SPINK2 Protein Expression Is an Independent Adverse Prognostic Marker in AML and Is Potentially Implicated in the Regulation of Ferroptosis and Immune Response.

There is an urgent need for the identification as well as clinicopathological and functional characterization of potent prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Using immunohistochemistry and next-generation sequencing, we investigated the protein expression as well as clinicopathological and prognostic associations of serine protease inhibitor Kazal type 2 (SPINK2) in AML and examined its potential biological functions. High SPINK2 protein expression was an independent adverse biomarker for survival and an indicator of elevated therapy resistance and relapse risk.

Deep genomic characterization highlights complexities and prognostic markers of pediatric acute myeloid leukemia.

Pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an uncommon but aggressive hematological malignancy. The poor outcome is attributed to inadequate prognostic classification and limited treatment options. A thorough understanding on the genetic basis of pediatric AML is important for the development of effective approaches to improve outcomes.

Mutational spectrum and prognosis in Chinese patients with prefibrotic primary myelofibrosis.

Prefibrotic primary myelofibrosis (Pre-PMF) has been classified as a separate entity of myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). Pre-PMF is clinically heterogeneous but a specific prognostic model is lacking. Gene mutations have emerged as useful tools for stratification of myelofibrosis patients.

A novel NUP98-JADE2 fusion in a patient with acute myeloid leukemia resembling acute promyelocytic leukemia.

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is a specific subtype of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) characterized by block of differentiation at the promyelocytic stage and the presence of PML-RARA fusion. In rare instances, RARA is fused with other partners in variant APL. More infrequently, non-RARA genes are rearranged in AML patients resembling APL.

Association of HLA-B22 serotype with SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility in Hong Kong Chinese patients.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a highly infectious disease caused by SARS-CoV-2. Since its first report in December 2019, COVID-19 has evolved into a global pandemic causing massive healthcare and socioeconomic challenges. HLA system is critical in mediating anti-viral immunity and recent studies have suggested preferential involvement of HLA-B in COVID-19 susceptibility.

Concurrent fatty liver increases risk of hepatocellular carcinoma among patients with chronic hepatitis B.

Background And Aims: Concurrent fatty liver in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected patients without significant alcohol intake is a frequent and increasingly alarming problem because of the non-alcoholic fatty liver disease pandemic. The risk of HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development was increased by concomitant obesity and diabetes. Direct evidence of the hepatocarcinogenic effect of fatty liver in chronic HBV remains elusive.

Adverse effects of vitamin D deficiency on outcomes of patients with chronic hepatitis B.

Background & Aims: Vitamin D is an immunomodulator that might be involved in the pathogenesis of viral hepatitis. We investigated the effects of vitamin D deficiency on long-term outcomes of patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).

Methods: We performed a prospective cohort study of 426 patients with CHB (65% male; mean age, 41 ± 13 years), who were enrolled from 1997 through 2000.

Noninvasive assessments of liver fibrosis with transient elastography and Hui index predict survival in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

Background And Aims: The prognostic role of noninvasive assessments of liver fibrosis has been evolving. Our aim was to investigate the prognostic value of liver stiffness measurement (LSM) with transient elastography and serum-based Hui index to predict hepatic events and deaths in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients.

Methods: The main prospective cohort included 1555 consecutive CHB patients referred for transient elastography examination; a subgroup of 980 patients underwent follow-up assessments at least 3 years later formed the serial cohort.

PNPLA3 gene polymorphism and response to lifestyle modification in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Background And Aim: Lifestyle modification is the cornerstone for the management of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and patatin-like phospholipase 3 (PNPLA3) is one of the most important genetic determinants of NAFLD. We aimed to investigate the effect of PNPLA3 gene polymorphism on the response to lifestyle modification in NAFLD patients.

Methods: This was a post-hoc analysis of a randomized controlled trial on a lifestyle modification program in community NAFLD patients.

On-treatment alpha-fetoprotein is a specific tumor marker for hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with chronic hepatitis B receiving entecavir.

Unlabelled: Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is the most widely used biomarker for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) surveillance, which is criticized as neither sensitive nor specific in active hepatitis and liver cirrhosis. The aim of this study was to determine the performance of AFP as a tumor marker for HCC in entecavir-treated patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). This was a retrospective-prospective cohort study of 1,531 entecavir-treated patients under regular HCC surveillance with AFP and ultrasonography.

Liver fibrosis progression is uncommon in patients with inactive chronic hepatitis B: a prospective cohort study with paired transient elastography examination.

Background And Aims: The European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) defines the inactive hepatitis B virus (HBV) carrier state based on HBV DNA and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels. This study aimed to evaluate the risk of disease progression in such patients.

Methods: Three hundred sixty-one patients negative for hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) with HBV DNA levels < 20,000 IU/mL and normal ALT and without advanced fibrosis at baseline underwent liver stiffness measurement (LSM) by transient elastography between 2006 and 2008 and again between 2010 and 2012.

Liver fibrosis progression in chronic hepatitis B patients positive for hepatitis B e antigen: a prospective cohort study with paired transient elastography examination.

Background And Aim: Chronic hepatitis B patients in immune-reactive hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive phase may have more rapid progression than those in immune-tolerant phase. We aimed to evaluate the risk of liver fibrosis progression in HBeAg-positive patients at different phases.

Methods: Two hundred forty-seven HBeAg-positive patients without advanced fibrosis at baseline underwent liver stiffness measurement (LSM) by transient elastography in 2006-2008 and again in 2010-2012.

Serum hepatitis B surface antigen kinetics in severe reactivation of hepatitis B e antigen negative chronic hepatitis B patients receiving nucleoside/nucleotide analogues.

Background: Kinetics of serum hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) level in hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative chronic hepatitis B patients presented with severe reactivation and received oral antiviral therapy is unknown. We aimed to investigate the kinetics of HBsAg level among these patients.

Methods: HBeAg-negative patients on antiviral therapy with follow-up for 2 years were studied.

Efficacy of entecavir switch therapy in chronic hepatitis B patients with incomplete virological response to telbivudine.

Background: The roadmap concept suggests the use of on-treatment HBV DNA to guide treatment strategy of chronic hepatitis B patients treated by telbivudine. Our aim was to validate the roadmap approach of entecavir switch therapy in patients with incomplete response to telbivudine.

Methods: Consecutive chronic hepatitis B patients on telbivudine monotherapy were studied.

Accuracy of risk scores for patients with chronic hepatitis B receiving entecavir treatment.

Background & Aims: Little is known about the validity of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) risk scores derived from treatment-naïve patients with chronic hepatitis B for patients treated with entecavir.

Methods: We performed a retrospective-prospective cohort study of 1531 patients with chronic hepatitis B (age, 51 ± 12 years; 1099 male; 332 with clinical cirrhosis) who were treated with entecavir 0.5 mg daily for at least 12 months at Prince of Wales Hospital in Hong Kong from December 2005 to August 2012.

Entecavir treatment reduces hepatic events and deaths in chronic hepatitis B patients with liver cirrhosis.

Unlabelled: Entecavir is a potent antiviral agent with high genetic barrier to resistance, hence it is currently recommended as first-line antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis B (CHB). The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of entecavir on clinical outcomes and deaths. It was a retrospective-prospective cohort study based on two cohorts of patients.

Prediction of off-treatment response to lamivudine by serum hepatitis B surface antigen quantification in hepatitis B e antigen-negative patients.

Background: The timing of antiviral therapy cessation in hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative patients is controversial. Here, we aimed to investigate the role of HBV DNA and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) monitoring to predict off-treatment sustained response.

Methods: A total of 53 HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B patients who received lamivudine for 34 ±23 (range 12-76) months and had lamivudine stopped for 47 ±35 months were studied.

Hepatitis B virus infection and fatty liver in the general population.

Background & Aims: In animal studies, expression of hepatitis B virus (HBV) proteins causes hepatic steatosis. We aimed to study the prevalence of fatty liver in people with and without HBV infection in the general population.

Methods: We performed a cross-sectional population study in Hong Kong Chinese.

Antiviral drug resistance testing in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

Background: Antiviral drugs against hepatitis B virus are limited by the emergence of drug resistance.

Aims: We aimed to study the impact of drug resistance testing on treatment decisions.

Methods: In part 1 of this study, consecutive patients with chronic hepatitis B who had antiviral drug resistance testing were studied.

Viral determinants of hepatitis B surface antigen seroclearance in hepatitis B e antigen-negative chronic hepatitis B patients.

Background: We studied whether quantification of serum HBsAg and HBV DNA levels could predict spontaneous HBsAg clearance in patients with negative hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg).

Methods: Serum HBsAg and HBV DNA levels were measured at baseline among a longitudinal cohort of 103 HBeAg-negative patients recruited since 1997.

Results: Twelve (12%) patients developed HBsAg seroclearance after 88 ± 26 months (range, 21-139) of follow-up.

Entecavir treatment in patients with severe acute exacerbation of chronic hepatitis B.

Background & Aims: Severe acute exacerbation of chronic hepatitis B is a unique clinical presentation with significant morbidity and mortality. Lamivudine was used in most previous studies, but the drug was limited by the development of resistance. Our objective is to study the safety and efficacy of entecavir in patients with severe acute exacerbation.

A longitudinal study on the natural history of serum hepatitis B surface antigen changes in chronic hepatitis B.

Unlabelled: Serum hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) quantification has been suggested to reflect the concentration of covalently closed circular DNA in the liver. We aimed to investigate the HBsAg levels at different stages of chronic hepatitis B and the changes in HBsAg level during the natural progression of disease. One hundred seventeen untreated patients with chronic hepatitis B were studied with longitudinal follow-up for 99 ± 16 months.

Disease progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a prospective study with paired liver biopsies at 3 years.

Background: Patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) have increased mortality and liver-related complications. In contrast, simple steatosis is considered benign and non-progressive.

Objective: To investigate disease progression in patients with different degrees of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) activity.