Background/Aims: A clinical unmet need persists for medications capable of modulating the progression of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). This study aimed to assess the clinical feasibility of HK-660S (beta-lapachone) in PSC. Methods: In this multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group phase 2 trial, participants were assigned in a 2:1 ratio to receive either 100 mg of HK-660S or a placebo twice daily for 12 weeks. The primary outcomes were the reduction in serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels and the percentage of participants showing improvements in PSC severity, as determined by magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography with the Anali score. Secondary endpoints included changes in liver stiffness and adverse events. Results: The analysis included 21 patients, 15 receiving HK-660S, and six receiving a placebo. Improvements in the Anali score were observed in 13.3% of the HK-660S group, with no improvements in the placebo group. HK-660S treatment resulted in a 15.2% reduction in mean ALP levels, compared to a 6.6% reduction in the placebo group. A stratified ad-hoc analysis based on baseline ALP levels showed a statistically significant response in the HK-660S group among those with ALP levels greater than twice the upper limit of normal, with a 50% responder rate (p=0.05). Additionally, 26.7% of the HK-660S group showed improvements in the enhanced liver fibrosis score, with no improvements in the placebo group. HK-660S was generally well tolerated. Conclusions HK-660S is well tolerated among patients with PSC and may improve bile duct strictures, decrease serum ALP levels, and reduce liver fibrosis (cris.nih.go.kr, Number KCT0006590).

Background/Aims: A clinical unmet need persists for medications capable of modulating the progression of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). This study aimed to assess the clinical feasibility of HK-660S (beta-lapachone) in PSC. Methods: In this multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group phase 2 trial, participants were assigned in a 2:1 ratio to receive either 100 mg of HK-660S or a placebo twice daily for 12 weeks. The primary outcomes were the reduction in serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels and the percentage of participants showing improvements in PSC severity, as determined by magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography with the Anali score. Secondary endpoints included changes in liver stiffness and adverse events. Results: The analysis included 21 patients, 15 receiving HK-660S, and six receiving a placebo. Improvements in the Anali score were observed in 13.3% of the HK-660S group, with no improvements in the placebo group. HK-660S treatment resulted in a 15.2% reduction in mean ALP levels, compared to a 6.6% reduction in the placebo group. A stratified ad-hoc analysis based on baseline ALP levels showed a statistically significant response in the HK-660S group among those with ALP levels greater than twice the upper limit of normal, with a 50% responder rate (p=0.05). Additionally, 26.7% of the HK-660S group showed improvements in the enhanced liver fibrosis score, with no improvements in the placebo group. HK-660S was generally well tolerated. Conclusions HK-660S is well tolerated among patients with PSC and may improve bile duct strictures, decrease serum ALP levels, and reduce liver fibrosis (cris.nih.go.kr, Number KCT0006590).

Background/Aims: A clinical unmet need persists for medications capable of modulating the progression of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). This study aimed to assess the clinical feasibility of HK-660S (beta-lapachone) in PSC. Methods: In this multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group phase 2 trial, participants were assigned in a 2:1 ratio to receive either 100 mg of HK-660S or a placebo twice daily for 12 weeks. The primary outcomes were the reduction in serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels and the percentage of participants showing improvements in PSC severity, as determined by magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography with the Anali score. Secondary endpoints included changes in liver stiffness and adverse events. Results: The analysis included 21 patients, 15 receiving HK-660S, and six receiving a placebo. Improvements in the Anali score were observed in 13.3% of the HK-660S group, with no improvements in the placebo group. HK-660S treatment resulted in a 15.2% reduction in mean ALP levels, compared to a 6.6% reduction in the placebo group. A stratified ad-hoc analysis based on baseline ALP levels showed a statistically significant response in the HK-660S group among those with ALP levels greater than twice the upper limit of normal, with a 50% responder rate (p=0.05). Additionally, 26.7% of the HK-660S group showed improvements in the enhanced liver fibrosis score, with no improvements in the placebo group. HK-660S was generally well tolerated. Conclusions HK-660S is well tolerated among patients with PSC and may improve bile duct strictures, decrease serum ALP levels, and reduce liver fibrosis (cris.nih.go.kr, Number KCT0006590).

The apprenticeship-based training method (ABTM) is highly effective for gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopic training. However, the conventional ABTM has significant issues. Although many supplementary training methods (TMs) have been developed and utilized, they cannot entirely replace the ABTM, which remains the major TM strategy. Currently, new TM construction is crucial and necessary due to financial constraints, difficulty of obtaining sufficient training time due to patient safety-related regulations, and catastrophic damage caused by disasters such as the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. The simulator-based TM (SBTM) is widely accepted as an alternative to the ABTM, owing to the SBTM’s advantages. Since the 1960s, many GI endoscopy training simulators have been developed and numerous studies have been published on their effectiveness. While previous studies have focused on the simulator’s validity, this review focused on the accessibility of simulators that were introduced by the end of 2021. Although the current SBTM is effective in GI endoscopic education, extensive improvements are needed to replace the ABTM. Incorporating simulator-incorporated TMs into an improved ABTM is an attempt to overcome the incompleteness of the current SBTM. Until a new simulator is developed to replace the ABTM, it is desirable to operate a simulator-integrated and well-coordinated TM that is suitable for each country and institution.

Common bile duct (CBD) stones are prevalent in 11% to 21% of patients with gallstones and can cause various clinical manifestations, from biliary colic to biliary sepsis. The treatment of choice is endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, but approximately 5% to 10% of CBD stones are difficult to remove using these conventional endoscopic methods. Although percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopy and lithotripsy can be used as an alternative, it can be technically demanding and risky if the intrahepatic duct is not dilated. We report a case of a large CBD stone that was successfully removed using percutaneous transcholecystic cholangioscopy.

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided transmural drainage of peripancreatic fluid collection, gallbladder, bile duct, or pancreatic duct has emerged as a therapeutic option in patients with pancreatobiliary diseases. Recently, dedicated stents for EUS-guided interventions, which include lumen-apposing metal stents and modified tubular self-expanding metal stents, have been developed to improve efficacy and safety of these procedures. This article has reviewed newly developed stents for EUSguided interventions and their therapeutic outcomes.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Recurrent pyogenic cholangitis (RPC) is a chronic progressive disease frequently accompanied by cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). This study aimed to investigate the natural course of RPC and identify factors associated with CCA. METHODS: From January 2005 to December 2016, 310 patients diagnosed with RPC at Seoul National University Hospital were included. Complications and management during follow-up were recorded. CCA-free probability was estimated by Kaplan-Meier method, and risk factors associated with CCA were analyzed using log-rank test and Cox’s proportional hazard regression model. RESULTS: Mean age at diagnosis was 59.1±10.9 years and mean follow-up duration was 84.0±64.1 months. An intrahepatic duct stone was found in 253 patients (81.6%). Liver atrophy was identified in 185 patients (59.7%) and most commonly located at the left lobe (65.4%). Acute cholangitis, liver abscesses, cirrhotic complications, and CCA developed in 41.3%, 19.4%, 9.7%, and 7.4%, respectively. During follow-up, complete resolution rate after hepatectomy, biliary bypass surgery, and choledocholithotomy with T-tube insertion reached 82.3%, 55.2%, and 42.1%, respectively. None of the patients who maintained complete resolution by the last follow-up day developed CCA. In univariate analysis, female, both-sided intrahepatic duct stones, and liver atrophy at any location were associated with increased risk of CCA. Multivariate analysis revealed that both-sided atrophy significantly increased risk of CCA (hazard ratio, 4.56; 95% confidence interval, 1.48 to 14.09; p=0.008). In 21 patients who developed intrahepatic CCA, tumor was located mostly in the atrophied lobe (p=0.023). CONCLUSIONS: In RPC patients, acute cholangitis, liver abscess, cirrhotic complications, and CCA frequently developed. Both-sided liver atrophy was a significant risk factor for developing CCA.
Atrophy ; Cholangiocarcinoma ; Cholangitis ; Cohort Studies ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Fibrosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepatectomy ; Humans ; Liver ; Liver Abscess ; Methods ; Multivariate Analysis ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Seoul