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Frontiers in Bioengineering and... 2022Interest has revived in the use of hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) for intermediate-advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) while transarterial...
Interest has revived in the use of hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) for intermediate-advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) while transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) has been a longstanding loco-regional therapy. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of patients with unresectable HCC treated with HAIC or TACE to look for differences in survival, adverse events, mortality and downstaging. All studies published before 29 July 2022 were identified by searching PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and Cochrane Library databases for patients with unresectable HCC and received HAIC or TACE as initial treatment. Data extracted from studies was statistically analysed using RevMan5.3 software. A total of one randomized controlled trial (RCT) and 7 cohort studies (5 retrospective, 2 prospective) including 1,060 (TACE group: 534, HAIC group: 526) patients were screened. Compared with the TACE group, patients who received HAIC as initial therapy had better overall survival (OS) (HR = 0.53, 95%CI [0.40, 0.69]) and progression-free survival (PFS) (HR = 0.54, 95%CI [0.40, 0.72]). Further subgroup analysis revealed that HAIC showed priority over TACE on prognosis outcome regardless of tumour stage, especially in patients with advanced portal vein tumour thrombus (PVTT). Utilization of port system will not boost the efficacy of HAIC whereas using a replaced-microcatheter for each procedure could better reduce the progressive disease (PD) rate (RR = 0.55, 95%CI [0.40, 0.76]). The pooled RR favoured the HAIC group with regard to partial response (PR) (RR = 2.87, 95%CI [2.18, 3.78]) and this was validated by both GRADE summary and trial sequential analysis. The rate of resection after treatment was higher in the HAIC group (RR = 2.37, 95%CI [1.54, 3.66]), whilst no difference was found with procedure-related mortality (RR = 0.56, 95%CI [0.13, 2.38]) between two groups. Compared with the traditional chemotherapy regimen (fluorouracil/leucovorin/oxaliplatin) FOLFOX-HAIC appears to be better in improving the treatment efficacy. Patients with unresectable HCC could potentially benefit more from HAIC rather than standard TACE treatment. A re-evaluation of HAIC as a treatment option in intermediate and advanced HCC is warranted.
PubMed: 36237208
DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.1010824 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Sep 2022The aim was to describe three patients with hemorrhagic hereditary telangiectasia (HHT) requiring liver transplantation (LT) and to perform a systematic review focusing... (Review)
Review
The aim was to describe three patients with hemorrhagic hereditary telangiectasia (HHT) requiring liver transplantation (LT) and to perform a systematic review focusing on surgical complications and long-term follow-up. Unrestricted searches of the Medline and Embase databases were performed through February 2022. Forty-five studies were selected including 80 patients plus the three new reported patients, 68 (81.9%) were female and mean age was 50 (27-72) years. Main indications for LT were high-output cardiac failure ( = 40; 48.2%), ischemic cholangitis ( = 19; 22.9%), and a combination of both conditions ( = 13;15.6%). Mean cold ischemic time and red blood cell units transfused during LT were 554 (300-941) minutes and 11.4 (0-88) units, respectively. Complications within 30 days were described in 28 (33.7%) patients, mainly bleeding complications in 13 patients, hepatic artery (HA) thrombosis in four and hepatic vein thrombosis in one. Mean follow-up was 76.4 (1-288) months, and during it, four new patients developed thrombotic complications in HA, HA aneurysm, celiac artery, and the portal-splenic-mesenteric vein. HHT relapse in the transplant allograft was detected in 13 (17.1%) patients after 1-19 years (including two fatal recurrences). Overall mortality was 12%. In conclusion, previous assessment of HA anatomy and hyperdynamic circulatory state could reduce LT complications. The risk of relapse in the hepatic graft supports a multidisciplinary follow-up for HHT patients with LT.
PubMed: 36233492
DOI: 10.3390/jcm11195624 -
BMC Gastroenterology Oct 2022Liver diseases post-COVID-19 vaccination is extremely rare but can occur. A growing body of evidence has indicated that portal vein thrombosis, autoimmune hepatitis,...
BACKGROUND
Liver diseases post-COVID-19 vaccination is extremely rare but can occur. A growing body of evidence has indicated that portal vein thrombosis, autoimmune hepatitis, raised liver enzymes and liver injuries, etc., may be potential consequence of COVID-19 vaccines.
OBJECTIVES
To describe the results of a systematic review for new-onset and relapsed liver disease following COVID-19 vaccination.
METHODS
For this systematic review, we searched Proquest, Medline, Embase, PubMed, CINAHL, Wiley online library, Scopus and Nature through the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta Analyses PRISMA guideline for studies on the incidence of new onset or relapsed liver diseases post-COVID-19 vaccination, published from December 1, 2020 to July 31, 2022, with English language restriction.
RESULTS
Two hundred seventy-five cases from one hundred and eighteen articles were included in the qualitative synthesis of this systematic review. Autoimmune hepatitis (138 cases) was the most frequent pathology observed post-COVID-19 vaccination, followed by portal vein thrombosis (52 cases), raised liver enzymes (26 cases) and liver injury (21 cases). Other cases include splanchnic vein thrombosis, acute cellular rejection of the liver, jaundice, hepatomegaly, acute hepatic failure and hepatic porphyria. Mortality was reported in any of the included cases for acute hepatic failure (n = 4, 50%), portal vein thrombosis (n = 25, 48.1%), splanchnic vein thrombosis (n = 6, 42.8%), jaundice (n = 1, 12.5%), raised liver enzymes (n = 2, 7.7%), and autoimmune hepatitis (n = 3, 2.2%). Most patients were easily treated without any serious complications, recovered and did not require long-term hepatic therapy.
CONCLUSION
Reported evidence of liver diseases post-COIVD-19 vaccination should not discourage vaccination against this worldwide pandemic. The number of reported cases is relatively very small in relation to the hundreds of millions of vaccinations that have occurred and the protective benefits offered by COVID-19 vaccination far outweigh the risks.
Topics: Humans; Chronic Disease; COVID-19; COVID-19 Vaccines; Hepatitis, Autoimmune; Liver Failure, Acute; Vaccination; Venous Thrombosis
PubMed: 36229799
DOI: 10.1186/s12876-022-02507-3 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Sep 2022Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most frequent diagnosed tumor worldwide and the third leading cause of cancer related death. According to the EASL... (Review)
Review
Surgical Resection of a Recurrent Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Portal Vein Thrombosis: Is It a Good Treatment Option? A Case Report and Systematic Review of the Literature.
BACKGROUND
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most frequent diagnosed tumor worldwide and the third leading cause of cancer related death. According to the EASL Guidelines, HCC with portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT) is classified as an advanced stage (BCLC stage C) and the only curative option is represented by systemic therapy. Therefore, treatment of HCC patients with PVTT remains controversial and debated. In this paper, we describe the case of a 66-year-old man with a recurrent HCC with PVTT who underwent surgical resection. A systematic review of the literature, comparing surgical resection with other choices of treatment in HCC patients with PVTT, is reported.
METHODS
A systematic review of the literature regarding all prospective and retrospective studies comparing the survival outcomes of HCC patients with PVTT treated with surgical resections (SRs) or other non-surgical treatments (n-SRs) has been conducted.
CASE PRESENTATION
A 66-year-old Caucasian man with a history of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) related liver cirrhosis and previous hepatocellular carcinoma of the VI segment treated with percutaneous ethanol infusion (PEI) seven years before presented to our clinics. A new nodular hypoechoic lesion in the VI hepatic segment was demonstrated on follow-up ultrasound examination. A hepatospecific magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan confirmed also the presence of a 18 × 13 mm nodular lesion in the V hepatic segment with satellite micronodules associated with V-VIII sectoral portal branch thrombosis. The case was then discussed at the multidisciplinary team meeting, and it was decided to perform a right hepatectomy. The postoperative course was regular and uneventful, and the discharge occurred seven days after the surgery. At eight-month follow-up, there was no clinical nor radiological evidence of neoplastic recurrence, with well-preserved liver function (Child-Pugh A5).
RESULTS
Nine studies were included in the review. Median Overall Survaival (OS) ranged from 8.2 to 30 months for SRs patients and from 7 to 13.3 for n-SRs patients. In SR patients, one-year survival ranged from 22.7% to 100%, two-year survival from 9.8% to 100%, and three-year survival from 0% to 71%. In n-SRs patients, one-year survival ranged from 11.8% to 77.6%, two-year survival from 0% to 47.8%, and three-year survival from 0% to 20.9%.
CONCLUSION
The present systematic literature review and the case presented demonstrated the efficacy of surgery as a first-line treatment in well-selected HCC patients with PVTT limited or more distal to the right and left portal branches. However, further studies, particularly randomized trials, need to be conducted in future to better define the surgical indications.
PubMed: 36142934
DOI: 10.3390/jcm11185287 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Aug 2022Suppurative portal vein thrombosis (pylephlebitis) is an uncommon condition usually associated with an intra-abdominal infection or inflammatory process. In this study,... (Review)
Review
Suppurative portal vein thrombosis (pylephlebitis) is an uncommon condition usually associated with an intra-abdominal infection or inflammatory process. In this study, we aimed to synthesize data on previously published cases according to the PRISMA guidelines. A total of 103 patients were included. Patients were more commonly male (71.8%) and had a mean age of 49 years. The most common infection associated with pylephlebitis was diverticulitis ( = 29, 28.2%), and was the most isolated pathogen ( = 21, 20.4%). Blood cultures were positive in 64 cases (62.1%). The most common site of thrombosis was the main portal vein (PV) in 59 patients (57.3%), followed by the superior mesenteric vein (SMV) in 40 patients (38.8%) and the right branch of the PV in 30 patients (29.1%). Sepsis developed in 60 patients (58.3%). The mortality rate in our review was 8.7%, and independent risk factors for mortality were the presence of pertinent comorbidities (OR 5.5, = 0.02), positive blood cultures (OR 2.2, = 0.02), and sepsis (OR 17.2, = 0.049).
PubMed: 36078922
DOI: 10.3390/jcm11174992 -
Frontiers in Pharmacology 2022Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) has been performed on patients with cirrhosis and portal vein thrombosis (PVT) to prevent rebleeding; however, the...
Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) has been performed on patients with cirrhosis and portal vein thrombosis (PVT) to prevent rebleeding; however, the associated evidence is scarce. Hence, the study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of TIPS in patients with cirrhosis and PVT and promote personalized treatment in such patients. Literature was systematically obtained from PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science. Data from the included studies were extracted, and meta-analyses by the random effects model were used to pool data across studies. Heterogeneity was assessed using Cochran's Q and I statistics. The source of heterogeneity was explored using subgroup analyses and meta-regressions. A total of 11 studies comprising 703 patients with cirrhosis and portal vein thrombosis (PVT: complete, 32.2%; chronic, 90.2%; superior mesenteric vein or splenic vein involvement, 55.2%; cavernous transformation, 26.8%) were included. TIPS showed feasibility in 95% of the cases (95% confidence interval [CI]: 89%-99%) with heterogeneity (I = 84%, < 0.01) due to cavernous transformation. The pooled rebleeding rate was 13% (95% CI: 7%-20%) with heterogeneity (I = 75%, < 0.01) explained by chronic PVT and anticoagulation (AC) therapy. Hepatic encephalopathy occurred in 32% of patients. The survival rate, portal vein recanalization rate, and shunt patency rate were 80%, 82%, and 77%, respectively. TIPS is feasible and effectively prevents rebleeding in patients with cirrhosis and PVT, regardless of cavernous transformation of the portal vein. Due to a potentially high risk of rebleeding and no apparent benefits of AC, post-TIPS AC must be employed cautiously. : [https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=258765], identifier [CRD42021258765].
PubMed: 36052145
DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.968988 -
Frontiers in Pharmacology 2022Although different kinds of traditional Chinese medicines could reportedly improve the efficacy of antiviral therapy on liver fibrosis caused by HBV, the problem of...
Although different kinds of traditional Chinese medicines could reportedly improve the efficacy of antiviral therapy on liver fibrosis caused by HBV, the problem of clinicians on how to choose the appropriate treatment strategies for the patients fails to be solved. This study aims at comparing and ranking different traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) therapies in the treatment of liver fibrosis due to chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Eight electronic databases were searched from their establishment to 17 Aug 2021. All included data and pooled odds ratio were used for network meta-analysis (NMA) and statistical analysis. The consistency was evaluated by the node-splitting analysis. The stability of results and source of heterogeneity were tested by sensitivity analysis. Different treatment strategies (regimens) in this network meta-analysis were ranked with the aid of surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) probability value. A total of 29 articles with 3,106 sufferers were recruited in this NMA. Results of SUCRA value rankings indicated that Fuzheng Huayu therapy or combined with entecavir had preferable effects in improving the clinical efficacy, recovering the level of hyaluronic acid, IV-C, ALT, ALB, and TBil, relieving the TCM symptoms including hypochondriac pain and poor appetite, regaining the width of portal vein and thickness of spleen, and lessening side effects. Apart from these, Ziyin Shugan therapy or combined with ETV could also be suitable to regain the level of laminin, PC-III, and AST, relieve fatigue and HBV-DNA conversion. This NMA confirmed the efficacy and safety of different treatment therapies for improving CHB liver fibrosis, including the serum biomarkers of live fibrosis and serum parameters for liver function, TCM symptoms, imaging indexes, HBV-DNA conversion rate, which offered the TCM practitioners crucial reference value on clinical medication.
PubMed: 36034853
DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.943063 -
Hepatobiliary Surgery and Nutrition Aug 2022Paediatric liver transplantation (pLT) is the treatment of choice for many liver conditions. However, it still poses relevant challenges, mainly related to the size of... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Paediatric liver transplantation (pLT) is the treatment of choice for many liver conditions. However, it still poses relevant challenges, mainly related to the size of the recipients. Unlike in adults, excessive graft volume might represent an issue when the estimated graft-recipient-weight-ratio (GRWR) is significantly disproportionate. In this situation, the traditional left lateral sector (LLS) grafts are too big and other alternatives are required, such as monosegmental or reduced (including hyper-reduced) grafts (RLLS/HRLLS). Results with conventional LLS-pLT are excellent and replicating them with monosegmental or RLLS is challenging given (I) the technical complexity and (II) the need to overcome the large-for-size scenario. This article is to review the existing experience with monosegmental, RLLS/HRLLS grafts and appraise its results.
METHODS
Systematic search of the electronic databases, conducted from their inception until May 2020.
RESULTS
After scrutiny of the available literature, 16 studies were included reporting 330 patients transplanted with monosegmental and RLLS/HRLLS grafts. There were 10 re-grafts (6 of them <90 days); 90% of grafts were LDLT. Overall, median recipient's age and weight were 7 months (range, 5 days-22 months) and 5.8 kg (range, 2.6-8 kg) respectively. Median graft weight was 209 grams (range, 124-264 grams) and median GRWR was 3.5% (range, 2.7-5.6%). Hepatic artery and portal vein thrombosis overall incidence were 1.5% and 4.2%; 120 out of the 330 pLT were monosegmental (37%) producing a smaller graft (median of 164 grams) and accordingly a lower GRWR (median 3.2%) compared to reduced LLS. With a median follow-up of 39 months (range, 6-87 months), the overall graft and patient survival were 84% (285/340) and 89% (295/330).
DISCUSSION
Monosegmental and RLLS/HRLLS grafts provide access to liver transplantation for very small recipients with excellent results comparable to the standard LLS.
PubMed: 36016740
DOI: 10.21037/hbsn-20-792 -
Radiotherapy and Oncology : Journal of... Oct 2022Recurrence remains the main bottleneck hindering outcomes of hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Owing to technological advances, external beam radiotherapy... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND AND AIM
Recurrence remains the main bottleneck hindering outcomes of hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Owing to technological advances, external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) is being increasingly used in the management of HCC; however, there is no consensus on the role of adjuvant EBRT following hepatectomy.
METHODS
A systematic review was conducted according to the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis. PubMed, MedLine, Embase, the Cochrane Library, Web of Knowledge were used to screen eligible studies (published as of May 1st, 2022) that evaluated the clinical safety and efficacy of EBRT for HCC receiving hepatectomy. The endpoints were disease-free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS), and adverse events (AEs).
RESULTS
A total of ten studies were eligible (three randomized controlled trials, one phase II trial, and six retrospective comparative studies). The pooled hazard ratio (HR) for median DFS and OS were both in favor of adjuvant EBRT compared with surgery alone (all P < 0.05), and the advantage of adjuvant EBRT was also confirmed in subgroups stratified by different populations (narrow margin, P < 0.05; microvascular invasion, P < 0.05; portal vein tumor thrombus, P < 0.05) and study designs (prospective studies, P < 0.05; retrospective studies, P < 0.05). Adjuvant EBRT was also found to be superior to adjuvant TACE (P < 0.05). Pooled rates of overall AEs and severe AEs were 65.3% and 12.2%, but no fatal AEs were reported.
CONCLUSION
Adjuvant EBRT can be considered for HCC patients, especially those with a high risk of recurrence. Further studies are required for validation of these findings.
Topics: Humans; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Hepatectomy; Liver Neoplasms; Retrospective Studies; Prospective Studies; Treatment Outcome; Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; Chemoembolization, Therapeutic; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Clinical Trials, Phase II as Topic
PubMed: 35998838
DOI: 10.1016/j.radonc.2022.08.019 -
Cancer Medicine Feb 2023Various chemotherapy administration methods have been used to prevent liver metastasis (LM) in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). This network meta-analysis... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Efficacy of various adjuvant chemotherapy methods in preventing liver metastasis from potentially curative colorectal cancer: A systematic review network meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.
PURPOSE
Various chemotherapy administration methods have been used to prevent liver metastasis (LM) in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). This network meta-analysis evaluated the efficacy of these different methods in preventing LM in CRC patients who underwent curative surgery.
METHOD
A systematic search of randomized controlled trials reporting the efficacy of various adjuvant chemotherapy methods in patients with colorectal cancer who underwent curative surgery was conducted. The primary outcome was the LM rate.
RESULTS
This network meta-analysis included 19 studies reporting on 12,588 participants, comparing portal vein infusion chemotherapy (PVIC) versus hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) versus systematic chemotherapy (SC) versus surgery alone. The HAIC group had the lowest LM rate when compared to the other three groups (odds ratio [OR] of PVIC vs. HAIC: 1.86; OR of SC vs. HAIC: 1.98; and HAIC vs. surgery alone: 0.43). The LM rate did not differ significantly between PVIC, SC, and surgery alone. The recurrence rates were lower for PVIC and HAIC than for surgery alone (the ORs for PVIC and HAIC were 0.73 [95% CI: 0.58-0.92] and 0.45 [95% CI: 0.26-0.77]). The mortality rates of patients undergoing PVIC and HAIC were lower than that of patients undergoing surgery alone (the ORs for PVIC and HAIC were 0.77 [95% CI: 0.64-0.93] and 0.49 [95% CI: 0.24-0.98]). Anastomotic leakage, cardiopulmonary leakage, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, oral ulceration, wound infection, or ileus did not differ significantly between the four groups. PVIC showed the highest hepatic toxicity rate compared to those for SC, HAIC, and surgery alone.
CONCLUSION
HAIC might be a satisfactory method for preventing LM in patients with CRC undergoing curative surgery.
Topics: Humans; Network Meta-Analysis; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Liver Neoplasms; Infusions, Intra-Arterial; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Colorectal Neoplasms; Fluorouracil; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Treatment Outcome; Hepatic Artery
PubMed: 35993539
DOI: 10.1002/cam4.5157