Liver-directed therapies for liver metastases from neuroendocrine neoplasms:Can laser ablation play any role?

Aggressive cytoreduction can prolong survival in patients with unresectable liver metastases(LM)from neuroendocrine neoplasms(NEN),and minimally invasive,liver-directed therapies are gaining increasing interest.Catheter-based treatments are used in disseminated disease,whereas ablation techniques are usually indicated when the number of LM is limited.Although radiofrequency ablation(RFA)is by far the most used ablative technique,the goal of this opinion review is to explore the potential role of laser ablation(LA)in the treatment of LM from NEN.LA uses thinner needles than RFA,and this is an advantage when the tumors are in at-risk locations.Moreover,the multi-fiber technique enables the use of one to four laser fibers at once,and each fiber provides an almost spherical thermal lesion of 12-15 mm in diameter.Such a characteristic enables to tailor the size of each thermal lesion to the size of each tumor,sparing the liver parenchyma more than any other liver-directed therapy,and allowing for repeated treatments with low risk of liver failure.A recent retrospective study reporting the largest series of LM treated with LA documents both safety and effectiveness of LA,that can play a useful role in the multimodality approach to LM from NEN.

Inhibitory effects of two oligosaccharideson murine melanoma experimental liver metastasis

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Immunotherapy for recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is presented frequently in late stages that are not amenable for curative treatment.Even for patients who can undergo resection for curative treatment of HCC,up to 50%recur.For patients who were not exposed to systemic therapy prior to recurrence,recurrence frequently cannot be subjected to curative therapy or local treatments.Such patients have several options of immunotherapy(IO).This includes programmed cell death protein 1(PD-1)and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte associated protein 4 treatment,combination of PD-1 and vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitor or single agent PD-1 therapy when all other options are deemed inappropriate.There are also investigational therapies in this area that explore either PD-1 and tyrosine kinase inhibitors or a novel agent in addition to PD-1 with vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors.This minireview explored IO options for patients with recurrent HCC who were not exposed to systemic therapy at the initial diagnosis.We also discussed potential IO options for patients with recurrent HCC who were exposed to first-line therapy with curative intent at diagnosis.

The value of postoperative hepatic regional chemotherapy in prevention of recurrence after radical resection of primary liver cancer

INTRODUCTIONIn China,primary liver cancer (PLC) ranks secondin cancer mortality since the 1990s.In the field ofPLC treatment,surgical resection remains the best,which includes large PLC resection,small PLCresection,re-resection of subclinical recurrence,aswell as cytoreduction and sequential resection forunresectable PLC.However,recurrence

Clinical and experimental study on regional administration of phosphorus32 glassmicrospheres in treating hepatic carcinoma

AIM To study the therapeutical effectiveness, dosage range and toxic adverse effects of domestic phosphorus 32 glass microsphere and evaluate its clinical significance. METHODS Ⅰ. Fifty two BALB/*!c tumor bearing male nude mice were allocated into treatment group( n =38) and control group( n =14). In the former group different doses of 32 P GMS were injected into the tumor mass, while in the latter 31 P GMS or no treatment was given. The experimental animals were sacrificed in batches, and then the tumors and their nearby tissues were examined by light and electron microscopy. Ⅱ. Through selective catheterization of hepatic artery, 32 P GMS was infused to 5 healthy domestic pigs in a dosage equivalent to the therapeutic dose for human being, and 31 P GMS was infused to another 5 healthy domestic pigs. Two pigs infused with contrast medium served as whole course blank controls. One pig from each group was surrendered to euthanasia at week 1, 4, 8 and 16 respectively. The ultrastructural histopath ological changes in liver tissues taken from different sites were evaluated semiquan titatively. Ⅲ. One hundred and twenty seven times of 32 P GMS intrahepatic artery interventional therapies were performed on 93 patients with hepatic carcinoma, including 79 cases of primary hepatic carcinoma and 14 cases of secondary hepatic carcinoma. 32 P GMS ( n =30), and group B, 32 P GMS and half dose of trans hepatic artery embolization (TAE) ( n =49) , and 18 patients with HCC by TAE only as control group C. Fourteen patients with secondary hepatic carcinoma were treated in the same way as group B or C. RESULTS Ⅰ. Comparing with the control group, the treatment group of tumor bearing nude mice attained the tumor inhibition rates of 59 7%-93 7% ( F =579 62, P <0 01) at 14*!d . At an absorbed dose of 7320Gy, the tumor cells were completely destroyed. When the absorbed doses ranged from 1830Gy to 3660Gy, most of the tumor cells showed the evidences of injury or necrosis, but there appeared some well differentiated tumor cells and enhanced effect of the autoimmunocytes. At an absorbed dose of 366Gy or less, some tumor cells still remained active proliferative ability. The definite anticancer effect appeared as early as 3d after intratumoral injection of 32 P GMS. Ⅱ. The cumulative amount of 32 P GMS in the target tissue after trans hepatic artery instillation attained more than 90% of the total dose administrated. Semiquantitative analysis of ultrastructral morphology in the experimental group showed no statistical difference between the nuclear abnormality (N abn ) and mitochondrial variability (M var ) at week 1 or 2, but revealed prominent difference (χ 2=6 70-9 68, P <0 01 , χ 2=65 09-115 09, P <0 001 ) as compared with those in the other groups. In the experimental group the N abn in tissues showed no significant difference between week 8 and week 16. No apparent changes were found in the stomach, spleen, kidney and lung tissues of the experimental pigs. Ⅲ. The therapeutical results of HCC patients in group A were closely approximated to those of group C, no hematological toxic side effects were noted, and the systemic reaction was mild. In some patients 2*!mos - 3*!mos after treatment some secondary foci appeared around the periphery of the primary lesion. In general better effectiveness was obtained in patients with small lesion. After analyzing by RIDIT method, the therapeutic result in group B was significantly better than that in group C, and secondary foci around the original lesion were rarely seen at 3*!mos after treatment. In group C the collateral circulation was reestablished along the periphery of primary foci and the secondary foci appeared more frequently, and required to undergo several courses of treatment. In group B, 4 cases of HCC were treated surgically as their mass decreased in size after 32 P GMS treatment.

Portal vein embolization by fine needle ethanol injection :experimental and clinicalstudies

AIM To improve the technique of intraportal embolization (PVE) therapy, a new embolic method, was devised and the safety, effectiveness and feasibility were evaluated. METHODS PVE with intraportal ethanol injection via a fine needle was performed in 28 normal dogs, 22 SD rats, and 24 cirrhotic SD rats. After PVE, portography, histological and functional alteration of the liver were evaluated in dogs and rats, and the changes in portal hemodynamics as well as hepatic anatomy were observed in rats. In the clinical study, PVE by ethanol injection was performed in 61 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma under the guidance of portoechography with intraportal injection of CO 2. The effect of PVE was evaluated by ultrasonography and laparotomy. RESULTS The effectiveness and toxicity were dependent on the dose of ethanol. In the dogs, 0 25*!mg/*!kg of ethanol caused incomplete embolization with least liver damage, while 1 0*!mg/*!kg induced complete embolization with a high mortality of 57 1% (4/*!7) due to respiratory arrest. The dose of 0 5*!mg/*!kg resulted in complete embolization with slight toxicity to the liver. In the rats, the survival rate was 100% in normal group but 40 9% in cirrhotic models after ethanol injection by dose of 0 05*!mg/*!100*!g . PVE for cirrhotic rats with 0 03*!mg/*!100*!g of ethanol induced satisfactory embolization with significant hypertrophy in nonembolized lobes, and only slight damage to the hepatic parenchyma, and transient alteration in liver function, portal pressure and portal flow. In the clinical study, 12 cases with reverse portal flow were excluded judged by portoechography. Satisfactory embolization was gained in 90 2% (55/*!61) of the remaining patients determined by ultrasonography and surgery. All cases ran an uneventful postembolization course with no aberrant embolization. CONCLUSION PVE with intraportal ethanol injection of appropriate dosage via a fine needle is safe and effective and has several advantages comparing with transcatheter method. Portoechography is a mandatory approach for the prevention of aberrant embolization.

Targeted IL-24 gene therapy inhibits cancer recurrence after liver tumor resection by inducing tumor cell apoptosis in nude mice

BACKGROUND:Interleukin-24(IL-24)is a novel candi-date tumor suppressor that induces tumor cell apoptosis experimentally in a variety of human malignant cells including liver cancer cells.The present study was conducted to investigate the potential effect of recombinant adeno-associated virus(rAAV)-mediated IL-24 gene therapy on tumor recurrence and metastasis by inducing tumor cell apoptosis in a hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)model in nude mice.METHODS:We established a recurrent and metastatic HCC model in nude mice and constructed an rAAV vector carrying alpha-fetoprotein(AFP)promoter for expressing the IL-24 gene(rAVV/AFP/IL-24).The vector was administered by regional injection(liver incisal margin).AFP was detected by radiation immunoassay.Histological evaluation of tumor recurrence and metastasis was performed for the liver and lung.The effect of tumor cell apoptosis was confirmed by TUNEL analysis.RESULTS:IL-24 gene therapy prevented tumor recurrence and metastasis,as evidenced by marked decreases in the number of metastatic tumor nodules and tumor volume in the liver and lung.At the same time,serum AFP concentration decreased markedly in the IL-24 group compared with the control or rAAV groups(P【0.05).IL-24 gene therapy inhibited tumor recurrence and metastasis as evidenced by the induction of tumor cell apoptosis.CONCLUSION:The results demonstrated that targeted IL-24 gene therapy was effective in the prevention of postoperative recurrence and metastasis in an HCC nude mice model by induction of tumor cells apoptosis with potential minimum tumor burden.

Double-bullet radioimmunotargeting therapy in 31 patients with primary liver cancer

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Changing trends of surgical treatment of hilar bile duct cancer:clinical and experimental perspectives

HISTORICAL POINT OF VIEWCarcinoma of the confluence of the hepatic ductshas been thought to be a rare disease until recently.Carcinoma of the large hepatic ducts was rarelydiagnosed correctly premorterned.Because of itsdeeply seated location,resection was once thoughtto be impossible.In 1957,Altemeier reported

Experimental study on antitumor effect of arsenic trioxide in combination with cisplatin or doxorubicin on hepatocellular carcinoma

INTRODUCTIONThe main component of a traditional Chinese drug 'Pishuang'. arsenic trioxide (As2O3), has obviously selective anti-tumor effect on human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)in both in vitro and in vivo studies[1-5]. Due to limited effectiveness when any anti-carcinogen is used alone and obviously increased toxicity when the dose is raised, there is no exception for As2O3. Furthermore, combined chemotherapy contributes to improve therapeutic effectiveness, disperse toxicity and surmount drug-resistance,in which the combination of traditional Chinese and modern medicine has more advantages and characteristics. As a result,we made an experimental study on anti-tumor effect of As2O3in combination with cisplantin (PDD) or doxorubicin (ADM)on HCC. to investigate the possibility of AS2O3 in combination with PDD or ADM and nature of interaction between them,and to provide experimental basis for clinical application.

A comparative study of different interventional therapies for primary liver cancer

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Adeno-associated virus mediated endostatin gene therapy in combination with topoisomerase inhibitor effectively controls liver tumor in mouse model

rAAV mediated endostatin gene therapy has beenexamined as a new method for treating cancer. However,a sustained and high protein delivery is required to achievethe desired therapeutic effects. We evaluated the impactof topoisomerase inhibitors in rAAV delivered endostatingene therapy in a liver tumor model.

Liver-first approach of colorectal cancer with synchronous hepatic metastases: A reverse strategy

Recently, there has been a change in the strategy of how synchronous colorectal hepatic metastases are attributed to the development of more valuable protocols of chemotherapy and radiotherapy for neoadjuvant treatment of colorectal neoplasms and their hepatic metastases. There is a consensus that patients with synchronous colorectal hepatic metastases have lower survival than those with metachronous colorectal hepatic metastases. Currently, controversy remains concerning the best approach is sequence in a patient with colorectal cancer and synchronous hepatic metastases resection. To obtain a better patient selection, the authors have suggested the initial realization of systemic chemotherapy in the circumstance of patients with colorectal tumor stage Ⅳ, since these patients have a systemic disease. The rationale behind this liver-first strategy is initially the control of synchronous hepatic metastases of colorectal carcinoma, which can optimize a potentially curative hepatic resection and longstanding survival. The liver-first strategy procedure is indicated for patients with colorectal hepatic metastases who require downstaging therapy to make a curative liver resection possible. Thus, the liver-first strategy is considered an option in cases of rectal carcinoma in the early stage and with limited or advanced synchronous colorectal hepatic metastases or in case of patients with asymptomatic colorectal carcinoma, but with extensive liver metastases. Patients undergoing systemic chemotherapy and with progression of neoplastic disease should not undergo hepatic resection, because it does not change the prognosis and may even make it worse. To date, there have been no randomized controlled trials on surgical approach of colorectal synchronous hepatic metastases, despite the relatively high number of available manuscripts on this subject. All of these published studies are observational, usually retrospective, and often non-comparative. The patient selection criteria for the liver-first strategy should be individualized, and the approach of these patients should be performed by a multidisciplinary team so its benefits will be fully realized.

原发性肝血管肉瘤1例报告

1病例资料患者男,49岁,因“间断性上腹部疼痛不适10余天”于2020年7月3日入院。患者既往体健,无特殊病史,无化学毒物及放射性物质接触史。入院后,体格检查示右上腹部轻度压痛,余未见明显阳性体征。实验室检查结果示乙型肝炎表面抗原(hepatitis B surface antigen,HBs Ag)、乙型肝炎表面抗体(hepatitis B surface antibody,HBs Ab)、乙型肝炎e抗原(hepatitis B e antigen,HBe Ag)、乙型肝炎核心抗体(hepatitis B core antibody,HBc Ab)均为阳性,HBV DNA为8.14×10^(5)IU/m L,血小板计数为146×10^(9)/L,甲胎蛋白为5.69 ng/m L,其他生化指标未见明显异常。

Imaging response predictors following drug eluting beads chemoembolization in the neoadjuvant liver transplant treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND Drug-eluting bead transarterial chemoembolization(DEB-TACE)is an endovascular treatment to release chemotherapeutic agents within a target lesion,minimizing systemic exposure and adverse effects to chemotherapeutics.Therefore,identifying which patient characteristics may predict imaging response to DEB-TACE can improve treatment results while selecting the best candidates.Predictors of the response after DEB-TACE still have not been fully elucidated.This is the first prospective study performed with standardized DEBTACE technique that aim to identify predictors of radiological response,assessing patients clinical and laboratory characteristics,diagnostic imaging and intraprocedure data of the hepatocellular carcinoma treated in the neoadjuvant context for liver transplantation.AIM To identify pre-and intraoperative clinical and imaging predictors of the radiological response of drug-eluting bead transarterial chemoembolization(DEB-TACE)for the neoadjuvant treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).METHODS This is prospective,cohort study,performed in a single transplant center,from 2011 to 2014.Consecutive patients with HCC considered for liver transplant who underwent DEB-TACE in the first session for downstaging or bridging purposes were recruited.Pre and post-chemoembolization imaging studies were performed by computed tomography or magnetic resonance.The radiological response of each individual HCC was evaluated by objective response using mRECIST and the percentage of necrosis.RESULTS Two hundred patients with 380 HCCs were examined.Analysis of the objective response(nodule-based analysis)demonstrated that HCC with pseudocapsules had a 2.01 times greater chance of being responders than those without pseudocapsules(P=0.01),and the addition of every 1mg of chemoembolic agent increased the chance of therapeutic response in 4%(P<0.001).Analysis of the percentage of necrosis through multiple linear regression revealed that the addition of each 1mg of the chemoembolic agent caused an average increase of 0.65%(P<0.001)in necrosis in the treated lesion,whereas the hepatocellular carcinoma with pseudocapsules presented 18.27%(P<0.001)increased necrosis compared to those without pseudocapsules.CONCLUSION The presence of a pseudocapsule and the addition of the amount of chemoembolic agent increases the chance of an objective response in hepatocellular carcinoma and increases the percentage of tumor necrosis following drug-eluting bead chemoembolization in the neoadjuvant treatment,prior to liver transplantation.

Progress in research of liver surgery in China

INTRODUCTIONLiver surgery,was started in the late 1950s in Chinaand has developed rapidly in the past 40 years.The study on the diagnosis and treatment of primaryliver cancer in China underwent four stages:①Inthe 1950s,the anatomical study of the liver lay asolid foundation for liver resection.①In

Clinical research advances in primary liver cancer

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Reduction of tumorigenicity of SMMC-7721 hepatoma cells by vascular endothelial growth factor antisense gene therapy

AIM To test the hypothesis to block VEGFexpression of SMMC-7721 hepatoma cells mayinhibit tumor growth using the rat hepatomamodel.METHODS Amplifiy the 200 VEGF cDNAfragment and insert it into human U6 genecassette in the reverse orientation transcribingsmall antisense RNA which could specificallyinteract with VEGF165, and VEGF121 mRNA.Construct the retroviral vector containing thisantisense VEGF U6 cassette and package thereplication-deficient recombinant retrovirus.SMMC-7721 cells were transduced with thesevirus and positive clones were selected withG418. PCR and Southern blot analysis wereperformed to determine if U6 cassette integratedinto the genomic DNA of positive clone.Transfected tumor cells were evaluated for RNAexpression by ribonuclease protection assays.The VEGF protein in the supernatant of parentaltumor cells and genetically modified tumor cellswas determined with ELISA. In vitro and in vivogrowth properties of antisense VEGF cell clonein nude mice were analyzed.RESULTS Restriction enzyme digestion andPCR sequencing verified that the antisense VEGFRNA retroviral vector was successfullyconstructed. After G418 selection, resistantSMMC-7721 cell clone was picked up. PCR andSouthern blot analysis suggested that U6cassette was integrated into the cell genomicDNA. Stable SMMC-7721 cell clone transducedwith U6 antisense RNA cassette could express200bp small antisense VEGF RNA and secretereduced levels of VEGF in culture condition.Production of VEGF by antisense transgeneexpressing cells was 65 ± 10 ng / L per 106 cells,420 ± 45 ng/L per 106 cells in sense group and 485± 30 ng/L per 106 cells in the negative control group, (P＜0.05). The antisense-VEGF cell clone appeared phenotypically indistinguishable from SMMC-7721 cells and SMMC-7721 cells transfected sense VEGF. The growth rate of the antisense-VEGF cell clone was the same as the control cells. When S. C. was implanted into nude mice, growth of antisense-VEGF cell lines was greatly inhibited compared with control cells.CONCLUSION Expression of antisense VEGFRNA in SMMC-7721 cells could decrease thetumorigenicity, and antisense-VEGF genetherapy may be an adjuvant treatment forhepatoma.

Liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma:an update

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a heterogeneous malignancy with multiple etiologies, high incidence, and high mortality. The standard surgical management for patients with HCC consists of locoregional ablation, surgical resection, or liver transplantation, depending on the background state of the liver. Eighty percent of patients initially presenting with HCC are unresectable, either due to the extent of tumor or the level of underlying hepatic dysfunction. While in patients with no evidence of cirrhosis and good hepatic function resection has been the surgical treatment of choice, it is contraindicated in patients with moderate to severe cirrhosis. Liver transplantation is the optimal surgical treatment. DATA SOURCES: PubMed search of recent articles (from January 2000 to March 2011) was performed looking for relevant articles about hepatocellular carcinoma and its treatment. Additional articles were identified by evaluating references from selected articles. RESULTS: Here we review criteria for transplantation, the types, indications, and role of locoregional therapy in treating the cancer and in downstaging for possible later transplantation. We also summarize the contribution of immunosuppression and adjuvant chemotherapy in the management and prevention of HCC recurrence. Finally we discuss recent advances in imaging, tumor biology, and genomics as we delineate the remaining challenges for the diagnosis and treatment of this disease. CONCLUSIONS: Much can be improved in the diagnosis and treatment of HCC. A great challenge will be to improve patient selection to criteria based on tumor biology. Another will be to incorporate systemic agents post-operatively in patients at high risk for recurrence, paying close attention to efficacy and safety. The future direction of the effort in treating HCC will be to stimulate prospective trials, develop molecular imaging of lymphovascular invasion, to improve recipient selection, and to investigate biomarkers of tumor biology.

Source of blood supply of liver cavernous hemangioma and sclerosis and embolization treatment

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