Impact of guideline adherence on the prognosis of Barcelona clinic liver cancer stage B hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND Patients with Barcelona clinic liver cancer(BCLC)stage B hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)are considerably heterogeneous in terms of tumor burden,liver function,and performance status.To improve the poor survival outcomes of these patients,treatment approaches other than transarterial chemoembolization(TACE),which is recommended by HCC guidelines,have been adopted in realworld clinical practice.We hypothesize that this non-adherence to treatment guidelines,particularly with respect to the use of liver resection,improves survival in patients with stage B HCC.AIM To assess guideline adherence in South Korean patients with stage B HCC and study its impact on survival.METHODS A retrospective analysis was conducted using data from 2008 to 2016 obtained from the Korea Central Cancer Registry.Patients with stage B HCC were categorized into three treatment groups,guideline-adherent,upward,and downward,based on HCC guidelines recommended by the Asian Pacific Association for the Study of the Liver(APASL),the European Association for the Study of the Liver(EASL),and the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases(AASLD).The primary outcome was HCC-related deaths;tumor recurrence served as the secondary outcome.Survival among the groups was compared using the Kaplan-Meier method and the log-rank test.Predictors of survival outcomes were identified using multivariable Cox regression analysis.RESULTS In South Korea, over the study period from 2008 to 2016, a notable trend was observed in adherence to HCCguidelines. Adherence to the EASL guidelines started relatively high, ranging from 77% to 80% between 2008 and2012, but it gradually declined to 58.8% to 71.6% from 2013 to 2016. Adherence to the AASLD guidelines began at71.7% to 75.9% from 2008 to 2010, and then it fluctuated between 49.2% and 73.8% from 2011 to 2016. In contrast,adherence to the APASL guidelines remained consistently high, staying within the range of 90.14% to 94.5%throughout the entire study period. Upward treatment, for example with liver resection, liver transplantation, orradiofrequency ablation, significantly improved the survival of patients with BCLC stage B HCC compared to thatof patients treated in adherence to the guidelines (for patients analyzed according to the 2000 EASL guidelines, the5-year survival rates were 63.4% vs 27.2%, P < 0.001), although results varied depending on the guidelines.Progression-free survival rates were also significantly improved upon the use of upward treatments in certaingroups. Patients receiving upward treatments were typically < 70 years old, had platelet counts > 105/μL, andserum albumin levels ≥ 3.5 g/dL.CONCLUSIONAdherence to guidelines significantly influences survival in South Korean stage B HCC patients. Curativetreatments outperform TACE, but liver resection should be selected with caution due to disease heterogeneity.

Rethinking the Barcelona clinic liver cancer guidelines:Intermediate stage and Child-Pugh B patients are suitable for surgery?

According to Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer recommendations,intermediate stage hepatocellular carcinomas(stage B)are excluded from liver resection and are referred to palliative treatment.Moreover,Child-Pugh B patients are not usually candidates for liver resection.However,many hepatobiliary centers in the world manage patients with intermediate stage hepatocellular carcinoma or Child-Pugh B cirrhosis with liver resection,maintaining that hepatic resection is not contraindicated in selected patients with non–early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma and without normal liver function.Several studies demonstrate that resection provides the best survival benefit for selected patients in very early/early and even in intermediate stages of Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer classification,and this treatment gives good results in the setting of multinodular,large tumors in patients with portal hypertension and/or Child-Pugh B cirrhosis.In this review we explore this controversial topic,and we show through the literature analysis how liver resection may improve the short-and long-term survival rate of carefully selected Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer B and Child-Pugh B hepatocellular carcinoma patients.However,other large clinical studies are needed to clarify which patients with intermediate stage hepatocellular carcinoma are most likely to benefit from liver resection.

Reverse time-dependent effect of alphafetoprotein and disease control on survival of patients with Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage C hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM To characterize the survival of cirrhotic patients with Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer(BCLC) stage C hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) and to ascertain the factors predicting the achievement of disease control(DC).METHODS The cirrhotic patients with BCLC stage C HCC evaluated by the Hepatocatt multidisciplinary group were subjected to the investigation. Demographic, clinical and tumor features, along with the best tumor response and overall survival were recorded. RESULTS One hundred and ten BCLC stage C patients were included in the analysis; the median overall survival was 13.4 mo(95%CI: 10.6-17.0). Only alphafetoprotein(AFP) serum level > 200 ng/m L and DC could independently predict survival but in a time dependent manner, the former was significantly associated with increased risk of mortality within the first 6 mo of follow-up(HR = 5.073, 95%CI: 2.159-11.916, P = 0.0002), whereas the latter showed a protective effect against death after one year(HR = 0.110, 95%CI: 0.038-0.314, P < 0.0001). Only patients showing microvascular invasion and/or extrahepatic spread recorded lower chances of achieving DC(OR = 0.263, 95%CI: 0.111-0.622, P = 0.002).CONCLUSION The BCLC stage C HCC includes a wide heterogeneous group of cirrhotic patients suitable for potentially curative treatments. The reverse and time dependent effect of AFP serum level and DC on patients' survival confers them as useful predictive tools for treatment management and clinical decisions.

Associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy in the treatment of colorectal cancer liver metastases

Colorectal cancer(CRC)is a common malignancy of the digestive system.Colorectal liver cancer metastasis(CRLM)occurs in approximately 50%of the patients and is the main cause of CRC mortality.Surgical resection is currently the most effective treatment for CRLM.However,given that the remnant liver volume after resection should be adequate,only a few patients are suitable for radical resection.Since Dr.Hans Schlitt first performed the associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy(ALPPS)for CRLM in 2012,ALPPS has received considerable attention and has continually evolved in recent years.This review explains the technical origin of the ALPPS procedure for CRLM and evaluates its efficacy,pointing to its favorable postoperative outcomes.We also discuss the patient screening strategies and optimization of ALPPS to ensure long-term survival of patients with CRLM in whom surgery cannot be performed.Finally,further directions in both basic and clinical research regarding ALPPS have been proposed.Although ALPPS surgery is a difficult and high-risk technique,it is still worth exploration by experienced surgeons.

The famous Chinese medicine doctor Xue Jing-Dong Taohong Siwu Decoction cured 1 case of primary liver cancer stage Ⅲa

Primary liver cancer is the most common malignant tumor of the liver.Surgery,intervention,radiotherapy,and chemotherapy are the main treatment methods in the early stage,and the basic principles of post-treatment are palliative treatment and symptomatic treatment.Xue Jing-Dong,a famous Chinese doctor,started from the etiology and pathogenesis of liver cancer,used the methods of promoting blood circulation to remove blood stasis,nourishing blood and replenishing liver,and applied Taohong Siwu Decoction based on long-term clinical experience to cure 1 case of primary liver cancer stage Ⅲa in two years.The patient’s survival period can be prolonged and the quality of life can be improved.The author begins with the diagnosis of stage Ⅲa liver cancer,western medicine treatment methods,and previous treatment experience of traditional Chinese medicine,and briefly describes the diagnosis and treatment of this patient.

Grey zone in the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer Classification for hepatocellular carcinoma: Surgeons' perspective

Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) is the sixth most common cancer and the third most common cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. The Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer(BCLC) classification has been endorsed as the optimal staging system and treatment algorithm for HCC by the European Association for the Study of Liver Disease and the American Association for the Study of Liver Disease. However, in real life, the majority of patients who are not considered ideal candidates based on the BCLC guideline still were performed hepatic resection nowadays, which means many hepatic surgeons all around the world do not follow the BCLC guidelines. The accuracy and application of the BCLC classification has constantly been challenged by many clinicians. From the surgeons' perspectives, we herein put forward some comments on the BCLC classification concerning subjectivity of the assessment criteria, comprehensiveness of the staging definition and accuracy of the therapeutic recommendations. We hope to further discuss with peers and colleagues with the aim to make the BCLC classification more applicable to clinical practice in the future.

Complete or partial split in associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND Associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy(ALPPS)has been adopted by liver surgeons in recent years.However,high morbidity and mortality rates have limited the promotion of this technique.Some recent studies have suggested that ALPPS with a partial split can effectively induce the growth of future liver remnant(FLR)similar to a complete split with better postoperative safety profiles.However,some others have suggested that ALPPS can induce more rapid and adequate FLR growth,but with the same postoperative morbidity and mortality rates as in partial split of the liver parenchyma in ALPPS(p-ALPPS).AIM To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis on ALPPS and p-ALPPS.METHODS A systematic literature search of PubMed,Embase,the Cochrane Library,and ClinicalTrials.gov was performed for articles published until June 2019.Studies comparing the outcomes of p-ALPPS and ALPPS for a small FLR in consecutive patients were included.Our main endpoints were the morbidity,mortality,and FLR hypertrophy rates.We performed a subgroup analysis to evaluate patients with and without liver cirrhosis.We assessed pooled data using a random-effects model.RESULTS Four studies met the inclusion criteria.Four studies reported data on morbidity and mortality,and two studies reported the FLR hypertrophy rate and one study involved patients with cirrhosis.In the non-cirrhotic group,p-ALPPS-treated patients had significantly lower morbidity and mortality rates than ALPPStreated patients[odds ratio(OR)=0.2;95%confidence interval(CI):0.07–0.57;P=0.003 and OR=0.16;95%CI:0.03-0.9;P=0.04].No significant difference in the FLR hypertrophy rate was observed between the two groups(P>0.05).The total effects indicated no difference in the FLR hypertrophy rate or perioperative morbidity and mortality rates between the ALPPS and p-ALPPS groups.In contrast,ALPPS seemed to have a better outcome in the cirrhotic group.CONCLUSION The findings of our study suggest that p-ALPPS is safer than ALPPS in patients without cirrhosis and exhibits the same rate of FLR hypertrophy.

Hepatocellular carcinoma staging systems: Hong Kong liver cancer vs Barcelona clinic liver cancer in a Western population

BACKGROUND Despite being the world’s most widely used system for staging and therapeutic guidance in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)treatment,the Barcelona clinic liver cancer(BCLC)system has limitations,especially regarding intermediate-grade(BCLC-B)tumors.The recently proposed Hong Kong liver cancer(HKLC)staging system appears useful but requires validation in Western populations.AIM To evaluate the agreement between BCLC and HKLC staging on the management of HCC in a Western population,estimating the overall patient survival.METHODS This was a retrospective study of HCC patients treated at a university hospital in southern Brazil between 2011 and 2016.Demographic,clinical,and laboratory data were collected.HCC staging was carried out according to the HKLC and BCLC systems to assess treatment agreement.Overall survival was estimated based on the treatment proposed in each system.RESULTS A total of 519 HCC patients were assessed.Of these,178(34.3%)were HKLC-I;95(18.3%)HKLC-IIA;47(9.1%)HKLC-IIB;29(5.6%)HKLC-IIIA;30(5.8%)HKLCIIIB;75(14.4%)HKLC-IV;and 65(12.5%)HKLC-V.According to the BCLC,25(4.9%)were BCLC-0;246(47.4%)BCLC-A;107(20.6%)BCLC-B;76(14.6%)BCLCC;and 65(12.5%)BCLC-D.The general agreement between the two systems was 80.0%-BCLC-0 and HKLC-I(100%);BCLC-A and HKLC-I/HKLC-II(96.7%);BCLC-B and HKLC-III(46.7%);BCLC-C and HKLC-IV(98.7%);BCLC-D and HKLC-V(41.5%).When sub-classifying BCLC-A,HKLC-IIB,HKLC-IIIA and HKLC-IIIB stages according to the up-to-7 in/out criterion,13.4,66.0,100 and 36.7%,respectively,of the cases were classified as up-to-7 out.CONCLUSION In a Western population,the general agreement between the two systems was 80.0%,although in BCLC-B cases the agreement was low,suggesting that some individuals could be candidates for the curative treatment recommended by the HKLC.The authors suggest that the BCLC system should be routinely employed,although for BCLC-B cases it should be associated with the HKLC system.

The altered DNA methylation pattern and its implications in liver cancer

DNA methylation is the most intensively studied epigenetic phenomenon, disturbances of which result in changes ingene transcription, thus exerting drastic imparts onto biological behaviors of cancer. Both the global demethylation andthe local hypermethylation have been widely reported in all types of tumors, providing both challenges and opportunitiesfor a better understanding and eventually controlling of the malignance. However, we are still in the very early stage ofinformation accumulation concerning the tumor associated changes in DNA methylation pattern. A number of excellentrecent reviews have covered this issue in depth. Therefore, this review will summarize our recent data on DNA methy-lation profiling in cancers. Perspectives for the future direction in this dynamic and exciting field will also be given.

Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer outperforms Hong Kong Liver Cancer staging of hepatocellular carcinoma in multiethnic Asians: Real-world perspective

AIM To compare the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer(BCLC) and Hong Kong Liver Cancer(HKLC) classification systems when applied to HCC patients from the largest tertiary-level centre in Singapore.METHODS One thousand two hundred and seventy hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) patients prospectively enrolled in a tertiary-level centre registry in Singapore since 1988 were studied. Patients were grouped into their respective BCLC and HKLC stages. Data such as demography, aetiology of HCC and type of treatment were collected. Survival data was based on census with the National Registry of Births and Deaths on 31 st October 2015. Statistical analyses were done using SPSS version 21(Chicago, IL, United States). Survival analyses were done by the Kaplan-Meier method. Differences in survival rates were compared using the log-rank test.RESULTS The median age at presentation was 63 years(range 13-94); male 82.4%; Chinese 89.4%, Malay 7.1%, Indian, 2.8%. Hepatitis B was the predominant aetiology(75.0%; Hepatitis C 7.2%, Hepatitis B and C co-infection 3.8%, non-viral 14.0%). Both BCLC and HKLC staging systems showed good separation with overall log rank test confirming significant survival differences between stages in our cohort(P < 0.001). 206 out of the 240 patients(85.8%) assigned for curative treatment by the BCLC treatment algorithm received curative therapy for HCC [Stage 0 93.2%(68/73); Stage A 82.6%(138/167)]. In contrast, only 341/558(61.1%) patients received curative treatment despite being assigned for curative treatment by the HKLC treatment algorithm [Stage Ⅰ 72.7%(264/363); Stage Ⅱ 40.2%(66/164); Stage Va 35.5%(11/31)]. Patients who were assigned to curative treatment by HKLC but did not receive curative treatment had significantly poorer ECOG(P < 0.001), higher ChildPugh status(P < 0.001) and were older(median age 66 vs 61, P < 0.001) than those who received curative therapy. Median overall survival in patients assigned to curative treatment groups by BCLC and HKLC were 6.1 and 2.6 years respectively(P < 0.001). When only patients receiving curative treatment were analyzed, BCLC still predicted overall median survival better than HKLC(7.1 years vs 5.5 years, P = 0.037). CONCLUSION BCLC performs better than HKLC in our multiethnic Asian population in allocating patients to curative treatment in a real-life situation as well as in predicting survival.

ALTERNATING CHEMOTHERAPY AND FRACTIONATED RADIOTHERAPY AS A MODALITY FOR THE TREATMENT OF PRIMARY LIVER CANCER

Alternating chemotherapy and fractionated radiotherapy were carried out in 32 patients with surgically proven unresectable primary liver cancer (PLC).After initial surgical intervention of hepatic artery ligation and cannulation,the tumor war localized with silver clips.The cisplatin 20 mg was infused via a hepatic artery catheter per day on the first 3 consecutive days.Fractionated radiation(18MV straight linear accelerator)of 250 cGy,twice a day with an interval of 6 hours,was then followed on the 8th,9th and 10th days.The cycle was repeated 3 or 4 times.The shrinkage of tumors and decrease of AFP level were observed in 100%(32/32)and 5% (19/21)of the patients respectively.A second-stage resection was done in 37.5%(12/32)of the patients.The 1-,3- and 5-year survival rates after resection were 96.7% ,67.5% and 67. 5 % respectively.It is suggested that this modality is a choice of therapies which can convert some unresectable large PLC to resectable ones.

血清miR-375、miR-155与原发性肝癌临床分期及预后的关系

目的探讨原发性肝癌患者血清miR-375、miR-155与其临床分期及预后的关系。方法回顾性分析86例原发性肝癌患者资料,比较不同临床分期患者血清miR-375、miR-155表达水平,应用Spearman相关系数分析相关性;将患者以肝外转移分成转移组、非转移组,比较两组患者血清miR-375、miR-155差异,应用受试者曲线(ROC)分析两者诊断临床分期效能;随访1年内生存情况,应用Kaplan-Meier法、COX比例风险模型进行生存分析。结果不同临床分期患者血清miR-375、miR-155表达水平比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);血清miR-375表达水平与肿瘤临床分期呈负相关(P<0.05),miR-155表达水平与临床分期呈正相关(P<0.05);转移组血清miR-375表达水平低于非转移组,miR-155表达水平高于非转移组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);血清miR-375、miR-155及联合诊断肿瘤转移的AUC分为0.898、0.847、0.941;miR-375高表达患者平均生存时间均长于miR-375低表达患者,miR-155高表达患者平均生存时间均短于miR-155低表达患者,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);血清miR-375、miR-155表达水平是患者预后独立影响因素(P<0.05)。结论血清miR-375、miR-155与患者临床分期密切相关,是预后独立影响因素指标,可作为原发性肝癌肿瘤转移的重要标志物,对临床诊疗提供参考与指导。

超声弹性成像参数结合肿瘤标志物鉴别原发性肝癌TNM分期的价值分析

目的分析超声弹性成像(UE)参数结合肿瘤标志物鉴别原发性肝癌(PHC)TNM分期的价值。方法回顾性分析本院于2017年12月至2022年12月收治的经病理学检查确诊的243例PHC患者的临床资料,所有患者均行UE检查及血清学肿瘤标志物[甲胎蛋白(AFP)、癌胚抗原(CEA)、糖链抗原(CA199)]水平检测。根据TNM分期将PHC患者分为早期(Ⅰ~Ⅱ期)组(n=99)、晚期(Ⅲ~Ⅳ期)组(n=144),比较两组UE参数(UC评分、应变比值)及肿瘤标志物水平,分析UE参数、肿瘤标志物水平对PHC患者TNM分期的鉴别诊断价值。结果晚期组UE评分、应变比值、血清AFP、CEA、CA199水平均高于早期组(P<0.05);U E评分、应变比值联合鉴别诊断PHC患者TNM分期的灵敏度为87.50%、特异度为82.83%、曲线下面积(AUC)为0.877,其中灵敏度高于单独诊断,AUC也高于单独诊断(P<0.05),特异度与单独诊断基本一致;肿瘤标志物AFP、CEA、CA199联合鉴别诊断PHC患者TNM分期的灵敏度、特异度、AUC为79.17%、84.85%、0.862,其中灵敏度高于单独诊断,AUC也高于单独诊断(P<0.05),特异度与单独诊断基本一致;UE参数联合肿瘤标志物鉴别诊断PHC患者TNM分期的灵敏度、特异度、AUC为94.44%、81.82%、0.935,灵敏度高于单独诊断,AUC也高于单独诊断(P<0.05),特异度与单独诊断基本一致。(P>0.05)。结论UE参数、肿瘤标志物均对PHC患者TNM分期具有鉴别价值,但两者联合鉴别效能更高。

动态增强MRI定量参数术前评估原发性肝癌患者临床分期研究

目的研究动态增强MRI(DCE-MRI)定量参数术前评估原发性肝癌(PLC)患者临床分期的价值。方法2021年1月~2023年1月我院收治的PLC患者69例,均接受DCE-MRI检查并计算灌注参数,如转运常数(K^(Trans))、速率常数(K_(ep))和血管外细胞外间隙体积分数(V_(e))。经细针穿刺活检或术后组织病理学检查,综合评估中国肝癌分期(CNLC)。绘制受试者工作特征曲线(ROC)并计算曲线下面积(AUC)评估DCE-MRI定量参数诊断PLC术前临床分期的价值。结果经病理学检查,69例PLC患者均被诊断为肝细胞癌(HCC),DCE-MRI检查发现CNLCⅠ期17例,Ⅱ期21例,Ⅲa期29例,Ⅲb期2例;Ⅲ期HCC患者K^(Trans)和K_(ep)分别为(0.4±0.1)min^(-1)和(1.2±0.6)min^(-1),显著大于Ⅰ~Ⅱ期患者【分别为(0.3±0.1)min^(-1)和(0.6±0.4)min^(-1),P<0.05】,而V_(e)为(0.4±0.2),显著小于Ⅰ~Ⅱ期患者【(0.5±0.2),P<0.05】;分别以K^(Trans)>0.4 min^(-1)、V_(e)<0.5和K_(ep)>0.9 min^(-1)为截断点,三者联合诊断Ⅲ期HCC患者的AUC为0.812(95%CI:0.706~0.918),其敏感度为80.6%,特异度为65.8%,显著优于各指标单独诊断(P<0.05)。结论DCE-MRI定量参数联合术前判断HCC患者临床分期具有一定的应用价值,可为临床制定合理的治疗方案提供指导,值得应用。

3.0T磁共振成像在肝癌患者分期诊断中的临床应用价值

目的分析3.0T磁共振成像在肝癌患者分期诊断中的临床应用价值。方法回顾性分析2021年3月至2022年3月医院收治的76例肝癌患者的临床资料,均经术后病理检查确诊,术前均实施3.0T磁共振成像检查。以术后病理结果为金标准,统计3.0T磁共振成像对肝癌患者分期和分型的诊断准确度,并分析其诊断结果与金标准的一致性,同时比较不同b值下患者病灶肝区和正常肝区的表观弥散系数(ADC)。结果3.0T磁共振成像诊断结果显示,T_(1)、T_(2)、T_(3)、T_(4a)、T_(4b)期的肝癌患者数量分别为29、19、18、6、4例,诊断准确度为86.84%,与术后病理结果具有极高的一致性(Kappa=0.912,P=0.000);块状型肝癌、结节性肝癌、小肝癌、弥漫型肝癌的患者数量分别为27、25、17、7例,诊断准确度为88.16%,与术后病理结果具有极高的一致性(Kappa=0.903,P=0.000)。当b为300、800 s/mm^(2)时,病灶肝区的ADC小于正常肝区,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论3.0T磁共振成像可准确诊断肝癌分期、分型,诊断结果与术后病理结果的一致性极高,可为临床诊治疾病提供参考依据。

阶段性心理干预在肝癌介入栓塞术治疗中的应用效果及对患者疼痛和生活质量的影响

目的探讨阶段性心理干预在肝癌介入栓塞术治疗中的应用效果及对患者疼痛和生活质量的影响。方法选取2020年12月至2021年12月行肝癌介入栓塞术治疗的60例原发性肝癌患者作为研究对象,按随机数字表法将其分为对照组和观察组,各30例。对照组给予常规护理,观察组在对照组基础上给予阶段性心理干预。比较两组的干预效果。结果干预后,两组的焦虑自评量表(SAS)、抑郁自评量表(SDS)、视觉模拟疼痛评分(VAS)及Piper疲乏自评量表(PFS)评分均显著降低,且观察组低于对照组(P<0.05)。干预后,两组的CD4^(+)、CD4^(+)/CD8^(+)均升高,CD8^(+)均降低,且观察组优于对照组(P<0.05)。干预后,两组的生活质量综合评定问卷(GQOLI-74)各维度评分均升高,且观察组高于对照组(P<0.05)。结论肝癌介入栓塞术治疗过程中辅以阶段性心理干预,可明显提高患者的负性情绪控制效果,更好地缓解疼痛,减少癌性疲乏现象,减轻心理应激,改善免疫功能及生活质量。

介入治疗联合仑伐替尼及信迪利单抗治疗中晚期肝癌效果观察

目的探讨介入治疗联合仑伐替尼及信迪利单抗治疗中晚期肝癌效果。方法选取2021年1月~2023年4月在本院确诊的中晚期肝癌患者66例。依据患者治疗方法不同进行分组,对照组30例先行TACE介入治疗后,再进行靶向治疗联合免疫治疗,联合组36例先行靶向治疗联合免疫治疗后再行TACE介入治疗。统计两组疗效、不良反应、AFP水平。结果两组疗效比较,P>0.05;两组白细胞减少、甲状腺功能减低、血小板减少、甲状腺功能减低比较,P>0.05,联合组低蛋白血症发生率低于对照组(P<0.05);随访0周,两组AFP水平比较,P>0.05,随访4~24周,联合组AFP水平均低于对照组(P<0.05)。结论介入治疗联合仑伐替尼及信迪利单抗对中晚期肝癌患者具有潜在的治疗优势,可促使AFP水平下降,减少低蛋白血症的发生。

肝动脉化疗栓塞术联合体部伽玛刀治疗中晚期肝癌的临床观察

目的探讨肝动脉化疗栓塞术(TACE)联合体部伽玛刀(SBRT)治疗中晚期肝癌患者的效果。方法选取2020年1月至2021年6月九江市第三人民医院收治的60例中晚期肝癌患者作为研究对象,按照随机数字表法分为对照组与观察组,每组30例。对照组行TACE联合经皮射频消融术,观察组行TACE联合SBRT。比较两组血清甲胎蛋白(AFP)、糖类抗原19-9(CA19-9)、肿瘤体积、肝功能指标[天冬氨酸氨基转移酶(AST)、丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)]、客观缓解(ORR)、疾病控制(DCR)、不良反应情况。结果治疗后3个月,两组AFP、CA19-9水平均低于治疗前,且观察组低于对照组,两组肿瘤体积小于治疗前,且观察组小于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。治疗后3个月,两组AST、ALT水平均低于治疗前,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),但组间比较差异无统计学意义。观察组ORR、DCR均高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。两组不良反应发生率比较差异无统计学意义。结论TACE联合SBRT治疗中晚期肝癌患者效果显著,能增强疗效,且安全性高,值得临床推广应用。

Living donor liver transplantation for Barcelona clinic liver cancer (BCLC) intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma

Background:Barcelona clinic liver cancer(BCLC)stage B(intermediate stage)hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is highly heterogeneous;thus,identifying the most effective treatment for individual patients represents a significant clinical challenge.However,transarterial chemoembolization(TACE)is the only recommended treatment option.Therefore,we aimed to investigate the patient characteristics and outcomes of living donor liver transplantation(LDLT)for BCLC stage B HCC.Methods:A total of 516 patients with BCLC stage B HCC who underwent LDLT(n=104)or did not undergo LDLT(non-LDLT;n=412)between 2004 to 2018 were analyzed by propensity score matching(PSM;1:4)analysis.Factors influencing overall survival(OS)and recurrence were analyzed using Cox’s proportional hazards models.Results:Patients treated with LDLT achieved better OS than the non-LDLT group,including liver-and non-liver related survival(all P<0.001).Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed age>60 years(P=0.006),a neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio(NLR)>4(P=0.016)and>3 locoregional therapies(LRT)before LDLT(P<0.001)were independent risk factors for HCC recurrence.In addition,age>60 years(P<0.001)and>3 LRT before LDLT(P=0.001)were independent risk factors for OS.Using a combination of age,NLR,and LRT before liver transplantation(LT),the patients can be divided into low-risk(none of risk),intermediate-risk(one of risk),and high risk(more than two of risk)groups.There were significant differences in the cumulative HCC recurrence(P<0.001)and mortality(P<0.001)rates among the three groups.Conclusions:LDLT may represent a valuable therapeutic option for selected patients with BCLC stage B HCC.

Clinical stages of recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma: A retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is the second leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide,and has relatively high recurrence rates.Few studies have been published on the clinical stages of recurrent HCC.AIM To assess the applicability of the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer(BCLC)staging for recurrent HCC and the need to establish clinical stage criteria for recurrent HCC.METHODS The clinicopathological data of 81 patients with recurrent HCC who were admitted to the Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region from January 2013 to December 2017 were collected.The patients were divided into three groups according to the BCLC staging system as follows:(1)Group A with BCLC stage A,51 patients;(2)Group B with BCLC stage B,14 patients;and(3)Group C with BCLC stage C,16 patients.The median time to tumor recurrence and the median overall survival were compared.RESULTS The median time to tumor recurrence in groups A,B,and C was 16±1.5 mo,10±2.8 mo,and 6±0.5 mo,respectively,with a statistically significant difference among them(χ^(2)=70.144,P<0.05);no statistically significant difference was noted between group A and group B(χ^(2)=2.659,P>0.05),although there were statistically significant differences between group A and group C and between group B and group C(χ^(2)=62.110,and 19.972,P<0.05).The median overall survival in groups A,B,and C were 42±5.1 mo,22±3.1 mo,and 13±1.8 mo,respectively,with a statistically significant difference among them(χ2=38.949,P<0.05);there were statistically significant differences between group A and group B,group A and group C,and group B and group C(χ2=9.577,37.172,and 7.183,respectively;P<0.05).CONCLUSION There are different prognoses in recurrent HCC patients according to the BCLC staging.Therefore,BCLC staging is applicable to recurrent HCC and it is essential to formulate clinical stage criteria for recurrent HCC.