Efficacy and safety study of cenicriviroc for the treatment of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in adult subjects with liver fibrosis: CENTAUR Phase 2b study design.

Background: Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is often accompanied by liver fibrosis, which can progress to cirrhosis; C-C chemokine receptors type 2 and 5 (CCR2/CCR5), which mediate interactions driving inflammation and fibrosis, are promising treatment targets. Cenicriviroc (CVC), a dual-CCR2/CCR5 antagonist, has potent anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic activity in animal models; in HIV-positive subjects it reduced soluble CD14 levels, aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet count ratio index, and non-invasive hepatic fibrosis risk scores; favorable tolerability was demonstrated in ~600 subjects. Efficacy and safety of CVC 150 mg for treating NASH with liver fibrosis are being evaluated over 2 years (primary endpoint at Year 1 [Y1]).

Predictors of all-cause mortality and liver-related mortality in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Aim: Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) patients are at increased risk for progression to cirrhosis. The aim of this study was to assess all-cause and liver-specific mortality in a cohort of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients.

Methods: Biopsy-proven NAFLD patients with and without NASH from two historic databases were included.

Insurance status and treatment candidacy of hepatitis C patients: analysis of population-based data from the United States.

Unlabelled: Successful treatment with antiviral therapy could potentially reduce morbidity and mortality in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. However, at the population level, these benefits may be offset by a limited number of patients who have access to antiviral treatment. Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted in 2005-2008, we analyzed the health insurance status and treatment candidacy of HCV-positive (HCV+) individuals.

Treatment options for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become increasingly recognized as the most common cause of abnormal liver enzymes in the last few decades and is among the most common forms of chronic liver disease in the Western world and across the globe. With the growing epidemic of obesity and diabetes, NAFLD is estimated to affect about one-quarter of the US population. Although most patients with NAFLD have nonprogressive bland steatosis, a minority of patients develop the histological subtype of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which may progress to cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and liver-related death.

Components of metabolic syndrome are independent predictors of mortality in patients with chronic liver disease: a population-based study.

Objective: Chronic liver disease (CLD) is a major cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. The aim of this study was to assess the overall and liver-related mortality and their predictors in patients with CLD using population data.

Methods: The Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) and linked mortality data were utilised.

Hepatitis C virus infection, age, and Hispanic ethnicity increase mortality from liver cancer in the United States.

Background & Aims: We performed a population-based study to assess factors that are associated independently with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)-related mortality.

Methods: We evaluated clinicodemographic, laboratory, and mortality data collected from 15,866 individuals in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 1988 to 1994. The etiology of chronic liver disease was determined using serologic tests to measure hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA, hepatitis B surface antigen, and iron; excessive alcohol consumption and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) were determined.

Clinical predictors of fibrosis in patients with chronic liver disease.

Background: Patients with chronic liver disease and components of metabolic syndrome may be at higher risk for fibrosis.

Aim: To assess the impact of clinicodemographic factors on hepatic fibrosis in CLD.

Methods: Of 1028 chronic liver disease patients, 964 were included in the analysis.

Hepatic gene expression of Caucasian and African-American patients with obesity-related non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Background/aim: There is increasing data suggesting that African Americans with NAFLD tend to have less progressive liver disease. The aim of this study is to assess differences in the hepatic gene expression of African-American and Caucasian patients with NAFLD who had undergone bariatric surgery.

Methods: A total of 94 patients (81 NAFLD and 13 weight-matched controls with normal liver biopsy) were included.

Treatment regimens for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

With the growing epidemic of obesity and diabetes, more attention has been placed on metabolic syndrome and its associated hepatic manifestation, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Within the spectrum of clinico-pathologic conditions known as NAFLD, only a minority of patients has the histological features characteristic of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which has the potential to progress to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Therefore, diagnosis and therapy should target patients with NASH.

Gene expression profile associated with superimposed non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and hepatic fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Background: Hepatic steatosis occurs in 40-70% of patients chronically infected with hepatitis C virus [chronic hepatitis C (CH-C)]. Hepatic steatosis in CH-C is associated with progressive liver disease and a low response rate to antiviral therapy.

Aim: Gene expression profiles were examined in CH-C patients with and without hepatic steatosis, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and fibrosis.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a practical approach to evaluation and management.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become one of the most common forms of chronic liver disease in the Western world. The rise in NAFLD is thought to be associated with the prevalence of metabolic syndrome. NASH is a subtype of NAFLD that may progress to cirrhosis and end stage liver disease.

Early gene expression profiles of patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with pegylated interferon-alfa and ribavirin.

Unlabelled: Responsiveness to hepatitis C virus (HCV) therapy depends on viral and host factors. Our aim was to assess sustained virologic response (SVR)-associated early gene expression in patients with HCV receiving pegylated interferon-alpha2a (PEG-IFN-alpha2a) or PEG-IFN-alpha2b and ribavirin with the duration based on genotypes. Blood samples were collected into PAXgene tubes prior to treatment as well as 1, 7, 28, and 56 days after treatment.

Interaction of metabolic syndrome, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and chronic hepatitis C.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become one of the most prevalent liver diseases in the Western world. NAFLD represents a wide spectrum of histologic subgroups, with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis as the most aggressive form. The risk of developing NAFLD is strongly associated with metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance.

Current treatment strategies for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is recognized as the most common cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. NAFLD is a clinicopathologic syndrome ranging from simple steatosis, which is relatively benign, to the more severe form known as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which may progress to cirrhosis, liver failure, and hepatocellular carcinoma. NAFLD is associated with significant liver related morbidity and mortality, and its underlying pathophysiology is thought to result from a multiple hit process.

Pathologic assessment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) represents one of the most common forms of liver disease and is considered the hepatic manifestation of the metabolic syndrome. Within the NAFLD spectrum, simple steatosis is considered benign, whereas non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) may progress to cirrhosis. The distinction can be made only by liver biopsy.

Impact of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease on chronic hepatitis B.

Background: The impact of superimposed non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is well established in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CH-C), but the impact in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CH-B) is less clear.

Aim: This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of NAFLD in patients with CH-B and the association with viral and host factors, particularly in patients with metabolic syndrome (MS).

Design: Data from patients with CH-B was obtained from our databases.

Fatigue and health-related quality of life (HRQL) in chronic hepatitis C virus infection.

In addition to chronic hepatitis, many individuals infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) suffer from fatigue, which may compromise their health-related quality of life (HRQL). To assess systematically health-related quality of life (HRQL) in patients with chronic hepatitis C and to determine if any clinical, biochemical, virologic, demographic, and histologic features are associated with HRQL status. In this cross-sectional observational study, one hundred thirty patients with chronic HCV infection (HCV RNA positive by PCR) and 61 healthy controls were enrolled from a tertiary care teaching medical center.

The use of growth factors to manage the hematologic side effects of PEG-interferon alfa and ribavirin.

Hematologic side effects (anemia, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia) of combination therapy with pegylated (PEG)-interferon alfa and ribavirin are commonly encountered during antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis C (HCV). An important consequence of these side effects is dose modification of PEG-interferon alfa, ribavirin, or both. Dose modification (including discontinuation) diminishes the efficacy of optimal treatment regimen for HCV and may have a negative impact on sustained virologic response.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and the epidemic of obesity.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is common in patients with the metabolic syndrome, and it is expected to become more common in countries where obesity, one of the components of the metabolic syndrome, is increasing.

Obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in chronic hepatitis C.

Background: Superimposed non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) may affect HCV-related fibrosis. We performed a study to determine the relationship between NAFLD and chronic hepatitis C.

Methods: One hundred and twenty patients with chronic hepatitis C and available liver biopsies were included.

Risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with cirrhosis.

Recent research suggests an increase in the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the United States, which may be related to an upsurge in the sequelae of chronic liver disease from hepatitis C virus. In addition to factors related to the underlying etiology of liver disease, a number of host factors such as age, gender, and ethnic background may be associated with this increased risk. The aim of this study was to evaluate a number of potential risk factors for HCC in patients with cirrhosis.