Altered glycosylation, expression of serum haptoglobin and alpha-1-antitrypsin in chronic hepatitis C, hepatitis C induced liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma patients

Background & Aims: Hepatitis C (HC) is a major cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and a late diagnosis is the main factor for the poor survival of patients. There is an urgent need for identifying sensitive and specific biomarkers for HCC diagnosis. In the present study, plasma lipid patterns of patients with HC-HCC, HC-liver cirrhosis (LC), and chronic HC (CHC) were assessed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS).Methods. Plasma samples of 25 patients with HC-HCC, 15 patients with HC-LC, and 25 patients with CHC were evaluated by MALDI-MS using a Q-ToF premier (Synapt) mass spectrometer (Waters, Manchester, UK) equipped with a 200-Hz solid-state laser in the mass range between m/z (mass-to-charge ratio) of 700-1200.Results. A total of 2205 ions were initially obtained and 7 ions (m/z) were highlighted as corresponding to the most important lipids to differentiate HCC patients from LC and CHC patients. The specific lipidomic expression signature generated resulted in an overall predictive accuracy of 93% of HC-HCC and HC-LC, and 100% of HC-HCC and CHC. The 7-peak algorithm distinguished HCC from LC with a sensitivity of 96% and a specificity of 87%, and HCC from CHC with both sensitivity and specificity of 100%.Conclusion. MALDI-MS-specific signature peaks accurately distinguished patients with HC-HCC from those with HC-LC and CHC. The results indicate the potential of MALDI-MS and the selected peaks to improve HCC surveillance in patients with viral C cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis C.

Download Full-text

Hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with chronic hepatitis C: Experience gained at Clinical Center of Vojvodina

Medicinski pregled ◽

10.2298/mpns14s2031r ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 67 (suppl. 2) ◽

pp. 31-38

Author(s):

Maja Ruzic ◽

Milotka Fabri ◽

Tomislav Preveden ◽

Sanja Stojanovic ◽

Zoran Milosevic ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽

Liver Cirrhosis ◽

Chronic Hepatitis ◽

Hepatitis C Virus ◽

Hepatitis C ◽

Virus Infection ◽

Chronic Hepatitis C ◽

Alpha Fetoprotein ◽

Focal Lesion ◽

Hepatitis C Virus Infection

Introduction. The incidence of chronic hepatitis C and its consequences, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma is growing rapidly. The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical characteristics of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and chronic hepatitis C treated at the Clinical Centre of Vojvodina and therapy options. Material and Methods. This retrospective study included 51 patients (52.9% male and 47.1% female) with chronic hepatitis C and hepatocellular carcinoma treated between 2000 and 2014. The average age of patients was 61.6 years (SD=10.8) and the average duration of hepatitis C virus infection was 30.2 years (SD=11.7). All patients had liver cirrhosis and 43.1% had previously been treated with pegylated interferon and ribavirin. According to the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer criteria, stadium A, B, C and D were found in 15.7%, 52.3%, 19.6% and 11.8% of the patients, respectively. The average value of alpha fetoprotein at the moment of making diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma was 397.56 ng/ml and the level of alpha fetoprotein was below 20mg/ml in 26% of patients. Tumor resection, radiofrequency ablation, chemoembolization, systemic chemotherapy and liver transplantation were performed in 13.7%, 3.9%, 1.9%, 1.9% and 5.9% of patients, respectively. Average survival time after the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma among patients included in the study was 1.39 (SD=1.61) years. Conclusion. Ultrasound examinations of the patients with liver cirrhosis caused by hepatitis C virus infection are obligatory every 3 months. Etiology of every focal lesion in the liver must be clarified, which could increase the possibility of administration of available therapeutic methods.

Download Full-text

ERADICATION OF HCV INFECTION IN PATIENTS WITH LIVER CIRRHOSIS: FACTOR OF CANCER PREVENTION OR CARCINOGENESIS?

Siberian Journal of Oncology ◽

10.21294/1814-4861-2019-18-3-90-96 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 18 (3) ◽

pp. 90-96

Author(s):

N. A. Malinina ◽

N. V. Mazurchik ◽

O. I. Tarasova ◽

P. P. Ogurtsov

Keyword(s):

Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽

Liver Cirrhosis ◽

Chronic Hepatitis ◽

Hepatitis C ◽

Sustained Virological Response ◽

Chronic Hepatitis C ◽

Virological Response ◽

Antiviral Drugs ◽

Direct Acting Antiviral ◽

Direct Acting

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common causes of death from cancer and is the final stage of chronic liver disease, usually occurring in patients with cirrhosis (CP). Chronic infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) leads to progressive liver inflammation and cirrhosis because this virus specifically affects liver tissue. Previously used interferon therapy had a relatively low efficiency and very high risks of side effects. During the period of administration of interferon (IFN) schemes it was proved that elimination of the virus significantly reduced risk of liver cancer development. Discovery of direct-acting antiviral (DAA ) drugs have revolutionized HCV therapy with virus elimination rate of more than 95 % and an excellent safety profile. However, the risk of transformation of liver cirrhosis into hepatocellular carcinoma is still high even after complete eradication of the virus. Numerous studies have shown conflicting results on the possible relationship between the use of new antiviral drugs and the increase in the frequency of newly diagnosed or recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma. Thus, the long-term prognosis in terms of risk for HCC development among patients with sustained virological response (SVR) remains unclear.The purpose of the study was to analyze the literature on the effect of antiviral therapy of chronic hepatitis C with interferon-containing regimens and drugs of direct antiviral action on the risk of developing or recurring hepatocellular carcinoma.Material and Methods. We analyzed publications available from PubMed, S copus, E-library, Web of S cience using the key words “hepatocellular carcinoma”, “chronic hepatitis C”, “direct-acting antiviral drugs”, “liver cirrhosis”, “interferons”, and “sustained virological response”. Of the 99 studies found, 21 were used to write a systematic review.Results. Eradication of the virus reduces the risks of HCC. Despite reports on high risk of occurrence or recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with cirrhosis after treatment with DAA s compared with interferon-containing regimens, there is not enough data confirming the direct link between the use of DAA s and the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. No statistically significant difference in the frequency of HCC between patients treated with interferon or DAA s was detected.Conclusion. Eradication of the virus is the most significant factor in the prevention of HCC; therefore, treatment of CHC should not be delayed due to the risk of HCC. Patients with liver cirrhosis require a long period of follow-up, even after successful treatment of chronic hepatitis C with DAA drugs. Stratification of HCC risk requires further research.

Download Full-text

Outcomes of chronic hepatitis C depending on patients’ age

Infekcionnye bolezni ◽

10.20953/1729-9225-2021-1-105-109 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

pp. 105-109

Author(s):

V.V. Makashova ◽

◽

Zh.B. Ponezheva ◽

Kh.G. Omarova ◽

I.V. Mannanova ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽

Liver Cirrhosis ◽

Chronic Hepatitis ◽

Hepatitis C ◽

Elderly Patients ◽

Key Words ◽

Chronic Hepatitis C ◽

Disease Duration ◽

Age Related ◽

Age Category

In this review, we analyze the dynamics of the formation of liver cirrhosis (LC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) with the consideration of age category and special attention paid to elderly patients. It was found that these patients have a significantly higher risk of both LC and HCC due to a reduced immunoreactivity. This is associated not only with the disease duration, but with specific age-related characteristics of the organism. Key words: chronic hepatitis C, age, outcomes, cirrhosis, hepatocarcinoma

Download Full-text

Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C - Who Should Not Be Treated?

Canadian Journal of Gastroenterology ◽

10.1155/2000/713251 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 14 (suppl b) ◽

pp. 63B-67B

Author(s):

Andreas Schüler ◽

Michael Peter Manns

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽

Liver Cirrhosis ◽

Chronic Hepatitis ◽

Hepatitis C ◽

Chronic Hepatitis C ◽

Treatment Side Effects ◽

Life Conditions ◽

Therapy Effectiveness ◽

Receive Treatment

The decision to treat a patient with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) is based on what is known about the risk factors for developing liver cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma, as well as on conditions that contraindicate therapy or impair therapy effectiveness. Several factors, including age, treatment side effects, disease severity, concurrent diseases and life conditions, may render treatment decisions more difficult. This review focuses on identifying CHC patients who should not receive treatment.

Download Full-text