The Role of Macrophages in Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Their Therapeutic Potential.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents a significant clinical burden globally and is predicted to continue to increase in incidence for the foreseeable future. The treatment of HCC is complicated by the fact that, in the majority of cases, it develops on a background of advanced chronic inflammatory liver disease. Chronic inflammation can foster an immunosuppressive microenvironment that promotes tumour progression and metastasis.

Evaluation of CirrhoCare® - a digital health solution for home management of individuals with cirrhosis.

Background & Aims: Individuals with cirrhosis discharged from hospital following acute decompensation are at high risk of new complications. This study aimed to assess the feasibility and potential clinical benefits of remote management of individuals with acutely decompensated cirrhosis using CirrhoCare®.

Methods: Individuals with cirrhosis with acute decompensation were followed up with CirrhoCare® and compared with contemporaneous matched controls, managed with standard follow-up.

Significant reduction in heart rate variability is a feature of acute decompensation of cirrhosis and predicts 90-day mortality.

Background: Heart rate variability (HRV) is reduced in cirrhosis and in conditions of systemic inflammation. Whether HRV is associated with cirrhosis decompensation and development of acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is unknown.

Aims: To (a) validate wireless remote HRV monitoring in cirrhosis decompensation; (b) determine if severely reduced HRV is a surrogate for inflammation and progression of cirrhosis decompensation; (c) assess if measuring HRV determines prognosis in cirrhosis decompensation.