Genome-wide meta-analyses identify three loci associated with primary biliary cirrhosis.

A genome-wide association screen for primary biliary cirrhosis risk alleles was performed in an Italian cohort. The results from the Italian cohort replicated IL12A and IL12RB associations, and a combined meta-analysis using a Canadian dataset identified newly associated loci at SPIB (P = 7.9 × 10−11, odds ratio (OR) = 1.46), IRF5-TNPO3 (P = 2.8 × 10−10, OR = 1.63) and 17q12-21 (P = 1.7 × 10−10, OR = 1.38).

742 EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF ENTECAVIR (ETV) PROPHYLAXIS IN INACTIVE HBV CARRIERS WHO UNDERWENT CHEMOTHERAPY FOR SOLID OR HAEMATOLOGICAL CANCER: INTERIM ANALYSIS OF A COHORT STUDY

seroconversion rate at 48 weeks were 40.7% and 37% in PEG-IFN a-2a group, respectively, which are both higher than those in ETV group (16.7% and 13.3%, P all 0.05). The mean qHBsAg level in PEG-IFN a-2a group declined over time during treatment. The qHBsAg level at 48 weeks was significantly lower than that in ETV group ((2866.0±2580.4) vs (4335.8±2650.0) IU/mL, P = 0.027). A greater HBsAg decline was observed in HBeAg seroconverters compared with nonseroconverters. The decline from baseline was significantly different between seroconverters and non-seroconverters especially at 36 weeks ((1763.4±3116.2) vs (1333.5±2483.4) IU/mL, P = 0.036), and 48 weeks (1979.6±2897.1) vs (1631.8±2395.8) IU…

Entecavir effectiveness in naïve and NUC experienced patients: Interim analysis of the ENTAS cohort study of patients with chronic hepatitis B

HBV DNA suppression and HBsAg clearance in HBeAg negative chronic hepatitis B patients on lamivudine therapy for over 5 years

Background & Aims In long-term responder patients, it is unclear whether lamivudine (LAM) monotherapy should be continued or switched to a high-genetic-barrier analogue. This study aims at assessing LAM efficacy over a 5-year period and the residual risk of drug resistance. The rate of HBsAg clearance and LAM long-term safety profile were also evaluated. Methods One hundred and ninety-one patients with chronic HBeAg-negative hepatitis B successfully treated with LAM monotherapy for at least 5years were included. Biochemical and virological tests were assessed every 3months in all patients and HBsAg quantification was performed in 45/191. Reverse-transcriptase (RT) region was directly sequen…

X Chromosome Contribution to the Genetic Architecture of Primary Biliary Cholangitis

Background & aims: Genome-wide association studies in primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) have failed to find X chromosome (chrX) variants associated with the disease. Here, we specifically explore the chrX contribution to PBC, a sexually dimorphic complex autoimmune disease. Methods: We performed a chrX-wide association study, including genotype data from 5 genome-wide association studies (from Italy, United Kingdom, Canada, China, and Japan; 5244 case patients and 11,875 control individuals). Results: Single-marker association analyses found approximately 100 loci displaying P < 5 × 10-4, with the most significant being a signal within the OTUD5 gene (rs3027490; P = 4.80 × 10-6; odds…

The Italian ENTAS cohort study: Entecavir effectiveness in naïve and treatment experienced patients with chronic hepatitis B

Real-world experience with obeticholic acid in patients with primary biliary cholangitis

Background & aims Obeticholic acid (OCA) is the second-line treatment approved for patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) and an inadequate response or intolerance to ursodeoxycholic acid. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of OCA under real-world conditions. Methods Patients were recruited into the Italian PBC Registry, a multicentre, observational cohort study that monitors patients with PBC at national level. The primary endpoint was the biochemical response according to Poise criteria; the secondary endpoint was the biochemical response according to normal range criteria, defined as normal levels of bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and alanine aminotransfer…