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. Accordingly, cases of reactivations have been observed in immunosuppressed individuals who lose immunological control over the infection. Patients with hematological malignancies (HM) are treated with intense myeloand immunosuppres-sive chemotherapy regimens which favor HBV reactivation. This event can have severe consequences, such as hepatitis flare, hepatic failure and even death. In addition, it can lead to delays or interruptions of curative treatments, resulting in a decreased disease free and overall survival. In this review, we will examine the event of HBV reactivation in patients with signs of resolved HBV infection undergoing treatment for HM and propose possible management strategies.

Impact of sarcopenia on tumor response and survival outcomes in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma treated by trans-arterial (chemo)-embolization

BACKGROUND At the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC),more than 90%of HCC patients present cirrhosis,a clinical condition often associated to malnutrition.Sarcopenia is an indirect marker of malnutrition assessable on computed tomography(CT).AIM To evaluate the prognostic value of sarcopenia in patients with HCC treated by trans-arterial(chemo)-embolization.METHODS Patients with HCC treated by a first session of trans-arterial(chemo)embolization and an available CT scan before treatment were included.Sarcopenia was assessed using skeletal muscle index at baseline and at the first radiological assessment.Radiological response was recorded after the first session of treatment using mRECIST.RESULTS Of 225 patients treated by trans-arterial bland embolization(n=71)or trans-arterial chemoembolization(n=154)for HCC between 2007 and 2013,Barcelona Clinic of Liver Cancer stage was A,B,and C in 27.5%,55%,and 16.8%of cases,respectively.Sarcopenia was present in 57.7%of the patients.Patients with sarcopenia presented a higher rate of progressive disease(19%vs 8%,P=0.0236),a shorter progression-free survival(8.3 vs 13.2 mo,P=0.0035),and a shorter median overall survival(19.4 mo vs 35.5 mo,P=0.0149)compared with non-sarcopenic patients.Finally,patients whose sarcopenia appeared after first transarterial treatment had the worst prognosis(P=0.0004).CONCLUSION Sarcopenia is associated with tumor progression and poor survival outcomes after trans-arterial(chemo)-embolization for HCC.

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. In this review, data dealing with aggressive and low-grade B-NHL were separately analyzed. The few retrospective papers reporting on aggressive B-NHL patients showed that HCV infection is a risk factor for the outbreak of severe HT during treatment. This adverse event not infrequently leads to the reduction of treatment density and intensity. Existing papers report that low-grade B-NHL patients with HCV infection may have a more widespread disease, more frequent relapses or a lower ORR compared to HCV-negative patients. Notwithstanding, there is no statistical evidence that the prognosis of HCV-positive patients is inferior to that of HCV-negative subjects. HCV-positive prospective studies and longer follow-up are necessary to ascertain if HCV-positive B-NHL patients have inferior outcomes and if there are long term sequels of immunochemotherapies on the progression of liver disease.

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 to31/12/2010 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.For the first group,an intercostal approach(US-assisted) and a Menghini modified type needle 16 G(length 90 mm) were used.The IR team used a subcostal approach(US-guided) and a semiautomatic modified Menghini type needle 18 G(length 150 mm).All the biopsies were evaluated for appropriateness according to the current guidelines.The number of portal tracts present in each biopsy was assessed by a revision performed by a single pathologist unaware of the previous pathology report.Clinical,laboratory and demographic patient characteristics,the adverse events rate and the diagnostic adequacy of LB were analyzed.RESULTS:During the study period,226 patients,126 males(56%) and 100 females(44%),underwent LB:167(74%) were carried out by the G team,whereas 59(26%) by the IR team.LB was mostly performed in a day hospital setting by the G team,while IR completed more procedures on inpatients(P < 0.0001).The groups did not differ in median age,body mass index(BMI),presence of comorbidities and coagulation parameters.Complications occurred in 26 patients(16 G team vs 10 IR team,P = 0.15).Most gross samples obtained were considered suitable for basal histological evaluation,with no difference among the two teams(96.4% G team vs 91.5% IR,P = 0.16).However,the samples obtained by the G team had a higher mean number of portal tracts(G team 9.5 ± 4.8; range 1-29 vs IR team 7.8 ± 4.1; range 1-20)(P = 0.0192) and a longer mean length(G team 22 mm ± 8.8 vs IR team 15 ± 6.5 mm)(P = 0.0001).CONCLUSION:LB can be performed with similar outcomes both by G and IR.Use of larger dimension needles allows obtaining better samples,with a similar rate of adverse events.

‘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. In this paper we review the recent data regarding the effects of Rituximab in NHL patients with HCV infection. We also added a section devoted to improving communication between oncohaematologists and hepatologists. Furthermore, we propose a common methodological ground to study hepatic toxicity emerging during chemotherapy.

Hepatocellular carcinoma on the background of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease:epidemiological update

The epidemiological features of hepatocellular carcinoma have changed significantly in the last decades.While for a long-time viral hepatitis and alcohol consumption have been the leading risk factors,the current spread of obesity and type 2 diabetes has contributed to the emergence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)worldwide,which has become the leading chronic liver disease as well as one of the main etiologies of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC),especially in western countries.In this review,we resume the latest data about the epidemiology of metabolic liver disease and HCC arising from NAFLD and discuss the main clinical and molecular features leading to the progression of liver disease and the development of HCC in NAFLD.The emerging concept of metabolic associated fatty liver disease and its association with the development of HCC are also introduced.