ORCID Profile
0000-0003-4127-8941
Current Organisations
Università di Padova
,
Università degli Studi di Padova Scuola di Medicina e Chirurgia
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Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 08-03-2021
Abstract: Hyper-functional platelets are being proposed as a potential therapeutic target in multiple cancers. Whether this can be considered in patients with cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is unknown as their platelet function has not yet been investigated. We evaluated platelet function in cirrhosis patients with HCC. Patients with cirrhosis with and without HCC were prospectively recruited. Platelet aggregation, a marker of platelet function, was assessed by impedance aggregometry with adenosine diphosphate (ADP), arachidonic acid (ASPI), and thrombin (TRAP) stimulation. Plasmatic levels of Von Willebrand factor antigen (VWF) were also determined. One-hundred patients were recruited (50 cirrhotics with and 50 without HCC). Cirrhosis severity by Child class and platelet count were comparable between cirrhotics with and without HCC. Cirrhotics with HCC had higher ADP- (45 vs. 28 p 0.001), ASPI- (47 vs. 28 p 0.001), and TRAP- (85 vs. 75 p = 0.01) induced platelet aggregation than cirrhotics without HCC, all indicative of platelet hyper-function. The relatively increased platelet aggregation in patients with HCC was confirmed after adjusting the analysis for platelet count/severity of thrombocytopenia. Levels of VWF were higher in patients with vs. without HCC (348 vs. 267 p = 0.006), particularly in compensated cirrhosis. In patients with cirrhosis, HCC is associated with increased platelet aggregation and higher VWF. The clinical implications of these findings deserve further investigation.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 21-05-2018
DOI: 10.1111/LIV.13873
Abstract: The long-term impact of sustained virological response (SVR) after direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) on the hypercoagulability associated with HCV cirrhosis is unknown. We longitudinally evaluated the effect of DAAs treatment on cirrhotic coagulopathy. Pro- and anticoagulant factor levels and thrombin generation were assessed in patients with HCV-related cirrhosis at baseline, end of therapy (EOT), at 12, 24 and 48 weeks (W) after EOT. Fifty-eight patients were enrolled (86% Child's A). SVR was 100%. Median factor VIII activity significantly decreased at EOT, 12 weeks and 24 weeks compared with baseline, whereas protein C significantly increased at 24 weeks and 48 weeks. Cirrhotic patients showed a slight but sustained increase in endogenous thrombin potential (ETP) with a statistically significant difference at EOT, 12 weeks, 24 weeks and 48 weeks compared with baseline. Conversely, thrombomodulin-modified ETP was elevated before treatment and decreased over time to normal levels at 24 weeks and 48 weeks. The ETP ratio decreased slowly at EOT and 12 weeks, and was significantly decreased at 24 weeks and 48 weeks compared with baseline (P < .001 for both comparisons), being not statistically different from ETP ratio measured in healthy controls. Child's B patients showed a significantly higher ETP ratio compared to Child's A at baseline and did not show any significant improvement in ETP ratio through 12 weeks. Two Child's B patients developed PVT with an incidence rate of 1.1% p-yrs (95%CI, 0.18 to 3.58). DAAs therapy in HCV-related cirrhotic patients is associated with significant changes in thrombin generation suggesting a reversal of hypercoagulability particularly in Child's A patients.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 25-08-2021
DOI: 10.3390/JCM10173818
Abstract: Gastrointestinal bleeding is one of the most relevant causes of death in patients with cirrhosis and clinically significant portal hypertension, with gastroesophageal varices being the most frequent source of hemorrhage. Despite survival has improved thanks to the standardization on medical treatment aiming to decrease portal hypertension and prevent infections, mortality remains significant. In this review, our goal is to discuss the most recent advances in the management of esophageal variceal hemorrhage in cirrhosis with specific attention to the treatment algorithms involving the use of indirect measurement of portal pressure (HVPG) and transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS), which aim to further reduce mortality in high-risk patients after acute variceal hemorrhage and in the setting of secondary prophylaxis.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2023
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 27-10-2012
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 19-03-2022
DOI: 10.1136/GUTJNL-2020-323663
Abstract: The benefit of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) against HCV following successful treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains controversial. This meta-analysis of in idual patient data assessed HCC recurrence risk following DAA administration. We pooled the data of 977 consecutive patients from 21 studies of HCV-related cirrhosis and HCC, who achieved complete radiological response after surgical/locoregional treatments and received DAAs (DAA group). Recurrence or death risk was expressed as HCC recurrence or death per 100 person-years (100PY). Propensity score-matched patients from the ITA.LI.CA. cohort (n=328) served as DAA-unexposed controls (no-DAA group). Risk factors for HCC recurrence were identified using random-effects Poisson. Recurrence rate and death risk per 100PY in DAA-treated patients were 20 (95% CI 13.9 to 29.8, I Effects of DAA exposure on HCC recurrence risk remain inconclusive. Active clinical and radiological follow-up of patients with HCC after HCV eradication with DAA is justified.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 10-09-2020
DOI: 10.1111/LIV.14234
Abstract: The eradication of Hepatitis C (HCV) infection by direct-acting antiviral (DAAs) agents has been linked to an amelioration of liver synthesis and regression of fibrosis. Although changes in number and type of circulating microvesicles (MVs) have been reported in cirrhosis, conclusive data on the effect of DAAs treatment on MVs profile in HCV cirrhotic patients remain scarce. We measured the levels of endothelial, platelet and hepatocyte MVs, as well as MVs-expressing versican core protein (VCAN+) in patients with HCV-related cirrhosis at baseline, end of treatment (EOT), at 12, 24 and 48 weeks (W) after EOT by new generation flow cytometry. Fifty-eight patients were enrolled (86% Child's A). MVs were increased at EOT vs baseline, though only platelet MVs revealed a statistically significant difference (P < .01). MV levels did not change significantly after EOT notwithstanding a steady downward trend towards baseline levels. Conversely, VCAN + MVs dropped significantly at EOT (P < .001) and remained low throughout the follow-up. Hepatocyte MVs significantly correlated with liver stiffness (r = .40, P = .0021). Eight composite outcomes occurred during the 1-year follow-up: three portal vein thromboses (PVTs), two hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) and three liver decompensation. Child's B, the presence of F2 oesophageal varices (OR for interaction 19.2 [95% CI 1.45-253.7], P = .023) and platelet MVs (OR 1.026 [95% CI 1.00-1.05, P = .023) correlated significantly with clinical outcomes. VCAN + MVs appear to mirror the profibrotic status of the cirrhotic disease hepatocyte MVs correlate with liver stiffness and increased platelet MV levels could be associated with a worse clinical outcome.
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 21-08-2017
DOI: 10.1002/LT.24790
Abstract: Concerns about an increased hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence rate following direct‐acting antiviral (DAA) therapy in patients with cirrhosis with a prior complete oncological response have been raised. Data regarding the impact of HCV treatment with DAAs on wait‐list dropout rates in patients with active HCC and HCV‐related cirrhosis awaiting liver transplantation (LT) are lacking. HCV‐HCC patients listed for LT between January 2015 and May 2016 at Padua Liver Transplant Center were considered eligible for the study. After enrollment, patients were ided into 2 groups, depending on whether they underwent DAA treatment while awaiting LT or not. For each patient clinical, serological, and virological data were collected. HCC characteristics were radiologically evaluated at baseline and during follow‐up (FU). For transplanted patients, pathological assessment of the explants was performed and recurrence rates were calculated. A total of 23 patients treated with DAAs and 23 controls were enrolled. HCC characteristics at time of LT listing were comparable between the 2 groups. Median FU was 10 and 7 months, respectively, during which 2/23 (8.7%) and 1/23 (4.3%) dropout events due to HCC progression were registered ( P = 0.90). No significant differences in terms of radiological progression were highlighted ( P = 0.16). A total of 9 out of 23 (39%) patients and 14 out of 23 (61%) controls underwent LT, and histopathological analysis showed no differences in terms of median number and total tumor volume of HCC nodules, tumor differentiation, or microvascular invasion. During post‐LT FU, 1/8 (12.5%) DAA‐treated patient and 1/12 (8.3%) control patient experienced HCC recurrence ( P = 0.60). In conclusion, viral eradication does not seem to be associated with an increased risk of dropout due to neoplastic progression in HCV‐HCC patients awaiting LT. Liver Transplantation 23 1103–1112 2017 AASLD.
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Date: 26-02-2021
DOI: 10.1111/TRI.13831
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 28-08-2021
DOI: 10.3390/JCM10173867
Abstract: Liver transplantation (LT) is an important therapeutic option for the treatment of several liver diseases. Modern LT is characterized by remarkable improvements in post-transplant patient survival, graft survival, and quality of life. Thanks to these great improvements, indications for LT are expanding. Nowadays, clinical conditions historically considered exclusion criteria for LT, have been considered new indications for LT, showing survival advantages for patients. In this review, we provide an updated overview of the principal newer indications for LT, with particular attention to alcoholic hepatitis, acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF), cholangiocarcinoma and colorectal cancer metastases.
Location: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Location: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Location: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Location: Italy
No related grants have been discovered for FRANCESCO PAOLO RUSSO.