1,721,472 research outputs found
Targeted pharmacotherapy for cardiovascular risk reduction in patients with diabetes undergoing liver transplantation: Author's reply
No full textWorking together to tackle HCV infection: Ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir and dasabuvir combination
No full textAn estimated 184 million people worldwide have hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Chronic infection can ultimately result in liver cirrhosis and hepatic failure. Eradication of the virus by antiviral treatment can hinder the development of the aforementioned complications. Historically, the combination therapy of PEGylated interferon/ribavirin was considered the standard-of-care therapy for HCV. Such therapy did not demonstrate satisfactory cure rates and had significant side effects that precluded its widespread use among HCV patients. In view of this situation, scientific advances have led to the development of new interferon-free regimens that are better tolerated, more effective and with shorter duration of therapy. One of the newest members of this family is the all-oral regimen (ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir co-packaged with dasabuvir) that has recently received FDA approval for the treatment of adult patients with genotype 1 HCV infection, including those with compensated cirrhosis. This new combination was found to be safe and well tolerated with high rates of sustained virologic response of up to 100%. An overview of the current knowledge about this regimen is reviewed herein
Interferon-alpha therapy combined with nonsteroid antiinflammatory drugs for treatment of chronic viral hepatitis?
No full textSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2-associated cholangiopathies
No full textPurpose of reviewSARS-CoV2 is a β-coronavirus, isolated for the first time in Wuhan in December 2019. Bilateral interstitial pneumonia is the hallmark of this disease. Liver is the second viral target for frequency and AST and ALT elevation is a common finding. From February 2020, two different cholangiopathies have been reported in COVID-19 patients. The aim of this article is to review the cases so far described in order to share information and awareness about these new clinical entities.Recent findingsSARS-CoV2 seems to trigger autoimmunity and two cases of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) have been developed after viral infection while more than 30 patients have showed a rapidly progressing cholangiopathy with features of secondary sclerosing cholangitis (SSC). For what concerns SSC pathogenesis, a theory combining multiple hits is the most recognized.SummaryTwo different cholangiopathies have been reported in patients after severe-COVID-19. Attention should be paid to the development of cholestasis in ICU setting but above all after discharge and liver function tests should be, therefore, periodically performed. No treatment strategies are available and liver transplantation remains the last option in individuals with liver failure because of SSC. Other efforts are necessary to better understand the pathogenesis and to expand therapeutic options
Interferon-alpha increases prostaglandin E2 production by cultured liver biopsy in patients with chronic viral hepatitis: can non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs improve the therapeutic response to interferon?
No full textParitaprevir in patients with chronic hepatitis C genotype 1
Full text linkChronic hepatitis C is found worldwide. According to the WHO, it affects approximately 184 million patients around the globe. For the past decade, the standard-of-care treatment of chronic hepatitis C consisted of IFN-based regimens. However, IFN has its own limitations and is not always well tolerated in all patients. In addition, it yields unsatisfactory rates of virologic response especially in difficult-to-treat genotype 1 patients. Recent scientific advances led to the development of new IFN-free antiviral agents that are more effective, better tolerated and with shorter treatment duration. An all-oral regimen (paritaprevir/ritonavir and ombitasvir, copackaged with dasabuvir) has recently received the US FDA approval and the European Commission marketing authorizations for treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C genotype 1 infection, including those with cirrhosis. In this article, we sought to review the pharmacokinetics, clinical efficacy and side-effect profile pertaining to paritaprevir-containing regimens with special emphasis on Phase III clinical trials
Familial intrahepatic cholestasis: New and wide perspectives
No full textBackground: Progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC) includes autosomal recessive cholestatic rare diseases of childhood. Aims: To update the panel of single genes mutations involved in familial cholestasis. Methods: PubMed search for “familial intrahepatic cholestasis” alone as well as in combination with other key words was performed considering primarily original studies and meta-analyses. Results: PFIC1 involves ATP8B1 gene encoding for aminophospholipid flippase FIC1. PFIC2 includes ABCB11 gene, encoding for protein functioning as bile salt export pump. PFIC3 is due to mutations of ABCB4 gene responsible for the synthesis of class III multidrug resistance P-glycoprotein flippase. PFIC4 and PFIC5 involve tight junction protein-2 gene and NR1H4 gene encoding for farnesoid X receptor. Benign Intrahepatic Cholestasis, Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy and Low-phospholipid-associated cholelithiasis involve the same genes and are characterized by intermittent attacks of cholestasis, no progression to cirrhosis, reversible pregnancy-specific cholestasis and cholelithiasis in young people. Blood and liver tissue levels of bile-excreted drugs can be influenced by the presence of mutations in PFIC genes, causing drug-induced cholestasis. Mutations in PFIC genes might increase the risk of liver cancer. Conclusion: There is a high proportion of unexplained cholestasis potentially caused by specific genetic pathophysiologic pathways. The use of next generation sequencing and whole-exome sequencing could improve the diagnostic process in this setting
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