Prediction of Clinical Trajectory in HCV-Related ACLD after SVR: Role of Liver Stiffness in a 5-Years Prospective Study.

The prediction of liver-related events (LRE) after sustained virological response (SVR) in HCV-advanced chronic liver disease (ACLD) patients is crucial. We aimed to evaluate incidence and risk factors of LRE in HCV-cirrhotic patients after SVR and to assess dynamic changes of liver stiffness in participants without LRE at the end of follow-up. We enrolled 575 consecutive patients with HCV-ACLD treated with DAAs and followed up for 5 years after SVR12.

COVID-19 emergency: Changes in quality of life perception in patients with chronic liver disease-An Italian single-centre study.

Background: In December 2019, the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) emerged and rapidly spread worldwide, becoming a global health threat and having a tremendous impact on the quality of life (QOL) of individuals.

Aim: To evaluate the awareness of patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) regarding the COVID-19 emergency and how it impacted on their QOL.

Methods: Patients with an established diagnosis of CLD (cirrhosis, autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cholangitis, and primary sclerosing cholangitis) who had been evaluated at our Outpatient Liver Disease Clinic during the 6-mo period preceding the start of Italian lockdown (March 8, 2020) were enrolled.

Risk Factors for Liver Decompensation and HCC in HCV-Cirrhotic Patients after DAAs: A Multicenter Prospective Study.

Background: Prospective studies on predictors of liver-related events in cirrhotic subjects achieving SVR after DAAs are lacking.

Methods: We prospectively enrolled HCV cirrhotic patients in four Italian centers between November 2015 and October 2017. SVR and no-SVR cases were compared according to the presence or absence of liver-related events during a 24-month follow-up.

Hepatocellular Carcinoma Drug-Eluting Bead Transarterial Chemoembolization (DEB-TACE): Outcome Analysis Using a Model Based On Pre-Treatment CT Texture Features.

(1) Introduction and Aim: The aim of this study is to investigate the prognostic value, in terms of response and survival, of CT-based radiomics features for patients with HCC undergoing drug-eluting beads transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE). (2) Materials and Methods: Pre-treatment CT examinations of 50 patients with HCC, treated with DEB-TACE were manually segmented to obtain the tumor volumetric region of interest, extracting radiomics features with TexRAD. Response to therapy evaluation was performed basing on post-procedural CT examination compared to pre-procedural CT, using modified RECIST criteria for HCC.

Sustained virological response in patients with HCV treated with daclatasvir plus sofosbuvir, with or without ribavirin: a large, field-practice study.

Background: The once-daily oral combination of daclatasvir (DCV) and sofosbuvir (SOF), with or without ribavirin (RBV), is effective and well tolerated in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV). However, further field-practice studies are necessary to investigate the effectiveness and safety of the DCV+SOF combination in diverse subpopulations of patients with HCV, including those who are more challenging to treat such as patients with a genotype 3 (G3) infection. The aim of this retrospective, multicenter, field-practice study was to investigate the therapeutic efficacy and safety of the oral combination of DCV and SOF, with or without RBV (DCV+SOF±RBV), in a large unselected cohort of patients with chronic HCV infection (CHC).

Prevalence of Hepatitis B Virus Markers in Patients with Autoimmune Inflammatory Rheumatic Diseases in Italy.

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection may be reactivated by immunosuppressive drugs in patients with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases. This study evaluates HBV serum markers' prevalence in rheumatic outpatients belonging to Spondyloarthritis, Chronic Arthritis and Connective Tissue Disease diagnostic groups in Italy. The study enrolled 302 subjects, sex ratio (M/F) 0.

Hematological Malignancies and HBV Reactivation Risk: Suggestions for Clinical Management.

It is well known that hepatitis B virus reactivation (HBVr) can occur among patients undergoing treatment for hematological malignancies (HM). The evaluation of HBVr risk in patients undergoing immunosuppressive treatments is a multidimensional process, which includes conducting an accurate clinical history and physical examination, consideration of the virological categories, of the medication chosen to treat these hematological malignancies and the degree of immunosuppression induced. Once the risk of reactivation has been defined, it is crucial to adopt adequate management strategies (should reactivation occur).

Daclatasvir, sofosbuvir with or without ribavirin for 24 weeks in hepatitis C genotype 3 cirrhosis: A real-life study.

Introduction And Aim: Cirrhotic patients with hepatitis C virus genotype 3 infection show unsatisfactory outcomes after 12 weeks' treatment with direct antiviral agents. The National Italian Drug Agency allows 24 weeks of therapy in difficult-to-treat patients, including genotype 3 cirrhotics. Aim of this study was to evaluate efficacy and safety of a 24-week course of sofosbuvir plus daclatasvir±ribavirin in this population.

Sarcopenia is associated with reduced survival in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing sorafenib treatment.

Background: Sarcopenia has been associated with poor outcomes in patients with cirrhosis and solid tumours.

Objective: Analyse the influence of sarcopenia on survival and treatment duration in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with sorafenib.

Methods: We conducted a multicentre, retrospective study on 96 patients with advanced HCC treated with sorafenib, all with available abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan within 30 days from treatment start.

Lean body mass wasting and toxicity in early breast cancer patients receiving anthracyclines.

Background: Sarcopenia refers to the reduction of both volume and number of skeletal muscle fibers. Lean body mass loss is associated with survival, quality of life and tolerance to treatment in cancer patients. The aim of our study is to analyse the association between toxicities and sarcopenia in early breast cancer patients receiving adjuvant treatment.

Hepatitis B in patients with hematological diseases: An update.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation (HBVr) in patients undergoing immunosuppressive therapy is still a hot topic worldwide. Its prevention and management still represents a challenge for specialists dealing with immunosuppressed patients. Aim of this paper is to provide a critical review of the relevant information emerged in the recent literature regarding HBV reactivation following immunosuppressive treatments for oncohematological tumors.

Non-Hypervascular Hypointense Nodules at Gadoxetic Acid MRI: Hepatocellular Carcinoma Risk Assessment with Emphasis on the Role of Diffusion-Weighted Imaging.

Introduction And Aim: In cirrhotic patients, the characterization of hypovascular nodules, hypointense on hepatobiliary phase gadoxetic acid disodium-enhanced magnetic resonance images (Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI), is essential to look for the proper approach strategy. Our objective was to evaluate the imaging features and risk assessment of hypovascular nodules, hypointense on Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI, focusing on the diagnostic value of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI).

Material And Methods: This prospective study includes 35 patients with 50 hypovascular hypointense nodules.

Sarcopenia predicts reduced survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma at first diagnosis.

Unlabelled:  Background. Sarcopenia is a complication and independent risk factor for mortality in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Aim: To assess the prevalence and influence of sarcopenia on overall survival in a cohort of cirrhotic patients with hepatocellular carcinoma managed in a tertiary center.

Comparison of diffusion-weighted imaging and gadoxetic acid-enhanced MR images in the evaluation of hepatocellular carcinoma and hypovascular hepatocellular nodules.

Purpose: To compare diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the evaluation of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and nodules at high risk of HCC transformation.

Materials And Methods: We evaluated nodules' size, vascular pattern, and signal intensity on hepatobiliary phase images and on DWI of 105 nodules (41 cirrhotic patients).

Results: A total of 35/66 HCCs identified on Gd-EOB-DTPA MRI showed hyperintensity on DWI.

Liver biopsy: Analysis of results of two specialist teams.

Aim: To analyze the safety and the adequacy of a sample of liver biopsies (LB) obtained by gastroenterologist (G) and interventional radiologist (IR) teams.

Methods: Medical records of consecutive patients evaluated at our GI unit from 01/01/2004 to 31/12/2010 for whom LB was considered necessary to diagnose and/or stage liver disease, both in the setting of day hospital and regular admission (RA) care, were retrieved and the data entered in a database. Patients were divided into two groups: one undergoing an ultrasonography (US)-assisted procedure by the G team and one undergoing US-guided biopsy by the IR team.

Perception of hepatitis B virus infection reactivation-related issues among specialists managing hematologic malignancies: result of an Italian survey.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation strongly affects the practice of physicians dealing with hematological malignancies. In this respect, in collaboration with the Italian Lymphoma Foundation we developed a descriptive study of the real-life approach of physicians caring for patients with these diseases. A questionnaire was designed to explore the perception of HBV reactivation-related issues.

'Les liaisons dangereuses': Hepatitis C, Rituximab and B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphomas.

Rituximab has provided a revolutionary contribution to the treatment of B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL). A high prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has been described in B-cell NHL patients. Cases of liver dysfunction in HCV-positive patients have been reported with Rituximab-containing regimens.

HCV infection, B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and immunochemotherapy: Evidence and open questions.

There is plenty of data confirming that hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a predisposing factor for a B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (B-NHL) outbreak, while relatively few reports have addressed the role of HCV in affecting B-NHL patients' outcome. HCV infection may influence the short-term outcome of B-NHL because of the emergence of severe hepatic toxicity (HT) during immunochemotherapy. Furthermore, the long term outcome of HCV-related liver disease and patients' quality of life will possibly be affected by Rituximab maintenance, multiple-lines of toxicity during chemotherapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Patients with hematological malignancies and serological signs of prior resolved hepatitis B.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection affects a large part of the world population. Within the different virological HBV categories that have been identified, patients with occult HBV infection represent a peculiar group. These individuals harbor a replication competent virus, inhibited in its replicative function.

Effectiveness of entecavir in the management of acute hepatitis B developing in a patient with Hodgkin's lymphoma: a case report.

We describe a case of severe acute hepatitis B developing in a patient with Hodgkin's lymphoma after chemotherapy and before radiotherapy. Entecavir was administered leading to virological and biochemical response, which allowed the scheduled treatment to be completed. The patient had complete haematological remission and made a complete recovery from hepatitis B.

Use and safety perception of herbal remedies in patients with liver/biliary tract disorders: an Italian study.

Background: Use of herbal remedies (HR) has increased in the general population, particularly among patients with chronic diseases. Marketing of HR is usually regulated by imperfect standards, and the reporting of HR-related adverse reactions has increased. Studies assessing prevalence of HR use among patients with liver/biliary tract disorders are limited and no data are available in Italy.

HCV-positive status and hepatitis flares in patients with B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma treated with rituximab-containing regimens.

Background: Rituximab has provided a revolutionary contribution to the treatment of B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL). A high prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has been described in B-cell NHL patients. Cases of liver dysfunction in HCV-positive patients have been reported with rituximab-containing regimens.

Glucocorticoids and antivirals for HBV reactivation in onco-hematologic patients.

Patients with inactive or occult hepatitis B virus infection and onco-hematological malignancies are at risk of hepatitis flare, hepatic failure and death due to chemotherapy-mediated reactivation. Nucleot(s)ide analogues can reduce reactivation risks and/or hepatitis. However, immuno-mediated phenomena combine to determine liver damage and clinical outcome.