Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a chronic and progressive form of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Its global incidence is increasing which makes NASH an epidemic and a public health threat. Due to repeated insults to the liver, patients are at risk for developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The progression of NASH to HCC was initially defined according to a two-hit model which involved the development of steatosis, followed by lipid peroxidation and inflammation. However, current research defines a “multi-hit” or “multi-parallel hit” model which synthesizes several contributing pathways involved in progressive fibrosis and oncogenesis. This perspective considers the effects of cellular, genetic, immunologic, metabolic, and endocrine pathways leading up to HCC which underscores the complexity of this condition. This article will provide an updated review of the pathogenic mechanisms leading from NASH to HCC as well as an exploration of the role of biomarkers and screening.

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Background There are few studies to evaluate the association between iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and Crohn’s disease (CD). We examined this association in a USA-based cohort of patients with CD. Methods We queried the Nationwide Readmission Databases 2018 using the International Classification of Disease, 10th Revision, and Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) codes to identify all adult patients admitted with a diagnosis of CD. Primary outcomes were the prevalence of IDA among patients with CD. Secondary outcomes included inpatient mortality, the length of stay, all-cause 30-day non-elective readmission rate, and total cost of hospitalization. Multivariate regression analysis was performed to study the impact of IDA on inpatient mortality and non-elective readmissions. Results Of the 72,076 patients discharged from an index hospitalization for CD, 8.1% had IDA. CD patients with IDA had increased length of stays in days (4, interquartile range (IQR): 2 - 6 vs. 3, IQR: 2 - 5; P < 0.001), increased median total charges ($35,160, IQR: $19,786 - $64,126 vs. $31,299, IQR: $17,226 - $59,561; P < 0.001), and were more common to require blood transfusion during hospitalization (13.6% vs. 3.4%, P < 0.001) compared to CD patients without IDA, respectively. IDA was independently associated with increased odds of all-cause 30-day non-elective readmission (odds ratio (OR): 1.254, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.154 - 1.363, P < 0.001) and increased odds of all-cause 90-day non-elective readmission (OR: 1.396, 95% CI: 1.302 - 1.498, P < 0.001). Conclusions In a large nationwide cohort of patients hospitalized for CD, we observed a significant burden of IDA. Additionally, we found a significant association between IDA and worse hospitalization outcomes.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is characterized by malignant proliferation of malignant plasma cells; it is the second most common hematological malignancy associated with significant morbidity. Genetic intricacy, instability, and diverse clinical presentations remain a barrier to cure. The treatment of MM is modernized with the introduction of newer therapeutics agents, i.e., target-specific monoclonal antibodies. The currently available literature lacks the benefits of newer targeted therapy being developed with an aim to reduce side effects and increase effectiveness, compared to conventional chemotherapy regimens. This article aims to review literature about the current available monoclonal antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates, and bispecific antibodies for the treatment of MM.

e15590 Background: The incidence of colorectal cancer in young adults ( < 44 years) is on the rise. Identifying young patients at risk of regional lymph node metastasis (LNM) is crucial for long-term survival. Prior studies have examined rates of LMN in average risk patients. The objective of this study is to fill the knowledge gap by examining predictors of LMN in young patients using a national cancer registry. Methods: Patients diagnosed with T1 colorectal cancer were identified in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results register 2000-2017. Potential predictors of LNM and its impact on cancer-specific survival were assessed in logistic and Cox regression with and without multivariable adjustment. Results: In total, 692 patients with T1 colorectal cancer were identified. Most tumors occurred in White race (77.7%), between 40-44 years of age (49.4%), grade III tumor differentiation (59.8%), 1 to 1.9 cm in size (32.2%), and were left sided tumors (61.1%). The overall LNM rate was 22.5 % (n = 149). Using multivariate analysis, LMN was associated with tumor grade IV (undifferentiated) (odds ratio (OR) 2.94, CL: 1.06-8.12; p = 0.038), and increasing tumor size (1 cm – 1.9 cm: OR 2.92, CL: 1.71-4.97, p < 0.001; 2.0 cm – 2.9 cm: OR 2.00, CI: 1.05-3.77, p = 0.034; and ≥ 3.0 cm: OR 2.68, CI: 1.43-5.01, p = 0.002). Five-year cancer-specific survival for patients with LNM was 91% and for patients without LNM 98%. Adjusted cox proportion models showed that LMN was associated with four times higher rate of mortality (hazard ratio (HR) 4.43, CI: 1.27-15.52, p = 0.020). Conclusions: In conclusion, the overall LNM rate is approximately 22% for T1 CRC in young patients (less than 45 years). Tumor size and tumor grade are significant predictors for LNM in patients with T1 CRC cancer. Moreover, positive lymph node involvement is a significant prognostic factor for cancer specific survival. Thus, careful preoperative assessment of lymph node status is essential in clinical decision making, to achieve better long-term outcomes