Glecaprevir is a substrate for organic anion-transporting polypeptide (OATP) 1B1/1B3, which transports bilirubin. Hyperbilirubinemia is an adverse event during anti-hepatitis C virus treatment with ...glecaprevir and pibrentasvir. Gadoxetic acid is also transported by OATP1B1/1B3, and we aimed to evaluate whether gadoxetic acid-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) imaging was associated with glecaprevir trough concentrations (C
). We further determined whether this was predictive of hyperbilirubinemia development in a cohort of 33 patients. The contrast enhancement index (CEI), a measure of hepatic enhancement effect on the hepatobiliary image, was assessed. Glecaprevir C
was determined 7 days after administration. Five of the 33 patients (15%) developed Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events grade ≥ 2 hyperbilirubinemia. We found a negative relationship between CEI and C
(r = - 0.726, p < 0.001). The partial correlation coefficient between CEI and C
was - 0.654 (p < 0.001), while excluding the effects of albumin, FIB-4 index, and indirect bilirubin at baseline. The C
was significantly higher in patients with hyperbilirubinemia than in those without (p = 0.008). In multivariate analysis, CEI ≤ 1.71 was an independent factor influencing the development of hyperbilirubinemia (p = 0.046). Our findings indicate that gadoxetic acid MR imaging can help predict glecaprevir concentration and development of hyperbilirubinemia.
Aim
Although the association of vitamin D with primary sarcopenia has been extensively investigated, its relationship with secondary sarcopenia in patients with liver disease remains unclear. This ...study aimed to identify factors associated with sarcopenia in patients with chronic liver disease with a focus on serum vitamin D levels.
Methods
The study included 204 patients with chronic liver disease. Independent factors significantly associated with sarcopenia were determined using multiple logistic regression analysis. The sarcopenia diagnosis was based on the sarcopenia criteria proposed by the Japan Society of Hepatology. Serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D3 (25OHD3) levels to represent serum vitamin D levels were measured using double‐antibody radioimmunoassay, and vitamin D deficiency was defined as a serum 25(OH)D3 level of ≤20 ng/mL.
Results
The prevalence of sarcopenia in the cirrhotic patients (28/76, 36.8%) was significantly higher than that in the non‐cirrhotic patients (18/128, 14.1%; P = 2.48 × 10−4). Sarcopenia was diagnosed in 44 (27.5%) of the 160 patients with vitamin D deficiency, and two (4.5%) of the 44 patients without vitamin D deficiency (P = 4.90 × 10−3). On multivariate analysis, advanced age (odds ratio 1.11; P = 2.10 × 10−4), low body mass index (odds ratio 1.42; p = 2.08 × 10−5), and low serum 25(OH)D3 level (odds ratio 1.13; p = 1.20 × 10−2) were significant, independent factors associated with sarcopenia. Serum 25(OH)D3 was positively correlated with grip strength and skeletal muscle mass index.
Conclusion
Sarcopenia complicated by chronic liver disease was associated with advanced age, low body mass index, and low serum 25(OH)D3 level.
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is related to subclinical atherosclerosis. However, whether the severity of the disease (or which histopathological component) is associated with ...subclinical atherosclerosis remains controversial. This study aimed to investigate the association between the histopathological severity of NAFLD and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in Japanese patients with liver biopsy-proven NAFLD. Maximum-CIMT (max-CIMT) was measured as an index of carotid atherosclerosis in 195 biopsy-proven NAFLD patients. A significant association was observed between the severity of fibrosis (but not steatosis, inflammation, and ballooning) and max-CIMT. Older age, male gender, hypertension, and advanced fibrosis were independently linked to max-CIMT ≥ 1.2 mm. The prevalence of max-CIMT ≥ 1.2 mm was significantly higher in the advanced fibrosis group than in the non-advanced fibrosis group (75.4% versus 44.0%;
p
< 0.01). Non-invasive liver fibrosis markers and scoring systems, including fibrosis-4 index, NAFLD fibrosis score, hyaluronic acid, and Wisteria floribunda agglutinin positive Mac-2-binding protein, demonstrated that the diagnostic performance for max-CIMT ≥ 1.2 mm was similar to that of biopsy-based fibrosis staging. In conclusion, advanced fibrosis is significantly and independently associated with high-risk CIMT. Non-invasive fibrosis markers and scoring systems could help estimate the risk of atherosclerosis progression in patients with NAFLD.
Background
Once-daily, orally administered, co-formulated glecaprevir (NS3/4A protease inhibitor) and pibrentasvir (NS5A inhibitor) (G/P) demonstrated pangenotypic activity and high sustained ...virologic response (SVR) rates in studies outside Japan. Here we report safety and efficacy in a subset of Japanese patients with chronic HCV infection who received G/P 300/120 mg in a phase 3, open-label, multicenter study (CERTAIN-1).
Methods
This analysis focuses on three difficult-to-treat subgroups: HCV GT1/2-infected patients who failed to achieve SVR after treatment with a direct acting antiviral (DAA)-containing regimen; GT1/2-infected patients with severe renal impairment (estimated glomerular filtration rate < 30 mL/min/1.73 m
2
); and GT3-infected patients. Patients in the renal impairment and GT3 cohorts were treatment-naive or interferon treatment-experienced. Noncirrhotic GT1/2-infected, DAA-naïve patients in the renal impairment cohort received G/P for 8 weeks; all other patients were treated for 12 weeks. Primary outcome was SVR (HCV RNA < 15 IU/mL) 12 weeks post-treatment (SVR
12
).
Results
The study enrolled 33 GT1/2-infected patients who failed previous DAA treatment (four with cirrhosis); 12 GT1/2-infected patients with severe renal impairment (two with cirrhosis); and 12 GT3-infected patients (two with cirrhosis). SVR
12
was achieved by 31/33 (93.9%), 12/12 (100%), and 10/12 (83.3%) patients, respectively. One serious adverse event (fluid overload, not related to G/P) occurred in a patient on chronic intermittent hemodialysis.
Conclusions
G/P achieved high SVR
12
rates and was well tolerated in three difficult-to-treat patient subgroups with limited treatment options in Japan (DAA-experienced patients, patients with severe renal impairment, and GT3-infected patients). These results support the potential suitability of this regimen for these special populations in Japan.
Summary
Background
Conversion from sorafenib to regorafenib is primarily an evidence-based treatment strategy in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study aimed to assess the ...safety and efficacy of sequential therapy with sorafenib and regorafenib in patients with advanced HCC by analysis of outcomes in clinical practice with the aim to complement phase III findings.
Methods
The medical records of patients with advanced HCC receiving regorafenib were retrieved to collect data on sorafenib administration at seven Japanese institutions. Radiological responses and adverse events were evaluated using the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1 and the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4.0, respectively.
Results
Before March 2018, 44 patients were administered regorafenib for advanced HCC. The median sorafenib treatment duration was 8.4 months. The most common adverse events were similar to those reported by the RESORCE trial. The median overall survival (OS) was 17.3 months (95% confidence interval CI 11.4–22.9), and 17 of 37 patients (45.9%) discontinued regorafenib and received sequential systemic therapy after regorafenib. These patients had significantly longer OS than those who were treated by the best supportive care or sub-optimal therapy (not reached versus 8.7 months 95% CI 5.8–11.7;
P
< 0.001).
Conclusion
The results based on Japanese clinical practices verified the tolerability of regorafenib in advanced HCC. Major regorafenib-associated adverse events were similar to those related to sorafenib. OS was significantly longer than expected, which might be associated with the sequential systemic therapies after regorafenib, mainly lenvatinib.
Background/Aim
Presently, there are no therapeutic options for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (u‐HCC) patients who are intolerant to sorafenib or regorafenib failure. There have been no ...reports with detailed clinical findings of lenvatinib (LEN), a newly developed first‐line tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), obtained in real‐world practice. We aimed to elucidate the therapeutic efficacy of LEN.
Materials/Methods
From March to August 2018, 105 u‐HCC patients were treated with LEN. Following exclusion of those who started with a reduced LEN dose and/or had a short observation period (<2 weeks), 77 patients (72.0 ± 8.9 years, 59 males, 8 mg/12 mg = 49/28, Liver Cancer Study Group of Japan 6th LCSGJ‐TNM stage II/III/IVa/IVb = 8/28/4/37, and American Joint Committee on Cancer/Union for International Cancer Control 8th AJCC/UICC‐TNM stage IB:II:IIIA:IIIB:IVA:IVB = 2:27:6:5:9:28) were divided into two groups (TKI naïve n = 33 and TKI experienced n = 44, including 11 with regorafenib history). Therapeutic response was evaluated using mRECIST. Clinical data were retrospectively evaluated.
Results
There were significant differences in age (74.6 ± 11.2 vs 70.0 ± 5.9 years, P = 0.040), LCSGJ‐TNM (II:III:IVa:IVb = 8:12:1:12 vs 0:16:3:25, P = 0.006), and AJCC/UICC‐TNM (IB:II:IIIA:IIIB:IVA:IVB = 2:17:1:1:4:8 vs 0:10:5:4:5:20, P = 0.028), while hepatic reserve function, adverse event (AE) profiles, and progression‐free survival (89.7%/80.4% vs 90.5%/80.1%, P = 0.499) and overall survival (96.7%/96.7% vs 100%/92.3%, P = 0.769) after 4 and 12 weeks were not significantly different between the TKI‐naïve and TKI‐experienced groups. Overall response rate and disease control rate at 4 weeks (n = 52) were 38.5% and 80.8%, respectively, and 32.4% and 70.3%, respectively, at 12 weeks (n = 37). A significant decline in log10 AFP from the baseline to 4 weeks after introducing LEN was observed in patients with PR and SD (2.047 ± 1.148 vs 1.796 ± 1.179, P < 0.001).
Conclusion
Regardless of past TKI therapy, therapeutic response and AEs after introducing LEN were similar. LEN may be an important treatment for the present unmet need regarding TKI treatment against u‐HCC.
Presently, there are no therapeutic options for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (u‐HCC) patients who are intolerant to sorafenib or regorafenib failure, and there have been no reports with detailed clinical findings of lenvatinib (LEN), a newly developed first‐line tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), obtained in real‐world practice. Regardless of past TKI therapy, therapeutic response and adverse events after introducing LEN were similar. LEN may be an important treatment for the present unmet need regarding TKI treatment for u‐HCC.
Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection can progress to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Interferon-based treatment was previously the only antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis C ...infection; however, development of interferon-free, direct-acting antivirals, in 2014, markedly improved treatment efficacy and safety. Treatment indications were expanded to include elderly adults, patients with advanced liver fibrosis, and patients with chronic hepatitis C infection complicated by chronic kidney disease, for whom antiviral therapy had been difficult or contraindicated. The median age of patients with chronic HCV infection in Japan is 70 years, older than in other countries. Because diminished renal function is common in elderly adults, a safe and effective treatment for chronic hepatitis C complicated by chronic kidney disease has been expected in Japan. In addition, the HCV antibody-positive rate is higher in hemodialysis patients than in non-hemodialysis patients in Japan. Numerous studies have reported that direct-acting antivirals are safe and effective for hepatitis C patients on hemodialysis. This review summarizes treatments available in Japanese clinical practice for patients with chronic HCV infection complicated by chronic kidney disease, including hemodialysis patients.
Background
NAFLD is increasing in Asia including Japan, despite its lower obesity rate than the West. However, NAFLD can occur in lean people, but data are limited. We aimed to investigate the ...epidemiology of NAFLD in Japan with a focus on lean NAFLD.
Methods
We searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Web of Science, and the Japan Medical Abstracts Society (inception to 5/15/2019) and included 73 eligible full-text original research studies (
n
= 258,531). We used random-effects model for pooled estimates, Bayesian modeling for trend and forecasting, contacted authors for individual patient data and analyzed 14,887 (7752 NAFLD; 7135 non-NAFLD—8 studies) patients.
Results
The overall NAFLD prevalence was 25.5%, higher in males (
p
< 0.001), varied by regions (
p
< 0.001), and increased over time (
p
= 0.015), but not by per-person income or gross prefectural productivity, which increased by 0.64% per year (1983–2012) and is forecasted to reach 39.3% in 2030 and 44.8% in 2040. The incidence of NAFLD, HCC, and overall mortality were 23.5, 7.6 and 5.9 per 1000 person-years, respectively. Individual patient-level data showed a lean NAFLD prevalence of 20.7% among the NAFLD population, with lean NAFLD persons being older and with a higher all-cause mortality rate (8.3 vs. 5.6 per 1000 person-years for non-lean NAFLD,
p
= 0.02). Older age, male sex, diabetes, and FIB-4 were independent predictors of mortality, but not lean NAFLD.
Conclusion
NAFLD prevalence has increased in Japan and may affect half of the population by 2040. Lean NAFLD individuals makeup 20% of the NAFLD population, were older, and had higher mortality.
Sarcopenia frequently and progressively occurs in patients with chronic liver disease. This study aimed to clarify the relationship between vitamin D levels and muscle mass loss. A total of 166 ...patients with chronic liver disease were enrolled in this study. Skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) was measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis at baseline and after 1 year. The rate of change in SMI from baseline after 1 year was calculated: ΔSMI (%) = (1-year SMI - baseline SMI) / baseline SMI × 100. Muscle mass loss was defined as ΔSMI ≤ -2%. The median 25-hydroxyvitamin D was 15.2 (11.2-19.3) ng/mL. The median SMI were 6.8 (5.9-7.8) kg/m2 at baseline and 6.7 (5.9-7.6) kg/m2 after 1 year. The median ΔSMI was -1.23% (-2.21% to 1.61%). Multivariate analysis identified low 25-hydroxyvitamin D as an independent factor associated with muscle mass loss. The optimal cut-off value of 25-hydroxyvitamin D to predict muscle mass loss was 12.7 ng/mL. Muscle mass loss was found in 56.4% v.s. 18.0% of patients with 25-hydroxyvitamin D < 12.7 vs. ≥ 12.7 ng/mL, respectively (p = 9.01 × 10-7); with the highest incidence in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Specifically, patients with NAFLD and 25-hydroxyvitamin D < 12.7 ng/mL had a significantly higher incidence of muscle mass loss than those with ≥ 12.7 ng/mL (p = 1.23 × 10-3). Low vitamin D levels are associated with muscle mass loss after 1 year in patients with chronic liver disease, especially NAFLD.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
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