Molecular targeting agents associated with transarterial chemoembolization or radiofrequency ablation in hepatocarcinoma treatment

Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is the fifth most common cause of cancer in the world.According to Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer modified criteria,patients with early stage disease are candidate to radiofrequency ablation(RFA),while patients with intermediate stage HCC are usually treated by transarterial chemoembolization(TACE).TACE and RFA induce a transient devascularisation effect followed by strong neoangiogenic stimulus.In fact,after these procedures,it has been demonstrated an up-regulation of pro-angiogenic and growth factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor-A,which might contribute to accelerated progression in patients with incomplete response.Several studies have demonstrated that MAP-kinase and AKT pathways,in addition to neo-angiogenesis,have an important role in the development of HCC.In advanced HCC,anti-angiogenic therapy and tyrosine kinases inhibitors showed potential clinical benefit.Actually,a number of clinical studies are ongoing testing these agents in combination with TACE or RFA.In this paper,we have reviewed the most recent preclinical and clinical results of such trials.

Signaling pathway/molecular targets and new targeted agents under development in hepatocellular carcinoma

Advances in molecular cell biology over the last de- cade have clarified the mechanisms involved in can- cer growth, invasion, and metastasis, and enabled the development of molecular-targeted agents. To date, sorafenib is the only molecular-targeted agent whose survival benefit has been demonstrated in two global phase 111 randomized controlled trials, and has been approved worldwide. Phase 111 clinical trials of other molecular targeted agents comparing them with sorafenib as first-line treatment agents are ongoing. Those agents target the vascular endothelial growth factor, platelet-derived growth factor receptors, as well as target the epidermal growth factor receptor, insulin- like growth factor receptor and mammalian target of rapamycin, in addition to other molecules targeting other components of the signal transduction pathways. In addition, the combination of sorafenib with standard treatment, such as resection, ablation, transarterial em- bolization, and hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy are ongoing. This review outlines the main pathways involved in the development and progression of hepato- cellular carcinoma and the new agents that target these pathways. Finally, the current statuses of clinical trials of new agents or combination therapy with sorafenib and standard treatment will also be discussed.

Quantitative examination of the inhibitory activation of molecular targeting agents in hepatocellular carcinoma patient-derived cell invasion via a novel in vivo tumor model

Background: The outcomes for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) receiving sorafenib are far from satisfactory because of treatment resistance to sorafenib. However, the exact mechanism of resistance to sorafenib remains unclear and it is valuable to establish a novel mouse model to quantitatively analyze the inhibition rates of sorafenib on the invasive growth of HCC cells in the liver.Methods: HCC tissue microblocks derived from patients were cultured and mixed with hydrogel drops. Then, hydrogel drops containing microblocks of HCC tissue were attached onto the surface of the livers of nude mice to form lesions or nodules of HCC. The mice received molecular targeting agents through oral administration. Livers with tumor nodules were harvested for H&E staining(hematoxylin-eosin staining) analysis and H&E staining images were quantitatively analyzed using image J software. The invasive growth of HCC cells into the liver was calculated using the depth of the lesions compared with the total thickness of the liver.Results: Microblocks containing cells derived from HCC patients can form lesions in the liver of nude mice. Oral administration of molecular targeting agents inhibited the invasive growth of HCC cells in the liver of nude mice.Conclusions: The model established in this study involves the invasive growth of HCC cells in the liver of nude mice, and the model allows for the quantitative analysis of the inhibitory effect of molecular targeting agents on the invasion of HCC cells in vivo.

A Study of the Adsorption of Molecular Deposition Filming Flooding Agent MD-1 on Quartz Sand

Molecular deposition filming flooding (MDFF) is a novel oil recovery technique based on the thermopositive monolayer electrostatic adsorption of the MDFF agent on different interfaces within reservoir systems. In this paper, the adsorption property of the MDFF agent, MD-1, on quartz sand has been studied through adsorption experiments at different pH and temperatures. Experimental data are also analyzed kinetically and thermodynamically. The results show that the adsorption of MD-1 on quartz sand takes place mainly because of electrostatic interactions, which corresponds to adsorption that increases with pH. Kinetic analyses show that at a higher pH the activation energy for adsorption gets lower and, therefore, the adsorption becomes quicker for MD-1 on quartz sand. Thermodynamic analyses show that pH plays an important role in the adsorption of MD-1 on quartz sand. At a higher pH, more negative surface charges result in the increase of electrostatic interactions between MD-1 and quartz sand. Therefore, the saturated adsorption amount increases and more adsorption heat will be released.

Camrelizumab,apatinib and hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy combined with microwave ablation for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy and camrelizumab plus apatinib(TRIPLET protocol)is promising for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma(Ad-HCC).However,the usefulness of microwave ablation(MWA)after TRIPLET is still controversial.AIM To compare the efficacy and safety of TRIPLET alone(T-A)vs TRIPLET-MWA(TM)for Ad-HCC.METHODS From January 2018 to March 2022,217 Ad-HCC patients were retrospectively enrolled.Among them,122 were included in the T-A group,and 95 were included in the T-M group.A propensity score matching(PSM)was applied to balance bias.Overall survival(OS)was compared using the Kaplan-Meier curve with the log-rank test.The overall objective response rate(ORR)and major complications were also assessed.RESULTS After PSM,82 patients were included both the T-A group and the T-M group.The ORR(85.4%)in the T-M group was significantly higher than that(65.9%)in the T-A group(P<0.001).The cumulative 1-,2-,and 3-year OS rates were 98.7%,93.4%,and 82.0%in the T-M group and 85.1%,63.1%,and 55.0%in the T-A group(hazard ratio=0.22;95%confidence interval:0.10-0.49;P<0.001).The incidence of major complications was 4.9%(6/122)in the T-A group and 5.3%(5/95)in the T-M group,which were not significantly different(P=1.000).CONCLUSION T-M can provide better survival outcomes and comparable safety for Ad-HCC than T-A.

Systemic therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma:Current status and future perspectives

The management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has substantially changed in the past few decades, the introduction of novel therapies (such as sorafenib) have improved patient survival. Nevertheless, HCC remains the third most common cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Decision-making largely relies on evidence-based criteria, as showed in the US and European clinical practice guidelines, which endorse five therapeutic recommendations:resection; transplantation; radiofrequency ablation; chemoembolization; and sorafenib. Many molecularly targeted agents that inhibit angiogenesis, epidermal growth factor receptor, and mammalian target of rapamycin are at different stages of clinical development in advanced HCC. Future research should continue to unravel the mechanism of hepatocarcinogenesis and to identify key relevant molecular targets for therapeutic intervention. Identification and validation of potential surrogate and predictive biomarkers hold promise to individualize patient&#x02019;s treatment to maximize clinical benefit and minimize the toxicity and cost of targeted agents.

Time-limited,Combined Regimen in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia:A Promising Strategy to Achieve a Drug Holiday

Chemoimmunotherapy(CIT)is defined as standard first line treatment for chronic lymphocytic leukemia(CLL)patients while patients with unfavorable biological characteristics such as unmutated immunoglobulin heavy chain(UM-IGHV)and TP53 aberration failed to benefit from it.The emergency of the small molecular targeted agents including Bruton’s tyrosine kinase(BTK)inhibitor(BTKi)leads to a brand-new era,from a CIT to a chemo-free era in CLL.However,the treatment of target agents is not enough to attain a deep remission and high rate of complete remission(CR),especially in patients with high risks.The long duration brought about problems,such as cost,drug resistance and toxicity.To benefit CLL in progression free survival(PFS)and long-term remission,exploration of time-limited therapies,mainly with BTKi plus CIT and BCL2i based combination therapy has become a mainstream in clinical trials.The time-limited combination therapy shed light on the promising potentiality to attain sustainable deep remission and partly overcame the risk factors,although long term follow-up is required to consolidate the conclusion.In this review,we intend to introduce key results of clinical trials with combination therapy,discuss the achievements and limitations and put forward future direction for clinical trial design in this field.

Prospect of lenvatinib for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma in the new era of systemic chemotherapy

The phase III clinical trial of the novel molecular targeted agent(MTA)lenvatinib for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)(REFLECT trial)found that lenvatinib was non-inferior to sorafenib in overall survival.Recently,the efficacy of multiple MTAs,including lenvatinib,in practice has been reported,and therapeutic strategies for Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer(BCLC)intermediate stage HCC are undergoing major changes.Based on these results,lenvatinib could be recommended for patients with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE)-refractory,ALBI grade 1,within the up-to-seven criteria in the BCLC intermediate stage.Lenvatinib provides a more favorable outcome than TACE,even in cases with large or multinodular HCC beyond the up-to-seven criteria with Child-Pugh grade A.When patients meet the definitions of TACE-refractory or TACE-unsuitable,switching to systemic chemotherapy,including lenvatinib,is for favorable for preserving liver function.If initial treatment,including MTA,has a significant therapeutic effect and downstaging of HCC is obtained,additional TACE or surgical resection should be considered.Lenvatinib also has a therapeutic effect for poorly differentiated type and non-simple nodular type HCC thanks to the survival-prolonging effect of this drug.Furthermore,a significant therapeutic effect is expected in tumors with more than 50%liver involvement or main portal vein invasion,which have traditionally been considered to have a poor prognosis in patients.This suggests that at the start of lenvatinib treatment,HCC patients with ALBI grade 1 may be able to maintain liver functional reserve.

In vivo tracking of tau pathology using positron emission tomography (PET) molecular imaging in small animals

Hyperphosphorylation of the tau protein leading to the formation of neurofibrillary tangles(NFTs)is a common feature in a wide range of neurodegenerative diseases known as tauopathies,which include Alzheimer’s disease(AD)and the frontotemporal dementias(FTDs).Although heavily investigated,the mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis and progression of tauopathies have yet to be fully understood.In this context,several rodent models have been developed that successfully recapitulate the behavioral and neurochemical features of tau pathology,aiming to achieve a better understanding of the link between tau and neurodegeneration.To date,behavioral and biochemical parameters assessed using these models have been conducted using a combination of memory tasks and invasive methods such as cerebrospinal fluid(CSF)sampling or post-mortem analysis.Recently,several novel positron emission tomography(PET)radiopharmaceuticals targeting tau tangles have been developed,allowing for non-invasive in vivo quantification of tau pathology.Combined with tau transgenic models and micro-PET,these tracers hold the promise of advancing the development of theoretical models and advancing our understanding of the natural history of AD and non-AD tauopathies.In this review,we briefly describe some of the most important insights for understanding the biological basis of tau pathology,and shed light on the opportunity for improved modeling of tau pathology using a combination of tau-radiopharmaceuticals and animal models.

Review of recent advances in medical treatment for neuroendocrine neoplasms:somatostatin analogs and chemotherapy

Neuroendocrine neoplasms(NENs)are a heterogeneous group of rare tumours often producing high levels of hormones and causing symptoms.There are a number of different types of NENs.They usually arise as advanced and low/intermediate grade only in a minority of cases,as high grade.Treatment depends on which type and may include surgery,interventional radiology,and systemic treatment,including chemotherapy,somatostatin analogs,interferonα2b,peptide receptor radionuclide therapy,and only for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors,molecular targeted agents,including everolimus and sunitinib.The aim of the article is to review the medical approaches with somatostatin analogs and chemotherapy.The treatment of NENs is mainly based on their biological characteristics of aggressiveness and functional features,such as symptoms and endocrine markers.