Hepatocellular cancer is the 5th most common cancer in the world and the third cause of death by malignant disease. Locoregional therapies are the most usual treatment of choice for patients with early or intermediate...Hepatocellular cancer is the 5th most common cancer in the world and the third cause of death by malignant disease. Locoregional therapies are the most usual treatment of choice for patients with early or intermediate stage of disease. The main diagnostictools for the detection of recurrence are the radiological techniques such as 4-phase computed tomography or dynamic contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging. However, in order to achieve best evaluation of treatment outcome and recurrence rates, there is a great need for the identification of specific and easily measured circulating biomarkers. The aim of this review is to analyze the existing data considering the prognostic significance of changes of serum diagnostic markers such as alpha-fetoprotein, des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin, alpha-fetoprotein-L3, angiogenetic factors(vascular endothelial growth factor, hypoxia inducible factor-1a) and immune parameters before and after radiofrequency ablation or transarterial chemoembolization.展开更多
The association of chronic hepatitis C with immune related syndromes has been frequently reported.There is a great range of clinical manifestations affecting various systems and organs such as the skin,the kidneys,the...The association of chronic hepatitis C with immune related syndromes has been frequently reported.There is a great range of clinical manifestations affecting various systems and organs such as the skin,the kidneys,the central and peripheral nervous system,the musculoskeletal system and the endocrine glands.Despite the high prevalence of immune related syndromes in patients with chronic hepatitis C,the exact pathogenesis is not always clear.They have been often associated with mixed cryoglobulinemia,a common finding in chronic hepatitis C,cross reaction with viral antigens,or the direct effect of virus on the affected tissues.The aim of this review is to analyze the reported hepatitis C virus immune mediated syndromes,their prevalence and clinical manifestations and to discuss the most supported theories regarding their pathogenesis.展开更多
BACKGROUND Increased gut permeability and bacterial translocation play an important role in liver cirrhosis.Zonulin is a recently recognized protein involved in the disintegration of the intestinal barrier.AIM To inve...BACKGROUND Increased gut permeability and bacterial translocation play an important role in liver cirrhosis.Zonulin is a recently recognized protein involved in the disintegration of the intestinal barrier.AIM To investigate possible differences in serum zonulin levels among patients with different cirrhosis stages and their potential prognostic implications.METHODS Consecutive cirrhotic patients who attended our liver clinic were included in the study.Serum zonulin levels,clinical,radiological and biochemical data were collected at baseline.Patients who accepted participation in a regular surveillance program were followed-up for at least 12 mo.RESULTS We enrolled 116 cirrhotics[mean Child-Turcotte-Pugh(CTP)score:6.2±1.6;model for end-stage liver disease score:11±3.9].The causes of cirrhosis were viral hepatitis(39%),alcohol(30%),non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(17%),and other(14%).At baseline,53% had decompensated cirrhosis,48% had ascites,and 32% had history of hepatic encephalopathy.Mean zonulin levels were significantly higher in patients with CTP-B class than CTP-A class(4.2±2.4 ng/dL vs 3.5±0.9 ng/dL,P=0.038),with than without ascites(P=0.006),and with than without history of encephalopathy(P=0.011).Baseline serum zonulin levels were independently associated with the probability of decompensation at 1 year(P=0.039),with an area under the receiving operating characteristic of 0.723 for predicting hepatic decompensation.Higher CTP score(P=0.021)and portal vein diameter(P=0.022)were independent predictors of mortality.CONCLUSION Serum zonulin levels are higher in patients with more advanced chronic liver disease and have significant prognostic value in identifying patients who will develop decompensation.展开更多
Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)accounts for approximately 90%of primary liver cancers and represents a major global health problem.The main risk factors responsible for the development of HCC are chronic viral infection...Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)accounts for approximately 90%of primary liver cancers and represents a major global health problem.The main risk factors responsible for the development of HCC are chronic viral infections,non-alcoholic fatty liver disease,and alcohol-related liver disease,with wide geographical distribution.1 HCC development and growth involve multiple factors and pathways that lead to changes in gene expression,immune interactions and changes in the tumor microenvironment.In recent years,much progress has been made in understanding the mechanisms underlying tumor-immune system interactions and immunotherapy has been successfully applied to many tumors.Moreover,cancer-specific immune prognostic signatures have been evaluated in order to predict prognosis and response.展开更多
文摘Hepatocellular cancer is the 5th most common cancer in the world and the third cause of death by malignant disease. Locoregional therapies are the most usual treatment of choice for patients with early or intermediate stage of disease. The main diagnostictools for the detection of recurrence are the radiological techniques such as 4-phase computed tomography or dynamic contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging. However, in order to achieve best evaluation of treatment outcome and recurrence rates, there is a great need for the identification of specific and easily measured circulating biomarkers. The aim of this review is to analyze the existing data considering the prognostic significance of changes of serum diagnostic markers such as alpha-fetoprotein, des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin, alpha-fetoprotein-L3, angiogenetic factors(vascular endothelial growth factor, hypoxia inducible factor-1a) and immune parameters before and after radiofrequency ablation or transarterial chemoembolization.
文摘The association of chronic hepatitis C with immune related syndromes has been frequently reported.There is a great range of clinical manifestations affecting various systems and organs such as the skin,the kidneys,the central and peripheral nervous system,the musculoskeletal system and the endocrine glands.Despite the high prevalence of immune related syndromes in patients with chronic hepatitis C,the exact pathogenesis is not always clear.They have been often associated with mixed cryoglobulinemia,a common finding in chronic hepatitis C,cross reaction with viral antigens,or the direct effect of virus on the affected tissues.The aim of this review is to analyze the reported hepatitis C virus immune mediated syndromes,their prevalence and clinical manifestations and to discuss the most supported theories regarding their pathogenesis.
文摘BACKGROUND Increased gut permeability and bacterial translocation play an important role in liver cirrhosis.Zonulin is a recently recognized protein involved in the disintegration of the intestinal barrier.AIM To investigate possible differences in serum zonulin levels among patients with different cirrhosis stages and their potential prognostic implications.METHODS Consecutive cirrhotic patients who attended our liver clinic were included in the study.Serum zonulin levels,clinical,radiological and biochemical data were collected at baseline.Patients who accepted participation in a regular surveillance program were followed-up for at least 12 mo.RESULTS We enrolled 116 cirrhotics[mean Child-Turcotte-Pugh(CTP)score:6.2±1.6;model for end-stage liver disease score:11±3.9].The causes of cirrhosis were viral hepatitis(39%),alcohol(30%),non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(17%),and other(14%).At baseline,53% had decompensated cirrhosis,48% had ascites,and 32% had history of hepatic encephalopathy.Mean zonulin levels were significantly higher in patients with CTP-B class than CTP-A class(4.2±2.4 ng/dL vs 3.5±0.9 ng/dL,P=0.038),with than without ascites(P=0.006),and with than without history of encephalopathy(P=0.011).Baseline serum zonulin levels were independently associated with the probability of decompensation at 1 year(P=0.039),with an area under the receiving operating characteristic of 0.723 for predicting hepatic decompensation.Higher CTP score(P=0.021)and portal vein diameter(P=0.022)were independent predictors of mortality.CONCLUSION Serum zonulin levels are higher in patients with more advanced chronic liver disease and have significant prognostic value in identifying patients who will develop decompensation.
文摘Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)accounts for approximately 90%of primary liver cancers and represents a major global health problem.The main risk factors responsible for the development of HCC are chronic viral infections,non-alcoholic fatty liver disease,and alcohol-related liver disease,with wide geographical distribution.1 HCC development and growth involve multiple factors and pathways that lead to changes in gene expression,immune interactions and changes in the tumor microenvironment.In recent years,much progress has been made in understanding the mechanisms underlying tumor-immune system interactions and immunotherapy has been successfully applied to many tumors.Moreover,cancer-specific immune prognostic signatures have been evaluated in order to predict prognosis and response.
