Serum CA242, CA199, CA125, CEA, and TSGF are Biomarkers for the Efficacy and Prognosis of Cryoablation in Pancreatic Cancer Patients.

This study aimed to compare the changes and determine the clinical significance of carbohydrate antigens CA242, CA199, CA125, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and tumor-specific growth factor (TSGF) before and after cryoablation by Cryocare system. Thirty-one pancreatic cancer patients were selected to receive cryoablation by Cryocare system. The serum expression levels of CA242, CA199, CA125, CEA, and TSGF before and 1 month after treatment were determined. Meanwhile, the serum level of these factors was also determined in 31 healthy volunteers. The parameter changes were analyzed with the clinical pathological data. The serum levels of CA242, CA199, CA125, CEA, and TSGF in the pancreatic cancer group were significantly higher than those of the control group both before and after the cryoablation treatment (P < 0.05). The serum CA199, CEA, and TSGF dramatically decreased 1 month after the treatment, which were statistically different (P < 0.05). The positive rates of serum CA242, CA199, CA125, and CEA in the pancreatic cancer group were much higher than those in the control group both before and after treatment (P < 0.05), and the positive rate of TSGF was significantly higher than that of the control group before the treatment (P < 0.05). The positive rate of CA199, CEA, and TSGF after the treatment was significantly lower than that before the treatment (P < 0.05). Serum level of CA242 was correlated with the tumor diameter, clinical staging, tumor differentiation, lymph node, and liver metastasis (P < 0.05). Except gender, CA199 was correlated with all the other clinical pathological parameters (P < 0.05). The serum levels of CA125 and CEA were correlated with all the other clinical pathological parameters (P < 0.05). The serum level of TSGF was only correlated with tumor differentiation (P < 0.05). Cryoablation treatment by Cryocare system can decrease the serum levels of CA199, CEA, TSGF, and the positive rate. Serum CA199, CEA, and TSGF can be important index for pancreatic cancer treatment assessment. Serum levels of CA242, CA199, CA125, and CEA are of great clinical value for metastasis assessment and prognosis in pancreatic cancer patients.

Risk factors for the Long-Term Efficacy, Recurrence, and Metastasis in Small Hepatocellular Carcinomas.

We tried to determine the risk factors for the long-term efficacy, recurrence, and metastasis of small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC, diameter <5 cm). One hundred sixty-eight small liver cancer patients received percutaneous cryoablation therapy by argon-helium superconducting surgery system under the ultrasound guidance. Clinical parameter and the efficacy were analyzed after follow-up. After cryoablation treatment, the median follow-up time for the 168 patients was 36 (7-41) months. Liver functions were impaired as indicated by increased alanine aminotransferase, total bilirubin, total protein, albumin, and prothrombin activity. The difference of VEGF expression in liver cancer and the surrounding tissue is significant. 1-, 2-, and 3-year overall survival were 92.9, 83.9, and 65.5 %, respectively. Relapse-free survival was 76.8, 53.0, and 41.1 %. Less tumor number, higher tumor differentiation, and low VEGF expression predict higher metastasis-free and relapse-free survival rate. Lower Child-Pugh classification is correlated with the higher overall survival after cryoablation. There was no statistical significance in in situ intrahepatic recurrence patients, but VEGF changes were statistically significant for metastasis in other parts of liver or extrahepatic metastasis. Tumor number, differentiation, VEGF expression, large vessel invasion, lymph node, and extrahepatic metastasis all affect the overall and relapse-free survival. VEGF expression can be a predictable factor for liver cancer recurrence and metastasis.