The history of interventional therapy for liver cancer in China

In China interventional therapy of liver cancer started in the 1980s. It is well-known that Professor Lin Gui is the founding father of Interventional radiology. Under the leadership of Lin Gui and other professors, interventional therapy of liver cancer has swiftly progressed in China. Indeed, TAI, TAE, TACE and ablation therapy have witnessed great innovations in hardware facil ities, technical means, and therapeutic philosophy, while incorporating Chinese characteristics. As with the development of combined interventional therapy in China, interventional treatment of liver cancer has gradually started the process of precision and individualization. Actually, multidisciplinary, multimodal, and polymorphic treatments will be the most suitable pattern for liver cancer in the future, among which combination of interventional therapy with targeted, immunological treatments and information technology(IT) tools may bring a revolutionary breakthrough in liver cancer treatment.

Influence on liver function of hepatic artery interventional chemoembolization combined reduced glutathione therapy for elderly patients with advanced liver cancer

Objective:To explore the influence on liver function of hepatic artery interventional chemoembolization combined reduced glutathione therapy for elderly patients with advanced liver cancer.Methods:A total of 120 cases of elderly patients with advanced liver cancer from digestive surgery in-patient department of our hospital during the period of January 2014 and January 2016 were selected as the research object, the patients were divided into two groups by using the random number table method,each for 60 cases.The control group were given conventional drugs chemotherapy, the study group were given hepatic artery interventional chemoembolization combined reduced glutathione therapy, serum liver function indexes of Direct Bilirubin(DBil), Total Bilirubin(TBil), Aspartate Transaminase(AST) and Alanineamino Transferase (ALT)were detected by using automatic biochemical analyzer. Results: The clinical remission rate of study group was significantly higher than the control group, the recurrence rate was obviously lower than the control group,compared between the two groups with statistically significant differences. The average survival time of study group (29.36±6.25) months, was significantly longer than the control group (18.02±4.16) months .Before the treatment, serum DBil, TBil, AST and ALT levels compared between the two groups with no statistically significant differences,after the treatment,the indexes of study group was significantly lower than the control group. The indexes levels compared between pre-therapy and post-therapy in study group with no statistically significant differences, while the indexes levels of post-therapy in the control group were significantly higher than those pre-therapy. Before the treatment, the life quality score compared between the two groups with no statistically significant differences, after treatment,the score of all patients were significantly higher than those pre-therapywhich the score of study group was significantly higher than the control group.The incidence rate of drug adverse reactions compared between the two groups with no statistically significant differences.Conclusion: The clinical efficacy of hepatic artery interventional chemoembolization combined reduced glutathione therapy for elderly patients with advanced liver cancer is satisfying, and helps to significantly improve liver function, improve life quality, it is worth popularization and application in the clinical practice.

Chimeric antigen receptor-engineered T-cell therapy for liver cancer

Background: Chimeric antigen receptor-engineered T-cell(CAR-T) therapy is a newly developed immunotherapy used in the treatment of cancers. Because CAR-T therapy has shown great success in treating CD19-positive hematological malignancies, its application has been explored in the treatment of solid tumors, such as liver cancer. In this review, we discuss the immune characteristics of liver cancer, the obstacles encountered during the application of CAR-T therapy, and preclinical and clinical progress in the use of CAR-T therapy in patients with liver cancer.Data sources: The data on CAR-T therapy related to liver cancers were collected by searching Pub Med and the Web of Science databases prior to December 2017 with the keywords "chimeric antigen receptor","CAR-T", "liver cancer", "hepatocellular carcinoma", and "solid tumor". Additional articles were identified by manual search of references found in the primary articles. The data for clinical trials were collected by searching Clinical Trials.gov.Results: The liver has a tolerogenic nature in the intrahepatic milieu and its tumor microenvironment significantly affects tumor progression. The obstacles that reduce the efficacy of CAR-T therapy in solid tumors include a lack of specific tumor antigens, limited trafficking and penetration of CAR-T cells to tumor sites, and an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. To overcome these obstacles, several strategies have emerged. In addition, several strategies have been developed to manage the side effects of CAR-T, including enhancing the selectivity of CARs and controlling CAR-T activity. To date, no clinical trials of CAR-T therapy against HCC have been completed. However, preclinical studies in vitro and in vivo have shown potent antitumor efficacy. Glypican-3, mucin-1, epithelial cell adhesion molecule, carcinoembryonic antigen, and other targets are currently being studied.Conclusions: The application of CAR-T therapy for liver cancer is just beginning to be explored and more research is needed. However, we are optimistic that CAR-T therapy will offer a new approach for the treatment of liver cancers in the future.

Advances in postoperative adjuvant therapy for primary liver cancer

Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is a highly heterogeneous,invasive,and conventional chemotherapy-insensitive tumor with unique biological characteristics.The main methods for the radical treatment of HCC are surgical resection or liver transplantation.However,recurrence rates are as high as 50%and 70%at 3 and 5 years after liver resection,respectively,and even in Milan-eligible recipients,the recurrence rate is approximately 20%at 5 years after liver transplantation.Therefore,reducing the postoperative recurrence rate is key to improving the overall outcome of liver cancer.This review discusses the risk factors for recurrence in patients with HCC radical surgical resection and adjuvant treatment options that may reduce the risk of recurrence and improve overall survival,including local adjuvant therapy(e.g.,transcatheter arterial chemoembolization),adjuvant systemic therapy(e.g.,molecular targeted agents and immunotherapy),and other adjuvant therapies(e.g.,antiviral and herbal therapy).Finally,potential research directions that may change the paradigm of adjuvant therapy for HCC are analyzed.

Application of Paclitaxel-loaded EGFR Peptide-conjugated Magnetic Polymeric Liposomes for Liver Cancer Therapy

Developing the methodologies that allow for safe and effective delivery of therapeutic drugs to target sites is a very important research area in cancer therapy.In this study,polyethylene glycol(PEG)-coated magnetic polymeric liposome(MPL)nanoparticles(NPs)assembled from octadecyl quatemized carboxymethyl chitosan(OQC),PEGylated OQC,cholesterol,and magnetic NPs,and functionalized with epithelial growth factor receptor(EGFR)peptide,were successfully prepared for in-vivo liver targeting.The two-step liver targeting strategy,based on both magnetic force and EGFR peptide conjugation,was evaluated in a subcutaneous hepatocellular carcinoma model of nude mouse.The results showed that EGFR-conjugated MPLs not only accumulated in the liver by magnetic force,but could also diffuse into tumor cells as a result of EGFR targeting.In addition,paclitaxel(PTX)was incorporated into small EGFR-conjugated MPLs(102.0土0.7 nm),resulting in spherical particles with high drug encapsulation efficiency(>90%).The use of the magnetic targeting for enhancing the transport of PTX-loaded EGFR-conjugated MPLs to the tumor site was further confirmed by detecting PTX levels.In conclusion,PTX-loaded EGFR-conjugated MPLs could potentially be used as an effective drug delivery system for targeted liver cancer therapy.

Combination therapy of murine liver cancer with IL-12 gene and HSV-TK gene

Objective: To investigate the synergistic anti-tumor effects of murine IL-12 gene and HSV-TK gene therapy in mice bearing liver cancer. Methods: Mouse liver cancer MM45T. Li (H-2d) cells were transfected with retroviral vector containing IL-12 gene or HSV-TK gene insert. Gene-modified liver cancer cells, MM45T. Li/IL-12 and MM45T. Li/TK, with stable expression of IL-12 and TK were obtained. Balb/c mice were inoculated subcutaneously with 2′105 MM45T. Li cells. When the tumor reached a size of 0.5-1.0 cm, a mixture of MM45T.Li/TK cells and 60Co-irradiated MM45T. Li/IL-12 cell were injected intratumoraly. Ganciclovir (GCV) was injected ip (40 mg.kg-1.d-1) for 10 days. Intratumoral injection of 60Co-irradiated MM45T. Li/IL-12 cells was repeated twice in one week apart. Mice with distant tumors were treated according to the same protocol. CTL activity of spleen cells was measured by 51Cr-release assay and phenotype of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes by immunohistochemical staining. Results: In mice treated with MM45T. Li/IL-12 or MM45T. Li/TK+GCV individually led to moderate reduction in tumor growth, but neither could eradicate the tumor completely, while in 60% of mice treated with a mixture of MM45T. Li/IL-12 and MM45T. Li/TK cells plus GCV, complete tumor regression was observed, with no tumor recurrence for two months. The growth of distant tumor was also inhibited significantly in mice similarly treated. Most of the mice received combined gene therapy plus GCV had abundant CD4+, CD8+T lymphocyte infiltration. Their CTL activity was significantly higher than in mice received single gene therapy. Conclusion Combination therapy with IL-12 gene and HSV-TK gene plus GCV is effective for mouse liver cancer.

Therapy Response of Chinese Herbal Medicine in Advanced Liver Cancer： A Retrospective Observational Clinical Trial

Aiming at starting the ball rolling and contributing humble effort to promote CTM （Chinese traditional medicine）, we performed the present study to assess the therapy response of Chinese herbal decoction compared to conventional therapy on critical ill patients of advanced liver cancer. A total of 6 patients （1 female and 5 males） with histologically confirmed liver cancer were included in this retrospective observational clinical trial. We administered Chinese medicine （Gan Decoction, mixed with a variety of effective herbal components） to help them to recover from poor condition. In the meantime, conventional treatment of surgical resection and artery catheterization chemotherapy was applied in cases compared. In 3 cases of CTM combined treatment, the tumor marker level decreased. Residual intrahepatic metastatic sites reduced according to ultrasonography/CT imaging, and the patients felt free from the complaint of abdominal discomfort. The quality of life has been improved, we managed to have prolonged the PFS （Progression-Free-Survival） and TTP （Time-to-Progression） from the onset to date. While in 3 cases with conventional treatment only of surgical resection and artery catheterization chemotherapy, we were not able to decrease the level of tumor marker, metastatic lesions increased according to ultrasonography/CT imaging, and the patient＇s condition worsen more. We failed in having prolonged the PFS and TTP in the compared cases of conventional treatment only. The retrospective clinical study showed no OS （overall survival） benefit for liver cancer patients treated with Gan Decoction, while the QOL （quality of life） evaluation seemed to predict survival better. Chinese herbs might be an additional choice with its better benefits and tolerability in the treatment of primary liver cancer.

Percutaneous interventional therapy for anastomotic biliary strictures after orthotopic liver transplantation

Objective To describe the technique,efficacy, and safety of percutaneous interventional therapy for anastomotic biliary strictures after orthotopic liver transplantation ( OLT) . Methods From May 2004 to December 2009,25 patients with anastomotic biliary stric-

Polyethylene glycol microspheres loaded with irinotecan for arterially directed embolic therapy of metastatic liver cancer

AIM To study tumor response, and tolerability of arterially directed embolic therapy(ADET) with polyethylene glycol embolics loaded with irinotecan for the treatment of colorectal cancer liver metastases(CRC-LM). Secondary objectives were to monitor quality of life, time to progression and survival of patients.METHODS Patients were included in the study if they were affected by CRC-LM, refractory to systemic chemotherapy, treated with ADET using polyethylene glycol embolics, and had liver involvement < 50%. Tumor response, performance status(PS), tumor marker antigens, and quality of life(QoL) were monitored at 1, 3 and 6 mo after ADET. QoL was assessed with the Palliative Performance Scale(PPS).RESULTS We treated 50 consecutive CRC-LM patients with ADET using polyethylene glycol embolics. Their tumor response one month after ADET was: 28% of complete response(CR), 48% of partial response(PR), 8% stable disease(SD), and 16% of progression. Tumor response 3 mo after ADET was CR 24%, PR 38%, SD 19% and progression disease(PD) 19%. Tumor response 6 mo after ADET was CR 18%, PR 44%, SD 21% and PD 18%. QoL was 90% PPS at each time point. Median time to progression for patients who progressed was 2.5 mo(range 0.8-6). Median follow-up was 14 mo(0.8-25 range). ADETs were performed with no complications. Observed side effects(mild or moderate intensity) were: Pain in 32% of patients, increase of transaminase levels in 20% and fever in 14%, whereas 30% of patients did not complain any adverse event. CONCLUSION The treatment of unresectable CRC-LM with ADET using polyethylene glycol microspheres loaded with irinotecan was effective in tumor response and resulted in mild toxicity, and good QoL.

Gene therapy of liver cancer

The application of gene transfer technologies to the treatment of cancer has led to the development of new experimental approaches like gene directed enzyme/pro- drug therapy (GDEPT), inhibition of oncogenes and restoration of tumor-suppressor genes. In addition, gene therapy has a big impact on other fields like cancer immunotherapy, anti-angiogenic therapy and virotherapy. These strategies are being evaluated for the treatment of primary and metastatic liver cancer and some of them have reached clinical phases. We present a review on the basis and the actual status of gene therapy approaches applied to liver cancer.

Role of interventional therapy in hepatic artery stenosis and non-anastomosis bile duct stricture after orthotopic liver transplantation

AIM： To analyze the clinical manifestations and the effectiveness of therapy in patients with orthotopic liver bansplantation （OLT）-associated hepatic artery stenosis （HAS） and non-anastomosis bile duct stricture.METHODS： Nine cases were diagnosed as HAS and non-anastomosis bile duct stricture. Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty （PTA） was performed in four HAS cases, and expectant treatment in other five HAS cases, percutaneous transhepatic bile drainage, balloon dilation, stent placement were performed in all nine cases.RESULTS： Diffuse intra- and extra-bile duct stricture was observed in nine cases, which was associated with bile mud siltation and biliary infection. Obstruction of the bile duct was improved obviously or removed. Life span/ follow-up period was 13-30 mo after PTA of four HAS cases, 6-23 mo without PTA of other five cases.CONCLUSION： Progressive, non-anastomosis, and diffuse bile duct stricture are the characteristic manifestations of HAS and non-anastomosis bile duct stricture after OLT. These are often associated with bile mud siltation, biliary infection, and ultimate liver failure. Interventional therapy is significantly beneficial.

Studies on Lung Cancer Angiogenesis-Application of Interventional Therapy (A Report of 56 Cases)

OBJECTIVE To investigate the significance of angiogenesis of lung cancer, in order to provide a scientific basis for interventional therapy. METHODS Double-phase enhancementscanning spiral CT and DSA were performed in 56 pathologically confi rmed lung cancer cases, in order to evaluate angiogenesis of the tumors. The patients included 36 males and 20 females, with ages ranging from 33 to 76 years (average of 53). Assessments and indexes for SCT and DSA examinations were as follows: a) Peak value (PV) of the cancerous focus was the difference between the maximum CT value after enhancement and the CT value of a plain scan; b) The abnormally distorted and expanded new vessels of the cancerous focus which could be macroscopically discriminated; c) DSA staining of the focus of cancer was sparse, grid-like and dense. Chemotherapy and embolotherapy via the bronchial artery (interventional therapy) were conducted. Radiotherapy was added for some of the solid tumors with a diameter exceeding 4 cm. RESULTS a) There were 25 cases with a central-type lesion, among which 4 were small cell lung cancers (SCLC) and 21 non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC). The cases with a peripheral location accounted for 31 of the total, with a maximum diameter of 1.5 to 13.5 cm and a median of 4.2 cm, including 5 small cell lung cancers and 26 NSCLC cases. b) The reinforced PVs of the cancerous foci were as follows: The PV ranged from 45 to 70 Hu in 34 cases, 25 to 45 Hu in 19, and 10 to 25 Hu in 3. Sparse DSA staining occurred in 3 cases, there was uneven grid-like staining in 22 and dense staining in 31; c) The interventional therapy via the bronchial artery was con-ducted twice in 5 cases with the SCLC, and three times in 4 SCLC cases. For 3 of the latter cases, a dose of 5,000 to 7,000 cGy radiation therapy was added during the interventional treatment. Complete remissions (CR) were seen in 88.9% of the cases (8/9) and partial remission (PR) in 11.1% (1/9). Interventional therapy was conducted twice in 8 cases with NSCLC and three times in 30 with NSCLC and four times in 9 cases. Among the total cases, 13 received radiotherapy during interventional therapy, with a radiation dose of 5,000-7,000 cGy; The CR rate was 78.7% (37/47), PR was 14.9% (7/47) and the rate of non-remission was 6.4% (3/47). CONCLUSION Using imaging technology, analysis of angiogenesis of lung cancers was employed to accurately detect and quantify angiogenesis. This analysis was combined for interventional therapy, using embolizing agents and large doses of the anti-tumor drugs and angiogenesis inhibitors. The agents were selectively delivered into the tumor vessels to eliminate the primary tumor, in order to depress distant metastases and thus enhance the curative effect of the therapy.

In advanced pancreatic cancer: The value and significance of interventional therapy

Pancreatic cancer is famous as“the king of cancer”due to its high degree of malignancy,rapid course of disease development,and poor prognosis.Relevant epidemiological studies have indicated that with improvement in people’s standard of living,the morbidity and mortality of pancreatic cancer has increased.At the same time,the disease shows an obvious upward trend worldwide.Pancreatic cancer has become a major public health problem that seriously affects the life and health of people.The present review focuses on the recent advances in interventional therapy such as transcatheter arterial infusion,radiofrequency ablation,microwave ablation,and irreversible electroporation of pancreatic cancer.

Effects of intensity modulated radiation therapy + local hyperthermia on the cancer cell apoptosis and invasion in liver cancer lesion

Objective: To investigate the effects of intensity modulated radiation therapy + local hyperthermia on the cancer cell apoptosis and invasion in liver cancer lesion. Methods:A total of 94 patients with middle-advanced primary liver cancer who were diagnosed and treated in this hospital between November 2015 and February 2017 were divided into control group (n=47) and experimental group (n=47) by random number table method. Control group received intensity modulated radiation therapy and experimental group received intensity modulated radiation therapy + local hyperthermia. Both groups accepted peritoneal lesion biopsy before and after treatment, and the expression of apoptosis and invasion genes in specimen tissue were detected by fluorescence quantitative PCR. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in apoptosis and invasion gene expression between the two groups of patients before treatment. After treatment, apoptosis genes Fas, caspase-3, Bax and p53 mRNA expression in lesion tissue of experimental group were higher than those of control group whereas FasL and Bcl-2 mRNA expression were lower than those of control group;invasion genes Cofilin-1, Bmi-1, STAT3 and SOX18 mRNA expression in lesion tissue of experimental group were lower than those of control group whereas Tip30 and TP53IP1 mRNA expression were higher than those of control group. Conclusion: intensity modulated radiation therapy + local hyperthermia can effectively promote cancer cell apoptosis and inhibit its invasion activity in patients with middle and advanced primary liver cancer.

Current status of yttrium-90 microspheres radioembolization in primary and metastatic liver cancer

Liver malignancy,including primary liver cancer and metastatic liver cancer has become one of the most common causes of cancer-related death worldwide due to the high malignant degree and limited systematic treatment strategy.Radioembolization with yttrium-90(^(90)Y)-loaded microspheres is a relatively novel technology that has made significant progress in the local treatment of liver malignancy.The different steps in the extensive work-up of radioembolization for patients with an indication for treatment with^(90)Y microspheres,from patient selection to follow up,both technically and clinically,are discussed in this paper.It describes the application and development of^(90)Y microspheres in the treatment of liver cancer.

Changed clinical aspects of primary liver cancer in China during the past 30 years

BACKGROUND: Primary liver cancer (PLC) is one of the most frequently seen tumors in China. Thirty years ago, patients with PLC were often detected at relatively late stage, with a palpable mass or marked clinical symptoms and poor prognosis. In the past 30 years, the diagnosis and treatment of PLC have been greatly improved with better prognosis. METHODS: In order to study the changes of PLC during the 30 years, the clinical data of 3250 patients with PLC from 10 medical institutions of China were collected, ana- lyzed , and compared with those of 3254 PLC patients be- fore the 30 years. RESULTS: In the 3250 patients aged 1-80 years, with an average age of 49.1 years, the male to female ratio (2.3:1) was lower than that before the 30 years. 73.5% of the 3250 patients sought medical advice within 3 months after the onset of the disease in contrast to 63.8% before the 30 years. Compared with those patients before the 30 years the symptoms and signs were alleviated generally. The HBsAg positive rate was 81.0%, but the HCV-Ab positive rate was 13.2%. The AFP level in 75% of patients was elevated, but in the remaining 25% was normal. 1912 patients (58.8%) were confirmed pathologically. Among them 1755 patients (91.8%) had hepatocellular carcinoma. The overall resec- tion rate was 46.3%. Those who had early, middle, late stage carcinoma accounted for 29.9%, 51.5%, and 18.6%respectively in contrast to 0.4%, 47.0%, and 52.6% repor- ted before the 30 years. The 1-, 3-, 5-year survival rates of the patients were 66.1%, 39.7%, and 32.5% respectively, whereas 93.5%, 70.1%, and 59.1% for the early stage pa- tients, and 65.3%, 30.5%, and 23.5% for the middle stage patients. The half and 1-year survival rates of the late stage patients were 52.5%, and 14.7%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Comparison with the clinical data before and after the 30 years show that PLC can be diagnosed ear- ly. More PLC patients tend to undergo resection while re- ceiving a better conservative treatment, which ensures a prognosis.

Hepatocellular carcinoma:Surgical perspectives beyond the barcelona clinic liver cancer recommendations

The barcelona clinic liver cancer(BCLC)staging system has been approved as guidance for hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)treatment guidelines by the main Western clinical liver associations.According to the BCLC classification,only patients with a small single HCC nodule without signs of portal hypertension or hyperbilirubinemia should undergo liver resection.In contrast,patients with intermediate-advanced HCC should be scheduled for palliative therapies,even if the lesion is resectable.Recent studies report good short-term and long-term outcomes in patients with intermediate-advanced HCC treated by liver resection.Therefore,this classification has been criticised because it excludes many patients who could benefit from curative resection.The aim of this review was to evaluate the role of surgery beyond the BCLC recommendations.Safe liver resection can be performed in patients with portal hypertension and well-compensated liver function with a 5-year survival rate of 50%.Surgery also offers good long-term result in selected patients with multiple or large HCCs with a reported 5-year survival rate of over 50%and 40%,respectively.Although macrovascular invasion is associated with a poor prognosis,liver resection provides better long-term results than palliative therapies or best supportive care.Recently,researchers have identified several genes whose altered expression influences the prognosis of patients with HCC.These genes may be useful for classifying the biological behaviour of different tumours.A revision of the BCLC classification should be introduced to provide the best treatment strategy and to ensure the best prognosis in patients with HCC.

Effects of microwave ablation on serum Golgi protein 73 in patients with primary liver cancer

BACKGROUND Microwave ablation(MWA)is an effective treatment option for patients with primary liver cancer.However,it has been reported that the MWA procedure induces a hepatic inflammatory response and injury,which may negatively affect the efficacy of MWA.As such,the discovery of reliable markers to monitor the patient’s response to MWA is needed.Golgi protein 73(GP73)has been shown to be associated with chronic liver disease.To date,the potential value of serum GP73 in the dynamic monitoring during MWA of liver cancer remains unclear.AIM To examine the effects of MWA on the serum levels of GP73 in patients with primary liver cancer.METHODS A total of 150 primary liver cancer patients with a single small lesion(≤3 cm in diameter)were retrospectively enrolled spanning the period between January 2016 and October 2018.All of the patients received MWA for the treatment of primary liver cancer.Serum GP73,alpha-fetoprotein(AFP),and widely used liver biochemical indicators[serum albumin,total bilirubin(TBIL),alanine aminotransferase(ALT),and aspartate aminotransferase(AST)]were compared before MWA and at different time points,including 1,2,and 4 wk following the ablation procedure.RESULTS Complete tumor ablation was achieved in 95.33%of the patients at 1 mo after MWA.The 1-,2-,and 3-year disease-free survival rates were 74.67%,59.33%,and 54.00%,respectively.The serum AFP levels were significantly decreased at 1,2,and 4 wk after MWA;they returned to the normal range at 12 wk after MWA;and they remained stable thereafter during follow-up in those cases without recurrence.In contrast,the serum GP73 levels were significantly increased at 1 and 2 wk after MWA.The serum GP73 levels reached the peak at 2 wk after MWA,started to decline after hepatoprotective treatment with glycyrrhizin and reduced glutathione,and returned to the pretreatment levels at 12 and 24 wk after MWA.Notably,the changes of serum GP73 in response to MWA were similar to those of TBIL,ALT,and AST.CONCLUSION Serum GP73 is markedly increased in response to MWA of liver cancer.Thus,serum GP73 holds potential as a marker to monitor MWA-induced inflammatory liver injury in need of amelioration.

The effect of Jinlong capsule on the immune function for intervened patients with primary liver cancer

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Jinlong capsule on the immune function for intervened patients with primary liver cancer. Methods: Matched the inclusion criteria, 60 patients were selected and randomly divided into two groups. The treatment group had 30 cases treated with Jinlong capsule combined with the transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE); the control group had 30 cases treated with TACE. Each group was treated 30 days as a cycle, which had completed at least two cycles. Indicators of cellular immune function about the activity of CD3, CD4, CD8, CD4/CD8 and natural killer(NK) cell were detected before and after treatment, then to compare and analysis with each other. Results: Before treatment, the activity of peripheral blood CD3, CD4, CD8, CD4/CD8 and NK cell in the two groups was no significant difference(P > 0.05); after treatment, the activity of CD3, CD4 and NK cell in the treatment group was significantly increased, the ratio of CD4/CD8 increased, and the value of CD8 decreased(P < 0.05), the activity of CD3, CD4 and NK cell in the control group was significantly decreased, the ratio of CD4/CD8 decreased(P < 0.05), and the value of CD8 slightly higher than before treatment(P > 0.05), the difference between the two groups indicated the statistical significance(P < 0.05). Incidence of gastrointestinal reactions, leucopenia, hemoglobin, platelet decline in the treatment group was lower than those in the control group, but without presenting the statistical significance(P > 0.05). Conclusion: Jinlong capsule with hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy can improve the patients' immune function, and reduce the adverse reactions of interventional chemotherapy. Hence,it deserves to be promoted in clinically.

Engineering nanotheranostic strategies for liver cancer

The incidence and mortality of hepatocellular carcinoma have continued to increase over the last few years,and the medicine-based outlook of patients is poor.Given great ideas from the development of nanotechnology in medicine,especially the advantages in the treatments of liver cancer.Some engineering nanoparticles with active targeting,ligand modification,and passive targeting capacity achieve efficient drug delivery to tumor cells.In addition,the behavior of drug release is also applied to the drug loading nanosystem based on the tumor microenvironment.Considering clinical use of local treatment of liver cancer,in situ drug delivery of nanogels is also fully studied in orthotopic chemotherapy,radiotherapy,and ablation therapy.Furthermore,novel therapies including gene therapy,phototherapy,and immunotherapy are also applied as combined therapy for liver cancer.Engineering nonviral polymers to function as gene delivery vectors with increased efficiency and specificity,and strategies of co-delivery of therapeutic genes and drugs show great therapeutic effect against liver tumors,including drug-resistant tumors.Phototherapy is also applied in surgical procedures,chemotherapy,and immunotherapy.Combination strategies significantly enhance therapeutic effects and decrease side effects.Overall,the application of nanotechnology could bring a revolutionary change to the current treatment of liver cancer.