The overlapping epidemics of chronic viral hepatitis and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) present a complex challenge in modern hepatology. In chronic hepatitis B, a unique "steatosis paradox" emerges: while isolated hepatic steatosis provides a suppressive microenvironment that promotes hepatitis B viral clearance, the concomitant systemic cardiometabolic burden acts dose-dependently to drive fibrogenesis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Conversely, chronic hepatitis C and host metabolic dysfunctions exhibit synergistic destruction. Hepatitis C virus actively hijacks lipid metabolism and induces insulin resistance. Even after viral eradication via direct-acting antivirals, residual steatosis and glycemic abnormalities remain formidable drivers of HCC. Consequently, the traditional virocentric paradigm is no longer sufficient. Clinical management should pivot toward precision risk stratification and a multidisciplinary dual-target approach, equally prioritizing sustained viral suppression and aggressive metabolic remission. This review summarizes the divergent virus-MASLD interactions, optimal clinical strategies, current challenges and future opportunities.
Advancing metabolic risk profiling in chronic hepatitis B: Reply to correspondence on “Metabolic health in antiviral era of chronic hepatitis B” Shang-Chin Huang, Jia-Horng Kao Clinical and Molecular Hepatology.2026; 32(1): e117. CrossRef
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Clin Mol Hepatol 2025;31(3):796-809. Published online January 6, 2025
Background/Aims There are no hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) surveillance recommendations for non-viral chronic liver diseases (CLD), such as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). We explored the Steatosis-Associated Fibrosis Estimator (SAFE) score to predict HCC in MASLD and other CLD etiologies.
Methods Patients with various CLDs were included from medical centers in Taiwan. The SAFE score, consisting of age, body mass index, diabetes, and laboratory data, was calculated at baseline, and patients were traced for new development of HCC. The predictability of the SAFE score for HCC was analyzed using the sub-distribution hazard model with adjustments for competing risks.
Results Among 12,963 CLD patients with a median follow-up of 4 years, 258 developed HCC. The SAFE score classifies 1-, 3-, and 5-year HCC risk regardless of CLD etiologies. High (≥100) and intermediate (0–100) SAFE scores increased 11 and 2 folds HCC risks compared to low (<0) SAFE scores. Combining two lower risk tiers (SAFE<100), a high SAFE score (≥100) was associated with a 7.5-fold risk of HCC (adjusted sub-distributional hazard ratio [aSHR] 7.54; 95% confidence interval (CI) 5.38–10.60). A high SAFE score increased the risks of HCC in subgroups of viral hepatitis, non-viral hepatitis (aSHR 11.10; 95% CI 3.97–31.30) and MASLD (aSHR 4.23; 95% CI 1.43–12.50). A hospital cohort (n=8,103) and a community MASLD cohort (n=120,166) validated the high SAFE score (≥100) for HCC risk prediction.
Conclusions The SAFE score stratifies high risks for HCC in CLD patients regardless of etiologies and helps to select at-risk candidates for HCC surveillance.
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HCC predictors in routine practice for patients with chronic liver diseases: Correspondence to editorial on “High SAFE scores predict hepatocellular carcinoma in viral and non-viral hepatitis and metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease” Tung-Hung Su, Jia-Horng Kao Clinical and Molecular Hepatology.2026; 32(1): e52. CrossRef
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The prevalence of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) has increased among the general population and chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients worldwide. Although fatty liver disease is a well-known risk factor for adverse liver outcomes like cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, its interactions with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and clinical impacts seem complex. The presence of hepatic steatosis may suppress HBV viral activity, potentially leading to attenuated liver injury. In contrast, the associated co-morbidities like diabetes mellitus or obesity may increase the risk of developing adverse liver outcomes. These findings implicate that components of MAFLD may have diverse effects on the clinical manifestations of CHB. To this end, a clinical strategy is proposed for managing patients with concurrent CHB and MAFLD. This review article discusses the updated evidence regarding disease prevalence, interactions between steatosis and HBV, clinical impacts, and management strategies, aiming at optimizing holistic health care in the CHB population.
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Background/Aims The core needle biopsy (CNB), fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) and touch imprint cytology (TIC) are commonly used tools for the diagnosis of hepatic malignancies. However, little is known about the benefits and criteria for selecting appropriate technique among them in clinical practice. We aimed to compare the sensitivity of ultrasound-guided CNB, FNAC, TIC as well as combinations for the diagnosis of hepatic malignancies, and to determine the factors associated with better sensitivity in each technique.
Methods From January 2018 to December 2019, a total of 634 consecutive patients who received ultrasound-guided liver biopsies at the National Taiwan University Hospital was collected, of whom 235 with confirmed malignant hepatic lesions receiving CNB, FNAC and TIC simultaneously were enrolled for analysis. The clinical and procedural data were compared.
Results The sensitivity of CNB, FNAC and TIC for the diagnosis of malignant hepatic lesions were 93.6%, 71.9%, and 85.1%, respectively. Add-on use of FNAC or TIC to CNB provided additional sensitivity of 2.1% and 0.4%, respectively. FNAC exhibited a significantly higher diagnostic rate in the metastatic cancers (P=0.011), hyperechoic lesions on ultrasound (P=0.028), and those with depth less than 4.5 cm from the site of needle insertion (P=0.036).
Conclusions The sensitivity of CNB is superior to that of FNAC and TIC for the diagnosis of hepatic malignancies. Nevertheless, for shallow (depth <4.5 cm) and hyperechoic lesions not typical for primary liver cancers, FNAC alone provides excellent sensitivity.
Citations
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