Two-dimensional shear wave elastography for assessing liver fibrosis in patients with chronic liver disease: a prospective cohort study.

Background/aims: The objective of this study was to determine whether the newly developed two-dimensional shear wave elastography (2D-SWE, RS85, Samsung-shearwave imaging) was more valid and reliable than transient elastography (TE) for predicting the stage of liver fibrosis.

Methods: The study prospectively enrolled a total of 116 patients with chronic liver disease who underwent 2D-SWE, TE, laboratory testing, and liver biopsy on the same day from two tertiary care hospitals. One patient with unreliable measurement was excluded.

Usefulness of noninvasive methods including assessment of liver stiffness by 2-dimensional shear wave elastography for predicting esophageal varices.

Background: The aim of this study was to predict the presence of esophageal varices (EVs) by noninvasive tools combined with 2-dimensional shear wave elastography (2D-SWE), and to compare the diagnostic capabilities of 2D-SWE with those of transient elastography (TE).

Methods: Between January 2015 and December 2017, 289 patients with compensated advanced chronic liver disease (cACLD) who underwent consecutive 2D-SWE and EGD were enrolled. Capabilities for predicting the presence of EVs of 2D-SWE and models combining 2D-SWE with other noninvasive tools (modified LS-spleen-diameter-to-platelet-ratio score [mLSPS], platelet-spleen ratio score) were compared.

Clinical outcomes of patients with a single hepatocellular carcinoma less than 5 cm treated with transarterial chemoembolization.

Background/aims: Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is performed for single hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) that are not eligible for surgery or ablation therapy. We investigated the clinical outcomes of patients with a single HCC ≤ 5 cm treated with TACE.

Methods: This study analyzed 175 consecutive patients who underwent TACE as an initial treatment for single HCC ≤ 5 cm.

Platelet count is associated with sustained virological response rates in treatments for chronic hepatitis C.

Background/aims: This study was conducted to clarify the sustained virological response (SVR) prediction ability of baseline and treatment-related factors in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.

Methods: This retrospective study collected data at four tertiary referral hospitals between June 2004 and July 2012. Out of 476 patients, 330 treatment-naïve patients with chronic HCV infection were recruited.

Effect of tenofovir on renal function in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) is widely used to treat patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. We investigated the effect of TDF on renal insufficiency in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).A consecutive cohort analysis was applied to CHB patients taking prescribed TDF from January 2012 to May 2016 at Soonchunhyang University Seoul Hospital.

Clinical significance of radiation-induced liver disease after stereotactic body radiation therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background/aims: The aim of this study was to investigate parameters that predict radiation-induced liver disease (RILD) following stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and to identify the clinical significance of RILD.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 117 HCC patients who were treated by SBRT from March 2011 to February 2015. RILD was defined as elevated liver transaminases more than five times the upper normal limit or a worsening of Child-Pugh (CP) score by 2 within 3 months after SBRT.

A prospective comparative assessment of the accuracy of the FibroScan in evaluating liver steatosis.

Background/aims: Recent studies have demonstrated the utility of the FibroScan® device in diagnosing liver steatosis, but its usefulness has not been thoroughly appraised. We investigated the usefulness of the controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) in detecting and quantifying liver steatosis.

Methods: A prospective analysis was applied to 79 chronic liver disease patients who underwent a liver biopsy, a FibroScan investigation, ultrasonography, and hepatic steatosis index (HSI).

Useful Endoscopic Ultrasonography Parameters and a Predictive Model for the Recurrence of Esophageal Varices and Bleeding after Variceal Ligation.

Background/aims: To identify the usefulness of endoscopic ultrasonography with a mini-probe (EUM) and to create a predictive model for esophageal variceal (EV) recurrence and bleeding following esophageal variceal ligation (EVL).

Methods: A total of 144 patients who received EUM prior to prophylactic EVL and met the inclusion criteria were enrolled. EUM findings, EV diameter, paraesophageal vein diameter, and the number of perforating veins were assessed.

Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate monotherapy is superior to entecavir-adefovir combination therapy in patients with suboptimal response to lamivudine-adefovir therapy for nucleoside-resistant HBV: a 96-week prospective multicentre trial.

Background: A complete virological response is closely related to the long-term outcome of patients with chronic hepatitis B and prevention of emerging HBV mutations. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) monotherapy compared to entecavir-adefovir dipivoxil (ETV-ADV) combination therapy in patients with suboptimal responses to long-term lamivudine-adefovir dipivoxil (LAM-ADV) therapy for nucleoside analogue-resistant chronic hepatitis B.

Methods: Patients (n=60) were randomized to TDF monotherapy or ETV-ADV combination therapy for 96 weeks.

Ginsenoside Rg3 restores hepatitis C virus-induced aberrant mitochondrial dynamics and inhibits virus propagation.

Unlabelled: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) alters mitochondrial dynamics associated with persistent viral infection and suppression of innate immunity. Mitochondrial dysfunction is also a pathologic feature of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment. Despite the high efficacy of DAAs, their use in treating patients with chronic hepatitis C in interferon-sparing regimens occasionally produces undesirable side effects such as fatigue, migraine, and other conditions, which may be linked to mitochondrial dysfunction.

Usefulness of AFP, AFP-L3, and PIVKA-II, and their combinations in diagnosing hepatocellular carcinoma.

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), Lens culinaris-agglutinin-reactive fraction of AFP (AFP-L3), and protein induced by vitamin K absence or antagonist-II (PIVKA-II) are widely used as tumor markers for the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study compared the diagnostic values of AFP, AFP-L3, and PIVKA-II individually and in combination to find the best biomarker or biomarker panel.Seventy-nine patients with newly diagnosed HCC and 77 non-HCC control patients with liver cirrhosis were enrolled.

Predictive Factors for Complete Response and Recurrence after Transarterial Chemoembolization in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Background/aims: To investigate the predictive factors for complete response (CR) and recurrence after CR in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE).

Methods: Among 691 newly diagnosed HCC patients, 287 were treated with TACE as a first therapy. We analyzed the predictive factors for CR, recurrence after CR, and overall survival (OS).

Relationship between 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Levels and Liver Fibrosis as Assessed by Transient Elastography in Patients with Chronic Liver Disease.

Background/aims: Deficiencies of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) are prevalent in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD). Liver fibrosis is the main determinant of CLD prognosis. The present study was performed to evaluate the correlation between 25(OH)D levels and liver fibrosis as assessed by transient elastography (TE) in patients with compensated CLD.

Corrigendum: Predictive Factors for Sustained Remission after Discontinuation of Antiviral Therapy in Patients with HBeAg-positive Chronic Hepatitis B.

This correction is being published to correct the error in Figure 4 in above article.

Predictive Factors for Sustained Remission after Discontinuation of Antiviral Therapy in Patients with HBeAg-positive Chronic Hepatitis B.

Background/aims: The optimal timing for discontinuing oral antiviral therapy in patients with HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is unclear. The aim of our study was to investigate sustained remission after stopping antiviral therapy in patients with HBeAg-positive CHB.

Methods: We analyzed the medical records of 58 patients who were HBeAg-positive and had discontinued antiviral therapy.

Clinical Features of Drug-induced Liver Injury According to Etiology.

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is an increasingly common cause of acute hepatitis. We examined clinical features and types of liver injury of 65 affected patients who underwent liver biopsy according DILI etiology. The major causes of DILI were the use of herbal medications (43.

Predictive factors of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography for the response to transarterial chemoembolization in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background/aims: The predictive role of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) before performing transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) has not been determined. We assessed the possible predictive factors of CEUS for the response to TACE.

Methods: Seventeen patients with 18 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) underwent TACE.

Use of (18)F-FDG PET to predict tumor progression and survival in patients with intermediate hepatocellular carcinoma treated by transarterial chemoembolization.

Background/aims: (18)F-Fluorodeoxyglucose positron-emission tomography ((18)F-FDG PET) has been used to assess the biological behavior of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this study, we investigated the usefulness of (18)F-FDG PET for predicting tumor progression and survival in patients with intermediate Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) intermediate-stage HCC treated by transarterial chemoembolization (TACE).

Methods: From February 2006 to March 2013, 210 patients treated with TACE, including 77 patients with BCLC intermediate-stage HCC, underwent examination by (18)F-FDG PET.

[Efficacy of tenofovir-based rescue therapy for patients with drug-resistant chronic hepatitis B].

Background/aims: Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) plays a pivotal role in the management of drug-resistant chronic hepatitis B. However, it remains unclear whether TDF-nucleoside analogue combination therapy provides better outcomes than TDF monotherapy. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of TDF monotherapy with that of TDF-nucleoside analogue combination therapy in patients with drug-resistant chronic hepatitis B.

Predictability of preoperative 18F-FDG PET for histopathological differentiation and early recurrence of primary malignant intrahepatic tumors.

Objective: The limited studies with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG)-PET reported results and interpretations that differed between hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (IHCC). We investigated the correlation between preoperative PET results and postoperative prognosis, including early (time-to-recurrence<6 months) tumor recurrence, and histopathological tumor differentiation in patients who had undergone surgery for primary malignant intrahepatic tumors, including HCC and IHCC.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 357 patients who had undergone curative surgery for malignant hepatic tumors, including primary HCC or IHCC, other than Klatskin tumors at a tertiary academic hospital between January 2005 and June 2012.

Long-term outcomes and dynamics of mutants associated with lamivudine-adefovir rescue therapy in patients with lamivudine-resistant chronic hepatitis B.

Background/aims: To investigate the association between the baseline profiles and dynamics of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA polymerase gene mutations and the long-term virological response of lamivudine (LAM)-adefovir (ADV) combination therapy in patients with LAM-resistant chronic hepatitis B.

Methods: Seventy-five patients who received LAM-ADV combination therapy for more than 12 months were analyzed. Restriction fragment mass polymorphism assays were used to detect and monitor the dynamics of LAM- and ADV-resistant mutations.

[Comparison on the efficacy and safety of biphenyl dimethyl dicarboxylate and ursodeoxycholic acid in patients with abnormal alanine aminotransferase: multicenter, double-blinded, randomized, active-controlled clinical trial].

Background/aims: Chronic hepatocellular damage is closely associated with hepatic fibrosis and fatal complication in most liver diseases. The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy and safety of biphenyl dimethyl dicarboxylate (DDB) and ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) in patients with abnormal ALT.

Methods: One-hundred thirty-five patients with elevated ALT were randomized to receive either 750 mg/day of DDB or 300 mg/day of UDCA for 24 weeks in 4 referral hospitals.

TRAIL enhances apoptosis of human hepatocellular carcinoma cells sensitized by hepatitis C virus infection: therapeutic implications.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection causes chronic liver diseases leading to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and liver failure. We have previously shown that HCV sensitizes hepatocytes to mitochondrial apoptosis via the TRAIL death receptors DR4 and DR5. Although TRAIL and its receptors are selective targets for cancer therapy, their potential against HCC with chronic HCV infection has not been explored yet.

Clinically useful diagnostic tool of contrast enhanced ultrasonography for focal liver masses: comparison to computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging.

Background/aims: To evaluate the diagnostic value of contrast (SonoVue(®)) enhancement ultrasonography (CEUS) and to compare this method with computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in evaluating liver masses.

Methods: CEUS (n=50), CT (n=47), and MRI (n=43) were performed on 50 liver masses in 48 patients for baseline mass haracterization. The most likely impression for each modality and the final diagnosis, based on the combined biopsy results (n=14), angiography findings (n=36), and clinical course, were determined.

The impact of pegylated interferon and ribavirin combination treatment on lipid metabolism and insulin resistance in chronic hepatitis C patients.

Background/aims: Lipid profile and insulin resistance (IR) are associated with hepatitis C virus (HCV) and may predict the chronic hepatitis C (CHC) treatment response. The aim of this study was to determine the association between CHC treatment response and lipid profile and IR change during treatment.

Methods: In total, 203 CHC patients were reviewed retrospectively between January 2005 and December 2011 at Soon Chun Hyang University Hospital.