Digestive Diseases and Sciences
March 2017, Volume 62, Issue 3, pp 808–816
Rapid Alanine Aminotransferase Normalization with Entecavir and Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Hepatitis B Virus-Associated Cirrhosis
- Eui Joo Kim
- Jong Eun Yeon
- Oh Sang KwonEmail author
- Heon Nam Lee
- Seung Kak Shin
- Seong Hee Kang
- Kwan Soo Byun
- Jeong Han Kim
- So Young Kwon
- Sang Jun Suh
- Hyung Joon Yim
- Yun Soo Kim
- Ju Hyun Kim
- Eui Joo Kim
- Jong Eun Yeon
- Oh Sang Kwon
Email author - Heon Nam Lee
- Seung Kak Shin
- Seong Hee Kang
- Kwan Soo Byun
- Jeong Han Kim
- So Young Kwon
- Sang Jun Suh
- Hyung Joon Yim
- Yun Soo Kim
- Ju Hyun Kim
- 1.Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal MedicineGachon University Gil Medical CenterIncheonSouth Korea
- 2.Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University Medical CollegeKorea University Guro HospitalSeoulSouth Korea
- 3.Department of Internal MedicineKonkuk University School of Medicine, Konkuk University Medical CenterSeoulSouth Korea
- 4.Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University Medical CollegeKorea University Ansan HospitalAnsan-SiSouth Korea
Original ArticleFirst Online: 29 December 2016
DOI: 10.1007/s10620-016-4431-8
Cite this article as: Kim, E.J., Yeon, J.E., Kwon, O.S. et al. Dig Dis Sci (2017) 62: 808. doi:10.1007/s10620-016-4431-8
AbstractBackgroundSustained abnormal serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels can increase the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with chronic hepatitis B.
AimThis study is aimed to confirm the impact of rapid ALT normalization (≤30 IU/L) on HCC risk in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-associated cirrhosis after entecavir (ETV) commencement.
MethodsA total of 578 treatment-naïve patients with HBV-associated cirrhosis (mean age 51 ± 9 years, male sex 63.3%) were treated with ETV for more than 1 year. Serum ALT and HBV DNA levels were measured at three time points (baseline, 6, and 12 months after ETV commencement) and subjected to risk factor analysis.
ResultsMedian follow-up after ETV commencement was 43 (12–98) months. Cumulative incidences of HCC at 1, 3, 5, and 7 years were 0.3, 8.5, 19.5, and 30.6%, respectively. Univariate Cox regression analysis showed that older age, abnormal ALT at 6 months or 12 months, and lower platelet count were significant risk factors for HCC. However, gender, HBeAg positivity, abnormal ALT levels or HBV DNA levels at baseline, and detectable HBV DNA at 6 or 12 months were not risk factors. Multivariate analysis showed that older age (P < 0.001), abnormal ALT at 12 months (P = 0.006), and lower platelet count (P = 0.034) were the risk factors for HCC.
ConclusionsAbnormal serum ALT levels after ETV commencement are significant risk factor for HCC. Therefore, ALT should be rapidly normalized to minimize the risk of HCC development in patients with HBV-associated cirrhosis.
KeywordsHepatitis B virusEntecavirAlanine aminotransferaseHepatocellular carcinomaCirrhosis
Eui Joo Kim and Jong Eun Yeon contributed equally to the present study.
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