Hepatobiliary scintigraphy and liver function changes in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma treated with Ho-radioembolization : HBS in HCC treated with holmium-166.

Background: To study the feasibility of hepatobiliary scintigraphy (HBS) to improve selection and planning of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with holmium-166 (Ho)-microspheres radioembolization.

Results: Thirty-one patients with HCC were included and treated with Ho- radioembolization as part of a prospective phase 2 study. Twenty-seven patients were eligible for analysis, 67% had a cirrhotic liver morphology on imaging, 70% had multifocal disease and 51% had bilobar disease.

Technical success and adverse event rates after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography using deep sedation with propofol.

Background: With the increasing complexity and prolonged duration of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) procedures, sedation shifted from conscious sedation with benzodiazepines to deep sedation with propofol. We assessed the technical success and adverse event rates of ERCP with deep versus conscious sedation.

Methods: Consecutive patients treated with ERCP in the University Medical Center Utrecht over a 7-year period (2010-2016) were screened for eligibility.

Holmium-166 radioembolisation dosimetry in HCC.

Purpose: To evaluate dosimetry, dose-response and dose-toxicity relationships for holmium-166 (Ho) radioembolisation in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: Thirty-one patients with hepatocellular carcinoma were included in the HEPAR Primary study (NCT03379844, registered on December 20th, 2017) and underwent Ho-microspheres radioembolisation. Linear mixed models assessed the association between tumour absorbed doses and response based on mRECIST both on tumour and patient level.

Addition of PEG-interferon to long-term nucleos(t)ide analogue therapy enhances HBsAg decline and clearance in HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B: Multicentre Randomized Trial (PAS Study).

We studied whether 48 weeks of PEG-IFN alfa-2a add-on increases HBsAg-decline and clearance in HBeAg-negative patients on long-term nucleo(s)tide analogue (NA) therapy. In this investigator-initiated, randomized, controlled trial conducted in Europe and Canada, HBeAg-negative patients treated with NA > 12 months, with HBVDNA < 200 IU/mL, were enrolled. Patients were randomized 2:1 to 48 weeks of PEG-IFN alfa-2a add-on (180 μg per week) or continued NA-monotherapy with subsequent follow-up to Week 72.

Health-related quality of life in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis: A longitudinal population-based cohort study.

Background & Aims: Data regarding health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) are sparse and have only been studied cross-sectionally in a disease which runs a fluctuating and unpredictable course. We aim to describe HRQoL longitudinally by using repeated measurements in a population-based cohort.

Methods: Every 3 months from May 2017 up to August 2020, patients received digital questionnaires at home.

Systematic review with meta-analysis: Branched-chain amino acid supplementation in liver disease.

Background: Dietary supplementation with branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) is often used in cirrhotic patients to improve nutritional status. We wanted to explore the evidence for BCAA supplementation in chronic liver disease.

Methods: We searched MEDLINE and EMBASE for studies with BCAA supplementation with the presence of a disease-control group (placebo or no intervention) using search terms 'liver cirrhosis', 'hepatocellular carcinoma', 'branched chain amino acids' and relevant synonyms.

Disease burden in primary sclerosing cholangitis in the Netherlands: A long-term follow-up study.

Background & Aims: Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a progressive, cholestatic liver disease which greatly impacts the lives of individuals. Burden of disease due to shortened life expectancy and impaired quality of life is ill-described. The aim of this study was to assess long-term disease burden in a large population-based registry with regard to survival, clinical course, quality adjusted life years (QALYs), medical consumption and work productivity loss.

Liver-related complications before and after successful treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus infection in people with inherited bleeding disorders.

Introduction: With availability of direct-acting antivirals (DAA), most persons with inherited bleeding disorders are currently cured of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. The risk of liver-related complications following HCV cure has not been reported for this population.

Aim: Reporting liver-related complications during long-term chronic HCV infection and following sustained virological response (SVR) in this population.

Nutritional status in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: Potential relevance for clinical outcome.

Background: Impaired nutritional status is a risk factor for unfavorable outcome in cirrhosis.

Methods: In this prospective cohort study in hepatocellular carcinoma patients referred for tumor-specific therapy, nutritional status was assessed before and 3 months post-treatment using 4 complementary tools: hand-grip strength (HGS), Liver Frailty Index (LFI), Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) and skeletal muscle index (L3-SMI). Uni- and multivariable analyses were performed using Kaplan Meier curves and Cox's regression analyses with correction for Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage, alpha-fetoprotein and age.

Safety and Efficacy of Ho Radioembolization in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: The HEPAR Primary Study.

The safety and efficacy of Ho radioembolization was first determined in the HEPAR and HEPAR II studies, which, however, excluded patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The aim of this prospective clinical early phase II study was to establish the toxicity profile of Ho radioembolization in patients with measurable, liver-dominant HCC; Barcelona clinic liver cancer stage B or C; a Child-Pugh score of no more than B7; and an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0-1 without curative treatment options. The primary endpoint was a rate of unacceptable toxicity defined as grade 3 hyperbilirubinemia (Common Terminology Cancer Adverse Events, version 4.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: identical etiologic factors in patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Aims: To compare NAFLD prevalence, distribution and its etiologic determinants in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, NAFLD was evaluated by transient elastography in adult outpatients with T1D and T2D. NAFLD was defined as hepatic steatosis with or without fibrosis.

Real-life data on the impact of successful downstaging in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: A Dutch Multicenter Study.

Patients with Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer intermediate stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) theoretically are an excellent group to consider downstaging using locoregional therapy (LRT) since they do not have extrahepatic spread or vascular invasion. Once successful, this can change the treatment strategy from palliative to curative intention. Although downstaging therapy is suggested in guidelines, it is still not widely accepted.

Should we continue surveillance for hepatocellular carcinoma and gastroesophageal varices in patients with cirrhosis and cured HCV infection?

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and variceal bleeding are among the most common causes of liver-related mortality in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV)-induced cirrhosis. Current guidelines recommend HCC and gastroesophageal varices (GEV) surveillance in patients with HCV infection and cirrhosis. However, since the recent introduction of direct-acting antivirals, most patients with cirrhosis are now cured of their chronic HCV infection.

Multiplying effects of COVID-19 lockdown on metabolic risk and fatty liver.

Background: Social containment measures imposed in Europe during the lockdown to face COVID-19 pandemic can generate long-term potential threats for metabolic health.

Methods: A cohort of 494 non-COVID-19 subjects living in 21 EU countries were interviewed by an anonymous questionnaire exploring anthropometric and lifestyle changes during 1-month lockdown. A subgroup of 41 overweight/obese Italian subjects with previously diagnosed nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFLD) joined the study following a 12-month follow-up period promoting weight loss by healthy lifestyle.

Viral hepatitis in haemophilia: historical perspective and current management.

The introduction of clotting factor concentrates has substantially improved the lives of people with clotting factor deficiencies. Unfortunately, the transmission of blood-borne viral infections through these plasma-derived products led to a huge epidemic of human immunodeficiency virus and viral hepatitis in people with haemophilia (PWH). In a significant proportion of PWH exposed to these viruses, the ensuing decades-long chronic infection resulted in excess morbidity and mortality.

Treatment for chronic hepatitis E virus infection: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Hepatitis E virus infection can cause chronic hepatitis in immunocompromised patients with significant chance of progressive fibrosis and possibly cirrhosis. The aim of this systematic review was to summarize the efficacy and safety of the various treatment options for chronic hepatitis E. We performed a systematic literature search.

Fibrates for Itch (FITCH) in Fibrosing Cholangiopathies: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Background And Aims: Pruritus may seriously impair quality of life in patients with cholestatic diseases such as primary or secondary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC, SSC) and primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). Pharmacologic strategies show limited efficacy and can provoke serious side effects. We hypothesized that bezafibrate, a broad peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) agonist, relieves cholestasis-associated itch by alleviating hepatobiliary injury.

Trends in incidence, diagnosis, treatment and survival of hepatocellular carcinoma in a low-incidence country: Data from the Netherlands in the period 2009-2016.

Objective: Evaluation of the trends in incidence, diagnostics, treatment and survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the Netherlands.

Method: Data regarding incidence, diagnostics, primary treatment and survival of patients with HCC in the period 2009-2016 were obtained from the Netherlands Cancer Registry. Trends in incidence, diagnostics, various treatment modalities (except liver transplantation, due to inaccurate data) and regional treatment preferences were analysed.