Cancer risk in severe alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency: the importance of early identification. Issue 5 (3rd November 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hiller, Adriana-Maria; Ekström, Magnus; Piitulainen, Eeva; Lindberg, Anne; Rönmark, Eva; Tanash, Hanan
• Is Part Of: European respiratory journal. Volume 60:Issue 5(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-11-03
• Subjects: Respiratory organs -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Respiration -- Periodicals; 616.2
• DOI: 10.1183/13993003.00846-2022
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0903-1936

Abstract

We are thankful for the interest shown and the important input from M. Fromme and P. Strnad. That the individuals suffering from severe alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) have an increased risk of developing liver diseases including hepatic cancer is previously known [1, 2]. Our main aim in our recently published article [3], in addition to investigating the risk for hepatic cancer, was to evaluate the risk for developing other types of cancers (non-hepatic cancers). We are grateful for the up-to-date summary on the knowledge of hepatocellular carcinoma provided by M. Fromme and P. Strnad. We strongly agree on the need for a regular surveillance in individuals with severe AATD regarding development of hepatocellular cancer. In Sweden, individuals with severe AATD are regularly (every 2 years) followed up with liver enzymes, but not with elastography or ultrasound of the liver [4]. Since individuals with severe alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency may have an increased risk of developing cancer, and not only hepatic cancer, it is important to identify early and regularly follow-up these individuals https://bit.ly/3LDr43S