Hatsue Fujino

Development of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with hepatitis C virus infection who achieved sustained virological response following interferon therapy: A large‐scale, long‐term cohort study

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.

Efficacy and safety of the anticoagulant drug, danaparoid sodium, in the treatment of portal vein thrombosis in patients with liver cirrhosis

To assess the efficacy and safety of the anticoagulant drug, danaparoid sodium, in the treatment of portal vein thrombosis (PVT) in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Improvement of renal dysfunction in a patient with hepatitis C virus‐related liver cirrhosis by daclatasvir and asunaprevir combination therapy: A case report

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.

Role of 3-D conformal radiotherapy for major portal vein tumor thrombosis combined with hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma

To evaluate the response, survival and safety on 3‐D conformal radiotherapy (3D‐CRT) for major portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT) combined with hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Interferon lambda 4 polymorphism affects on outcome of telaprevir, pegylated interferon and ribavirin combination therapy for chronic hepatitis C

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.

Clinical outcome of sorafenib treatment in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma refractory to hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy.

It has been reported about poor prognosis in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) refractory to hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC). We assessed the survival benefits of sorafenib therapy for advanced HCC in HAIC refractory patients.

Percutaneous transvenous embolization for portosystemic shunts associated with encephalopathy: Long-term outcomes in 14 patients

To evaluate the clinical outcomes of percutaneous transvenous embolization (PTE) for portosystemic shunt (PSS) associated with encephalopathy

The risks of hepatocellular carcinoma development after HCV eradication are similar between patients treated with peg-interferon plus ribavirin and direct-acting antiviral therapy

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.

Non-invasive assessment of liver steatosis in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

The diagnosis of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is based on the histological findings. Further, there may be interobserver differences. Liver to spleen (L/S) ratio on computed tomography (CT) is employed to detect or even quantify the fat content of the liver. The objective of this study was to accurately diagnose fatty liver by evaluating the relationship between L/S ratio and histological findings.

Evaluation of early response to hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma using the combination of Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors and tumor markers

To assess the early response and outcome of hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).