Performance of PIVKA-II for early hepatocellular carcinoma diagnosis and prediction of microvascular invasion.

Background & Aims: Prothrombin induced by vitamin K absence-II (PIVKA-II) is a diagnostic and surveillance marker for HCC mainly used in Asia, and has also been shown to be a predictor of microvascular invasion (MVI), a major prognostic factor in HCC. However, experience with PIVKA-II in Europe remains limited.

Methods: In a French cohort, we conducted a case-control study to compare the performances of α-fetoprotein (AFP) and PIVKA-II serum levels for diagnosis of early stage HCC, and we determined the value of PIVKA-II serum and tissue expression in pre-operative detection of MVI.

Interactions between virus-related factors and post-transplant ascites in patients with hepatitis C and no cirrhosis: role of cryoglobulinemia.

Refractory ascites may appear in liver transplant recipients with recurrence of hepatitis C virus infection, even in the absence of advanced fibrosis. The mechanisms are unclear. The aim was to determine whether post-transplant cryoglobulinemia could be a predisposing factor for ascites in this population.

Intracystic concentrations of tumour markers for the diagnosis of cystic liver lesions.

Background: Imaging occasionally fails to differentiate hepatic simple cysts from malignant or premalignant mucinous cystic lesions such as biliary cystadenomas. Hepatic simple cysts can be treated conservatively, whereas malignant or premalignant cysts require complete resection. This study assessed the ability of intracystic tumour marker concentrations to differentiate these disease entities.

Comparison of nine blood tests and transient elastography for liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C: the ANRS HCEP-23 study.

Background & Aims: Blood tests and transient elastography (Fibroscan™) have been developed as alternatives to liver biopsy. This ANRS HCEP-23 study compared the diagnostic accuracy of nine blood tests and transient elastography (Fibroscan™) to assess liver fibrosis, vs. liver biopsy, in untreated patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC).

Danoprevir, an HCV NS3/4A protease inhibitor, improves insulin sensitivity in patients with genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C.

Background/aim: Insulin resistance (IR) is a major predictor of treatment failure in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection treated with peginterferon/ribavirin. The aim of this study was to evaluate the short-term effect of an HCV protease inhibitor monotherapy on IR in parallel with an antiviral effect.

Patients/methods: In a phase 1b placebo-controlled study, four cohorts of treatment-naïve patients with genotype 1 HCV received danoprevir (ITMN-191/RG7227), a protease inhibitor, or placebo (8/2 patients in each cohort respectively) in a gelatin capsule every 12 h (100, 200 mg) or 8 h (100, 200 mg) for 14 days.