BRCA-mutant pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Despite continued research, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains one of the main causes of cancer death. Interest is growing in the role of the tumour suppressors breast cancer 1 (BRCA1) and BRCA2-typically associated with breast and ovarian cancer-in the pathogenesis of PDAC. Indeed, both germline and sporadic mutations in BRCA1/2 have been found to play a role in the development of PDAC. However, data regarding BRCA1/2-mutant PDAC are lacking. In this review, we aim to outline the specific landscape of BRCA-mutant PDAC, focusing on heritability, clinical features, differences between BRCA1 and 2 mutations and between germline and sporadic alterations, as well as established therapeutic strategies and those that are still under evaluation.

Feasibility and clinical impact of routine molecular testing of gastrointestinal cancers at a tertiary centre with a multi-gene, tumor-agnostic, next generation sequencing panel.

BACKGROUND: High-throughput sequencing technologies are increasingly used in research but limited data are available on the feasibility and value of these when routinely adopted in clinical practice. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analyzed all consecutive cancer patients for whom genomic testing by a 48-gene next-generation sequencing (NGS) panel (Truseq Amplicon Cancer Panel, Illumina) was requested as part of standard care in one of the largest Belgian cancer networks between 2014 and 2019. Feasibility of NGS was assessed in all study patients, while the impact of NGS on the decision making was analyzed in the group of gastrointestinal cancer patients. RESULTS: Tumor samples from 1064 patients with varying tumor types were tested, the number of NGS requests increasing over time (p < .0001). Success rate and median turnaround time were 91.4% and 12.5 days, respectively, both significantly decreasing over time (p ≤ .0002). Non-surgical sampling procedure (OR 7.97, p < .0001), tissue from metastatic site (OR 2.35, p = .0006) and more recent year of testing (OR 1.79, p = .0258) were independently associated with NGS failure. Excluding well-known actionable or clinically relevant mutations which are recommended by international guidelines and commonly tested by targeted sequencing, 57/279 (20.4%) assessable gastrointestinal cancer patients were found to have tumors harboring at least one actionable altered gene according to the OncoKB database. NGS results, however, had a direct impact on management decisions by the treating physician in only 3 cases (1.1%). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings confirm that NGS is feasible in the clinical setting with acceptably low failure rates and rapid turnaround time. In gastrointestinal cancers, however, NGS-based multiple-gene testing adds very little to standard targeted sequencing, and in routine practice the clinical impact of NGS panels including genes which are not routinely recommended by international guidelines remains limited.

Perception of the COVID-19 Pandemic Among Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease in the Time of Telemedicine: Cross-Sectional Questionnaire Study.

BACKGROUND: After the COVID-19 outbreak, the Italian Government stopped most regular health care activity. As a result, patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) had limited access to outpatient clinics and hospitals. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to analyze the perception of the COVID-19 emergency among patients with IBD during the early weeks of the lockdown. METHODS: We invited adult patients with IBD from the University of Salerno (Campania, South Italy) and the University of Padua (Veneto, North Italy) by email to answer an ad hoc anonymous survey about COVID-19. We also collected data on demographic and disease characteristics. RESULTS: In total, 167 patients with IBD from Padua and 83 patients from Salerno answered the survey (age: mean 39.7 years, SD 13.9 years; female: n=116, 46.4%). We found that patients with IBD were particularly worried about the COVID-19 pandemic (enough: 77/250, 30.8%; much/very much: 140/250, 56.0%), as they felt more vulnerable to COVID-19 due to their condition (enough: 70/250, 28.0%; much/very much: 109/250, 43.6%). Patients with IBD from the red zone of Veneto were more worried than patients from Campania (P=.001), and men felt more susceptible to the virus than women (P=.05). Additionally, remote medicine was appreciated more by younger patients than older patients (P=.04). CONCLUSIONS: The results of our survey demonstrate that the lockdown had a significant impact on the psychological aspects of patients with IBD and suggest the need for increasing communication with patients with IBD (eg, through telemedicine) to ensure patients receive adequate health care, correct information, and proper psychological support.

Coffee and liver health.

Coffee is one of the most widely used beverages in the world. It includes a wide array of components that can have potential implications for health. Several epidemiological studies associate coffee consumption with a reduced incidence of various chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegenerative diseases. Over the past 20 years, an increasing number of epidemiological and experimental studies have demonstrated the positive effects of coffee on chronic liver diseases. Coffee consumption has been inversely associated with the activity of liver enzymes in subjects at risk, including heavy drinkers. Coffee favours an improvement in hepatic steatosis and fibrosis, and a reduction in cirrhosis and the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma. The mechanisms of action through which it exerts its beneficial effects are not fully understood. Experimental studies show that coffee consumption reduces fat accumulation and collagen deposition in the liver and promotes antioxidant capacity through an increase in glutathione as well as modulation of the gene and protein expression of several inflammatory mediators. Animal and in vitro studies indicate that cafestol and kahweol, 2 diterpens, can operate by modulating multiple enzymes involved in the detoxification process of carcinogens causing hepatocellular carcinoma. It is unclear whether the benefits are significant enough to "treat" patients with chronic liver disease. While we await clarification, moderate daily unsweetened coffee use is a reasonable adjuvant to therapy for these patients.

Treatment options for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: the potential of biologics.

INTRODUCTION: Advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents a significant global health burden, whose treatment has been recently revolutionized by the advent of biologic treatments. Despite that, innovative therapeutic regimens and approaches, especially immune-based, remain to be explored aiming at extending the therapeutic benefits to a wider population of patients. AREAS COVERED: This review comprehensively discusses the evolving landscape of biological treatment modalities for advanced HCC, including immune checkpoint inhibitors, antiangiogenic monoclonal antibodies, tumor-targeting monoclonal antibodies either naked or drug-conjugated, therapeutic vaccines, oncolytic viruses, adoptive cell therapies, and cytokine-based therapies. Key clinical trials and preclinical studies are examined, highlighting the actual or potential impact of these interventions in reshaping treatment paradigms for HCC. EXPERT OPINION: Tailored and rational combination strategies, leveraging the synergistic effects of different modalities, represent a promising approach to maximize treatment efficacy in advanced HCC, which should aim at conversion endpoints to increase the fraction of patients eligible for curative approaches. The identification of predictive biomarkers holds the key to optimizing patient selection and improving therapeutic outcomes.

Safety and Efficacy of Lenvatinib in Very Old Patients with Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Data concerning the use of lenvatinib in very old patients (≥ 80 years) are limited, although the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in this patient population is constantly increasing. OBJECTIVE: This analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of lenvatinib in a large cohort of very old patients (≥ 80 years) with unresectable HCC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study was conducted on a cohort of 1325 patients from 46 centers in four Western and Eastern countries (Italy, Germany, Japan, and the Republic of Korea) who were undergoing first-line treatment with lenvatinib between July 2010 and February 2022. Patients were stratified according to age as very old (≥ 80 years) and not very old (< 80 years). RESULTS: The median overall survival (OS) was 15.7 months for patients < 80 years old and 18.4 months for patients ≥ 80 years old [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.02, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.84-1.25, p = 0.8281]. Median progression free survival (PFS) was 6.3 months for patients < 80 years old and 6.5 months for patients ≥ 80 years old (HR = 1.07, 95% CI 0.91-1.25, p = 0.3954). No differences between the two study groups were found in terms of disease control rate (DCR; 80.8% versus 78.8%; p = 0.44) and response rate (RR; 38.2% versus 37.9%; p = 0.88). Patients < 80 years old experienced significantly more hand-foot skin reaction (HFSR) grade ≥ 2 and decreased appetite grade ≥ 2. Conversely, patients ≥ 80 years old experienced significantly more fatigue grade ≥ 2. In the very old group, parameters associated with prognosis were AFP, albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) grade, Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC), and Child-Pugh score. BCLC stage was the only independent predictor of overall survival (OS; HR = 1.59, 95% CI 1.11-2.29, p = 0.01115). CONCLUSIONS: Our study highlights the same efficacy and safety of lenvatinib between very old and not very old patients.

Does immunotherapy change the treatment paradigm in metastatic gastric cancer?

Gastric cancer represents one of the leading causes of cancer-related death worldwide. Even if the last decade has witnessed an improvement in surgical and systemic treatments, with an increase of overall life expectancy, survival rates still remain unsatisfactory, especially for patients with metastatic disease. Systemic therapies represent the gold standard in the management of stage IV gastric cancer. In this scenario, the availability of effective second and third lines has represented for a long time the only hope to offer an overall survival improvement to these patients. Recently, the advent of immune checkpoint inhibitors has involved also gastric cancer with encouraging efficacy data in the metastatic setting, becoming integral part of the management of selected patients.

Telemedicine in the COVID-19 era for Liver Transplant Recipients: an Italian lockdown area experience.

BACKGROUND: Data on COVID-19 in Liver Transplant (LT) recipients are scanty, but one can hypothesize that they are more susceptible to infection due to chronic immunosuppression. Telemedicine could be an alternative to the routine clinical care in this difficult period. We aimed to investigate in a cohort of LT recipients the access to remote consultation and the attitude towards Telemedicine using an internet-based survey. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We invited LT recipients from the Liver Transplant Follow-up Center of the University Hospital of Salerno to access remote consultation. A subgroup of them also participated in a self-administered, internet-based survey evaluating demographics; LT data and immunosuppressive therapy; comorbidities; attitudes towards COVID-19 infection; their perceptions of the need for health care, and their approach to telemedicine. RESULTS: Seventy-four/one hundred and fifty-three (48.3%) LT recipients were unable to access remote consultation. They showed a significantly higher mean age and a higher percentage of low school degree compared to those who accessed it (p=0.03 and p=0.001, respectively). Among the remaining LT recipients, 50/79 (63.3%) responded to the survey; mean time from liver transplantation was 12±7 years; 94% of the sample reported at least one comorbidity; 44% of LT recipients declared to be "very much/much" worried because of COVID-19 infection, and 64% considered themselves more vulnerable than the general population. Forty percent of responders refused the routine follow-up visit, and 62% were very interested in using Telemedicine. CONCLUSION: LT recipients were anxious because of COVID-19 infection and considered themselves more vulnerable than the general population, refusing the routine clinical visit. For continuing services during the COVID-19 era, new strategies are needed and telemedicine shows promise.

Introducing immunotherapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma patients: Too early or too fast?

Advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most frequent liver cancer. Immunotherapy has been explored in this disease in order to improve survival outcomes. Nowadays, scientific research is focusing especially on immune checkpoint inhibitors, in particular anti-PD1, anti-PD-L1 and anti-CTLA4 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), as single-agent or in combination with other immunotherapy agents, target therapies, anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and other agents targeting specific molecular pathways. Other immunotherapy strategies have been assessed or are under investigation in advanced HCC, namely cytokines, adoptive cell therapy, oncolytic virus, cancer vaccines. Each treatment presents specific efficacy and toxicity profiles, strictly related to their mechanism of action and to advanced HCC tumour microenvironment (TME). The aim of this review is to outline the state-of-the-art of immunotherapy in advanced HCC treatment, highlighting data on already investigated treatment strategies, safety and toxicity (including HBV/HCV-related HCC), and ongoing clinical trials focusing on new promising therapeutic weapons.

PD-1 and PD-L1 inhibitors in oesophago-gastric cancers.

Oesophago-gastric cancers (OGCs) are aggressive tumours. While better peri-operative strategies, increased number of cytotoxic agents and availability of targeted therapies have improved survival, there remains an unmet need for novel treatment approaches. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have marked a new era in cancer management with unprecedented results in several malignancies. Although OGC lagged behind other solid tumours, evidence has increasingly accumulated supporting the contention that modulation of the anti-cancer host immune response may be beneficial for at least some patients. Many trials have been completed in Eastern and Western countries, some of these leading to the approval of ICIs in the refractory setting, and favorable opinion from regulatory agencies is expected also in treatment-naïve, advanced OGC. Furthermore, studies are evaluating ICIs in the early stage setting and exploring the potential of combination treatments. In this article we discuss the biological bases underlying the successful development of ICIs in OGC and review the available data on PD-1 and PD-L1 monoclonal antibodies in this disease. Also, we present ongoing clinical trials of these ICIs that could shape the future treatment landscape of OGC.

MOMENTUM: A Phase I Trial Investigating 2 Schedules of Capecitabine With Aflibercept in Patients With Gastrointestinal and Breast Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Although data from preclinical and clinical studies provide a strong rationale for combining capecitabine with anti-angiogenic agents, clinical development of this fluoropyrimidine in combination with aflibercept has lagged behind other treatments. We conducted a nonrandomized, noncomparative, 2-arm, phase I trial to address this unmet need. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with chemorefractory gastrointestinal and breast cancer were sequentially recruited into a continuous (Arm A, starting dose 1100 mg/m2/day) or intermittent (Arm B, 2 weeks on/1 week off, starting dose 1700 mg/m2/day) capecitabine dosing arm. Aflibercept was administered at a flat dose of 6 mg/kg every 3 weeks in both arms. A classical 3 + 3, dose-escalation design was used. The primary objective was to establish the maximum tolerated dose, dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs), and recommended dose for phase II trials. RESULTS: Thirty-eight eligible patients were recruited of whom 33 were assessable for DLTs (15 in arm A and 18 in arm B). Fourteen had colorectal cancer, 8 gastric cancer, and 11 breast cancer. DLTs included grade 2 hand-foot syndrome, grade 2 anorexia considered unacceptable by the patient, and grade 3 hypertension. The recommended dose for phase II trials for capecitabine was established at 1300 mg/m2/day in Arm A and 2500 mg/m2/day in Arm B with treatment-related grade ≥ 3 adverse events occurring in 47% and 50% of patients, respectively. Among 26 assessable patients, the objective response rate was 15.4% in Arm A and 7.7% in Arm B. CONCLUSION: Combining capecitabine with aflibercept is feasible and associated with a manageable safety profile and some anti-tumor activity in patients with chemorefractory gastrointestinal and breast cancer.

Prognostic Value of the Pace of Tumor Progression as Assessed by Serial 18F-FDG PET/CT Scan and Liquid Biopsy in Refractory Colorectal Cancer: The CORIOLAN Trial.

INTRODUCTION: Decision making in refractory colorectal cancer (rCRC) is challenging, with limited data available to predict patient outcome. We conducted a study to assess the pace of cancer progression as a potential prognostic and decision tool. METHODS: CORIOLAN was a prospective, single-center, single-arm trial recruiting refractory CRC patients with an ECOG performance status of ≤1 and an estimated life expectancy of ≥12 weeks. 18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) scan and blood sample collection were carried out at baseline and after 2 weeks with no cancer treatment given between these timepoints. The primary objective was to evaluate the association between pace of cancer progression as defined by changes of the whole-body metabolically active tumor volume (WB-MATV) and overall survival (OS). Exploratory objectives included evaluation of the prognostic value of circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA), circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). RESULTS: 47 eligible patients who had received a median number of 5 (range 2-8) prior treatments were enrolled. At the time of analysis, 45 deaths had occurred, with 26% of patients dying within 12 weeks. The median OS was 6.3 months (range 0.4-14.3). The median relative delta between WB-MATV at baseline and 2 weeks was +21%. Changes of WB-MATV, however, failed to predict OS (hazard ratio (HR) 1.3, p = 0.383). Similarly, no association was observed between changes of any of the circulating biomarkers investigated and prognosis. By contrast, high WB-MATV (4.2 versus 9.4 months; HR 3.1, p = 0.003), high CEA (4.4 versus 7.0 months; HR 1.9, p = 0.053), high cfDNA (4.7 versus 7.0 months; HR 2.2, p = 0.015) and high CTC count (3.3 versus 7.5 months; HR 6.5, p < 0.001) at baseline were associated with worse OS. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, approximately 1 out of 4 refractory CRC patients who were judged to have a life expectancy >12 weeks actually died within 12 weeks. Baseline assessment of WB-MATV, cfDNA, CTCs and CEA, but not early change evaluation of the same, may help to refine patient prognostication and guide management decisions.

Molecular-Biology-Driven Treatment for Metastatic Colorectal Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Metastatic CRC (mCRC) is a molecular heterogeneous disease. The aim of this review is to give an overview of molecular-driven treatment of mCRC patients. METHODS: A review of clinical trials, retrospective studies and case reports was performed regarding molecular biomarkers with therapeutic implications. RESULTS: RAS wild-type status was confirmed as being crucial for anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) monoclonal antibodies and for rechallenge strategy. Antiangiogenic therapies improve survival in first- and second-line settings, irrespective of RAS status, while tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) remain promising in refractory mCRC. Promising results emerged from anti-HER2 drugs trials in HER2-positive mCRC. Target inhibitors were successful for BRAFV600E mutant mCRC patients, while immunotherapy was successful for microsatellite instability-high/defective mismatch repair (MSI-H/dMMR) or DNA polymerase epsilon catalytic subunit (POLE-1) mutant patients. Data are still lacking on NTRK, RET, MGMT, and TGF-ß, which require further research. CONCLUSION: Several molecular biomarkers have been identified for the tailored treatment of mCRC patients and multiple efforts are currently ongoing to increase the therapeutic options. In the era of precision medicine, molecular-biology-driven treatment is the key to impro patient selection and patient outcomes. Further research and large phase III trials are required to ameliorate the therapeutic management of these patients.

New therapeutic targets in pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is associated with poor survival. Of all newly diagnosed patients, only about 20% can benefit from a potentially curative surgical resection, the remaining 80% presenting with unresectable locally advanced (LAPC) or metastatic (MPC) disease. Currently, there are limited therapeutic options for LAPC and MPC patients. Furthermore, despite intensive research efforts to better understand the molecular bases of PDAC and the biological relevance of its tumor microenvironment, treatments still largely consist of classical cytotoxic chemotherapy agents. Several studies of genetic and epigenetic sequencing have demonstrated the existence of 4 molecular PDAC subtypes, with heterogeneous genetic characteristics and different biological behaviour: squamous, pancreatic progenitor, immunogenic and aberrantly differentiated endocrine exocrine (ADEX). These distinct subtypes derive from alterations at multiple levels. Apart from the DNA repair pathway, however, none of these has so far been validated as a clinically relevant therapeutic target. Also, PDAC is unique from an immunological perspective and many studies have recently tried to elucidate the role of intratumoral effector T-cells, RAS oncogene, immunosuppressive leukocytes and desmoplastic reaction in maintaining the immunological homeostasis of this disease. However, there still remains much to be learned about the mechanisms whereby the pancreatic immune microenvironment promotes immune escape of cancer cells. Furthermore, while therapies targeting the stroma as well as immunotherapies hold promise for the future, these are not yet standard of care. This review aims to outline the state-of-the-art of LAPC and MPC treatment, highlighting data on the target therapies failure and current ongoing clinical trials on new promising therapeutic strategies.

Eradication of HCV in Renal Transplant Recipients and Its Effects on Quality of Life.

BACKGROUND: The use of direct antiviral agents (DAA) has radically modified the course of HCV hepatitis in renal patients. Aim of this study was to assess the effects of HCV eradication on quality of life (QOL) in renal transplant recipients (RTR), measured by CLDQ and SF-36. METHODS: Sixteen RTR with well preserved GFR (mean: 60.3±19.3 ml/min) and chronic HCV infection with moderate liver stiffness (9.3±1.7 kPa) were given a sofosbuvir-based regimen for 12 weeks and had a 1 year follow-up. RESULTS: At end of treatment (EOT) a complete viral clearance was observed in all the patients, with normalization of most laboratory data and a consistent reduction in liver stiffness. All these parameters remained stable after 1 year, as well as renal function and proteinuria. Questionnaire data showed consistent amelioration in different "emotional" domains at EOT, which persisted after 1 year and were associated with a globally improved QOL, although there was no change in most of the "physical" domains in both questionnaires. One patient under ribavirin developed an acute anemia and withdrew from the study, but no further adverse episode was observed throughout the study. CONCLUSIONS: Our data, while confirming the efficacy of oral DAA, show that HCV infection represents a heavy psychological burden in renal transplant recipients, greatly alleviated by viral eradication, which determines a significant improvement in QOL that represents an important outcome in management of all transplant recipients. This trial is registered with ISRCTN97560076.

Sustained virological response by direct antiviral agents in HCV leads to an early and significant improvement of liver fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: Direct antiviral agents (DAA) demonstrated high efficacy among HCV-infected patients in registered trials. Nevertheless, the impact of these therapies on liver stiffness measurement (LSM) and liver functionality in 'real-life' is not well-known. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the sustained virological response (SVR) impact on LSM and clinical parameters of DAA-therapy on a real-life population of HCV patients with F3/F4 fibrosis. METHODS: A total of 749 HCV genotype 1-4 patients with F3/F4 hepatitis undergoing antiviral therapy were consecutively enrolled in four centres of hepatology in Italy. Clinical, biochemical and imaging data were collected at the baseline (T0), at the end of treatment (EoT) and after 12 weeks (SVR12). RESULTS: Out of 749 patients, 69.7% were F4 and 30.3% were F3. SVR12 was reached in 97.5%. LSM significantly decreased from T0 to EoT (P<0.001), whereas, it did not from EoT to SVR12 (P= not significant). Moreover, in F4 no significant differences were found in Child and MELD between T0, EoT and SVR12 (P= not significant). At the univariate analysis of clinical and liver parameters, baseline high glucose (P<0.005), type 2 diabetes (P<0.001), low alanine aminotransferase (ALT; P<0.001), low platelets (P<0.005), and the presence of esophageal varices (EV; P<0.001) were found to be associated with a lack of a significant EoT LSM improvement. At multiple regression, ALT (P<0.05), diabetes (P<0.005) and EV (P<0.05) were inversely associated with significant LSM reduction. CONCLUSIONS: Virological response to DAA is associated with fibrosis regression and recovery of liver functionality and this can be detected as early as EoT. HCV eradication is associated with a rapid and significant clinical improvement that lasts over time and seems to be negatively influenced by diabetes and EV.

Laser ablation is superior to TACE in large-sized hepatocellular carcinoma: a pilot case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Limited therapies are available for large (≥40 mm) unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Currently, the standard treatment with transarterial chemoembolisation (TACE) is unsatisfactory with high recurrence rate and limited effect on survival. Laser Ablation (LA) has emerged as a relatively new technique characterized by high efficacy and good safety. This study is aimed to evaluate the efficacy of LA in comparison to TACE in patients with large HCC. METHODS: Eighty-two patients with a single HCC nodule ≥40 mm (BCLC stage A or B) were enrolled in this case-control study. Forty-one patients were treated with LA and 41 patients were treated with TACE. Response to therapy was evaluated according to the mRECIST criteria. Survival was calculated with Kaplan-Meier from the time of cancer diagnosis to death with values censored at the date of the last follow-up. RESULTS: Twenty-six (63.4%) and 8 (19.5%) patients had a complete response after LA and TACE, respectively (p < 0.001). Subsequently we stratified the HCCs in 3 categories according to the nodule size: 40-50 mm, 51-60 mm, and >60 mm. LA resulted superior to TACE especially in nodules ranging between 51 and 60 mm in diameter, with a complete response rate post-LA and post-TACE of 75% and 14.3%, respectively (p = 0.0133). The 36 months cumulative survival rate in patients treated with LA and TACE was 55.4% and 48.8%, respectively. The disease recurrence rates after LA and TACE were 19.5% and 75.0%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: LA is a more effective therapeutic option than TACE in patients with solitary large HCC.

Optimization of direct anti-viral agent treatment schedule: Focus on HCV genotype 3.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Direct antiviral agents (DAAs) have led to high sustained virological responses (SVR) in hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients. However, genotype 3 patients respond to treatment in a suboptimal way. This study aims to identify which of the several treatment schedules recommended for genotype 3 would constitute the best option. METHODS: Twenty-four Italian centers were involved in this real-life study of HCV genotype 3 patients treated with DAAs. To expand the number of cases, we conducted a systematic review of the literature on the outcome of genotype 3 patients treated with DAAs. RESULTS: A total of 233 patients with HCV genotype 3 were enrolled. Cirrhotic patients accounted for 83.7%. Overall, the SVR12 rate was achieved by 205 patients (88.0%); the SVR rates were 78.8% after sofosbuvir/ribavirin, 92.5% after sofosbuvir/daclatasvir ± ribavirin, and 100% after sofosbuvir/ledipasvir (seven patients). No difference in rate of SVR was observed in cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic patients (92.2 vs 94.4) using a combination regimen of NS5A and NS5B inhibitors.The systematic review of the literature provided data of 3311 patients: The mean weighted SVR12 rate was 84.4% (CI: 80.4-87.8); the rates varied from 79.0% (CI: 70.9-85.3) with sofosbuvir/ribavirin, to 83.7% (CI: 66.2-93.1) with sofosbuvir/ledispavir, and to 88.2% (CI: 83.3-91.7) with sofosbuvir/daclatasvir. CONCLUSIONS: Our results reinforce the concept that patients with HCV genotype 3 should no longer be considered difficult-to-treat individuals. The optimal therapeutic regimen for these patients appears to be the combination sofosbuvir/daclatasvir, administered for 12 weeks without the use of RBV in non-cirrhotic patients. In cirrhotics the meta-analytic approach suggests extending therapy to 24 weeks.

Prevalence of and risk factors for HBV infection in a metropolitan Southern Italian area: Evidence for the effectiveness of universal Hepatitis B vaccination.

BACKGROUND: Available data on HBV prevalence in Italy are outdated and assessed with studies conducted in small towns. We aimed to evaluate prevalence of and risk factors for HBV infection in the metropolitan area of Naples, 24 years after the introduction of mass vaccination campaign against Hepatitis B in Italy. METHODS: A random systematic sample of the adult general population of Naples was selected from the register of 3 general practitioners in 3 different socio-economic districts. Independent predictors of the likelihood of HBV infection were identified by logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Among 900 selected subjects, 772 (85.8%) participated in the study. The overall HBsAg and anti-HBc prevalences were 1.7% and 14.4%, respectively. Both markers were more likely detected in the district at low socioeconomic status than in those at medium-high status (p<0.01). Anti-HBc prevalence linearly increased from 0% in subjects 30 years old or younger to 28.0% in those older than 60 years of age (p<0.01). At multivariate analysis, age >60 years (OR3.38; 95%CI:1.98-5.74), low socioeconomic district of residence (OR3.26; 95%CI:1.72-6.18), and low educational qualification (OR2.73; 95%CI:1.45-5.16) were independent predictors of anti-HBc positivity. CONCLUSION: Differences in socioeconomic conditions have played a major role in the past spread of HBV infection in Naples. Hepatitis B vaccination has resulted very effectively in preventing HBV infection, regardless of the district of residence, as none of the subjects in the vaccinated cohorts was exposed to the infection.