Explore the vast range of titles available.

Robust biomarkers for population-level hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) surveillance are lacking. We compared serum midkine (MDK), dickkopf-1 (DKK1), osteopontin (OPN) and AFP for HCC diagnosis in 86 HCC patients matched to 86 cirrhotics, 86 with chronic liver disease (CLD) and 86 healthy controls (HC). Based on the performance of each biomarker, we assessed a separate longitudinal cohort of 28 HCC patients, at and before cancer diagnosis. Serum levels of MDK and OPN were higher in HCC patients compared to cirrhosis, CLD and HC groups. DKK1 was not different between cases and controls. More than half of HCC patients had normal AFP. In this AFP-negative HCC cohort, 59.18% (n = 29/49) had elevated MDK, applying the optimal cut-off of 0.44 ng/ml. Using AFP ≥ 20 IU/ml or MDK ≥ 0.44 ng/ml, a significantly greater number (76.7%; n = 66/86) of HCC cases were detected. The area under the receiver operating curve for MDK was superior to AFP and OPN in NASH-HCC diagnosis. In the longitudinal cohort, MDK was elevated in 15/28 (54%) of HCC patients at diagnosis, of whom 67% had elevated MDK 6 months prior. AFP and MDK have a complementary role in HCC detection. MDK increases the diagnostic yield in AFP-negative HCC and has greater diagnostic performance than AFP, OPN and DKK-1 in the diagnosis of NASH-HCC. Additionally, MDK has a promising role in the pre-clinical diagnosis of HCC.

Background/Aims: The global proportion of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) attributable to metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is unclear. The MAFLD diagnostic criteria allows objective diagnosis in the presence of steatosis plus defined markers of metabolic dysfunction, irrespective of concurrent liver disease. We aimed to determine the total global prevalence of MAFLD in HCC cohorts (total-MAFLD), including the proportion with MAFLD as their sole liver disease (single-MAFLD), and the proportion of those with concurrent liver disease where MAFLD was a contributary factor (mixed-MAFLD).Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis included studies systematically ascertaining MAFLD in HCC cohorts, defined using international expert panel criteria including ethnicity-specific BMI cut-offs. A comparison of clinical and tumour characteristics was performed between single-MAFLD, mixed-MAFLD, and non-MAFLD HCC.Results: 22 studies (56,565 individuals with HCC) were included. Total and single-MAFLD HCC prevalence was 48.7% (95% confidence interval [CI] 34.5–63.0%) and 12.4% (95% CI 8.3–17.3%), respectively. In HCC due to chronic hepatitis B, C, and alcohol-related liver disease, mixed-MAFLD prevalence was 40.0% (95% CI 30.2–50.3%), 54.1% (95% CI 40.4–67.6%) and 64.3% (95% CI 52.7–75.0%), respectively. Mixed-MAFLD HCC had significantly higher likelihood of cirrhosis and lower likelihood of metastatic spread compared to single-MAFLD HCC, and a higher platelet count and lower likelihood of macrovascular invasion compared to non-MAFLD HCC.Conclusions: MAFLD is common as a sole aetiology, but more so as a co-factor in mixed-aetiology HCC, supporting the use of positive diagnostic criteria.

Abstract Introduction: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most commonly diagnosed cancer and the third leading cause of cancer death worldwide. While there has been rapid evolution in the treatment paradigm of HCC across the past decade, the extent to which these newly approved therapies are utilized in clinical practice in the real world is, however, unknown. The INSIGHT study was an investigator-initiated, multi-site longitudinal cohort study conducted to reflect real-world epidemiology and clinical practice in Asia-Pacific in the immediate 7-year period after the conclusion of the BRIDGE study. Methods: Data were collected both retrospectively (planned 30% of the total cohort size) and prospectively (planned 70%) from January 2013 to December 2019 from eligible patients newly diagnosed with HCC from 33 participating sites across 9 Asia-Pacific countries. Results: A total of 2,533 newly diagnosed HCC patients (1,052 in retrospective cohort and 1,481 in prospective cohort) were enrolled. The most common risk factor was hepatitis B in all countries except Japan, Australia, and New Zealand, where the prevalence of hepatitis C and diabetes were more common. The top three comorbidities reported in the INSIGHT study include cirrhosis, hypertension, and diabetes. We observe high heterogeneity in the first-line treatment recorded across countries and across disease stages, which significantly affects survival outcomes. Stratification by factors such as etiologies, tumor characteristics, the presence of extrahepatic metastases or macrovascular invasion, and the use of subsequent lines of treatment were performed. Conclusion: The INSIGHT study describes a wide spectrum of clinical management practices in HCC, where patient demographics, differential costs, and patient access to therapies may lead to wide geographical variations through the patient’s treatment cycle, from diagnosis to clinical outcome. The high heterogeneity in patient outcomes demonstrates the need for more robust and clinical management strategies to be designed and adopted to bring about better patient outcomes.

Background Integration of symptom and palliative care for people with advanced cancer is established in many tumour types, but its role in people with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has not been clearly defined. This study aims to evaluate the clinical and cost effectiveness of an intervention involving a suite of strategies designed to assess and treat palliative care symptoms and needs in adult outpatients with HCC attending four New South Wales (NSW) metropolitan tertiary hospitals. Methods This trial will use a pragmatic cluster-based randomised-controlled design, with ambulatory HCC services as the clusters. HCC patients will be recruited if they have Barcelona Clinical Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage A disease with active tumour or a current or prior diagnosis of BCLC stage B or C disease regardless of tumour activity. Patients with BCLC stage D disease will be excluded as palliative care is the standard of care (SOC) in this group. Cluster sites will be randomised to the study intervention or control where patients are managed according to SOC. All participants will complete the liver-specific Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS) and European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire at regular ambulatory clinic appointments. At intervention sites, patients scoring ≥ 5 on any liver-specific ESAS symptom will be referred to palliative care physicians for consultation. The primary clinical outcome will be improvement in all symptoms scored ≥ 5 on the liver-specific ESAS by 50% within 3 months and the primary implementation outcome will recording the liver-specific ESAS in ≥ 80% of all participants attending clinic appointments. Caregivers of patients enrolled in the trial will be invited to perform Carer Support Needs Assessment Tool at each appointment. Discussion This trial will inform if earlier palliative care involvement significantly reduces the symptom burden associated with HCC. If found to be effective, earlier implementation of palliative care consultation should be included in HCC treatment guidelines. Trial registration ACTRN12623000010695. Registered on September 1, 2023.

Background/Purpose of the Study The treatment landscape for very early to intermediate stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is rapidly evolving, with new data and treatments emerging in recent years. There is a lack of data on current patterns of management for very early to intermediate stage HCC in Australian clinical practice and the role of newly emerging treatment options. Methods Multidisciplinary specialists involved in HCC management (N = 86) participated in one of six state‐based meetings across Australia. Specialists were surveyed on their preferred management approaches at key clinical decision points for four patient case studies ranging from very early to intermediate stage HCC. Results Preferred management strategies for each of the patient case studies were largely consistent with current Australian HCC recommendations in relation to surveillance, diagnosis, and treatment of HCC although the preferred initial treatment selection varied considerably within and between hepatologists and other craft groups. There was, however, growing interest in emerging treatments, including stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) for early stage HCC and systemic treatments used as adjuvant therapy or in combination with locoregional therapy in early and intermediate‐stage HCC. However, many participants required more data on these treatment modalities before incorporating them into routine clinical practice. Conclusion The heterogeneity of (very) early to intermediate‐stage HCC patients and the increasing number of available treatment options means clinical decision‐making, including treatment selection, is becoming more complex and diverse. More data are required to define the role of SABR and systemic therapies in very early to intermediate stage HCC before being adopted as standard of care in Australia.

Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) incidence and mortality rates are increasing at a greater pace than any other cancer in Australia. Cirrhosis is the major risk factor for HCC, and early detection of HCC through surveillance of people with cirrhosis can improve outcomes. However, cirrhosis is under-detected in primary care settings, with 60% of patients diagnosed with HCC having unrecognised cirrhosis and not found to be in a surveillance programme. Targeted screening of at-risk populations in primary care using noninvasive tests for liver fibrosis could lead to improved diagnosis of cirrhosis and increased participation in HCC surveillance programmes. Methods This is a prospective multicentre parallel randomised controlled trial of 2470 participants, to evaluate the impact of a cirrhosis detection and hepatocellular carcinoma surveillance pathway compared to usual care in 45–75 year olds, with risk factors for chronic liver disease, from regional and urban general practice clinics, across four Australian states. Participants will be randomised 1:1, to usual general practitioner care (control) or a cirrhosis detection pathway (intervention), stratified by clinic and potential hazardous drinking. The cirrhosis detection intervention consists of liver fibrosis blood tests (comprising the Fibrosis-4 Index and Hepascore) and a liver stiffness measurement conducted by FibroScan in those with elevated liver fibrosis blood markers. Participants with elevated FibroScan® values will be recommended for referral for hepatology assessment to determine the need for HCC surveillance. The primary outcome is the between-arm difference in proportion of participants with newly diagnosed cirrhosis in HCC surveillance at 12 months. Secondary outcomes at 12 months will include the between-arm difference in proportion of participants with a diagnosis of any stage HCC, diagnoses of advanced fibrosis and liver decompensation and mean anxiety state and mean quality of life. The cost-effectiveness of the cirrhosis detection pathway will be determined using data linkage to state and national health datasets. Process evaluation will involve assessment of the optimal cirrhosis detection pathway, along with the barriers and enablers of implementation of this pathway, assessed by participant interviews. Discussion This trial will provide evidence of the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of a cirrhosis detection pathway in Australian general practice settings. This will provide evidence to guide the early identification and appropriate placement of patients in HCC surveillance programmes, resulting in earlier HCC diagnosis and improved outcomes. Trial registration Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry ACTRN12622000185763p. Registered on 3rd February 2022.

Background First Nations Peoples of Australia are disproportionally affected by hepatitis C (HCV) infection. Through a prospective study we evaluated the outcome of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy among First Nations Peoples with HCV infection. Methods Adults who initiated DAA therapy at one of 26 hospitals across Australia, 2016–2019 were included in the study. Clinical data were obtained from medical records and the Pharmaceutical and Medicare Benefits Schemes. Outcomes included sustained virologic response (SVR) and loss to follow-up (LTFU). A multivariable analysis assessed factors associated with LTFU. Results Compared to non-Indigenous Australians (n = 3206), First Nations Peoples (n = 89) were younger ( p  < 0.001), morel likely to reside in most disadvantaged ( p  = 0.002) and in regional/remote areas ( p  < 0.001), and had similar liver disease severity. Medicines for mental health conditions were most commonly dispensed among First Nations Peoples (55.2% vs. 42.8%; p  = 0.022). Of 2910 patients with follow-up data, both groups had high SVR rates (95.3% of First Nations Peoples vs. 93.2% of non-Indigenous patients; p  = 0.51) and ‘good’ adherence (90.0% vs. 86.9%, respectively; p  = 0.43). However, 28.1% of First Nations Peoples were LTFU vs. 11.2% of non-Indigenous patients ( p  < 0.001). Among First Nations Peoples, younger age (adj-OR = 0.93, 95% CI 0.87–0.99) and treatment initiation in 2018–2019 vs. 2016 (adj-OR = 5.14, 95% CI 1.23–21.36) predicted LTFU, while higher fibrosis score was associated with better engagement in HCV care (adj-OR = 0.71, 95% CI 0.50–0.99). Conclusions Our data showed that First Nations Peoples have an equivalent HCV cure rate, but higher rates of LTFU. Better strategies to increase engagement of First Nations Peoples with HCV care are needed.

Viral hepatitis remains one of the most significant health issues globally, directly responsible for over 1 million deaths each year and affecting almost 300 million people around the world. Scientific research in recent decades has brought about improvements in the lives of people living with chronic viral hepatitis. On the 29 July 2021, the Australian Centre for Hepatitis Virology (ACHV) for the first time held a public educational forum for the general public. The main aim of this event was to inform the affected community about the importance of scientific research and give an overview of upcoming developments in the field. Here, we provide a detailed report of the panel discussion (including its organisation, execution, and lessons learned to incorporate into future events) and provide strategies that can be used by other scientific societies to hold similar events in their own communities.

Patient‐reported outcomes (PROs) are important endpoints for clinical trials. The impact of investigational drugs on PROs of patients with advanced nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) was investigated. Patients with NASH with bridging fibrosis or compensated cirrhosis were enrolled in a phase 2, randomized, placebo‐controlled study of selonsertib, firsocostat, or cilofexor, alone or in two‐drug combinations (NCT03449446). PROs included Short Form 36 (SF‐36), Chronic Liver Disease Questionnaire (CLDQ)‐NASH, EuroQol Five Dimension (EQ‐5D), Work Productivity and Impairment (WPAI), and 5‐D Itch before and during treatment. A total of 392 patients with NASH (mean ± SD, 60 ± 9 years old; 35% men; 89% white; 72% diabetes; and 56% compensated cirrhosis) were included. Baseline Physical Functioning (PF) and Bodily Pain of SF‐36 and Fatigue and Worry of CLDQ‐NASH were significantly lower in patients with cirrhosis (total CLDQ‐NASH score mean ± SD, 4.91 ± 1.06 with cirrhosis vs. 5.16 ± 1.14 without cirrhosis; P < 0.05). Lower baseline PRO scores were independently associated with age, female sex, greater body mass index, diabetes, clinically overt fatigue, and comorbidities (all P < 0.05). After 48 weeks of treatment, patients with ≥1‐stage fibrosis improvement without worsening of NASH experienced improvement in EQ‐5D and five out of six CLDQ‐NASH domains (P < 0.05). Patients with ≥2‐point decrease in their nonalcoholic fatty liver disease activity score (NAS) also had improvements in PF and Role Physical scores and all domains of CLDQ‐NASH (P < 0.05). Progression to cirrhosis was associated with a decrease in PF scores of SF‐36 (P ≤ 0.05). Fibrosis regression was independently associated with greater improvements in PF and EQ‐5D scores, while NAS improvement was associated with improvement in fatigue and pruritus (all P < 0.05). Conclusion: Patients with advanced NASH experienced improvement in their PROs after fibrosis regression or improvement in disease activity. As treatment for NASH advances, it is important to know the new treatments improve patients' experiences with their disease. Furthermore, the side effect profile of the new regimens should not add further impairment on PROs. This knowledge can assist healthcare practitioners counsel patients on expectations of treatment when they become available.

In this 12-month, placebo-controlled trial involving patients with primary biliary cholangitis who had an inadequate response to ursodiol, treatment with obeticholic acid, a farnesoid X receptor agonist, decreased alkaline phosphatase and total bilirubin levels. Primary biliary cholangitis, formerly called primary biliary cirrhosis, 1 – 5 is a rare autoimmune liver disease (prevalence of approximately 20 to 40 cases per 100,000 persons) that predominantly affects women. 6 – 8 It is characterized by inflammation and progressive destruction of interlobular bile ductules, cholestasis that provokes debilitating fatigue and itch, eventual cirrhosis, end-stage liver disease, and death. 7 Elevated alkaline phosphatase and γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT) levels are early biochemical signs of primary biliary cholangitis; the bilirubin level increases with advanced disease. 7 Higher levels of alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin levels correlate with disease progression, and lower levels are predictive of survival without the need . . .