Tumour stemness and poor clinical outcomes in haemochromatosis patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

AIMS: Patients with haemochromatosis (HFE) are known to have an increased risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Available data are conflicting on whether such patients have poorer prognosis, and there is lack of data regarding the biology of HFE-HCC. We compared the course of HFE-HCC with a matched non-HFE-HCC control group and examined tumour characteristics using immunohistochemistry. METHODS: In this tertiary care-based retrospective analysis, 12 patients with HFE and 34 patients with alcohol/non-alcoholic steatohepatitis who underwent initially successful curative HCC therapy with ablation or resection were identified from our registry. Time to tumour progression was compared. Resected liver tissue from a separate cohort of 11 matched patients with HFE-HCC and without HFE-HCC was assessed for the expression of progenitor and epithelial-mesenchymal transition markers using immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The median follow-up was 24.39 and 24.28 months for patients with HFE-HCC and those without HFE-HCC, respectively (p>0.05). The mean time to progression was shorter in the HFE group compared with the non-HFE group (12.87 months vs 17.78 months; HR 3.322, p<0.05). Patients with HFE-HCC also progressed to more advanced disease by the end of follow-up (p<0.05). Immunohistochemical analysis of matched HFE-HCC and non-HFE-HCC explants demonstrated increased expression of the cancer stem cell markers EpCAM (epithelial cell adhesion molecule) and EpCAM/SALL4 (spalt-like transcription factor 4) coexpression in HFE-HCC specimens (p<0.05). There was a high frequency of combined tumour subtypes within the HFE cohort. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that the clinical course of patients with HFE-HCC is more aggressive and provides the first data indicating that their tumours have increased expression of progenitor markers. These findings suggest patients with HFE-HCC may need to be considered for transplant at an earlier stage.

Reduced and more appropriate referrals of patients with type 2 diabetes using liver stiffness measurement compared to FIB-4.

BACKGROUND: Fatty liver disease and fibrosis are common in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Recently published European Association for the Study of the Liver guidelines have suggested screening such patients using liver stiffness measurement (LSM) or fibrosis-4 index (FIB-4) to exclude advanced fibrosis. AIMS: We initiated a screening programme at the diabetes out-patient clinic to assess the reliability of the suggested approaches and resulting referrals. METHODS: In this prospective study, consecutive patients attending for T2DM review at an Irish level 3 (district general) hospital between September and November 2021 were screened for liver fibrosis using LSM and had their FIB-4 calculated. The first 100 patients with valid LSM measurements were included in the analysis. RESULTS: Referral rates to the hepatology clinic varied by modality used. If FIB-4 ≥ 1.3 criterion was used, the referral rate to the hepatology clinic was 45%; using LSM < 8 kPa to rule out advanced fibrosis resulted in 34% referral rate; using LSM ≥ 10 kPa to suggest probable compensated advanced chronic liver disease reduced referral rates to 15%. Combining FIB-4 with LSM in a two-step algorithm led to missed potentially significant liver disease in large numbers. 47% patients with LSM ≥ 8 kPa and 33% with LSM ≥ 10 kPa had FIB-4 < 1.3. CONCLUSIONS: Screening of patients with T2DM using LSM alone rather than FIB-4 leads to reduced numbers of, and more appropriate, referrals to the hepatology clinic. Shifting from an exclusion (LSM < 8 kPa) to an inclusion based (LSM ≥ 10 kPa) approach may lessen the potential of screening to overwhelm hepatology services.

Rat liver ECM incorporated into electrospun polycaprolactone scaffolds as a platform for hepatocyte culture.

Liver disease is expanding across the globe; however, health-care systems still lack approved pharmaceutical treatment strategies to mitigate potential liver failures. Organ transplantation is the only treatment for liver failure and with increasing cases of liver disease, transplant programs increasingly cannot provide timely transplant availability for all patients. The development of pharmaceutical mitigation strategies is clearly necessary and methods to improve drug development processes are considered vital for this purpose. Herein, we present a methodology for incorporating whole organ decellularised rat liver ECM (rLECM) into polycaprolactone (PCL) electrospun scaffolds with the aim of producing biologically relevant liver tissue models. rLECM PCL scaffolds have been produced with 5 w/w% and 10 w/w% rLECM:PCL and were analyzed by SEM imaging, tensile mechanical analyses and FTIR spectroscopy. The hepatocellular carcinoma cell line, HepG2, was cultured upon the scaffolds for 14 days and were analyzed through cell viability assay, DNA quantification, albumin quantification, immunohistochemistry, and RT-qPCR gene expression analysis. Results showed significant increases in proliferative activity of HepG2 on rLECM containing scaffolds alongside maintained key gene expression. This study confirms that rLECM can be utilized to modulate the bioactivity of electrospun PCL scaffolds and has the potential to produce electrospun scaffolds suitable for enhanced hepatocyte cultures and in-vitro liver tissue models.

An exploratory analysis of patient factors influencing acceptance of extended criteria liver grafts.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: There is a shortage of ideal donor organs with consequential increasing waitlist times, drop-off, and mortality. Teams have thus extended the donor criteria. Little is known about patients' actual choices and what factors may influence their decisions regarding different extended criteria liver grafts. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The documented acceptance or refusal of seven extended criteria liver graft types of patients consented for transplant in a single institution over a 2-year period was reviewed. Patient factors including sex, age, indication, aetiology, and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score were analysed using logistic regression. RESULTS: Most patients were willing to accept most graft types. MELD score did not impact the acceptance or refusal of any graft type. Older patients and those with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) or ascites had significantly higher rates of acceptance. Hepatitis B or C disease aetiology was predictive of willingness to accept a similarly infected graft, respectively. HCC was predictive of acceptance of grafts from donors with a cancer history. CONCLUSIONS: In general, patients embrace the available extended criteria donors. Our analysis suggests that consent should be revisited as patients deteriorate or ameliorate on the waitlist, especially if in the form of ascites or HCC but not necessarily MELD score.

Lorcaserin: A review of its preclinical and clinical pharmacology and therapeutic potential.

The selective 5-HT2C receptor agonist lorcaserin, in conjunction with lifestyle modification, was approved by the FDA in 2012 for weight management. It has been marketed in the US as Belviq® since 2013. This article provides a review of the preclinical and clinical pharmacology of lorcaserin, including its pharmacokinetic and safety profiles. Preclinical studies with lorcaserin initially focused on simple measures of food intake and body weight gain, but have now expanded to include studies on its effects on appetitive aspects of feeding behaviour and models of binge-eating. A significant number of studies have also shown that lorcaserin alters behaviours related to drug use and addiction, in rodents and non-human primates. Potential clinically-relevant effects of lorcaserin have also been reported in models of pain and seizure-like activity. Not surprisingly, the majority of clinical work with lorcaserin has focused on its effects on weight gain, and on physiological processes related to energy intake. However, results of clinical trials and experimental laboratory studies involving lorcaserin are now appearing which describe effects on a range of other behaviours and physiological functions. These include smoking cessation, cocaine self-administration, and behavioural and brain responses to food cues. All of this work suggests that lorcaserin may have therapeutic potential for a variety of disorders and conditions beyond obesity. Based on clinical experience, including the outcomes from several, large, well-powered clinical obesity trials at the approved 10mg BID dose both pre and post approval, a priori concerns about cardiac valvulopathy have largely been allayed. However, as with any recently approved first-in-class pharmacotherapy, there may be yet-unknown risks, as well as benefits, associated with use of lorcaserin. Nonetheless, the current safety profile and an expanding post approval safety data base should encourage further experimental laboratory-based and clinical trial-based research with lorcaserin in targeted populations to investigate its full therapeutic potential.

Efficacy and safety of ralinepag, a novel oral IP agonist, in PAH patients on mono or dual background therapy: results from a phase 2 randomised, parallel group, placebo-controlled trial.

PURPOSE: This phase 2 study was designed to assess the efficacy, safety and tolerability of immediate-release orally administered ralinepag, a selective, non-prostanoid prostacyclin receptor agonist with a 24-h terminal half-life, compared to placebo in adult patients with symptomatic pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). METHODS: 61 PAH patients who were receiving standard care, including mono or dual PAH-targeted background therapy were randomised 2:1 to ralinepag (n=40) or placebo (n=21). The starting dose of ralinepag was 10 µg twice daily. Dosage was then up-titrated as tolerated over the course of the 9-week dose-titration period, to a maximum total daily dose of 600 µg (300 µg twice daily). The primary efficacy end-point was the absolute change in pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) from baseline to week 22. Additional end-points included percentage change in PVR from baseline, other haemodynamic parameters, 6-min walk distance (6MWD) and safety and tolerability. RESULTS: Ralinepag significantly decreased PVR by 163.9 dyn·s·cm-5 compared to an increase of 0.7 dyn·s·cm-5 with placebo (p=0.02); the least-squares mean change from baseline PVR was -29.8% compared with placebo (p=0.03). 6MWD increased from baseline by 36.2 m with ralinepag and 29.4 m with placebo (p=0.90). Serious adverse events occurred in 10% of ralinepag patients and 29% of placebo patients. Study discontinuations occurred in 13% of ralinepag patients and 10% of placebo patients. SUMMARY: Ralinepag reduced PVR compared with placebo in PAH patients on mono (41%) or dual combination (59%) background therapy.

Phase III trial results with blisibimod, a selective inhibitor of B-cell activating factor, in subjects with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE): results from a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Targeted inhibitors of B-cell activating factor (BAFF) have been evaluated in phase III trials in over 4000 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Post hoc analyses of these studies identify greater treatment effect in patients entering with higher disease activity, greater corticosteroid doses, anti double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) and low complement C3 or C4. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of blisibimod, a BAFF inhibitor, in a population of patients with SLE enriched for high disease activity. METHODS: 442 patients with SLE with antinuclear antibodies or anti-dsDNA and Safety of Estrogen in Lupus Erythematosus National Assessment - Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SELENA-SLEDAI) score ≥10 on standard-of-care medications were randomised to receive weekly subcutaneous blisibimod (200 mg) or placebo. Corticosteroid taper was encouraged from week 8. The primary end point was the week 52 SLE Responder Index-6 (SRI-6). RESULTS: The SRI-6 primary end point was not met. There was a statistically significant steroid-sparing effect, and significantly more blisibimod-treated subjects achieved corticosteroid taper. Increased blisibimod treatment effect on SRI-6 was observed in subjects who achieved a concomitant decrease in corticosteroid dose from baseline. In subjects with baseline urinary protein:creatinine ratio (UPCR) ≥56.5 mg/mmol, significantly higher proportions of blisibimod subjects achieved >50% reduction in UPCR and/or UPCR <56.5 mg/mmol. Reductions in SLE autoantibodies and B cells, and increases in complement C3 and C4 were observed with blisibimod.Blisibimod was well-tolerated. The most common adverse events were upper respiratory tract infection, urinary tract infection, injection site erythema/reaction and diarrhoea. CONCLUSIONS: Although the SRI-6 end point was not met, blisibimod was associated with successful steroid reduction, decreased proteinuria and biomarker responses. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT01395745.

Pharmacokinetics and Tolerability of Lorcaserin in Special Populations: Elderly Patients and Patients with Renal or Hepatic Impairment.

PURPOSE: To determine whether dosage adjustment is likely to be necessary for effective and well-tolerated use of a pharmaceutical agent, guidance documents from the US Food and Drug Administration recommend pharmacokinetics studies in patients with impaired renal or impaired hepatic function and in the elderly population. Three studies were conducted to evaluate the pharmacokinetic properties and tolerability of lorcaserin in these populations. METHODS: Lorcaserin was evaluated in single-dose pharmacokinetics studies of 3 overweight/obese populations: (1) elderly (aged >65 years) patients; (2) patients with impaired renal function; and (3) those with impaired hepatic function. FINDINGS: In elderly patients, Cmax was lower (geometric mean ratio [GMR], 0.83; 90% CI, 0.71-0.97), but AUC was unchanged versus adult patients. In patients with renal impairment, Cmax was reduced versus that in patients with normal renal function (GMR: mild impairment, 0.99 [90% CI, 0.76-1.29]; moderate, 0.70 [90% CI, 0.54-0.90]; and severe, 0.69 [90% CI, 0.53-0.89]); no trend in AUC was observed in this group versus renal impairment. In patients with hepatic impairment, Cmax was decreased (GMR: mild impairment, 0.92 [90% CI, 0.76-1.11]; moderate, 0.86 [90% CI, 0.71-1.04]), and AUC was increased versus patients with normal hepatic function. IMPLICATIONS: Based on these findings, no lorcaserin dose adjustments are necessary in elderly patients with normal renal function or in patients with mild/moderate renal or hepatic impairment. ClinicalTrials.gov identifiers: NCT00828581, NCT00828438, and NCT00828932.

Effect of lorcaserin on glycemic parameters in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: Lorcaserin, a 5-HT2C receptor agonist approved for chronic weight management, is also associated with improvements in glycemic parameters in patients with/without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), but the extent to which these effects are mediated by weight loss is unknown. This post hoc analysis further examines glycemic data from the Phase III BLOOM-DM study stratified by weight changes. METHODS: Patients with T2DM were randomized to lorcaserin 10 mg twice daily or placebo. Glycemic parameters were reported by Week (W) 12 weight loss status ≥5% (Group ≥5%) or <5% (Group <5%). Glycemic parameter changes were analyzed using ANCOVA; the relationship between glycemic parameter changes and percent weight loss was assessed by simple regression modeling. RESULTS: Group ≥5% receiving lorcaserin had greater improvements in fasting plasma glucose (FPG) at W2 (prior to significant weight loss) and greater improvements in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) at W12 versus placebo. These improvements were maintained through W52 (FPG, -29.3 mg/dL vs. -24.2 mg/dL; HbA1c, -1.2% vs. -1.1%). Group <5% treated with lorcaserin also had larger decreases in FPG (-28.3 mg/dL vs. -10.0 mg/dL) and HbA1c (-0.8% vs. -0.4%) at W52 versus placebo despite limited weight loss. CONCLUSIONS: Lorcaserin may have beneficial effects on glycemic control with or without weight loss.

Lorcaserin for Smoking Cessation and Associated Weight Gain: A Randomized 12-Week Clinical Trial.

INTRODUCTION: Lorcaserin is a selective serotonin 2C receptor agonist approved by the Food and Drug Administration for chronic weight management. Preclinical data suggest that it may also be effective in smoking cessation through modulation of the dopaminergic reward system. METHODS: This was a 12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial conducted in 30 centers in the United States. Six hundred three adult smokers with a Body Mass Index of 18.5-35 kg/m2, averaging at least 10 cigarettes/day with no period of abstinence >3 months for the past year were randomized to lorcaserin 10 mg once daily (QD), 10 mg twice daily (BID) or placebo; all received standardized smoking cessation counseling weekly. The target quit date was day 15. The primary endpoint was the exhaled carbon monoxide confirmed Continuous Abstinence Rate for weeks 9-12 (month 3). RESULTS: Continuous Abstinence Rates for month 3 were 5.6%, 8.7%, and 15.3% for the placebo, QD and BID groups, respectively (BID vs. placebo odds ratio 3.02, 95% confidence interval 1.47, 6.22, p = .0027. Change in weight at week 12 (randomized population) was -0.01, -0.35 and -0.98 kg, respectively (p = .0004, BID vs. placebo), and +0.73, +0.76, and -0.41 kg in participants achieving month 3 continuous abstinence. The most frequent adverse events were headache, nausea, constipation, and fatigue. CONCLUSIONS: Lorcaserin with counseling was associated with dose-related increases in smoking cessation and prevention of associated weight gain over a 3-month period. Further investigation of lorcaserin in smoking cessation is warranted. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov. Identifier: NCT02044874. IMPLICATIONS: This randomized, controlled trial demonstrated that lorcaserin used in conjunction with standard cessation counseling was associated with dose-related increases in smoking cessation and prevention of associated weight gain. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration in humans of a potential role of 5-HT2C agonism in the modulation of central neurological circuits involved with reward.

Effects of lorcaserin on pre-existing valvulopathy: A pooled analysis of phase 3 trials.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of lorcaserin in patients with pre-existing Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-defined valvulopathy. METHODS: This is a pooled, post hoc analysis of three Phase 3 studies. BLOOM and BLOSSOM patients were 18 to 65 years of age without diabetes and with a body mass index (BMI) of 27 to 29.9 kg/m2 and ≥1 weight-related comorbidity or a BMI of 30 to 45 kg/m2 . BLOOM-DM patients had a BMI of 27 to 45 kg/m2 and type 2 diabetes. Patients were treated with placebo, lorcaserin 10 mg once daily, or lorcaserin 10 mg twice daily. Serial echocardiographs were obtained at baseline and every 6 months. RESULTS: Included patients (N = 169) had FDA-defined valvulopathy at baseline and a week 52 echocardiogram. At week 52, 35.5% and 52.7% of patients experienced changes from baseline in aortic and mitral regurgitation, respectively. Numerically greater proportions of patients taking lorcaserin versus placebo had decreases in aortic (33.0% vs. 28.3%) or mitral (41.3% vs. 36.7%) regurgitation. Fewer patients taking lorcaserin versus placebo had increases in aortic (2.8% vs. 6.7%) or mitral (8.3% vs. 21.7%) regurgitation. No adverse event-related discontinuation was due to a valve problem. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that lorcaserin does not adversely affect valvular disease in patients with pre-existing FDA-defined valvulopathy.

Single- and Multiple-dose Pharmacokinetics of a Lorcaserin Extended-release Tablet.

PURPOSE: Lorcaserin is a serotonin 2C receptor agonist indicated for chronic weight management as an adjunct to diet and exercise. The initial approved formulation is a 10-mg, immediate-release (IR) tablet for administration BID. These studies investigated the single- and multiple-dose pharmacokinetic properties of a new, recently US Food and Drug Administration-approved, extended-release, 20-mg once-daily formulation. METHODS: We performed 2 separate 2-period, 2-sequence crossover studies in 36 healthy adults: a study comparing the IR formulation to the extended-release formulation under fasting conditions and a study comparing the extended-release formulation under fed and fasted conditions. FINDINGS: Compared with lorcaserin IR, the Tmax after a single dose of lorcaserin extended-release was greater (median, 12 vs 3 hours), and the Cmax was 26% lower (38.8 vs 52.3 ng/mL). AUC data were bioequivalent for the 2 formulations in both single- and multiple-dose regimens, confirming no formulation effect on lorcaserin bioavailability. In fasted and fed conditions, Tmax after a single dose was identical (median, 12 hours), but Cmax was approximately 45% higher in the fed state (mean, 38.5 ng/mL fasted vs 56.1 ng/mL fed). However, at steady state, Cmax and AUC were determined to be bioequivalent between the fasted and fed states, indicating no clinically relevant food effect on the pharmacokinetic properties of lorcaserin extended-release. The safety profile was consistent between the 2 formulations. IMPLICATIONS: Overall, the results indicate that lorcaserin extended-release is a suitable once-daily alternative to the approved IR BID formulation.

Lorcaserin treatment allows for decreased number needed to treat for weight and glycemic parameters in week 12 responders with ≥5% weight loss.

OBJECTIVES: Lorcaserin is a serotonin 2C receptor agonist approved for chronic weight management. This analysis explores the number of patients needed to be treated (NNT) with lorcaserin for one more patient to achieve weight loss and glycemic goals. METHODS: This is a post hoc analysis of three Phase 3 studies in adults with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) treated with lorcaserin 10 mg BID or placebo. NNT is reported for patients achieving ≥5% or ≥10% weight loss, achievement of either HbA1c <5.7% or FPG <100 mg/dL in patients with prediabetes, and reduction of HbA1c to <7% in patients with T2DM at Week 52. RESULTS: In the modified intention-to-treat (MITT) population, NNTs for ≥5% and ≥10% weight loss were 3.6 and 6.2 (without T2DM) and 4.3 and 7.5 (with T2DM); in Week 12 responders (≥5% weight loss at Week 12), NNTs were 1.7 and 2.6 (without T2DM) and 1.9 and 3.2 (with T2DM). In patients with prediabetes, NNTs to achieve HbA1c <5.7% were 9.9 (MITT) and 5.2 (Week 12 responders). In patients with T2DM, NNTs to achieve HbA1c <7% were 4.2 (MITT) and 2.3 (Week 12 responders). CONCLUSION: In addition to weight management, lorcaserin improved glycemic control in patients with prediabetes and facilitated targeted HbA1c reduction in patients with T2DM, especially for those who achieved ≥5% weight loss by Week 12. Assessment of treatment response at Week 12 is a valuable tool to achieve efficient use of healthcare resources. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: www.clinicaltrials.gov identifiers are NCT00395135, NCT00603291, and NCT00603902.

Impact of lorcaserin on glycemic control in overweight and obese patients with type 2 diabetes: analysis of week 52 responders and nonresponders.

OBJECTIVES: Treatment guidelines for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) suggest weight loss as a means to maintain glycemic control. Lorcaserin has been approved for chronic weight management in the United States as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and exercise, and the previous phase 3 Behavioral Modification and Lorcaserin for Obesity and Overweight Management in Diabetes Mellitus (BLOOM-DM) study has shown that, in addition to weight loss, lorcaserin is associated with improvements in glycemic parameters. In this post hoc analysis of the BLOOM-DM trial, the relationship between responder status (patients achieving ≥5% weight loss at Week 52) and glycemic and cardiometabolic parameters is evaluated. METHODS: Data are presented for patients receiving lorcaserin 10 mg twice daily or placebo for 52 weeks. RESULTS: More than twice as many patients receiving lorcaserin plus diet and exercise counseling were classified as Week 52 responders compared to those receiving diet and exercise counseling alone (37.5% vs. 16.1%, respectively; p < 0.001), and lorcaserin Week 52 responders had greater improvements vs. placebo Week 52 responders in FPG (-38.1 mg/dL vs. -26.0 mg/dL) and HbA1c (-1.3% vs. -1.0%). Furthermore, more lorcaserin-treated Week 52 responders decreased the number of concomitant oral antidiabetic medications (OADs) used, and fewer increased the number of OADs used, compared to placebo. Unexpectedly, lorcaserin Week 52 nonresponders also had substantial reductions in glycemic levels, despite very modest weight loss. CONCLUSIONS: These data support lorcaserin use in overweight and obese patients with T2DM to promote weight loss and facilitate glycemic control. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: www.clinicaltrials.gov identifier is NCT00603291.