Radiomics-based prediction of HCC response to atezolizumab/bevacizumab.

Advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treatment has evolved with the introduction of atezolizumab/bevacizumab, showing improved outcomes over sorafenib. However, the response varies among patients, particularly between viral and non-viral etiologies. The present study aimed to develop and evaluate multimodal prediction models combining quantitative imaging and clinical markers to predict the treatment response in patients with HCC.

Effectiveness and safety of rituximab across the four phenotypes of IgG4-related disease: a European multi-center cohort study of 115 patients.

Objective: Assess relative effectiveness and safety of rituximab (RTX) across the four phenotypes of IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD).

Methods: We included phenotypically defined adult IgG4-RD patients treated with RTX +/- glucocorticoids (GC) who had evaluable data at 6 months on the composite primary outcome, which included: (i) treatment response (>= 2-point decline in responder index (RI)); (ii) absence of flare; and (iii) GC dose <= 7.5 mg prednisolone.

The dual role of IgG4 in immunity: bridging pathophysiology and therapeutic applications.

IgG4 antibodies exhibit unique structural and functional properties, which distinguish them from other IgG subclasses. Among clinicians, IgG4 has been primarily associated with IgG4-related diseases (IgG4-RDs), such as autoimmune pancreatitis, where its role has been a focus of intense discussion. However, growing evidence reveals that IgG4 is involved in a broader spectrum of immune-regulatory processes, extending beyond IgG4-RDs and positioning it as a key modulator of immune tolerance.

Lower rate of pancreatobiliary complications after sludge and microlithiasis pancreatitis compared to gallstone pancreatitis.

Background And Aims: Cholecystectomy is recommended to prevent recurrence of biliary pancreatitis, but supporting evidence is limited for sludge- and microlithiasis-induced acute pancreatitis (AP). This study aimed to compare relapse patterns and risk factors between patients with sludge/microlithiasis-induced AP and gallstone-induced AP.

Methods: This analysis included 789 patients from the international, multicenter Relapstone cohort (Spain: 16 centers; Mexico: 2 centers), hospitalized between January 2018 and April 2020 with first-time biliary AP and no cholecystectomy during admission.

CCL20 expression is elevated in inflammatory bowel disease and attenuated by vitamin D metabolites.

Intestinal epithelial overexpression of the Th17 cell chemoattractant CCL20 is implicated in inflammatory bowel disease and influenced by NOD2 mutations in Crohn's disease. Vitamin D metabolites have been shown to ameliorate inflammatory bowel disease. Considering NOD2 mutations in Crohn's disease, we investigated whether Vitamin D deficiency (serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration < 20 ng/mL) increases circulating CCL20 levels in inflammatory bowel disease patients and healthy controls and whether active 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (calcitriol) downregulates systemic and intestinal CCL20 expression.

Efficacy of CDK4/6 Inhibition in colorectal cancer and the role of p16 expression in predicting drug resistance.

Introduction: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. The use of sequential polychemotherapies has improved the survival of patients with advanced metastatic disease. However, the survival rates achieved are low, and chemotherapy-related side effects are significant.

Validation of two plasma multimetabolite signatures for patients at risk of or with suspected pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (METAPAC): a prospective, multicentre, investigator-masked, enrichment design, phase 4 diagnostic study.

Background: Earlier diagnosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is key to improving overall survival in patients with this hard-to-treat cancer. We independently validated two previously identified plasma-based metabolic signatures for exclusion of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma in cohorts with an increased annual risk.

Methods: The METAPAC study was a prospective, multicentre, investigator-masked, enrichment design, phase 4 trial done in 23 centres in Germany.

Prognostic Significance of Elevated Platelet Count (>200 x 10^9 per L) in BCLC Stages B and C of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Retrospective Multicenter Analysis.

Introduction: In hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) comorbidities related to decreased liver function or to portal hypertension often limit treatment options. Traditionally, low platelet count has been considered a negative prognostic factor in HCC, especially in early stages. However, recent evidence suggests that elevated platelet count may also predict worse outcomes in advanced stages, suggesting a stage-dependent prognostic impact.

[Pancreatitis from drugs-Drugs for treatment of pancreatitis].

Background: Drugs are a rare but important cause of acute pancreatitis (AP) due to potential therapeutic consequences, accounting for up to 5% of all cases of AP. The diagnosis of drug-induced AP is challenging due to mostly weak evidence and complex diagnostic criteria.

Objective: This review article defines drug-induced AP, summarizes the evidence for drugs associated with AP and highlights the challenges in the diagnosis of this condition.

Sustained Clinical Response to Olaparib in a Patient with Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer and Somatic ATM Mutation R2034Ter: A Case Report.

Introduction: Pancreatic cancer remains a lethal disease with limited therapeutic options. Treatment with PARP inhibitors has been successfully described mainly in patients with germline mutation in BRCA1/2. The efficacy of PARP inhibitors in patients with alterations in other genes in the homologous repair pathway is under discussion.

Deep Immune Phenotyping Reveals Distinct Immunopathogenesis in Checkpoint Inhibitor-Induced Colitis Compared with Ulcerative Colitis.

Although initially assumed to be similar, immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-induced autoimmunity can differ from spontaneous autoimmune disease in regard to clinical presentation, pathogenesis, and therapy. Despite limited pathogenetic understanding, ICI-induced colitis (irColitis), a common adverse event during ICI therapy, is treated analogously to its autoimmune counterpart, ulcerative colitis (UC). Thus, there is a tremendous need to characterize immunophenotypes in both forms of colonic inflammation to ultimately identify specific therapeutic strategies.

Nuclear magnetic resonance-based lipid metabolite profiles for differentiation of patients with liver cirrhosis with and without hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma is frequently unrecognized in its early stage limiting the access to the first therapeutic steps resulting in a low cure rate. Therefore, an early diagnosis is crucial. In this scenario the analysis of lipidome and metabolome emerged as a promising tool for early detection.

Therapeutic Sequences of Systemic Therapy After Atezolizumab Plus Bevacizumab for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Real-World Analysis of the IMMUreal Cohort.

Background: The introduction of several new systemic therapies in recent years has significantly altered the treatment landscape for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. However, while the approval of the combination of atezolizumab and bevacizumab as the preferred first-line therapy over sorafenib represents progress, it has also raised uncertainties regarding optimal treatment sequencing for advanced disease.

Aims: This study evaluates the sequential treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma following therapy with atezolizumab and bevacizumab, providing evidence from a prospective real-world cohort.

Innate Immune Activation Is a Strong Suppressor of CCL22 and Impedes Regulatory T Cell-Dendritic Cell Interaction.

The chemokine CCL22 is constitutively expressed at high levels in lymphoid organs, where it controls immunity by promoting contacts between dendritic cells (DC) and regulatory T cells (Treg). However, its regulation and impact in the context of pattern recognition receptor (PRR) stimulation and microbial infection are unknown. Here we show that CCL22 levels in lymphoid organs of mice were strongly suppressed upon stimulation with TLR agonists.

Impact of Helicobacter pylori on Immune Checkpoint Inhibition in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Multicenter Study.

Introduction: Immunomodulating effects of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) have been shown to inhibit antitumor immunity. Resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-based therapies is common among patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Predicting work ability impairment in post COVID-19 patients: a machine learning model based on clinical parameters.

The Post COVID-19 condition (PCC) is a complex disease affecting health and everyday functioning. This is well reflected by a patient's inability to work (ITW). In this study, we aimed to investigate factors associated with ITW (1) and to design a machine learning-based model for predicting ITW (2) twelve months after baseline.