and 21 had renal dysfunction (eGFR

Biomarkers predicting the response to the anticancer treatment and prognosis in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are required. Recently, high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) was reported to promote HCC progression and be associated with poor prognosis for patients with HCC. The purpose of this study was to assess serum HMGB1 concentrations before and during sorafenib treatment or hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) and to explore the ability of serum HMGB1 concentrations to predict prognosis. Serum HMGB1 concentrations were measured in 71 and 72 patients with advanced HCC treated with sorafenib and HAIC, respectively, to assess their usefulness for prediction of the response to the treatment and prognosis. Multivariate analysis identified high HMGB1 at 4 weeks (P = 0.001), high α-fetoprotein (AFP) at baseline (P = 0.025), tumor liver occupying rate (P = 0.009) and modified RECIST (mRECIST, P

Daclatasvir and asunaprevir combination therapy has shown a high virological response for chronic genotype 1 hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients. However, the safety and efficacy of the therapy for older patients are unknown. One hundred seventy patients younger than 75 years and 139 patients aged 75 years or older with genotype 1 HCV infection were treated for 24 weeks with daclatasvir plus asunaprevir. Pretreatment drug-resistance-associated variants at NS5A-L31 and NS5A-Y93 were determined by the Invader assay. Virological response and adverse events according to age were analyzed. The sustained virological response (SVR) rate for older patients was similar to that for younger patients (97.1 and 92.4 % respectively). In multivariate regression analysis, prior simeprevir treatment (odds ratio 56.6 for absence; P

Background and Aim We compared the treatment response, survival, and safety to hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) according to Child–Pugh (CP) score. Methods The study subjects were 249 patients with advanced HCC and CP class A and B who had been treated with HAIC. Patients were grouped according to CP score (5/6, 7 and 8/9) and their tumor response, tolerance, and survival were assessed. Results The median survival time (MST) was 8.2, 9.7, 6.3, and 3.9 months for the whole group, patients with CP 5/6, 7 and 8/9, respectively (P

We report a case in which sustained viral response was achieved after switching treatment from pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) α-2b to α-2a and ribavirin (RBV) in patients with recurrence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection after living donor liver transplantation. The patient was a 62-year-old man with liver cirrhosis due to HCV genotype 1b infection. The patient had 8 amino acid (aa) substitutions in the interferon sensitivity-determining region, and had substitutions for mutant and wild-type at aa70 and aa91, respectively, in the core region. The patient had minor genotype (GG) IL28B single nucleotide polymorphisms (rs8099917). He had initially received interferon α-2b and RBV for 2 years, and later developed hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). After surgical resection of HCC, he subsequently received PEG-IFN α-2b and RBV for 1.5 years, without undetectable viremia during the treatment course. Due to recurrence of HCC, the patient received a living donor liver transplantation. Later on, hepatitis C relapsed. For the management of relapse, he received another course of PEG-IFN α-2b and RBV. However, breakthrough viremia occurred. PEG-IFN was thus switched from α-2b to α-2a and RBV for another 17 months. The patient eventually achieved a sustained viral response.

Aim: We investigated the efficacy of hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) using 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and systemic interferon (IFN)-α (HAIC-5-FU/IFN) for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with venous tumor thrombosis (VTT) in the hepatic vein trunk (Vv2) or inferior vena cava (Vv3). Methods: Thirty-three patients with HCC/Vv2/3 underwent HAIC with 5-FU (500 mg/body weight/day, into hepatic artery on days 1–5 on the first and second weeks) and IFN-α (recombinant IFN-α-2b 3 000 000 U or natural IFN-α 5 000 000 U, intramuscularly on days 1, 3 and 5 of each week). Three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) was used in combination with HAIC-5-FU/IFN in 14 of 33 patients to reduce VTT. Result: The median survival time (MST) was 7.9 months, and 1- and 2-year survival rates were 30% and 20%, respectively. Evaluation of intrahepatic response after two cycles of HAIC-5-FU/IFN showed complete response (CR) in three (9%) and partial response (PR) in seven (21%), with an objective response rate of 30%. Multivariate analysis identified reduction of VTT (P = 0.0006), size of largest tumor (P = 0.013) and intrahepatic response CR/PR (P = 0.030) as determinants of survival. CR/PR correlated significantly with tumor liver occupying rate (P = 0.016) and hepatitis C virus Ab (P = 0.010). Reduction of VTT correlated significantly with radiotherapy (P = 0.021) and platelet count (P = 0.015). Radiotherapy-related reduction in VTT significantly improved survival of 16 patients with Vv3 and non-CR/PR response of HAIC-5-FU/IFN (P = 0.028). Conclusion: As for advanced HCC with VTT of Vv2/3, HAIC-5-FU/IFN responsive patients could obtain favorable survival. Despite ineffective HAIC-5-FU/IFN, the combination with effective radiotherapy to VTT might improve patients' prognosis.

Aim: In this study, we evaluated the clinical characteristics of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) because the etiology of HCC has been changing recently. Methods: Consecutive 1374 HCC patients at our institution from 1995 to 2009 were enrolled and clinical characteristics were investigated. Results: Seventeen percent and 67% of HCC were related to hepatitis B virus (HBV-HCC) and hepatitis C virus (HCV-HCC), respectively. Fifteen percent of that was negative for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibody to hepatitis C virus (HCVAb) (NBNC-HCC). HCV-HCC tended to decrease and NBNC-HCC tended to increase in recent years. Patients with NBNC-HCC and HCV-HCC were significantly older than those with HBV-HCC. The complication rates of diabetes mellitus (DM), heavy alcohol consumption, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia in NBNC-HCC were significantly higher than those in other groups. Furthermore, the platelet counts and body mass index in NBNC-HCC were significantly higher than those of other groups. Among 209 NBNC-HCC patients, 58 patients underwent hepatic resection in which 29%, 36%, and 35% of those were based on non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), heavy alcohol consumption, and unknown etiology, respectively. DM was prevalent especially in NASH and heavy alcohol consumption. Cirrhosis was detected in 65%, 81%, and 15% in NASH-HCC, heavy alcohol consumption-HCC, and unknown etiology, respectively. Conclusions: NBNC-HCC has gradually been increasing in recent years. The present study elucidated that the presence of NASH and metabolic syndrome were important risk factors for NBNC-HCC and suggests that these patients should receive surveillance for HCC development.

Aim: To analyze the clinical outcome of esophageal varices (EV) after hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and major portal vein tumor thrombus (Vp3/4). Methods: The study subjects were 45 consecutive patients who received HAIC for HCC with Vp3/4 between January 2005 and December 2009. HAIC comprised the combination therapy of intra-arterial 5-FU with interferon-α (5-FU/IFN) in 23 patients and low-dose cisplatin plus 5-FU (FP) in 22. Radiotherapy (RT) was also provided in 19 patients for portal vein tumor thrombosis. Aggravation rate for EV and overall survival rate were analyzed. Results: The aggravation rates for EV were 47% and 64% at 12 and 24 months, respectively. The survival rates were 47% and 33% at 12 and 24 months, respectively. The response rates to 5-FU/IFN and FP were 35% and 41%, while the disease control rates in these two groups were 57% and 50%, respectively. There were no significant differences in the objective response and disease control between 5-FU/IFN and FP. Multivariate analysis identified size of EV (F2/F3) (HR = 7.554, P = 0.006) and HCC disease control (HR = 5.948, P = 0.015) as significant and independent determinants of aggravation of EV, and HCC disease control (HR = 12.233, P

We evaluated the clinical features and the prognostic factors of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) developed after hepatitis C virus (HCV) eradication with interferon (IFN) therapy. Forty-one consecutive patients who developed HCC after HCV eradication with IFN therapy were enrolled. Clinical features were reviewed, and overall survival and associated factors were analyzed. The recurrence rate in 26 patients receiving radical therapy was also analyzed. Twenty patients developed HCC within 5 years after the end of IFN therapy, 9 patients developed the disease from 5 to 10 years after the end of the therapy, 9 patients developed the disease from 10 to 15 years after the end of the therapy, and 3 patients developed the disease from 15 years after the end of the therapy. Multivariate analysis of independent variables for the development of HCC within 5 years identified age >55 years at HCV eradication (P = 0.007) and heavy alcohol intake (P = 0.009). The 5-year survival rate was 64%. On multivariate analysis of overall survival for the 41 patients, the only risk factor with prognostic influence was radical therapy (P = 0.010), which was associated with a cumulative 5-year survival rate of 91%. The only independent factor for the receipt of radical therapy was regular surveillance for HCC (P = 0.004). Among patients receiving radical therapy, the 3- and 5-year recurrence rates were 18 and 18%, respectively. We found that, despite HCV eradication, patients with the risk factors of high age at HCV eradication and heavy alcohol intake might be at heightened risk for the development of HCC within 5 years after HCV eradication. In contrast, risk factors for the development of HCC more than 10 years after HCV eradication were uncertain. These findings indicate the need for long-term surveillance for HCC after HCV eradication.

症例は72歳，男性．2003年肝細胞癌初発し，RFAを施行．以後，再発癌に対し，TACEやRFAを行ってきたが，2009年1月肺転移，胸壁転移が出現した．全身化学療法を含む集学的治療を行うも奏功せず，2010年4月3日よりsorafenib 800 mg/dayを導入した．副作用として，手足皮膚反応や下痢，倦怠感が出現したため，適宜，減量，休薬にて投与量の調節を行い，11月30日よりsorafenib 400 mg/dayを投与継続中で，副作用も自制内であった．2011年1月4日，急性腹症にて救急外来受診，CTにて骨盤内にfree airを認め，腸管穿孔と診断，S状結腸切除および人工肛門造設術を施行した．術後，合併症無く経過している．肝細胞癌に対するsorafenib内服中に消化管穿孔を合併した症例を経験したので報告する．

The aim of the present retrospective study was to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy and predictive factors of prolongation of treatment with peginterferon (PEGIFN) combined with ribavirin (RBV) for recurrent hepatitis C after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT).Fifty-three patients underwent LDLT due to HCV-related end-stage liver disease. Sixteen patients were removed from the study as a result of early death (n=14), no recurrence of HCV (n=1) and refusal of antiviral therapy (n=1). Therapy is ongoing in another 10 patients. The remaining 27 patients were available to establish the efficacy of IFN therapy. HCV genotype was 1b in 24 patients. All patients with genotype 1b were treated with IFN therapy for at least 48 weeks after HCV RNA levels had become undetectable. Amino acid substitutions in the HCV core region and NS5A region were analyzed by direct sequencing before LDLT.The rate of sustained virological response (SVR) was 37.0% (10/27). SVR rate in patients with genotype 1 was 29.2% (7/24) and 100% (3/3) in patients with genotype 2. Most patients with genotype 1b whose HCV RNA reached undetectable levels achieved SVR (87.5%; 7/8). However, mutation of the HCV core region and number of ISDR mutations were not associated with SVR rate in LDLT in our study.Prolonged IFN therapy for more than 48 weeks after HCV RNA reached undetectable levels might prevent virological relapse of HCV.

Background and aims The feature of blood glucose dynamics in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) is marked blood glucose fluctuations. However, the detail of blood glucose dynamics is not well known. The aim of the present study was to evaluate glycemic fluctuations by continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). Materials and methods A total of 105 CLD patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) were enrolled in this study. Various parameters of glycemic variability were evaluated. The association of these parameters with liver functional reserve was examined. The parameters were also evaluated according to glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels. Results and discussion Data of all patients showed that mean blood glucose (MBG) levels and the difference between highest and lowest blood glucose (ΔBG) increased significantly with worsening of liver functional reserve (P < 0.001 and P = 0.005, respectively). Although many of the cases were being treated for diabetes, postprandial hyperglycemia was seen in 92% of patients. Nocturnal hypoglycemia was seen in 22% of patients. In non-anemic patients with HbA1c levels of < 7.0%, the percentage of patients with mean amplitude of glycemic excursion (MAGE) of ≥ 77.4 mg/dL and that of MBG levels of > 145 mg/dL were higher in liver cirrhosis (LC) patients than in chronic hepatitis (CH) patients. In them, homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) of > 2.5 and LC were significantly associated with the increase in MAGE. LC was also significantly associated with increased MBG levels. Conclusion The CGM systems were useful in finding hidden abnormalities of blood glucose fluctuations in CLD patients with T2DM, especially in non-anemic CLD patients with HbA1c levels of < 7.0%.

Background and Aim. The third-generation capsule endoscopy (SB3) was shown to have better image resolution than that of SB2. The aim of this study was to compare SB2 and SB3 regarding detectability of esophageal varices (EVs).Methods. Seventy-six consecutive liver cirrhosis patients (42 men; mean age: 67 years) received SB3, and 99 (58 men; mean age, 67 years old) received SB2. All patients underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy within 1 month prior to capsule endoscopy as gold standard for diagnosis. The diagnosis using SB3 and SB2 for EVs was evaluated regarding form (F0–F3), location (Ls, Lm, and Li), and the red color (RC) sign of EVs.Results. SB2 and SB3 did not significantly differ on overall diagnostic rates for EV. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of SB2/SB3 for EV diagnosis were, respectively, 65%/81%, 100%/100%, 100%/100%, and 70%/62%. However, the diagnostic rates for EV form F1 were 81% using SB3 and 52% using SB2 (P=0.009). Further, the diagnostic rates for Ls/Lm varices were 79% using SB3 and 81% using SB2, and, for Li, varices were 84% using SB3 and 52% using SB2 (P=0.02).Conclusion. SB3 significantly improved the detectability of EVs compared with SB2.

We aimed to identify risk factors contributing to the exacerbation of esophageal varices (EV) or portosystemic encephalopathy after hepatitis C virus (HCV) eradication with interferon (IFN) therapy in patients with compensated cirrhosis. Also, the prognosis after HCV eradication was analyzed. Fifty-two patients with sustained virological response to IFN treatment for HCV-related compensated cirrhosis were enrolled in this retrospective cohort study. At the achievement of HCV eradication, in 31 of the 52 patients (60 %), feeding vessels for EVs (left gastric vein, posterior gastric vein, short gastric vein) were shown, and in 18 patients (35 %) there were extrahepatic portosystemic shunts (paraesophageal vein, paraumbilical vein, and splenorenal shunt). Although the HCV eradication was successful, significant improvements were not observed in portosystemic collateral vessels 1 year after HCV eradication, and EVs were exacerbated in 19 (36 %) patients. The cumulative 1- and 3-year rates of EV exacerbation were 13 % and 49 %, respectively. By multivariate analysis, the existence of feeding vessels for EVs at HCV eradication was an independent predictive factor for the exacerbation of EVs (P = 0.009). Seven patients who had an extrahepatic portosystemic shunt at HCV eradication developed portosystemic encephalopathy during follow up. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year incidences of portosystemic encephalopathy were 6, 21, and 34 %, respectively. The cumulative 5-year survival rate of the cohort was 81 %. Two patients died of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Our findings suggest that the existence of radical portosystemic collateral vessels at successful HCV eradication increases the risk of the exacerbation of EVs and the incidence of portosystemic encephalopathy in patients with HCV-related cirrhosis.

Objective: To compare the assessment of response and prognosis of patients to sorafenib treatment by the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST), modified RECIST (mRECIST), α-fetoprotein (AFP) and des-γ-carboxy prothrombin (DCP). Methods: Sixty-six patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with sorafenib were enrolled in this retrospective study. The response to treatment was evaluated by RECIST, mRECIST and changes in AFP and DCP. Results: The median survival time of all patients was 8.6 months. The median time to radiological progression was 3.3 months. The response rates [complete response (CR) + partial response (PR)] by RECIST and mRECIST were 3.0 and 9.0%, respectively, while the disease control rates [CR + PR + stable disease (SD)] were 50 and 50%, respectively. Assessment by mRECIST of overall survival provided a better stratification of the patients according to the response to treatment (p = 0.009) than RECIST (p = 0.09). Assessment of overall survival by a change in AFP ratio of ≤1 at 8 weeks was better than that of >1 at 8 weeks (p = 0.002). The DCP ratio was not useful for assessment of overall survival. Multivariate analysis identified mRECIST response (CR + PR + SD; p = 0.001), AFP ratio at 8 weeks (≤1; p = 0.046) and Child-Pugh A before treatment (p = 0.012) as significant and independent determinants of survival. The combination of AFP ratio at 8 weeks, assessment by mRECIST and Child-Pugh score before treatment allows stratification of prognosis of patients treated with sorafenib. Conclusion: The combination of mRECIST and AFP ratio is useful for the assessment of prognosis of patients with advanced HCC treated with sorafenib.

A 68-year-old Japanese woman with chronic hepatitis C infection who achieved sustained viral response (SVR) was followed up regularly. Six years after SVR, alpha fetoprotein (AFP) was increased. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was diagnosed by computed tomography and was excised by hepatic resection. Thirteen years after SVR, AFP increased again, and HCC recurrence was detected, which was excised by hepatic resection. Each HCC was