World journal of gastroenterology : WJG
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World J. Gastroenterol. · Sep 2015
ReviewLaparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and gastroesophageal reflux.
Bariatric surgery is the only effective procedure that provides long-term sustained weight loss. Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) has emerged over the last few years to be an ideal bariatric procedure because it has several advantages compared to more complex bariatric procedures, including avoiding an intestinal bypass. However, several published follow-up studies report an increased rate of gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) after a SG. ⋯ However, the literature on this topic is ambivalent despite the potentially increased rate of GERDs that may occur after this common bariatric procedure. This article reviews the mechanisms responsible for GERD in obese subjects as well as the results after a SG with respect to GERD. Future directions for clinical research are discussed along with the current surgical options for morbidly obese patients with GERD and undergoing bariatric surgery.
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World J. Gastroenterol. · Sep 2015
ReviewPotentiality of immunotherapy against hepatocellular carcinoma.
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the predominant form of primary liver cancer, is the fifth most common cancer worldwide and the second leading cause of cancer-related death. Despite the high incidence, treatment options remain limited for advanced HCC, and as a result prognosis continues to be poor. Current therapeutic options, surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, have only modest efficacy. ⋯ Here, we summarize the various types of HCC immunotherapy and argue that the new-found field of HCC immunotherapy might provide critical advantages in the effort to improve prognosis of patients with advanced HCC. Already several immunotherapies, such as tumor-associated antigen therapy, immune checkpoint inhibitors and cell transfer immunotherapy, have demonstrated safety and feasibility in HCC patients. Unfortunately, immunotherapy currently has low efficacy in advanced stage HCC patients; overcoming this challenge will place immunotherapy at the forefront of HCC treatment, possibly in the near future.
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World J. Gastroenterol. · Sep 2015
Editorial ReviewStool DNA methylation assays in colorectal cancer screening.
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is fourth most common cancer in men and third in women worldwide. Developing a diagnostic panel of sensitive and specific biomarkers for the early detection of CRC is recognised as to be crucial for early initial diagnosis, which in turn leads to better long term survival. Most of the research on novel potential CRC biomarkers in the last 2 decades has been focussed on stool DNA analysis. ⋯ The methylation status of the BMP3 and NDRG4 promoters demonstrated effective detection of neoplasms at all sites throughout the colon and was not affected by common clinical variables. Recently, a multitarget stool DNA test consisting of molecular assays for aberrantly methylated BMP3 and NDRG4 promoter regions, mutant KRAS and immunochemical assay for human haemoglobin has been made commercially available and is currently reimbursed in the United States. Although this is the most sensitive non-invasive CRC screening test, there is the need for further research in several areas - establishment of the best timeframe for repeated DNA stool testing; validation of the results in populations outside of North America; usefulness for surveillance and prognosis of patients; cost-effectiveness of DNA stool testing in real-life populations.
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World J. Gastroenterol. · Sep 2015
ReviewCoagulopathy in liver disease: Lack of an assessment tool.
There is a discrepancy between the information from clotting tests which have routinely been used in clinical practice and evidence regarding thrombotic and bleeding events in patients with liver disease. This discrepancy leads us to rely on other variables which have been shown to be involved in haemostasis in these patients and/or to extrapolate the behaviour of these patients to other settings in order to decide the best clinical approach. The aims of the present review are as follows: (1) to present the information provided by clotting tests in cirrhotic patients; (2) to present the factors that may influence clotting in these patients; (3) to review the clinical evidence; and (4) to put forward a clinical approach based on the first 3 points.
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World J. Gastroenterol. · Sep 2015
Platelet count combined with right liver volume and spleen volume measured by magnetic resonance imaging for identifying cirrhosis and esophageal varices.
To determine whether the combination of platelet count (PLT) with spleen volume parameters and right liver volume (RV) measured by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) could predict the Child-Pugh class of liver cirrhosis and esophageal varices (EV). ⋯ The combination of PLT with SV and RV could predict Child-Pugh class of liver cirrhosis and identify the presence of esophageal varices.