Cumulative risk of developing a new symptom in patients with primary biliary cholangitis and its impact on prognosis.

Background and Aim: Symptoms of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) frequently impair one's quality of life (QOL). Nonetheless, with improved treatment, the prognosis of PBC also improves. QOL plays an important role in patients with PBC. In this study, we aimed to reevaluate the transition of new symptom development in PBC and its predictive factors. Methods: This retrospective multicenter study enrolled 382 patients with PBC for symptom analysis. The impact of a newly developed symptom on PBC prognosis was investigated by Kaplan-Meier analysis with propensity score matching and logistic progression analysis. Results: The cumulative risk of developing a new symptom after 10 and 20 years of follow-up was 7.6 and 28.2%, and specifically that of pruritus, which was the most common symptom, was 6.7 and 23.3%, respectively. In Cox hazard risk analysis, serum Alb level (hazard ratio [HR], 1.097; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.033-1.165; P = 0.002), the serum D-Bil level (HR, 6.262; 95% CI, 2.522-15.553, P < 0.001), and Paris II criteria (HR, 0.435; 95% CI, 0.183-1.036; P = 0.037) were significant independent predictors of a new symptom. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the overall survival and liver-related death were not significant between patients with and without a new symptom. Conclusion: The cumulative risk of new symptom development is roughly 30% 20 years after diagnosis and could be predicted by factors including serum albumin levels, serum D-Bil level, and Paris II criteria.

Changes in disease characteristics of primary biliary cholangitis: An observational retrospective study from 1982 to 2016.

AIM: Disease characteristics of primary biliary cholangitis have changed recently. However, detailed studies on the subject have been limited. Therefore, we aimed to clarify disease characteristics of patients with recent primary biliary cholangitis using the cohort from Niigata University and 21 affiliated hospitals. METHODS: Overall, 508 patients were enrolled in this study from 1982 to 2016, divided into three cohorts according to their year of diagnosis: ≤1999, 2000-2009 and ≥2010. We compared differences in clinical characteristics, response to ursodeoxycholic acid and prognosis. RESULTS: The male-to-female ratio increased incrementally from 1:16.4 (≤1999) to 1:3.8 (≥2010) (P < 0.001). In women, the median age at diagnosis increased incrementally from 54.0 years (≤1999) to 60.5 years (≥2010) (P < 0.001) and serum albumin decreased gradually (P = 0.001), which might have affected the increase in the Fibrosis-4 Index and albumin-bilirubin score. The ursodeoxycholic acid response rate according to the Barcelona criteria increased incrementally from 26.7% (≤1999) to 78.4% (≥2010) (P < 0.010), and those according to other criteria (Paris-I, Rotterdam and Toronto) were approximately ≥80% in all cohorts. Ten-year survival rate in the ≤1999 and 2000-2009 cohorts were 98.6% and 95.6%, respectively. These earlier cohorts were also characterized by a higher rate of asymptomatic state and mild histology (83.5% [≤1999] and 84.7% [2000-2009], and 93.6% [≤1999] and 91.1% [2000-2009]). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with primary biliary cholangitis were characterized by older age at diagnosis and an increase in male to female ratio as well as higher response rates of ursodeoxycholic acid and longer survival, resulting from the early recognition of primary biliary cholangitis.

[Multiple liver metastases due to sigmoid colon cancer successfully treated by degradable starch microspheres (DSM)-TAE, radiofrequency ablation therapy, and Uzel/UFT].

A69-year-old man was diagnosed with sigmoid colon cancer and underwent resection of the sigmoid colon. He was later diagnosed with multiple liver metastases 11 months after resection of the sigmoid colon cancer. He was treated by intraarterial chemoembolization using degradable starch microspheres (DSM) and radiofrequency ablation therapy. As a systemic therapy, combined oral administration of tegafur/uracil (UFT) and Leucovorin(Uzel) was started (UFT 450 mg/day, Leucovorin 75 mg/day, 4 weeks of therapy followed by a 1-week treatment break). Two months after 4 courses, the liver metastases had markedly diminished and CEA was within the normal range. The metastases had almost disappeared and tumor markers decreased to within normal limits. This treatment was very safe and effective. Such a strategic multidisciplinary treatment can lead to a better prognosis for colorectal cancer with liver metastases.

Oral branched-chain amino acids administration improves impaired liver dysfunction after radiofrequency ablation therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a new modality for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the effects of RFA on hepatic reserve have not yet been thoroughly studied. In the present study, it was evaluated the effect of branched chain amino acid (BCAA) administration after RFA. METHODOLOGY: Fifty-seven patients with initial, single HCC lesions measuring not more than 30mm in whom RFA was selected in first-line therapy were enrolled. Twenty-eight patients with the Child-Pugh B/C grade who received RFA therapy were divided into two groups: 11 who received a BCAA-enriched nutrient mixture, and 17 who did not. Changes in serum albumin were evaluated before RFA and 1, 6 and 12 months after RFA. RESULTS: Multivariate analysis showed that the Child-Pugh grading is the most important factor related to intrahepatic distant recurrence following by RFA. Serum albumin levels decreased 1 month after RFA. Although a tendency toward recovery was noted 6 months after RFA, a decreasing tendency was noted again one year after RFA compared to the pre-RFA baseline. However, a tendency toward improvement was noted in Child-Pugh B grade patients who received BCAA mixture. CONCLUSIONS: BCAA mixture made it possible to maintain serum albumin levels and hepatic reserve.

Therapeutic efficacy of continuous arterial infusion of the protease inhibitor and the antibiotics and via celiac and superior mesenteric artery for severe acute pancreatitis--pilot study.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Severe acute pancreatitis is poor prognosis. Continuous regional arterial infusion of protease inhibitors and antibiotics were developed in Japan. We evaluated whether arterial infusion both celiac artery and superior mesenteric artery for this disease would reduce mortality. METHODOLOGY: Seventeen patients were treated arterial infusion of protease inhibitor and antibiotics via both celiac artery and superior mesenteric artery. Changes of Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score and mortality were evaluated. RESULTS: Arterial infusion via two routes reduced the mortality rate and improved Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score. The overall mortality rate was 11.8%. The mortality rate in patients in whom were treated within 3days after the onset was significantly lower than that in patients in whom were treated without 3days after the onset. CONCLUSIONS: Arterial infusion via superior mesenteric artery might prevent both bacterial translocation and non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia. Continuous arterial infusion both celiac artery and superior mesenteric artery might be effective for reducing mortality and preventing the development of pancreatitis, especially when initiated within 3 days after the onset. Further prospective randomized studies using a larger number of patients are required.

Successful treatment of multiple lung metastases of hepatocellular carcinoma by combined chemotherapy with docetaxel, cisplatin and tegafur/uracil.

We report the successful treatment of multiple lung metastases after hepatic resection for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with combined docetaxel, cisplatin (CDDP), and enteric-coated tegafur/uracil (UFT-E). A 68-year-old man was diagnosed with multiple lung metastases of HCC 7 mo after partial hepatectomy for HCC. Oral UFT-E was given daily and docetaxel and CDDP were given intra-arterially (administered just before the bronchial arteries) every 2 wk via a subcutaneous injection port. One month after starting chemotherapy, levels of tumor marker, protein induced by vitamin K absence II (PIVKA-II), decreased rapidly, and after a further month, chest X-ray and computed tomography revealed the complete disappearance of multiple liver metastases. Two years after the combined chemotherapy, HCC recurred in the liver and was treated but no pulmonary recurrence occurred. In the absence of a standardized highly effective therapy, this combined chemotherapy with docetaxel, CDDP and UFT-E may be an attractive option for multiple lung metastases of HCC.

[Gemcitabine treatment in patients with stage IV pancreatic cancer and prognostic factors for survival of patients with stage IVb(a retrospective survey at 15 hospitals in Niigata Prefecture)].

We performed a retrospective survey at 15 hospitals in Niigata Prefecture to assess the effectiveness of gemcitabine in patients with stage IV pancreatic cancer and to analyze prognostic factors impacting survival in patients with stage IVb. The subjects were 244 unresectable or metastatic pancreatic cancer patients(IVa 68, IVb 176)who were treated with gemcitabine as first-line therapy. The overall response rate was 6.1% and the median survival time(MST)was 194 days. The MST of stage IVa(312 days)was double that of stage IVb(167 days). Prognostic factors for survival of patients with stage IVb were analyzed(performance status, response rate, liver metastasis, peritonitis carcinomatosa, paraaortic lymph node metastasis)with the Cox proportional hazards model. Performance status, response rate, and liver metastasis were significant factors influencing survival. When we compare an effect of other chemotherapy with GEM, we should treat stage IVa and stage IVb separately, and subdivision is necessary for stage IVb.

Improved survival for hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombosis treated by intra-arterial chemotherapy combining etoposide, carboplatin, epirubicin and pharmacokinetic modulating chemotherapy by 5-FU and enteric-coated tegafur/uracil: a pilot study.

AIM: To investigate the poor prognosis of HCC with PVTT, we evaluated the efficacy by a new combination chemotherapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT). METHODS: From 2002 to 2007, a total of 10 consecutive patients with Stage IVA HCC accompanied by PVTT were studied prospectively to examine the efficacy of treatment by intra-arterial infusion of a chemotherapeutic agents consisting of etoposide, carboplatin, epirubicin and pharmacokinetic modulating chemotherapy by 5-FU and enteric-coated tegafur/uracil. RESULTS: The mean course of chemotherapy was 14.4 (range, 9-21) mo. One patient showed complete response (CR) with disappearance of HCC and PVTT after treatment, and the two patients showed partial response (PR), response rate (CR + PR/All cases 30%). The median survival time after the therapy was 457.2 d. The one-year survival rate was 70%. Adverse reactions were tolerable. CONCLUSION: Although the prognosis of most patients with Stage IVA HCC by PVTT is poor, our combination chemotherapy may induces long-term survival and is an effective treatment and produced anti-tumor activity with tolerable adverse effects in patients for advanced Stage IVA HCC accompanied by PVTT.

[A resected case of fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma with chronic hepatitis (type B)].

We report a case of a 34-year-old woman who tested positive for HBs Ag with fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma of the liver. The sister of this patient, who was also positive for HBs Ag, died of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The patient showed elevation of alpha-fetoprotein. Abdominal CT scan showed a tumor in the posterior segment of the liver and hepatic angiography revealed marked neovascularity in the tumor. Partial resection of the liver was performed, and the histological diagnosis was fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma. The patient is now tumor free and doing well 20 months after the operation.

Angiotensin-II administration is useful for the detection of liver metastasis from pancreatic cancer during pharmacoangiographic computed tomography.

AIM: To improve the preoperative diagnosis of liver metastasis from pancreatic cancer, we estimated computed tomography during arterial angiography (CTA) with/without administration of angiotensin-II (AT- II). METHODS: Thirty-five patients with pancreatic cancer were examined in this study. After conventional CTA was performed, pharmacoangiographic CTA was performed with a 1-3 microgram/5 mL solution of angiotensin II injected through a catheter into the celiac artery during spiral computed tomography. We prospectively analyzed the relative region of interest (ROI) ratio of tumor to liver with/without AT-II. RESULTS: In all patients, the relative ratio of each computed tomography (CT) number in the ROI was larger at pharmacoangiographic CT than at conventional angiographic CT. Administration of angiotensin-II enhanced the metastatic liver tumor as compared with normal tissue. Intratumoral blood flow increased in all patients with malignant tumors due to the pressure effect of AT-II. Furthermore, the metastatic lesions in the liver of three patients were represented by only pharmacoangiographic CT, not by conventional CT and conventional CT angiography. In even peripheral and central areas of metastatic liver tumor, the lesions were enhanced after administration of AT-II. CONCLUSION: These results support that high detection rate of liver metastasis revealed by pharmacoangiographic CT suggests the improvement of diagnosis on preoperative staging. Moreover, chemotherapy under AT-II induced hypertension may have a better effect on the treatment of metastatic liver tumors.

Clinical efficacy of intra-arterial pharmacokinetic chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil, CDDP, gemcitabine, and angiotensin-II in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To deliver anticancer drugs more selectively into cancer tissues and to improve survival time, we have developed a new method of intra-arterial chemotherapy for unresectable pancreatic cancer. METHODOLOGY: From April 2002 to June 2006, twenty patients with pancreatic cancer with liver metastases were given intra-arterial infusions consisting of gemcitabine, 5-FU, and cisplatin mixed with angiotensin-II with the intent of increasing the blood flow into the tumor tissue but decreasing that to the non-tumor tissues. Simultaneously, tegafur/uracil was administered. A tumor marker and computed tomography (CT) findings were used to evaluate the efficacy of this chemotherapy. RESULTS: The median survival was 365 days, and 6-months and 1-year survival rates were 80.0% and 44.7%, respectively. In 12 of 20 cases, the tumor marker level was decreased after this chemotherapy. In 10 of 20 cases, computed tomography showed a decrease in the tumor size. In 6 patients, back pain was the chief complaint and was reduced to a self-controlled level in 20 patients. No major complications were encountered. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with the previously reported data in traditional chemotherapies, our method of intra-arterial chemotherapy appears to be quite useful not only for prolonging patient survival but also for improving the quality of life. Intra-arterial regional chemotherapy including changes in distribution of blood flow induced by angiotensin-II appears to be an effective palliative treatment for advanced pancreatic cancer.

Comparison of a new aspiration needle device and the Quick-Core biopsy needle for transjugular liver biopsy.

AIM: To evaluate sample adequacy, safety, and needle passes of a new biopsy needle device compared to the Quick-Core biopsy needle for transjugular liver biopsy in patients affected by liver disease. METHODS: Thirty consecutive liver-disease patients who had major coagulation abnormalities and/or relevant ascites underwent transjugular liver biopsy using either a new needle device (18 patients) or the Quick-Core biopsy needle (12 patients). The length of the specimens was measured before fixation. A pathologist reviewed the histological slides for sample adequacy and pathologic diagnoses. The two methods'specimen adequacy and complication rates were assessed. RESULTS: Liver biopsies were technically successful in all 30 (100%) patients, with diagnostic histological core specimens obtained in 30 of 30 (100%) patients, for an overall success rate of 100%. With the new device, 18 specimens were obtained, with an average of 1.1 passes per patient. Using the Quick-Core biopsy needle, 12 specimens were obtained, with an average of 1.8 passes per patient. Specimen length was significantly longer with the new needle device than with the Quick-Core biopsy needle (P < 0.05). The biopsy tissue was not fragmented in any of the specimens with the new aspiration needle device, but tissue was fragmented in 3 of 12 (25.0%) specimens obtained using the Quick-Core biopsy needle. Complications included cardiac arrhythmia in 3 (10.0%) patients, and transient abdominal pain in 4 (13.3%) patients. There were no cases of subcapsular hematoma, hemoperitoneum, or sepsis, and there was no death secondary to the procedure. In particular, no early or delayed major procedure-related complications were observed in any patient. CONCLUSION: Transjugular liver biopsy is a safe and effective procedure, and there was significant difference in the adequacy of the specimens obtained using the new needle device compared to the Quick-Core biopsy needle. Using the new biopsy needle device, the specimens showed no tissue fragmentation and no increment in major procedure-related complications was observed.

[Gemcitabine versus combined chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil and cisplatin in advanced pancreatic cancer].

Gemcitabine hydrochloride (GEM) is a first-line therapeutic agent for advanced pancreatic cancer, but there is no established second-line treatment after GEM failure. We assessed the clinical benefit of systemic combined chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil and cisplatin (FP therapy) in 19 patients compared with GEM in 32 patients, respectively. Tumor response rates were 10.5% and 15.6% for FP therapy and GEM, respectively. The median survival time in the FP therapy and GEM was 137 days and 241 days, respectively. Although clinical benefit was similar in both types of therapy, median survival time was more favorable for GEM, especially for Stage IVb. Nausea and vomiting were the most commonly observed toxicity in the FP therapy group. Our data indicate that FP therapy is not considered to be a useful second-line agent in patients with GEM pretreated pancreatic cancer.

Balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration of gastric varix draining to the IVC via the circumaortic renal vein.

The authors encountered a patient with gastric varices draining to the IVC not only via the usual route of the left renal vein but also via a circumaortic renal vein. Balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration (B-RTO) of the gastric varix was performed with balloon occlusion of the circumaortic renal vein and retrograde injection of sclerosing agent (5% of ethanolamine oleate) into the varix. Eradication of the gastric varix was confirmed on endoscopic examination 2 months later. We document the first case of B-RTO performed for gastric varix via the circumaortic renal vein. Details of this rare occurrence and implications for treatment are presented herein.

[Modified pharmacokinetic modulating chemotherapy for progressive gastric cancer accompanied by peritoneal dissemination].

Peritoneal dissemination is a major event in the development of gastric cancer. However, most patients with it have been excluded from clinical studies because they rarely have measurable lesions. We conducted an analysis to evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of modified pharmacokinetic modulating chemotherapy, for gastric cancer patients with peritoneal dissemination. Between May 2002 and April 2004, 10 patients were treated by modified pharmacokinetic modulating chemotherapy. This analysis was based on 10 consecutive chemotherapy-naive patients with confirmed peritoneal dissemination. This therapy regimen was repeated with a weekly schedule of MTX 100 mg/body, given as intraarterial infusion 1 h prior to a 24-hr infusion of 5-FU 500 mg/body. Simultaneously, enteric-coated tegafur/uracil (400 mg) was administered every day. The one-year overall survival rate was 50. 0%. The median survival time was 311 days. Grade 1 stomatitis and Grade 1/2 oral dryness were involved in 40% of the cases. No patient had to discontinue this therapy because of complications. Objective improvement of ascites was seen in all patients, and all patients could be treated at outpatient clinics. This regimen may be well-tolerated and of clinical benefit for patients with peritoneal dissemination of gastric cancer.

[A case of advanced gastric cancer with bone metastasis and severe DIC responding to hypertensive subselective chemotherapy with pharmacokinetic modulating chemotherapy].

We report a 47-year-old female patient who was suffering from severe DIC due to multiple bone metastases. This patient was treated weekly with an intraarterial 5-FU (500 mg) and MTX (100 mg) including AT-II by a subcutaneously implanted port system placed into her abdominal aorta. Furthermore, she was administered tegafur/uracil (400 mg/day) 5 days weekly for pharmacokinetic modulating chemotherapy (PMC). After three courses of PMC treatment, DIC was resolved and the tumor marker was reduced. However, after 22 courses of this regimen, DIC suddenly recurred. As second line chemotherapy, we then administered paclitaxel (80 mg) in place of CDDP. After five courses of this second line chemotherapy, DIC recovered and the tumor marker was again decreased. We concluded that this chemotherapy is effective for advanced gastric cancer complicated with bone metastasis and DIC from the standpoint of toxicities, antitumor effect and QOL of the patient.

CT-maximum intensity projection is a clinically useful modality for the detection of gastric varices.

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of CT-maximum intensity projection (CT-MIP) in the detection of gastric varices and their inflowing and outflowing vessels in patients with gastric varices scheduled to undergo balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration (B-RTO). METHODS: Sixteen patients with endoscopically confirmed gastric varices were included in this study. All patients were evaluated with CT-MIP using three-dimensional reconstructions, before and after B-RTO. RESULTS: CT-MIP clearly depicted gastric varices in 16 patients (100%), the left gastric vein in 6 (32.5%), the posterior gastric vein in 12 (75.0%), the short gastric veins in 13 (81.3%), gastrorenal shunts in 16 (100%), the hemiazygos vein (HAZV) in 4 (25.0%), the pericardiophrenic vein (PCPV) in 9 (56.3%), and the left inferior phrenic vein in 9 patients (56.3%). Although flow direction itself cannot be determined from CT-MIP, this modality provided clear images of the inflowing and the outflowing vessels. Moreover, in one patient, short gastric veins were not seen on conventional angiographic portography images of the spleen, but were clearly revealed on CT-MIP. CONCLUSION: We suggest that CT-MIP should be considered as a routine method for detecting and diagnosing collateral veins in patients with gastric varices scheduled for B-RTO. Furthermore, CT-MIP is more useful than endoscopy in verifying the early therapeutic effects of B-RTO.

Sustained biochemical remission after interferon treatment may closely be related to the end of treatment biochemical response and associated with a lower incidence of hepatocarcinogenesis.

Clinical background and incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) of patients with chronic hepatitis C who obtained biochemical remission without eradication of virus (biochemical response) after interferon (IFN) treatment was retrospectively analyzed for 755 patients. Annual incidence of HCC was significantly lower in the patients with biochemical response and sustained response than that of the patients that did not show these responses. Logistic regression analysis showed that only the normalization of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) value at the end of IFN treatment was a significant factor for biochemical response. Annual incidence of HCC was significantly lower in the patients who obtained normalization of ALT values at the end of treatment than those who did not. Patients who were younger, who had a lower level of activity and fibrosis indices in histology, higher platelet count, and who were given more higher total dose of IFN were more likely to attain normalization of ALT levels at the end of treatment, and this was related to biochemical response. Low incidence of HCC in patients who obtained normalization of ALT values at the end of treatment was likely because they were in the earlier stage of chronic hepatitis. Active treatment of chronic hepatitis C with interferon in the early phase of the disease may bring about a biochemical response in some patients, even if sustained virological response is not obtained.

New compact-type latex photometric immunoassay system for hemoglobin and three acute inflammation markers: neutrophil count, C-reactive protein, and anti-streptolysin O.

A new compact-type latex photometric immunoassay system, SPOTCHEM IM SI-3510 (ARKRAY, Inc., Kyoto, Japan), which assays three kinds of inflammatory markers-neutrophil count (NPC), C-reactive protein (CRP), and anti-streptolysin O (ASO)-was evaluated. Hemoglobin (Hb), which is a good marker for anemia, can also be measured with it. NPC and CRP are measured using antibodies against neutrophilic elastase and CRP, purified streptolysin O was used for ASO determination, and Hb was measured by an azide-methemoglobin method. Whole blood, serum, and plasma specimens can be used as samples with this system. In this study, whole blood treated with dipotassium ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid was used for evaluation. Linearity and reproducibility were good for all of the items studied. Good correlations were observed between the results obtained by this system and those obtained by routine methods. Since NPC exhibited a high correlation with the routine white blood cell (WBC) counts, it was judged to be useful as a substitute for WBC counting. Since this system is small and easy to operate, and evaluation revealed reliable results, it was judged to be practical for small laboratories, and satellite testing in hospitals and physicians' office laboratories for patients suspected to have acute inflammation.

Interferon inhibits progression of liver fibrosis and reduces the risk of hepatocarcinogenesis in patients with chronic hepatitis C: a retrospective multicenter analysis of 652 patients.

A retrospective multicenter analysis of 652 patients with chronic hepatitis C who have been treated with interferon (IFN) was performed to assess the effects of IFN on the clinical course and development of HCC. During a mean follow-up of 54.8 months, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) developed in 7.0% of the patients. The rate was significantly higher in the patients who did not respond to IFN treatment than in those with sustained virological response and those who obtained a normalization of alanine aminotransferase levels despite the presence of HCV RNA (incomplete response) (P < 0.01). Using multivariate Cox's proportional hazard model, alcohol abuse (P < 0.05) and a higher level of fibrosis (P < 0.05) before treatment were the significant background factors associated with HCC development in the patients who did not respond to IFN. Interestingly, a significant increase in the rate of HCC development occurred in patients who had a histological finding of progressive fibrosis (F3). In addition, patients with low histological staging scores were likely to have an incomplete response, even if a sustained virological response was not obtained. IFN produced an improvement in histological activity and fibrosis stage in the second biopsy specimens irrespective of the clinical outcome when compared against untreated subjects.