Effect of Biliary Drainage on the Prognosis of Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Bile Duct Invasion.

Background/aims: Bile duct invasion (BDI) is rarely observed in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), leading to hyperbilirubinemia. However, the efficacy of pretreatment biliary drainage for HCC patients with BDI and obstructive jaundice is currently unclear. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the effect of biliary drainage on the prognosis of these patients.

Consistent efficacy of hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy irrespective of PD‑L1 positivity in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma.

Atezolizumab/bevacizumab is the first line of treatment for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), combining immune checkpoint inhibitor and anti-VEGF monoclonal antibodies. Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) is administered when the above-described combination fails to confer sufficient clinical benefit. The present study aimed to explore the association between tumor programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) positivity and HAIC response.

Role of Portosystemic Shunt and Portal Vein Stent in Managing Portal Hypertension Due to Hematological Diseases.

Introduction: Patients with hematological diseases experience complications related to portal hypertension, including life-threatening complications such as variceal bleeding.

Methods: We analyzed the prognosis of patients with hematological diseases and portal hypertension treated with transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPS) or portal vein stents. We retrospectively assessed patients with hematological diseases and portal hypertension who had variceal bleeding.

Comparative Analysis of Atezolizumab Plus Bevacizumab and Hepatic Artery Infusion Chemotherapy in Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Multicenter, Propensity Score Study.

This study aimed to compare the prognosis and characteristics of patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma treated with first-line atezolizumab plus bevacizumab (AB) combination therapy and hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy (HAIC). We retrospectively assessed 193 and 114 patients treated with HAIC and AB combination therapy, respectively, between January 2018 and May 2023. The progression-free survival (PFS) of patients treated with AB combination therapy was significantly superior to that of patients treated with HAIC ( < 0.

Safety and effectiveness of direct-acting antivirals in patients with chronic hepatitis C and chronic kidney disease.

Background/aims: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of direct acting antivirals (DAAs) available in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in Korea.

Methods: In a retrospective, multicenter cohort study, 362 patients were enrolled from 2015 to 2019. The effectiveness and safety of DAAs including glecaprevir/pibrentasvir, sofosubvir/ribavirin, ledipasvir/sofosbuvir, and daclatasvir/asunaprevir were analyzed for patients according to CKD stage.

Comparative Analysis of Lenvatinib and Hepatic Arterial Infusion Chemotherapy in Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Multi-Center, Propensity Score Study.

The comparative efficacy and safety between lenvatinib and hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still unclear. This multicenter historical cohort study enrolled 244 patients who were treated with HAIC ( = 173) or lenvatinib ( = 71) between 2012 and 2020. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed, and 52 patients were selected per group.

Real-Life Experience of mTOR Inhibitors in Liver Transplant Recipients in a Region Where Living Donation Is Predominant.

Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors, such as everolimus and sirolimus, may be efficacious in preserving renal function in liver transplantation (LT) recipients while preventing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence. In this study, we retrospectively evaluated the safety, efficacy, and renoprotective effects of mTOR inhibitors in LT recipients. Among the 84 patients enrolled, mTOR inhibitor was commenced during the first year after LT.

Association between serum tumor necrosis factor-α and sarcopenia in liver cirrhosis.

Background/aims: Sarcopenia is an independent prognostic factor of liver cirrhosis (LC). However, the association between LC-related systemic inflammation and sarcopenia is unclear.

Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with thioacetamide (TAA) or saline as a control.

Use of M2BPGi in HCC patients with TACE.

Background And Aim: Serum Mac-2-binding protein glycosylation isomer (M2BPGi) has been studied as a marker for liver fibrosis or cirrhosis. This study explores the potential role of M2BPGi in predicting clinical outcomes of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE).

Methods: A total of 226 HCC patients undergoing TACE were enrolled.

Significance of Genetic Alterations and Telomere Length in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Telomerase reverse transcriptase () mutations are reportedly the most frequent somatic genetic alterations in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). An integrative analysis of -telomere signaling during hepatocarcinogenesis is lacking. This study aimed to investigate the clinicopathological association and prognostic value of gene alterations and telomere length in HCC patients undergoing hepatectomy as well as transarterial chemotherapy (TACE).

A Real-World Comparative Analysis of Lenvatinib and Sorafenib as a Salvage Therapy for Transarterial Treatments in Unresectable HCC.

Background/aims: Lenvatinib was recently approved as a first-line oral multikinase inhibitor for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this study, we aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of lenvatinib and sorafenib for the treatment of unresectable HCC in patients with prior failure of transarterial treatment.

Methods: Between January 2019 and September 2020, 98 unresectable HCC patients treated with lenvatinib or sorafenib as salvage therapy were enrolled from five Korean university-affiliated hospitals.

Real-World Outcomes of Nivolumab in Patients With Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma in an Endemic Area of Hepatitis B Virus Infection.

Real-world results of nivolumab monotherapy against HCC are lacking in the hepatitis B virus (HBV)-endemic, Asia-Pacific regions. Moreover, heterogeneous responses to immune checkpoint inhibitors have rarely been described in advanced HCC. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of nivolumab monotherapy in a real-world setting in 33 Korean patients with unresectable HCC.

Unexpected Improvement of Liver Function by Intravenous Immunoglobulin in a Steroid-Experienced Severe Alcoholic Hepatitis.

Corticosteroid is the treatment of choice for severe alcoholic hepatitis; however, it can also lead to severe life-threatening infection. We report a 28-year-old severe alcoholic hepatitis patient who did not achieve a satisfactory improvement of the liver function by corticosteroid use but obtained a significant improvement of the liver function by intravenous immunoglobulin. Intravenous immunoglobulin was administered to control infection after prolonged corticosteroid usage; however, it led to an unexpected remarkable decrease in the serum total bilirubin level and restored the responsiveness to the additional corticosteroid used after the resolution of the infection.

Effectiveness of sorafenib dose modifications on treatment outcome of hepatocellular carcinoma: Analysis in real-life settings.

Controlling adverse events (AEs) through dose reduction can enhance drug adherence and treatment response. Currently, there is no guide for sorafenib dosing. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether sorafenib dosing could affect treatment outcomes.

Comparison of tenofovir and entecavir on the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma and mortality in treatment-naïve patients with chronic hepatitis B in Korea: a large-scale, propensity score analysis.

Objective: The use of tenofovir (TDF) and entecavir (ETV) in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) has led to a decrease in the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and liver-related events. However, whether there is a difference between the two agents in the extent of improving such outcomes has not been clarified thus far. Therefore, we aimed to compare TDF and ETV on the risk of HCC and mortality.

Association of Prophylactic Anti-Hepatitis B Virus Therapy With Improved Long-term Survival in Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma Undergoing Transarterial Therapy.

Background: The effect of prophylactic antiviral therapy (AVT) on survival of patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unknown. This study aimed to determine whether prophylactic AVT could improve long-term survival in patients undergoing transarterial chemotherapy (TAC).

Methods: Between 2002 and 2016, 2860 newly diagnosed HBV-related patients with HCC treated with TAC were screened to analyze 2 groups based on prophylactic use of antivirals.

Reduction of Intrahepatic Tumour by Hepatic Arterial Infusion Chemotherapy Prolongs Survival in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Background/aim: This study aimed to identify the survival benefit of intrahepatic tumour control by hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with portal vein tumour thrombus (PVTT) or extrahepatic metastasis.

Patients And Methods: Between 2010 and 2017, a total of 187 consecutive patients with advanced HCC were treated with HAIC. The survival outcomes and response rates to HAIC were analysed.

Control of intracranial disease is associated with improved survival in patients with brain metastasis from hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: Brain metastasis is a rare event in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This retrospective study aimed to identify the prognostic factors and determine the outcomes of patients with brain metastases from HCC.

Methods: About 86 patients with brain metastases (0.

Reactivation of Hepatitis C Virus and Its Clinical Outcomes in Patients Treated with Systemic Chemotherapy or Immunosuppressive Therapy.

Background/aims: According to the results of several studies, the outcome of hepatitis C virus (HCV) reactivation is not as severe as the outcome of hepatitis B virus reactivation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of pharmacological immunosuppression on HCV reactivation.

Methods: The medical records of patients who underwent systemic chemotherapy, corticosteroid therapy, or other immunosuppressive therapies between January 2008 and March 2015 were reviewed.

A comparative study of sorafenib and metronomic chemotherapy for Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer-stage C hepatocellular carcinoma with poor liver function.

Background/aims: Metronomic chemotherapy (MET) is frequently administered in comparatively low doses as a continuous chemotherapeutic agent. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and overall survival (OS) of MET compared to sorafenib for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT).

Methods: A total of 54 patients with advanced HCC and PVTT who had undergone MET were analyzed between 2005 and 2013.

Transarterial chemoembolization with drug-eluting beads in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is a widely used standard treatment for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who are not suitable candidates for curative treatments. The rationale for TACE is that intra-arterial chemotherapy using lipiodol and chemotherapeutic agents, followed by selective vascular embolization, results in a strong cytotoxic effect as well as ischemia (conventional TACE). Recently, drug-eluting beads (DC Beads) have been developed for transcatheter treatment of HCC to deliver higher doses of the chemotherapeutic agent and to prolong contact time with the tumor.

Efficacy and safety of daclatasvir and asunaprevir for hepatitis C virus genotype 1b infection.

Background/aims: The treatment strategy for hepatitis C virus (HCV) has been changing rapidly since the introduction of direct-acting antivirals such as daclatasvir (DCV) and asunaprevir (ASV). We evaluated the efficacy and safety of DCV and ASV for HCV in real-life practice.

Methods: Patients were treated with 60 mg of DCV once daily plus 200 mg of ASV twice daily for 24 weeks, and followed for 12 weeks.

Renal artery thrombosis secondary to sepsis-induced disseminated intravascular coagulation in acute pyelonephritis.

There are some reports of renal vein thrombosis associated with acute pyelonephritis, but a case of renal artery thrombosis in acute pyelonephritis has not been reported yet. Here we report a case of renal artery thrombosis which developed in a patient with acute pyelonephritis complicated with sepsis-induced disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). A 65-year-old woman with diabetes was diagnosed with acute pyelonephritis complicated with sepsis.