Joon Hyeok Lee

Ten-year outcomes of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation as first-line therapy of early hepatocellular carcinoma: Analysis of prognostic factors

BACKGROUND & AIMS The aim was to assess 10-year outcomes of radiofrequency ablation as a first-line therapy of early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma with an analysis of prognostic factors. METHODS From April 1999 to April 2011, 1305 patients (male:female=993:312; mean age, 58.4 years) with 1502 early-stage hepatocellular carcinomas (mean size, 2.2 cm) were treated with percutaneous radiofrequency ablation as a first-line option. Follow-up period ranged from 0.4 to 146.6 months (median, 33.4 months). We assessed the 10-year follow-up results of recurrences and survival with the analyses of prognostic factors. RESULTS Recurrences occurred in 795 patients (1-17 times), which were managed with various therapeutic modalities. The cumulative local tumor progression rates were 27.0% and 36.9% at 5 and 10 years, respectively, for which the only significant risk factor was large tumor size (B=0.584, p=0.001). Cumulative intrahepatic distant and extrahepatic recurrence rates were 73.1% and 88.5%, and 19.1% and 38.2% at 5 and 10 years, respectively. Corresponding overall survival rates were 59.7% and 32.3%, respectively. Poor survival was associated with old age (B=0.043, p=0.010), Child-Pugh class B (B=-1.054, p<0.001), absence of antiviral therapy during follow-up (B=-0.699, p=0.034), and presence of extrahepatic recurrence (B=0.971, p=0.007). CONCLUSIONS Ten-year survival outcomes after percutaneous radiofrequency ablation as a first-line therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma were excellent despite frequent tumor recurrences. Overall survival was influenced by age, Child-Pugh class, antiviral therapy, or extrahepatic recurrence.

Patients with chronic hepatitis B treated with oral antiviral therapy retain a higher risk for HCC compared with patients with inactive stage disease

Background It is generally stated that oral antiviral therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) decreases the risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Although oral nucleos(t)ide analogues (NUCs) may induce a state similar to inactive stage CHB, the long-term risk for HCC in patients treated with NUCs compared with inactive CHB is unclear. Methods A total of 1378 patients who were treatment naïve and started NUC therapy and 1014 patients with inactive stage CHB who were HBeAg-negative and continuously had hepatitis B DNA <2000 IU/mL during follow-up were enrolled. The NUC group was divided into two groups by continuous viral suppression: NUC complete responder (CR) group and NUC incomplete responder (IR) group. Cumulative HCC incidence rates were compared between the groups. Results The risk of developing HCC was significantly higher in the NUC CR group compared with the inactive CHB group, regardless of the presence of baseline liver cirrhosis (p<0.001). Risk factors associated with the development of HCC were treatment groups (p<0.001), age (p<0.001), sex (p<0.001) and the presence of liver cirrhosis at baseline (p=0.005). Of the NUC group, the cumulative incidence of HCC in the NUC IR group was significantly higher compared with the NUC CR group (p=0.028). Conclusions The use of potent oral antiviral therapy can effectively suppress HBV replication in patients with CHB. However, the risk of HCC development in patients treated with oral antiviral agent is still significantly higher than patients with inactive stage CHB.

Hepatitis B virus reactivation in B-cell lymphoma patients treated with rituximab: analysis from the Asia Lymphoma Study Group.

BACKGROUND Hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation is increasing, as rituximab has become widely used for B-cell lymphoma. Thus, prevention and management of HBV reactivation are important in HBV-endemic areas. METHODS Hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation in HBV surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive patients and HBsAg-negative/HBV core antibody (HBcAb)-positive patients who received rituximab-containing chemotherapy was investigated by the Asia Lymphoma Study Group via retrospective (n=340), and the results were compared to cross-sectional analysis with patients who were prospectively monitored in a single institute (n=127). The goal of the study was to define the frequency of HBV reactivation and the efficacy of antiviral prophylaxis. RESULTS HBV reactivation was found in 27.8% of HBsAg-positive patients (45/162) in the retrospective analysis, being significantly less frequent in patients receiving antiviral prophylaxis than those not (22.9%, 32/140 versus 59.1%, 13/22; p<0.001). Lamivudine was most commonly used (96/162, 59.3%), but more than 20% of HBsAg-positive patients showed breakthrough HBV reactivation. In the cross-sectional analysis, a reduced rate of HBV reactivation occurred for entecavir as compared with lamivudine prophylaxis (6.3% versus 39.3%; p<0.05). HBV DNA monitoring of HBsAg-negative/HBcAb-positive patients in the cross-sectional analysis showed HBV reactivation in only 2.4% of cases. CONCLUSIONS This is the largest study of HBV reactivation in patients receiving rituximab-containing chemotherapy to date, and we defined the probability of HBV reactivation in an HBV-endemic region.

2014 Korean Liver Cancer Study Group-National Cancer Center Korea practice guideline for the management of hepatocellular carcinoma

The guideline for the management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was first developed in 2003 and revised in 2009 by the Korean Liver Cancer Study Group and the National Cancer Center, Korea. Since then, many studies on HCC have been carried out in Korea and other countries. In particular, a substantial body of knowledge has been accumulated on diagnosis, staging, and treatment specific to Asian characteristics, especially Koreans, prompting the proposal of new strategies. Accordingly, the new guideline presented herein was developed on the basis of recent evidence and expert opinions. The primary targets of this guideline are patients with suspicious or newly diagnosed HCC. This guideline provides recommendations for the initial treatment of patients with newly diagnosed HCC.

Ultrasonographically Detected Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Is an Independent Predictor for Identifying Patients With Insulin Resistance in Non-Obese, Non-Diabetic Middle-Aged Asian Adults

OBJECTIVES:We assessed the association among ultrasonographically detected non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (US-NAFLD), metabolic syndrome (MetS), and insulin resistance (IR) in non-obese, non-diabetic middle-aged adults, to find out whether US-NAFLD is independently associated with IR in this population.METHODS:A total of 5,878 non-obese (body mass index, ≥18.5 and <25), non-diabetic individuals were analyzed. IR was estimated with the homeostasis model assessment index (HOMA2–IR) and defined when HOMA2–IR ≥1.5. MetS was defined by the Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III) criteria.RESULTS:MetS was present in 381 (6.5%) participants, IR was present in 801 (13.6%) participants, and US-NAFLD was present in 1,611 (27.4%) participants. The increase in the prevalence of US-NAFLD closely followed the increase in the number of metabolic components diagnosed according to the ATP III criteria (15.2%, 28.5%, 48.0%, 65.7%, 71.4%, and 100% for 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 metabolic components, respectively, P<0.001). US-NAFLD showed a significantly higher odds ratio (OR) for IR, regardless of the number of metabolic components (OR (95% confidence interval) of 3.48 (2.45–4.94), 3.63 (2.74–4.82), 3.19 (2.29–4.44), and 2.43 (1.43–3.81) for 0, 1, 2, and ≥3 metabolic components, respectively, P<0.001 for all values). MetS showed a low sensitivity (0.22) for the identification of individuals with IR, and either US-NAFLD alone (0.60) or US-NAFLD with MetS (0.66) improved sensitivity with acceptable trade-off in specificity.CONCLUSIONS:US-NAFLD was an independent predictor for IR, irrespective of the number of metabolic components of MetS in the non-obese, non-diabetic middle-aged Asian adults. US-NAFLD could identify individuals with IR that cannot be identified by MetS in this population.

Association of a single nucleotide polymorphism near the interleukin-28B gene with response to hepatitis C therapy in Asian patients.

Background and Aims:  A single nucleotide polymorphism near the interleukin‐28B (IL28B) gene has been shown to predict hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment response. We aim to determine the role of the IL28B genotype in Asian patients.

Hepatocellular carcinoma risk in chronic hepatitis B virus–infected compensated cirrhosis patients with low viral load

Controversy exists about whether antiviral therapy (AVT) should be recommended for compensated cirrhosis patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and detectable, but low, serum HBV‐DNA levels. A retrospective cohort of 385 treatment‐naïve, HBV‐related compensated cirrhosis patients (mean age: 51.1 ± 9.7 years; 66% male) with low HBV‐DNA levels (<2,000 IU/mL) was assessed for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). During a median of 5.6 years of follow‐up, HCC had developed in 37 (9.6%) patients. The 5‐year cumulative HCC incidence rate was 2.2%, 8.0%, and 14.0% for patients with undetectable HBV DNA (<12 IU/mL), low HBV‐DNA levels plus normal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, and low HBV‐DNA levels plus elevated ALT levels at baseline (P = 0.011). During follow‐up, 71 patients maintained undetectable HBV‐DNA levels, and 126 experienced HBV‐DNA elevation over 2,000 IU/mL. AVT was initiated in 77 patients. In patients without AVT, the 5‐year cumulative HCC incidence rates were 13.3%, 8.8%, and 1.4% for those who experienced HBV‐DNA elevation, those who maintained detectable, but low, HBV‐DNA levels, and those who maintained undetectable HBV‐DNA levels, respectively. The 5‐year cumulative HCC incidence rate was 5.9% for patients who started AVT; longer AVT duration and longer complete virological response (<12 IU/mL) duration was associated with lower HCC risk. Conclusion: Compensated cirrhosis patients with detectable, but low, viral load were not at low risk for HCC, and AVT was associated with lower HCC risk, suggesting that prompt AVT should be considered for these patients. (Hepatology 2015;62:694–701)

Clinical features and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma in young patients from a hepatitis B-endemic area

Background and Aim:  Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide. However, the clinical features of young HCC patients have not been fully studied. In the present study, we investigated the prevalence, clinical characteristics and prognosis of young HCC patients.

Clinical parameters predictive of outcomes in sorafenib-treated patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.

Sorafenib is an orally active multikinase inhibitor approved for the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, clinical parameters that may predict the treatment outcomes in sorafenib‐treated advanced HCC patients remains unknown.

Mortality after surgery in patients with liver cirrhosis: comparison of Child-Turcotte-Pugh, MELD and MELDNa score.

Background/aims This study was aimed at determining the postoperative mortality in patients with cirrhosis by Child–Turcotte–Pugh (CTP), Model for End-stage Liver Disease score (MELD), and Model for End-stage Liver Disease and Serum Sodium Concentration score (MELDNa) systems and to compare the predictability of the scoring systems. Methods Analysis was performed on clinical records of 490 patients with cirrhosis who underwent surgery under general anesthesia from January 2003 to December 2008. Results (i) Ninety-day mortality in patients with CTP A, B, and C class were 2.1, 22.1 and 54.5%, respectively. (ii) Ninety-day mortality according to MELD score was as follows: 6–9, 3.5%; 10–14, 8.9%; 15–19, 14.3%; 20–24, 12.5%; and ≥25, 63.6%. (iii) Ninety-day mortality according to MELDNa score was as follows: 6–9, 1.9%; 10–14, 6.2%; 15–19, 13.2%; 20–24, 20.6%; and ≥25, 50%. (iv) Multivariable analysis showed that emergency surgery, American Society of Anesthesiologist class ≥IV, CTP score ≥7, MELD score ≥10, and MELDNa score ≥10 were independent risk factors for 90-day mortality. (v) The area under the receiver operating curve of CTP, MELD, and MELDNa in predicting 90-day mortality were 0.859, 0.761, 0.818, and nonparametric approach using the generalized U-statistic showed that the CTP score was equal to the MELDNa score (P=0.855) and the CTP and MELDNa scores were superior to the MELD score (P=0.027 and 0.047) in predicting postoperative 90-day mortality. Conclusion Mortality according to the CTP, MELD, and MELDNa scoring systems were determined and all scoring systems predicted postoperative mortality in patients with cirrhosis. The CTP score and MELDNa score were superior to the MELD score in predicting postoperative 90-day mortality.