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Biomedical subjects

Solange Bresson-Hadni

Publications and source records attributed to Solange Bresson-Hadni.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Role of immunosuppression and tumor differentiation in predicting recurrence after liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma: a multicenter study of 412 patients.

AIM: To assess pre-orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) factors that could be evaluated pre-operatively or controlled post-operatively associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence and disease-free survival after liver transplantation (LT). METHODS: Four hundred and twelve patients transplanted for HCC between 1988 and 1998 in 14 French centers, who survived the postoperative period were studied. Kaplan Meier estimates were calculated for 24 variables potentially associated with recurrence of HCC. Uni- and multivariate analyses were conducted to identify independent predictors of recurrence. RESULTS: Overall 5-year disease-free survival was 57.1%. By univariate analysis, variables associated with disease-free survival were: presence of cirrhosis (P = 0.001), etiology of liver disease (P = 0.03), alpha fetoprotein level (< 200, 200 to 2000, or > 2000; P < 0.0001), gamma-GT activity (N, N to 2N or > 2N; P = 0.02), the number of nodules (1, 2-3 or > or = 4; P = 0.02), maximal diameter of the largest nodule (< 3 cm, 3 to 5 cm or > 5 cm; P < 0.0001), the sum of the diameter of the nodules (< 3 cm, 3 to 5 cm, 5 to 10 cm or > 10 cm; P < 0.0001), bi-lobar location (P = 0.01), preoperative portal thrombosis (P < 0.0001), peri-operative treatment of the tumor (P = 0.002) and chemoembolization (P = 0.03), tumor differentiation (P = 0.01), initial type of calcineurin inhibitor (P = 0.003), the use of antilymphocyte antibodies (P = 0.02), rejection episodes (P = 0.003) and period of LT (P < 0.0001). By multivariate analysis, 6 variables were independently associated with HCC recurrence: maximal diameter of the largest nodule (P < 0.0001), time of LT (P < 0.0001), tumor differentiation (P < 0.0001), use of anti-lymphocyte antibody (ATG) or anti-CD3 antibody (OKT3) (P = 0.005), preoperative portal thrombosis (P = 0.06) and the number of nodules (P = 0.06). CONCLUSION: This study identifies immunosuppression, through the use of ATG or OKT3, as a predictive factor of tumor recurrence, and confirms the prognostic value of tumor differentiation.

Analysis of Variance↗

Imaging aspects and non-surgical interventional treatment in human alveolar echinococcosis.

Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) of the liver caused by the metacestode of the fox tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis is characterized by a multivesicular structure surrounded by an extensive fibro-inflammatory host reaction. The lesions behave like a slow-growing liver cancer, without sharp limits between the parasitic tissue and the liver parenchyma. Invasion of biliary and vascular walls is another hallmark of this severe disease. Moreover, the poor vascularization of the parasitic mass often leads to necrosis in the central part of the lesion. This explains why liver abscess due to superimposed bacterial infection of the necrotic area may occur in this disease. Currently, a range of imaging techniques can be used at the different stages of management of AE. For diagnosis, ultrasonography remains the first line examination. For a more accurate disease evaluation, aiming to guide the surgical strategy, computerized tomography, Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging, including cholangio-MR imaging are of importance, providing useful complementary information. More recently, Positive-Emission Tomography using [18F] fluoro-deoxyglucose has been developed for the follow-up of inoperable AE patients under long-term benzimidazoles therapy. This approach seems very promising to assess inflammatory activity and thereby to indirectly depict parasitic activity. Non-surgical interventional procedures, mainly percutaneous biliary and/or centro-parasitic abscesses drainages, are currently a major aspect in the care of incurable AE patients and have largely contributed to the improvement of survival in this situation during the past 20 years. They may also be used as a bridge before a curative surgical procedure in symptomatic patients presenting a life-threatening bacterial and/or fungal infection. It is also very useful in inoperable patients to overcome similar infectious episodes.

Animals↗

[Complementary treatments of chronic viral hepatitis C].

Pegylated interferon and ribavirin combination therapy represent the standard-of-care treatment for chronic hepatitis C, that allows to cure more than half of the patients. However, the success of this bitherapy is in balance with numerous side effects, especially hematologic and psychiatric. This review is focused on complementary treatments (erythropoietin, G-CSF, vitamin E, glutathion, ursodeoxycholic acid and antidepressants) likely to bring a benefit in maintaining adequate interferon and ribavirin dosages and in improving quality of life. This analysis has been performed by using the Medline(R) data base and with data from laboratories which commercialized these molecules. Erythropoietin, G-CSF and antidepressants are the best tools to optimize the bitherapy in its dose and its duration while privileging the quality of life of HCV-infected patients.

Anemia↗

Granulomatous hepatitis and hemophagocytic syndrome after bacillus Calmette-Guerin bladder instillation.

Intravesical instillations of bacillus Calmette-Guérin are frequently used for treating superficial bladder carcinoma which is considered a safe treatment. We describe an unusual complication with hemophagocytosis and granulomatous hepatitis. Prompt diagnosis and treatment with corticosteroids, anti-tuberculous agents and intravenous immunoglobulins led to a rapid recovery.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Place of residence and distance to medical care influence the diagnosis of hepatitis C: a population-based study.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: In France, geographic access to medical care may affect the diagnosis of hepatitis C. The aims of this study were to compare the detection rates of hepatitis C in urban and rural areas after adjusting for distance to medical care, and evaluating the impact of the place of residence on patients' clinical characteristics. METHODS: Between 1994 and 2001, 1938 newly detected cases were recorded in a French population of 1,005,817 inhabitants. Age and sex-adjusted detection rates for 10(5) inhabitants were estimated for urban and rural areas and for classes of distance to the nearest practitioner. RESULTS: Detection rates were lower in rural than in urban areas [14.1, (95CI: 12.5-15.7) versus 24.7, (95CI: 23.5-26.0)] and decreased as the distance to the general practitioner increased [27.0, (95CI: 25.5-28.4) versus 13.7, (95CI: 12.1-15.3) for a cutoff value of 1.5 km]. In multivariate analyses, detection rates were only influenced by the distance to general practitioner. Hepatocellular carcinoma at diagnosis was more frequent among rural than among urban patients (adjusted OR = 2.28, 95CI: 0.97-5.39, P = 0.059). CONCLUSIONS: A poorer geographic access to care explained the lower detection of hepatitis C in rural areas. Hepatocellular carcinoma was more frequent in rural patients. It may result from later detection and/or involvement of environmental factors on hepatocarcinogenesis.

Adult↗

Survival strategy of Echinococcus multilocularis in the human host.

As exemplified by "aborted" calcified liver lesions commonly found in patients from endemic areas, Echinococcus multilocularis metacestodes develop only in a minority of individuals exposed to infection with the papasite. Clinical research has disclosed some aspects of the survival strategy of E. multilocularis in human hosts. Clinical observations in liver transplantation and AIDS suggest that suppression of cellular/Th1-related immunity increases disease severity. Most of the studies have stressed a role for CD8+ T cells and for Interleukin-10 in the development of tolerance. A spontaneous secretion of IL-10 by the PBMC seems to be the immunological hallmark of patients with progressive forms of alveolar echinococcosis (AE). IL-10-induced inhibition of effector macrophages, but also of antigen-presenting dendritic cells, may be operating and allowing parasite growth and survival. The genetic correlates of susceptibility to infection with E. multilocularis are clearer in humans than in the mouse model. A significant link between MHC polymorphism and clinical presentation of AE has been shown, and the spontaneous secretion of IL-10 in patients with a progressive AE is higher in patients with the HLA DR3+, DQ2+ haplotype. Clustering of cases in certain families, in communities otherwise exposed to similar risk factors, also points to immuno-genetic predisposition factors that may allow the larva to escape host immunity more easily. The first stage of larval development may be crucial in producing "danger signals" stimulating the initial production of cytokines. Therapeutic use of Interferon alpha is an attempt to foil the survival strategy of E. multilocularis.

Animals↗

WHO classification of alveolar echinococcosis: principles and application.

Alveolar echinococcosis is caused by the larval stage of the fox tapeworm (Echinococcus multilocularis) and is frequently diagnosed as a space occupying lesion in the liver. The growth pattern resembles that of a malignant tumor with infiltration throughout the liver, spreading into neighbouring organs and metastases formation in distant organs. Thus, one of the prevailing differential diagnoses is liver cancer. Guided by the Tumor-Node-Metastasis (TNM) system of liver cancer, the European Network for Concerted Surveillance of Alveolar Echinococcosis and the WHO Informal Working Group on Echinococcosis proposed a clinical classification for alveolar echinococcosis. It was designated as PNM system (P = parasitic mass in the liver, N = involvement of neighbouring organs, and M = metastasis). As for TNM in oncology, single PNM categories were combined into four stages, I to IV. The system was developed by a retrospective analysis of 97 patients' records from two treatment centers (Besançon/France and Ulm/Germany). Recently, this WHO classification was applied to 222 patients in 4 clinical centers around the world (Besançon/France, n = 26; Urumqi/China, n = 46; Sapporo/Japan, n = 58; and Ulm/Germany, n = 92). All patients could be classified who had been diagnosed in the period from January 1998 to June 2005. The stage grouping indicated center differences, but appeared to segregate patients according to various treatment regimens. The WHO classification not only serves as a tool for the international standardization of disease manifestation but also aids to evaluate the outcome of a chosen diagnostic and treatment procedure in different treatment centers in Europe and Asia.

Animals↗

Impact of pretransplantation transarterial chemoembolization on survival and recurrence after liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma.

The actual impact of transarterial chemoembolization before liver transplantation (LT) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) on patient survival and HCC recurrence is not known. Between 1985 and 1998, 479 patients with HCC in 14 French centers were evaluated for LT. Among these 479 patients, this case-control study included 100 patients who received transarterial chemoembolization before LT (TACE group) and 100 control patients who did not receive chemoembolization (no-TACE group). Patients and controls were matched for the pre-LT tumor characteristics, the period of transplantation, the time spent on the waiting list, and pre- and posttransplantation treatments. Kaplan-Meier estimates were calculated 5 years after LT and were compared with the log-rank test. The mean waiting time before LT was 4.2 +/- 3.2 months in the TACE group and 4.3 +/- 4.4 months in the no-TACE group. The median number of TACE procedures was 1 (range: 1-12). Demographic data, median alpha-fetoprotein level (21.6 ng/mL and 22.0 ng/mL, respectively), and pre- and post-LT morphologic characteristics of the tumors did not differ in the TACE and no-TACE groups. Overall 5-year survival was 59.4% with TACE and 59.3% without TACE (ns). Survival rates did not differ significantly between the two groups with respect to the time on the waiting list, the tumor diameter, or the type of TACE (selective or nonselective). In the TACE group, 30 patients had tumor necrosis > or =80% on the liver explant with a 5-year survival rate of 63.2%, compared with 54.2% among their matched controls (P = 0.9). In conclusion, with a mean waiting period of 4.2 months and 1 TACE procedure, pre-LT TACE does not influence post-LT overall survival and disease-free survival.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular↗

Liver transplantation for cardiac failure in patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia.

Liver involvement in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia may lead to high-output cardiac failure. Few data have been reported on orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) for these patients. In this paper, we describe two patients treated by OLT as a salvage procedure for cardiac failure, and we review literature on this subject. Our two patients resumed normal cardiac function after OLT. This procedure appears to be a promising therapy with good long-term results despite dissection difficulties encountered due to the collateral arterial network reorganization.

Angiography↗

Vascular involvement of the liver in Turner's syndrome.

Unexplained liver test abnormalities are frequent in patients with Turner's syndrome. This cohort study was performed to clarify the histopathologic features, causes, and long-term outcome of liver involvement in these patients. Thirty patients with persistently abnormal liver test results were followed-up for 8.8 +/- 5.2 years. Liver specimens were available in 27 patients. Marked architectural changes were present in 10 patients, including nodular regenerative hyperplasia in six, multiple focal nodular hyperplasia in two, and cirrhosis in two patients. These changes frequently were associated with obliterative portal venopathy lesions and with aortic malformations. There was mild to moderate portal fibrosis in 15 of the 17 other patients, inflammatory infiltrates in nine patients, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in 11 patients. Bile duct alterations resembling small duct sclerosing cholangitis were observed in 21 patients (with or without architectural changes). There was no viral, alcoholic, autoimmune, or drug-induced liver damage. Portal hypertension was observed in four patients with marked architectural changes, including three in whom refractory ascites or recurrent variceal bleeding developed, one of whom underwent transplantation. None of the patients without marked architectural changes experienced progressive or decompensated liver disease. There was no evidence of liver toxicity from estrogen replacement therapy. In conclusion, the main causes of liver involvement in Turner's syndrome are vascular disorders, probably of a congenital origin, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. In patients with vascular disorders, severe liver disease requiring liver transplantation may develop. Estrogen therapy does not appear to be pathogenically implicated.

Adult↗

Soluble TNF-R1, but not tumor necrosis factor alpha, predicts the 3-month mortality in patients with alcoholic hepatitis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: In alcoholic hepatitis (AH), soluble TNF alpha receptor-1 (sTNF-R1) is increased. Elevated TNF alpha predicts mortality, but infection influences TNF alpha values. In patients with AH, we determined the prognostic value of TNF alpha, sTNF-R1, and lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP) and CD14, both involved in endotoxemia-associated inflammation. METHODS: One hundred and eight cirrhotic patients (Pugh score 10 [6-13]) and biopsy-proven AH (Maddrey's DF <32: n=46; > or =32: n=62) without associated infection were included within 8 days of admission and followed-up for 3 months. Cytokines were measured using specific immunoassays. Patients with severe AH received steroids. RESULTS: Twenty four patients died at a median time of 35 days (range: 3-89). The overall survival was 78%. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that sTNF-R1 was an independent predictor of mortality, (OR 4.33: 95% CI [1.12-16.75]). Pugh's score (P=0.618), Maddrey's DF (P=0.182), creatinine (P=0.197), TNF alpha (P=0.319), LBP (P=0.362), and CD14 (P=0.347) were not related to survival. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with AH, sTNF-R1 measured at admission is an independent predictor of survival at 3 months. Provided that TNF-R1 mediates the cytotoxic actions of TNFalpha, these results support the concept of dysregulated TNF alpha metabolism in AH.

Adult↗

Predictive factors of alcohol relapse after orthotopic liver transplantation for alcoholic liver disease.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this prospective study was to determine whether sociological and/or alcohol-related behavioral factors could be predictive of relapse after orthotopic liver transplantation for alcoholic liver disease. METHODS: Fifty-five liver-transplanted patients out of a series of 120 alcoholic cirrhotic patients were enrolled in a randomized prospective study. This study was initially designed to compare the 2 year survival in intent-to-transplant patients versus in-intent-to-use conventional treatment patients. For all patients, an identical questionnaire was completed at inclusion, and every 3 months for 5 years to collect data on alcohol-related behavior factors. RESULTS: Fifty-one patients fulfilled the criteria for the study. The mean follow-up was 35.7 months (range: 1-86). Rate of alcohol relapse was 11% at one year and 30% at 2 years. Alcohol intake above 140 g a week was declared by 11% and 22% of patients at one and 2 years, respectively. The only variable leading to a significantly lower rate of relapse was abstinence for 6 months or more before liver transplantation (23% vs 79%, P=0.0003). This variable was also significant for patients whose alcohol intake was greater than 140 g per week (P=0.003) (adjusted relative risk=5.5; 95%CI=1.3-24.5; P=0.02). Multivariate analysis (Cox model) showed that abstinence for 6 months or more before liver transplantation was the unique predictive variable. CONCLUSION: In this prospective study of 51 patients transplanted for alcoholic liver disease, abstinence before liver transplantation was the only predictive factor of alcohol relapse after liver transplantation.

Adult↗

Management of hepatitis C patients: a French population-based study.

AIMS: Our aim was to assess the proportion of patients in a well-defined population reaching specialized medical care after hepatitis C diagnosis. METHODS: Hepatitis C-positive patients recorded in the population-based registry of Cote-d'Or, an administrative district in France, constituted the study population. RESULTS: Between 1994 and 1999, new hepatitis C-positive serology was diagnosed in 847 patients, of whom 690 were eligible for this study. A total of 135 patients had not been given specialized medical care after diagnosis; among them, 50.4% had a normal serum alanine transferase level at diagnosis, 62.2% had risk factors related to lifestyle (drug addiction, sexual risk...), and 26.7% were current alcoholics. The 555 other patients were involved in specialized medical care after diagnosis: 42.7% had a liver biopsy and 27.0% were treated. Treatment was carried out more often in males than in females (OR: 1.67; P<0.005), and in patients less than 65 years old (OR: 2.94; P<0.0002). Nearly 30.5% of patients with a Metavir score greater than A1F1 did not undergo treatment. CONCLUSION: This study shows that in a general population at least one patient out of five with hepatitis C infection remains outside the health care system. It also reveals that management practices vary with gender. Further surveys are needed to better understand this phenomenon.

Adolescent↗

Circulating concentrations of interleukin-18, interleukin-18 binding protein, and gamma interferon in patients with alcoholic hepatitis.

BACKGROUND: Alcoholic hepatitis (AH) is associated with dysregulated inflammatory and immune responses. interleukin-18 (IL-18), described as gamma interferon (gammaIFN)-inducible factor, and its natural antagonist, IL-18 binding protein (IL-18 BP), has not been fully studied in patients with AH. Thus, our aim was: (i) to determine plasma values of IL-18, IL-18 BP, gammaIFN, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF)-alpha in patients hospitalized for biopsy-proven AH; (ii) to correlate these cytokines with the severity of AH, as assessed by Maddrey's discriminant function (DF), the degree of liver failure using the Child-Pugh score and blood neutrophils; (iii) to compare cytokines values in survivors and non-survivors. METHODS: Cytokines were measured using specific immunoassays within 7 days of admission. The diagnosis of AH was based on histology in all cases. We studied 43 cirrhotic patients with a Maddrey's DF>/=32 (severe AH), 29 patients with a score <32 (non-severe AH), 12 patients with abstinent alcoholic cirrhosis, and 10 healthy subjects. RESULTS: IL-18 and TNFalpha were increased in severe AH as compared with healthy subjects. Plasma IL-18 BP was elevated in patients with severe and non-severe AH as compared with healthy subjects. gammaIFN did not differ between groups. In patients with severe and non-severe AH, IL-18, IL-18 BP, TNFalpha, but not gammaIFN, were positively correlated to DF and Child-Pugh score. Neither IL-18 nor IL-18 BP correlated to TNFalpha. Patients who died (n=10) during the hospitalization had higher IL-18 BP and TNFalpha at admission as compared with survivors (322 [172-504] vs 222 [109-441] ng/ml; 7.5 [2.2-17.3] vs 3 [0.6-20] pg/ml, P<0.01, respectively). CONCLUSION: In cirrhotic patients with AH, IL-18, IL-18 BP, and TNFalpha correlate to the hepatitis severity and to the degree of liver failure. High IL-18 BP and TNFalpha at hospital admission in non-survivors suggest it may be of prognostic value.

Adult↗