J. Fung

Hepatitis B and C virus‐related carcinogenesis

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are the most important causes of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), accounting for the majority of the cases worldwide. The geographical distribution of HCC therefore coincides with the distribution of HBV and HCV infections in those areas. Similar to nonviral liver diseases, HBV and HCV infection can cause chronic injury to the liver, with subsequent progression to severe fibrosis and cirrhosis. The presence of cirrhosis is a major risk factor for the development of HCC. However, HCC can occur in the absence of cirrhosis, suggesting that both HBV and HCV may be directly involved in hepatocarcinogenesis. Several HBV factors have been implicated in hepatocarcinogenesis, including the HBx gene, the pre-S2/S gene and the HBV spliced protein. Furthermore, HBV can be integrated into the host genome, leading to changes in genomic function or chromosomal instability. By contrast to HBV, HCV cannot integrate into the host genome. Various HCV proteins, including the core, envelope and nonstructural proteins, have been shown to have oncogenic properties. For HBV infection, antiviral therapy and vaccination have been shown to decrease the risk of HCC. Antiviral therapy for HCV can also reduce the risk of HCC.

Significant changes in liver stiffness measurements in patients with chronic hepatitis B: 3‐year follow‐up study

Summary.u2002 For patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection, changes in liver stiffness measurement (LSM) over time are not known. We examined changes longitudinally in a cohort of patients. Four hundred and twenty‐six patients with CHB underwent transient elastography. Patients were followed regularly, and repeat elastography was performed at 3u2003years. Hepatitis serology, viral load and routine liver biochemistry were monitored. Of the 426 patients, 38 (9%) were hepatitis B e‐antigen (HBeAg)‐positive, 293 (69%) were HBeAg‐negative and 95 (22%) were patients with prior hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seroclearance. A total of 110 patients received oral antiviral therapy. There was a significant decline of LSMs at the follow‐up measurement compared to baseline (6.1 vs 7.8u2003kPa respectively, Pu2003= 0.002) in treated patients who had elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) at baseline and subsequent normalization after 3u2003years (normal ALT limit being 30u2003U/L for males and 19u2003U/L for females). In nontreated patients, only the patients with persistently normal ALT at both time points had significantly lower LSMs at the follow‐up measurement compared to baseline: 4.9 vs 5.3u2003kPa, respectively, in patients who remained positive for HBsAg (Pu2003=u20030.005) and 5.1 vs 5.4u2003kPa, respectively, in patients who had HBsAg seroclearance (Pu2003=u20030.026). In patients who remained positive for HBsAg, independent factors associated with a significant decline in LSM of ≥1u2003kPa included antiviral therapy (Pu2003=u20030.011) and the ALT levels at the follow‐up time point (Pu2003=u20030.024). Thus, in patients with CHB, a significant decline in LSM after 3u2003years was observed in treated patients with ALT normalization and in untreated patients who had persistently normal ALT. Antiviral therapy and follow‐up ALT levels were independent significant factors associated with a decline in LSM.

Prognostic significance of liver stiffness for hepatocellular carcinoma and mortality in HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B

Summary.u2002 The prognostic value of liver stiffness measurements for chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is not known. The present study aimed to investigate the use of transient elastography in predicting hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development and mortality in patients with CHB. Five hundred and twenty‐eight patients with HBeAg‐negative CHB underwent liver stiffness measurements and were prospectively followed up every 3–6u2003months for a median length of 35u2003months. The patients were divided into those with liver stiffness <10u2003kPa (group 1) and ≥10u2003kPa (group 2). Of the 528 patients, 324 (61%) were men. The median age was 42u2003years. Compared with group 1, group 2 had a higher percentage of men, with higher median levels of age, liver biochemistry, and viral load. At the third year of follow‐up, the cumulative incidence of HCC was higher in group 2 compared with group 1 (9%vs 0%, respectively, Pu2003<u20030.001). The cumulative liver‐related mortality was also higher in group 2 compared to group 1 (4%vs 0%, respectively, Pu2003<u20030.001). After multivariate analysis, only liver stiffness measurement (LSM) was significantly associated with HCC development and mortality. There was also a higher cumulative incidence of hepatitis flares in group 2 compared to group 1 (46%vs 14%, respectively, Pu2003=u20030.001) in patients with normal ALT, with higher LSM and AST being significantly associated with subsequent flares. In HBeAg‐negative CHB patients, a liver stiffness measurement of ≥10u2003kPa was associated with a significantly increased risk of subsequent HCC development and mortality.

Low serum HBV DNA levels and development of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with chronic hepatitis B: a case–control study

To investigate the level of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA in Chinese chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients below which hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is unlikely to occur.

Linearized hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis B core-related antigen in the natural history of chronic hepatitis B

Changes in two novel HBV serological markers, linearized hepatitis B surface antigen (HQ-HBsAg) and hepatitis B core-related antigen (HBcrAg), in the natural history of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) have not been well characterized. Serum HQ-HBsAg and HBcrAg levels of 404 Asian treatment-naïve CHB patients were analysed in a cross-sectional manner. Patients were categorized into five groups: immune tolerant (IT group, n=52), immune clearance (IC group, n=105), hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative hepatitis (ENH group, n=97), HBeAg-negative quiescent group (ENQ group, n=95) and CHB with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seroclearance (SC group, n=55). HQ-HBsAg and HBcrAg were measured and correlated with HBV DNA, HBsAg, HBV genotype and clinical parameters. HQ-HBsAg showed good correlation with HBsAg, especially in the ENQ group (r=0.874, p<0.001). Correlation of HQ-HBsAg with HBV DNA was less prominent and weakest in the ENH group (r=0.268, p 0.008). HBcrAg correlated best with HBV DNA in the ENQ group (r=0.537, p<0.001). In the ENQ group, 42.1% of patients had undetectable HBcrAg; this subgroup of patients, when compared with those with detectable HBcrAg, had significantly lower median HBV DNA (3.17/4.48 log IU/mL, p<0.001) and HBsAg (5.05/5.96 log mIU/mL, p<0.001) levels. Forty per cent of the SC group patients had detectable HQ-HBsAg and/or HBcrAg up to 42 months after HBsAg seroclearance. When comparing anti-HBs positivity and median time after HBsAg seroclearance in the SC group with and without detectable HQ-HBsAg/HBcrAg, there was no significant difference (22.7% and 36.4%, respectively, p 0.284, and 76.5 and 93.2 months, respectively, p 0.245). HQ-HBsAg and HBcrAg showed unique patterns of distribution throughout the five disease phases of CHB, including high detectability rates after HBsAg seroclearance, opening up different possibilities for their applicability.

Clinical features, biochemical parameters, and virological profiles of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma in Hong Kong

Backgroundu2002 Clinical features of hepatocellular carcinoma patients are changing because of screening.

Role of IL28B and inosine triphosphatase polymorphisms in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus genotype 6 infection

IL28B and inosine triphosphatase (ITPA) polymorphisms are able to predict treatment response and degree of ribavirin‐related anaemia, respectively, in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. However, their roles in the treatment of chronic HCV genotype 6 remain undetermined. Sixty patients who were infected with HCV genotype 6 were commenced on 48 weeks of combination pegylated interferon and ribavirin therapy. Response to therapy, profiles of haemoglobin changes and platelet counts during therapy and their associations with IL28B rs8099917 and ITPA rs1127354 polymorphisms were analysed. The overall sustained virologic response (SVR) rate was 91.7%. 18 patients (30.0%) required a reduction in ribavirin dosage. The distribution of IL28B rs8099917 TT/TG genotypes and ITPA rs1127354 CC/CA genotypes were in Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. IL28B rs8099917 TT genotype, when compared to TG genotype, was significantly associated with an increased SVR rate (96.2% and 62.5%, respectively) and was the only clinical parameter that predicted SVR (P = 0.014). The same significant association was observed when analysing allelic frequencies (T vs G, P = 0.001). ITPA rs1127354 CA genotype, when compared to CC genotype, was associated with lesser degree of anaemia throughout therapy (P < 0.05 for all time points). ITPA polymorphisms showed no association with changes in platelet count throughout therapy (P > 0.05 for all time points) and was not associated with SVR (P = 0.640). In chronic HCV genotype 6 infection, IL28B polymorphisms were associated with response to therapy. ITPA polymorphisms influenced the degree of anaemia but not thrombocytopenia during therapy.

Risk Factors and Post-Resection Independent Predictive Score for the Recurrence of Hepatitis B-Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Background Independent risk factors associated with hepatitis B (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after resection remains unknown. An accurate risk score for HCC recurrence is lacking. Methods We prospectively followed up 200 patients who underwent liver resection for HBV-related HCC for at least 2 years. Demographic, biochemical, tumor, virological and anti-viral treatment factors were analyzed to identify independent risk factors associated with recurrence after resection and a risk score for HCC recurrence formulated. Results Two hundred patients (80% male) who underwent liver resection for HBV-related HCC were recruited. The median time of recurrence was 184 weeks (IQR 52–207 weeks) for the entire cohort and 100 patients (50%) developed HCC recurrence. Stepwise Cox regression analysis identified that one-month post resection HBV DNA >20,000 IU/mL (p = 0.019; relative risk (RR) 1.67; 95% confidence interval (C.I.): 1.09–2.57), the presence of lymphovascular permeation (p<0.001; RR 2.69; 95% C.I.: 1.75–4.12), microsatellite lesions (p<0.001; RR 2.86; 95% C.I.: 1.82–4.51), and AFP >100ng/mL before resection (p = 0.021; RR 1.63; 95% C.I.: 1.08–2.47) were independently associated with HCC recurrence. Antiviral treatment before resection (p = 0.024; RR 0.1; 95% C.I.: 0.01–0.74) was independently associated with reduced risk of HCC recurrence. A post-resection independent predictive score (PRIPS) was derived and validated with sensitivity of 75.3% and 60.6% and specificity of 55.7% and 79.2%, to predict the 1- and 3-year risks for the HCC recurrence respectively with the hazard ratio of 2.71 (95% C.I.: 2.12–3.48; p<0.001). The AUC for the 1- and 3-year prediction were 0.675 (95% C.I.: 0.6–0.78) and 0.746 (95% C.I.: 0.69–0.82) respectively. Conclusion Several tumor, virological and biochemical factors were associated with a higher cumulative risk of HCC recurrence after resection. PRIPS was derived for more accurate risk assessment. Regardless of the HBV DNA level, antiviral treatment should be given to patients before resection to reduce the risk of recurrence.

Defining optimal surgical treatment for recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma - a propensity score matched analysis

Salvage liver transplantation (sLT) and repeated resection (RR) are effective treatments for recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and comparisons of the oncological outcomes between these 2 modalities were scarce. Consecutive patients admitted for either sLT or RR for recurrent HCC were recruited. All patients in the present series received either prior hepatectomy, ablative therapy, or both before RR or sLT. Patient demographic, perioperative, and outcome data were analyzed. A survival analysis was performed after propensity score matching. There were 277 eligible patients recruited, and 67 and 210 of them underwent sLT and RR, respectively. Significant differences in preoperative hemoglobin, albumin, Model of End‐Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score, and tumor number were found between the sLT and RR groups. After 1:3 propensity score matching, there were 36 sLT and 108 RR patients for comparison. The median age, MELD, alpha fetoprotein, and tumor size and number of the matched population were 57 years, 7.5, 16 ng/mL, 2.5 cm, and 1, respectively. There was no difference in the hospital mortality and complication rate (Clavien IIIa or above) between the groups. The recurrence rate after RR was significantly higher than for the patients who received sLT (72.2% versus 27.8%; P < 0.001). Following RR, 3 patients received liver transplantation for further recurrence, and 54.6% of the patients developed nontransplantable recurrence. The 5‐year disease‐free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were both superior in the sLT group (DFS, 71.6% versus 32.8%, P < 0.001; OS, 72.8% versus 48.3%, P = 0.007). In conclusion, sLT is superior to RR for treatment of recurrent HCC in terms of DFS and OS. The high rate of nontransplantable recurrence after reresection underscores the importance of timely sLT.

Hepatocholangiocarcinoma/intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: are they contraindication or indication for liver transplantation? A propensity score-matched analysis

BackgroundUncommon primary hepatic malignancies such as intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) and hepatocholangiocarcinoma (HCC-CC) were generally considered contraindications for liver transplantation(LT), and studies comparing the efficacy of LT and resection (LR) for ICC/HCC-CC were scarce.ObjectiveTo compare the survival outcomes of ICC/HCC-CC patients treated by LT and LR in a propensity score-matched population.MethodThis is a retrospective study from 1995 to 2015. Consecutive patients with the pathological diagnosis of ICC or HCC-CC in the surgical specimens were included. All patients had either hepatectomy or LT with curative intent. Factors associated with survival were identified with multivariate analysis using cox-regression model. Propensity score-matched analysis was performed.ResultThere were 181 patients diagnosed to have ICC/HCC_CC. Nine patients received LT (all with incidental ICC/HCC-CC) and 172 received hepatectomy. The median follow-up period was 27.5xa0months. The median age was 60xa0years (range 3–86); Hepatitis B and C carrier status was found in 48.1 and 2.3% of the patients, respectively. The median tumor size was 6xa0cm and 71.3% of them had solitary tumor. Microvascular invasion was present in 47% of the patients. After propensity score matching, there were 54 (9 in LT and 45 in LR group) patients for analysis. Cox-regression analysis showed that early AJCC (7th) staging and LT were the independent factors associated with overall survival. Patients in the LT group had significantly better overall survival (5-year OS 77.8 vs 36.6%, log-rank pxa0=xa00.013).ConclusionICC/HCC-CC are uncommon tumors with poor long-term oncological outcomes despite curative hepatectomy. Liver transplantation might be a better treatment option for patients with early ICC/HCC-CC.