ABSTRACT
Transarterial chemoembolization （TACE） is currently the primary treatment method for advanced liver cancer. This article elaborates on the current status of application of TACE in hepatocellular carcinoma from the aspects of existing techniques， patient selection， and efficacy assessment and summarizes the research advances and prospects of TACE combined with local treatment and systemic therapy， so as to provide new ideas for clinical practice and experimental studies.
ABSTRACT
In recent years, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have emerged as a significant advancement in the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), providing benefits to a subset of patients. At present, there are still many problems with ICIs treatment for HCC, such as limited objective remission rate, high treatment cost, frequent treatment-related adverse events, and tumor hyperprogression. In this context, it is important to find indicators that can predict the efficacy of ICIs treatment in order to optimize patients’ selection and maximize clinical benefits, further avoiding unnecessary toxic side effects and economic losses. This article discusses biochemical and cytological indicators, tumor-related markers, imaging indicators, and immune-related adverse events in order to guide clinical treatment.
ABSTRACT
Objective:To investigate the expression of zinc finger protein 22 (ZNF22) gene in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its effect on tumor proliferation, apoptosis, invasion and metastasis of HCC.Methods:The expression of ZNF22 in 32 HCC specimens, and 371 HCC samples from the cancer genome atlas database were analyzed. ZNF22 knockdown and negative control SNU-449 and JHH-7 HCC cell lines were constructed. The effects of ZNF22 on HCC cells were observed by cell proliferation assay, plate clone formation assay, apoptosis assay, scratch healing assay, Transwell invasion assay, subcutaneous tumor formation, tail vein injection transfer, and small animal live imaging assay in nude mice.Results:The expression of ZNF22 gene is higher in HCC tissues than in paracellular carcinoma tissues, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.001). The growth rate of SNU-449 and JHH-7 cells in ZNF22 knockdown group was lower than that in control group, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.001). Compared with negative control group, the clone number formed by SNU-449 cells in ZNF22 knockdown group decreased (26±8 vs. 59±5, P<0.01), the level of apoptosis increased (6.60%±0.22% vs. 2.38%±0.30%, P<0.001), the migration rate decreased (14.47%±6.42% vs. 68.84%±8.01%, P<0.001), and the number of invasive cells decreased (48.00±2.23 vs. 179.00±4.81, P<0.001). There was no obvious tumor growth after subcutaneous injection of JHH-7 cells into nude mice in ZNF22 knockdown group, and the systemic fluorescence expression was lower than that of the negative control group, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). No metastases were observed on autopsy in knockdown group nude mice. Conclusion:ZNF22 is highly expressed in HCC while knockdowing ZNF22 gene inhibited the growth, proliferation, invasion, metastasis of HCC cells, and induced apoptosis of HCC cells.
ABSTRACT
Objective:To develop and validate a nomogram model for predicting microvascular invasion (MVI) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) based on preoperative enhanced computed tomography imaging features and clinical data.Methods:The clinical data of 210 patients with HCC undergoing surgery in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from May 2018 to May 2022 were retrospectively analyzed, including 172 males and 38 females, aged (59±10) years old. Patients were randomly divided into the training group ( n=147) and validation group ( n=63) by systematic sampling at a ratio of 7∶3. Preoperative enhanced computed tomography imaging features and clinical data of the patients were collected. Logistic regression was conducted to analyze the risk factors for HCC with MVI, and a nomogram model containing the risk factors was established and validated. The diagnostic efficacy of predicting MVI status in patients with HCC was assessed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, calibration curves, decision curve analysis (DCA), and clinical impact curve (CIC) of the subjects in the training and validation groups. Results:The results of multifactorial analysis showed that alpha fetoprotein ≥400 μg/ml, intra-tumor necrosis, tumor length diameter ≥3 cm, unclear tumor border, and subfoci around the tumor were independent risk factors predicting MVI in HCC. A nomogram model was established based on the above factors, in which the area under the curve (AUC) of ROC were 0.866 (95% CI: 0.807-0.924) and 0.834 (95% CI: 0.729-0.939) in the training and validation groups, respectively. The DCA results showed that the predictive model thresholds when the net return is >0 ranging from 7% to 93% and 12% to 87% in the training and validation groups, respectively. The CIC results showed that the group of patients with predictive MVI by the nomogram model are highly matched with the group of patients with confirmed MVI. Conclusion:The nomogram model based on the imaging features and clinical data could predict the MVI in HCC patients prior to surgery.
ABSTRACT
Objective:To analyze the influencing factors of abnormal 15-minute retention rate of indocyanine green (ICG R15) (≥10%) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, and to construct a nomogram model, and to evaluate the prediction efficiency of the nomogram model.Methods:The clinical data of 190 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma in Zhengzhou University People's Hospital from December 2017 to June 2022 were retrospectively analyzed, including 148 males and 42 females, aged (57.8±9.9) years. According to ICG R15, the patients were divided into ICG R15 normal group ( n=134, ICG R15<10%) and ICG R15 abnormal group ( n=56, ICG R15≥10%). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to analyze the influencing factors of abnormal ICG R15, and the nomogram model was established. The predictive ability of the model was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and C-index, and the model was verified by calibration curve and decision analysis curve. Results:Abnormal ICG R15 group the proportion of liver cirrhosis, albumin ≤35 g/L, hemoglobin ≤110 g/L, platelet count ≤100×10 9/L, prothrombin time >13 s, alanine aminotransferase >40 U/L, aspartate aminotransferase >40 U/L, total bilirubin >34.2 μmol/L, and the largest tumor diameter >5.0 cm, spleen volume >383.1 cm 3, spleen volume to of non-tumor liver volume (SNLR) >0.276 and liver tumor volume >117.2 cm 3 were higher than that of ICG R15 normal group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that liver cirrhosis ( OR=3.89, 95% CI: 1.28-11.80, P=0.016), spleen volume >383.1 cm 3( OR=5.17, 95% CI: 1.38-19.38, P=0.015), SNLR >0.276 ( OR=5.54, 95% CI: 1.44-21.26, P=0.013) and total bilirubin >34.2 μmol/L( OR=10.20, 95% CI: 1.88-55.39, P=0.007) increased the risk of abnormal ICG R15. A nomogram model was constructed based on the above risk factors. The C-index of the model was 0.915 (95% CI: 0.872-0.957), and the area under the ROC curve predicted by the nomogram model was 0.915 (95% CI: 0.871-0.958). The calibration curve showed that the correlation index of the abnormal ICG R15 predicted by the nomogram was similar to actual situation. Decision analysis curve showed high returns. Conclusion:Liver cirrhosis, spleen volume >383.1 cm 3, SNLR>0.276 and total bilirubin >34.2 μmol/L were indepentlent risk factors for abnormal ICG R15 in patients with hepatocellur carcinoma. The clinical prediction model of ICG R15 abnormality constructed by nomogram has good prediction efficiency, which can provide a reference for evaluating preoperative liver reserve function of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.
ABSTRACT
Objective:To study the effect of preoperative transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) on postoperative complications after hepatectomy in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by propensity score matching analysis.Methods:Of 1 666 patients with HCC undergoing hepatectomy in Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology and Tianyou Hospital of Wuhan University of Science and Technology from March 2015 to March 2021 were retrospectively screened. Of 262 patients were enrolled, including 236 males and 26 females, aged (50.3±11.8) years. Of 131 patients were enrolled in both the single surgery group and the combined group (preoperative TACE + surgical resection). Factors affecting the complications after hepatectomy in patients with HCC were analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression method.Results:After matching the propensity score, the incidence of postoperative complications in the single surgery group was 22.1% (29/131), lower than that in the combined group [41.2% (54/131), χ 2=11.02, P<0.001]. The incidence of bile leakage in the single surgery group [2.3% (3/131)] was also lower than that in the combined group [(9.2% (12/131), χ 2=5.73, P=0.017]. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the combined group ( OR=2.43, 95% CI: 1.28-4.61, P=0.007) had an increased incidence of postoperative complications, so did patients with a preoperative alpha-fetoprotein > 400 μg/L, anatomic hepatectomy, long operation time, and hilar occlusion. Conclusion:Preoperative TACE could be a risk factor for postoperative complications in patients with HCC, especially for the postoperative biliary leakage.
ABSTRACT
Objective:To compare the clinical efficacy of laparoscopic and open surgery in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) at specific sites of liver.Methods:Data of patients with HCC undergoing hepatectomy in Mengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical University from September 2014 to May 2019 were retrospective analyzed. A total of 205 patients were enrolled, including 174 males and 31 females, aged (56.7±11.3) years. According to the surgical methods, patients were divided into laparoscopic group ( n=105) and open group ( n=100). The Child-Pugh score, maximum tumor diameter, tumor location, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative complication rate, liver function(glutamate transaminase, alanine transaminase, etc.) and length of hospital stay were compared between the two groups. Postoperative survival and recurrence were followed up. Survival curves and rates were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier and log-rank test. Results:There were no significant differences in Child-Pugh score, maximum tumor diameter, tumor location between the two groups. Compared to the open group, the laparoscopic group had a decreased blood loss [100 (50, 200) ml vs 150 (100, 200) ml], a lower incidence of postoperative complications[7.6%(8/105) vs 17.0%(17/100)], and a shorter hospital stay [(8.6±1.9) days vs (13.0±3.4) days](all P<0.05). The postoperative glutamate transaminase and alanine transaminase levels were lower in the laparoscopic group than those in the open group. The 1, 3, 5-year overall survival and recurrence-free survival were not significantly different between the two groups (χ 2=0.56, 0.21, P=0.456, 0.648). Conclusion:Laparoscopic surgery in the treatment of HCC at specific sites of liver is a safe, feasible and effective procedure.
ABSTRACT
Objective:To compare the safety and short-term prognosis of laparoscopic hepatectomy after conversion therapy versus pure laparoscopic hepatectomy for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods:A total of 740 patients with HCC undergoing laparoscopic hepatectomy at Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University between January 2019 and December 2022 were screened for study eligibility, among which 433 patients were eligible, including 364 males and 69 females, aged (57.2±11.1) years. Patients who underwent laparoscopic hepatectomy after conversion therapy (including interventional therapy combined with targeted therapy or targeted therapy combined with immunotherapy, etc.) were marked as conversion resection group ( n=36), and those who underwent laparoscopic hepatectomy alone were marked as pure resection group ( n=397). After propensity score matching (PSM), 29 cases in the conversion resection group and pure resection group were finally enrolled. Preoperative (tumor number, maximum tumor diameter, etc.), intraoperative (operation time, intraoperative blood loss, etc.) and postoperative (hospital stay, drainage volume, complications, etc.) data and short-term prognosis were compared between the two groups. Survival curves and rates were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier and log-rank test. Results:The baseline characteristics including the occurrence of liver cirrhosis, the tumor number and maximum diameter showed no significant differences between the two groups after PSM (all P>0.05), indicating comparability. There were no statistical differences between the two groups in terms of operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative hospital stay, postoperative drainage volume etc. (all P>0.05). The incidences of postoperative complications and severe complications (Clavien-Dindo grade ≥Ⅲ) were 34.5% (10/29) and 6.9% (2/29) in pure resection group, and 41.4% (12/29) and 10.3% (3/29) in conversion resection group, respectively, with no significant difference between the two groups (χ 2=0.29, 0, P=0.588, 1.000). The recurrence-free survival rates at 6, 12 and 18 months after surgery were 79.2%, 70.7% and 70.7% in conversion resection group and 86.2%, 82.8% and 79.3% in pure resection group, the overall survival rates at 6, 12, and 18 months after surgery were 96.4%, 89.5%, 74.6% in conversion resection group, and 100.0%, 96.6% and 93.1% in pure resection group, with no significant difference (χ 2=1.90, 1.91, P=0.168, 0.167). Conclusion:Laparoscopic hepatectomy after conversion therapy for initially unresectable HCC has comparable safety and short-term prognosis with the pure laparoscopic hepatectomy.
ABSTRACT
Objective:To detect the expression of methyl methanesulfonate and UV sensitive gene clone 81 (Mus81) in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) and to observe the effects of Mus81 on the migration, invasion and metastatic ability of human HCC cells.Methods:Thirty-two tissue specimens were selected from HCC tissues and corresponding paraneoplastic tissues of patients with HCC who underwent surgical resection in Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital Affiliated to Jinan University from January 2020 to June 2021. The expression levels of Mus81 in 32 HCC specimens, 374 HCC samples from the cancer genome atlas database, human normal liver cell line HL-7702 and human HCC cell lines JHH-7, Huh-7 and Hep3B were analyzed. Mus81 knockdown in JHH-7, Huh-7 and overexpressed in Hep3B HCC cell lines were constructed, and the effects of Mus81 on HCC cells were observed by scratch assay, Transwell migration and invasion assay and tail vein injection transfer assay in nude mice.Results:The expression of Mus81 was higher in HCC tissues or cell lines than which in paraneoplastic tissues or normal hepatocyte lines (all P<0.05). The migration rate, metastatic and invasive cell numbers of Mus81-knockdown Huh-7 HCC cells were 22.24%±2.16%, 49.04±5.62, 3.81±1.08, the negative control group were 26.89%±1.15%, 86.81±4.79, 19.78±3.30, and the differences between the two groups were statistically significant ( t=4.24, 26.59, 23.92, all P<0.01). The migration rate, metastatic and invasive cell numbers of Mus81-overexpressed Hep3B HCC cells were 80.57%±5.12%, 18.74±8.07, 33.81±8.44, which were significantly higher than those of the empty vector group 64.17%±7.20%, 10.96±5.32, 3.04±1.13, and the differences were statistically significant ( t=4.15, 4.18, 18.78, all P<0.01). Tail vein transfer experiments in nude mice showed that the total fluorescence expression, weight of metastatic tumors, and the metastatic rates in kidney, vertebral column, neck, axilla and subcutis in nude mice injected with Mus81-knockdown JHH-7 cells were significantly lower than those in the control group (all P<0.05). Conclusion:Mus81 gene expression is upregulated in HCC and promotes the migration, invasion and metastatic ability of HCC cells, suggesting that Mus81 may be a potential therapeutic target for HCC.
ABSTRACT
Objective:To construct a novel cuproptosis-related gene signature (CRGS) for prediction of prognosis, immunotherapy response and drug sensitivity in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods:Data materials for this study were obtained from the international cancer genome consortium (ICGC), the cancer genome atlas (TCGA) database and Migort210 database, and protein expression profiles were obtained from the human protein atlas image classification database. Based on the TCGA cohort, the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator algorithm was applied to construct the CRGS and calculate the risk score for each HCC patient. HCC patients were grouped according to the median risk score: HCC patients in the TCGA cohort were divided into a high-risk group TCGA and a low-risk group TCGA with 184 cases in each group; HCC patients in the ICGC cohort were divided into a high-risk group ICGC and a low-risk group ICGC with 116 cases in each group. Patients in the Migort210 cohort were divided into a responder group ( n=68) and a non-responder group ( n=230) based on their response to immunotherapy. We assessed the value of CRGS in predicting the prognosis of HCC patients in the TCGA cohort and validated whether CRGS could be used to predict the prognosis of HCC patients in the ICGC dataset. To explore the role of CRGS in predicting immunotherapy response and drug sensitivity in HCC patients based on data from the TCGA cohort, and to apply the Migort210 immunotherapy cohort to validate the clinical value of CRGS in predicting immunotherapy in malignant tumors. Results:CRGS consists of four copper death-related genes: GLS, CDKN2A, LIPT1, and DLAT. Patients in the high-risk group TCGA had lower overall survival (OS), disease-specifical survival, and progression-free interval than those in the low-risk group TCGA (all P<0.01). OS of patients in the high-risk group ICGC was lower than that in the low-risk group ICGC ( P=0.022). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that CRGS was an independent risk factor for poor prognosis in HCC patients (TCGA: HR=2.991, 95% CI: 1.781-5.049, P<0.001; ICGC: HR=4.621, 95% CI: 1.685-12.674, P=0.033). Risk scores were positively correlated with the expression levels of CTLA4, PDCD1, CD80 and HLLA2 (all P<0.001). Patients in the high-risk group TCGA had lower tumor immune dysfunction and rejection scores than those in the low-risk group TCGA [-0.04(-0.07, -0.02) vs. -0.02(-0.04, 0) points], and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.001). Patients in the responder group had a higher risk score than the non-responder group [1.70 (1.56, 1.90) vs. 1.63 (1.52, 1.80)], with a statistically significant difference ( P<0.05). The half-inhibitory concentrations (IC 50) for sunitinib, rapamycin and etanercept were higher in the high-risk group TCGA than that in the low-risk group TCGA, while the IC 50 for erlotinib was lower than that in the low-risk group TCGA, and the differences were all statistically significant (all P<0.001). Conclusion:The CRGS might be served as a potential biomarker to predict the prognoses, immunotherapy response, and drug sensitivity of patients with HCC.
ABSTRACT
Objective:To evaluate the safety and clinical efficacy of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with portal vein embolization (PVE) and percutaneous microwave ablation liver partition with PVE for planned hepatectomy in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with insu-fficient remnant liver volume.Methods:The clinical data of 51 patients with initially unresectable HCC due to insufficient remnant liver volume admitted to Zhejiang Provincial Tongde Hospital and Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital from January 2014 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed, including 37 males and 14 females, aged (56.7±11.2) years old. Patients were divided into two groups according to the treatment prior to hepatectomy: percutaneous microwave ablation liver partition combined with PVE (AP group, n=12) and TACE with PVE (TP group, n=39). Patients who successfully underwent planned hepatectomy in the above two groups were marked as resectable AP group ( n=10) and the resectable TP group ( n=29), respectively. Clinical data including the waiting time for surgery and the incidence of complications were analyzed. Patients were followed up by telephone or outpatient review. Kaplan-Meier and log-rank analysis were used for survival comparison. Results:The FLR growth rate was higher in AP group [76.5% (65.3%, 81.6%)] than that in TP group [31.4% (28.2%, 41.9%), P<0.01]. The waiting time for planned hepatectomy in the resectable AP group was 12.0 (11.3, 14.5) d, shorter than that in the resec-table TP group [21.0 (15.0, 29.0) d, P<0.05]. The incidence of postoperative complications was higher in the resectable AP group than that in the resectable TP group [80.0% (8/10) vs. 27.6% (8/29), P<0.05]. There was one perioperative death in the resectable AP group. The survival rate after PVE was lower in AP group than that in TP group, and the survival rate after hepatectomy was also lower in the resectable AP group than that in the resectable TP group (all P<0.05). Conclusion:For HCC patients with insufficient FLR, TACE combined with PVE is a safe and effective method for enlargement of liver remnant, whereas percutaneous microwave ablation liver partition with PVE showed a poor prognosis, despite the higher rate of FLR enlargement and shortened the waiting time for planned hepatectomy.
ABSTRACT
Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of transhepatic arterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) and programmed death-1 (PD-1) inhibitors in the treatment of patients with initially unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma.Methods:The clinical data of 42 patients with initially unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma who were admitted to the Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2020 to December 2022 were included. There were 31 males and 11 females, with a median age of 56 years old (range, 45-72 years old). All patients received TACE+ TKI+ PD-1 inhibitor combined treatment. The systemic treatment cycles were calculated by the regimen of immunotherapy. The timing of local treatment depends on tumor size, blood supply and treatment response. Patients were followed up through hospitalization, outpatient visits and telephone review. The Kaplan-Meier curves were obtained for survival analysis.Results:The dosing cycle to achieve optimal imaging response in the patients was 4 (3, 7) [ M( Q1, Q3)], with a systemic treatment time of 141 (65, 194) d [ M( Q1, Q3)] and 2 (1, 3) times [ M( Q1, Q3)] of local treatments. All patients were evaluated by modified response evaluation criteria in solid tumors criteria after treatment, including nine patients with complete response (CR), 21 with partial response, eight with stable disease, and four with progressive disease. Objective response rate and disease control rate were 71.4% (30/42) and 90.5% (38/42), respectively. Treatment-related adverse reactions occurred in 85.7% (36/42) of patients and grade Ⅲ or Ⅳ adverse reactions occurred in 16.7% (7/42). There was no level Ⅳ adverse reactions. All adverse reactions were controlled after dose reduction and symptomatic treatment. Thirteen patients (31.0%, 13/42) redeemed resectable after treatment and underwent radical surgery. Seven patients had pathological CR after surgery. In two patients, the pathological residual cancer tissue was less than 10%. The cumulative overall survival rates of the 42 patients at 6 months, 1 year, 1.5 years after treatment were 100%, 91.7%, and 65.0%, respectively. The postoperative 1-year survival rate of patients undergoing surgery after successful conversion was 83.3%. Conclusion:This study preliminarily showed the safety and efficacy of TACE, TKI, and PD-1 inhibitor combined therapy in patients with initially unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma.
ABSTRACT
Surgery-led comprehensive treatment is an important consensus in the management of liver carcinoma. Hepatectomy and liver transplantation are the most important means for patients with liver carcinoma to achieve long-term survival. With the development of liver surgery techniques, liver surgery is no longer off-limits. Translational therapy offers the hope of surgical radical treatment for patients with initially unresectable liver carcinoma. This article discusses the conversion therapy for unresectable liver carcinoma with future liver remnant surgery, the downstaging conversion therapy of oncologically unresectable intermediate to advanced liver carcinoma, the timing of surgery after conversion, and safety and efficacy. Prospect for the formation of the standardization of translational therapy for liver carcinoma is made.
ABSTRACT
Objective:To analyze the clinical effect of real-time virtual sonography (RVS) surgical navigation combined with indocyanine green fluorescence imaging technology in the anatomical liver segmentectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods:The clinical data of 35 patients who underwent anatomical liver segmentectomy using RVS surgical navigation combined with indocyanine green fluorescence imaging technology in the Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery of Peking University International Hospital from January 2020 to January 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 22 males and 13 females, aged (60.0±10.0) years. RVS is real-time virtual sonography, which fuses real-time intraoperative ultrasound images with corresponding preoperative CT or MRI images to guide the surgical plane. Methods of operation, time of operation, intraoperative blood loss, operative margin, hospital stay and postoperative complications were analyzed. Postoperative complications were graded by Clavien-Dindo system. The 1-year overall survival and tumor-free survival rates of patients were followed up by outpatient or telephone review.Results:Anatomical liver segmentectomy was performed on 36 patients, including 1 patient (2.9%) of segment Ⅱ, 1 patient (2.9%) of segment Ⅲ, 5 patients (14.3%) of segment Ⅳ, 6 patients (17.1%) of segment Ⅴ, 10 patients (28.6%) of segment Ⅵ, 7 patients (20.0%) of segment Ⅶ, 4 patients (11.4%) of segment Ⅷ, and 1 patient (2.9%) of segments Ⅴ+ Ⅷ. The operation time of 35 patients was (310.2±81.6) min, with an intraoperative blood loss of [ M( Q1, Q3)] 390.0(250.0, 500.0) ml. The hospital stay was (11.6±2.1) d. There was no postoperative death. Postoperative complications occurred in 3 cases (8.6%), of which 2 cases (5.7%) were ascites, Clavien-Dindo grade Ⅰ; Postoperative hemorrhage occurred in 1 case (2.9%), Clavien-Dindo grade Ⅱ. HCC was confirmed by pathology in all cases, and the operative margins were negative. The median follow-up time was 14 months (12 to 20 months). The 1-year overall survival rate after surgery was 100.0%(35/35), three patients (8.6%) had tumor recurrence, and the 1-year tumor-free survival rate was 91.4% (32/35). Conclusion:RVS surgical navigation combined with indocyanine green fluorescence imaging technology could be feasible in anatomical segmental hepatectomy for HCC.
ABSTRACT
Objective:To explore the clinical effect of laparoscopic anatomical hepatic segment Ⅷ (S8) resection.Methods:Of 16 patients with liver cancer who underwent laparoscopic anatomical hepatic S8 resection at the National Cancer Center from October 2020 to October 2022 were were enrolled, including 13 males and 3 females, aged (59.1±10.9) years. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, occurrence of intraoperative blood transfusion, and postoperative complications were retrospectively analyzed. Recurrence and survival were followed up by outpatient and telephone reviews.Results:Laparoscopic anatomical hepatic S8 resection was successfully performed in 16 patients without conversion to laparotomy. Among them, 10 patients underwent the intraoperative ultrasound guided hepatic parenchymal approach, and 6 underwent laparoscopic Glissonean pedicle puncture for the positive staining of S8 using indocyanine green. The operation time was (274.8±82.8) min, and the intraoperative blood loss was [ M( Q1, Q3)] 100.0 (50.0, 200.0) ml. There were no intraoperative blood transfusion or postoperative complication. The drainage tube was successfully removed and the patients were discharged 5 to 7 days after surgery. The patients were followed up for 5 to 24 months and all survived. Two patients had tumor recurrence. Conclusion:Laparoscopic anatomical S8 resection is safe and feasible.
ABSTRACT
Objective:To assess the safety and feasibility of hepatic pedicle-first approach laparoscopic anatomical hepatectomy for central segments.Methods:The clinical data of 19 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent hepatic pedicle-first approach laparoscopic anatomical hepatectomy for the central segments in the Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital from September 2020 to January 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. In this procedure, hepatic pedicles of the central segments were divided first to delineate the ischemic demarcation and guide the liver parenchymal transection. The methods of operation, operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative complications and hospital-stay were analyzed.Results:Hepatic pedicle-first approach laparoscopic anatomical hepatectomy for the central segments was successfully performed in all patients, including 5 cases of segment Ⅳ, 2 cases of segment Ⅳ+ Ⅷ, 3 cases of segment Ⅳ+ ventral segment Ⅷ, 3 cases of segment Ⅳa+ Ⅴ+ Ⅷ and 6 cases of segment Ⅴ+ Ⅷ. The mean operation time, intraoperative blood loss and postoperative hospital stay was (253.1±86.1) min, [ M( Q1, Q3)] 100.0(100.0, 250.0) ml, and (5.1±1.2) d respectively. There was no intraoperative blood transfusion and postoperative complications. Conclusion:Hepatic pedicle-first approach can help delineate the segemental demarcation in laparoscopic anatomical hepatectomy for the central segments, which is technically feasible and worth more practice.
ABSTRACT
Hepatocellular carcinoma is a common malignant disease in clinical practice, and portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT) is one of the important factors affecting the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma. PVTT has strong oncologic characteristics and is highly susceptible to extrahepatic metastasis, complicating portal hypertension, leading to gastrointestinal bleeding or liver failure and causing death. In this paper, we review the formation mechanism of hepatocellular carcinoma combined with PVTT in terms of local anatomy, hemodynamics, molecular biology and tumor microenvironment to provide effective reference for clinical treatment.
ABSTRACT
Objective:To compare the clinical efficacy and safety of conventional transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) with drug-eluting bead transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) in treatment of patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma.Methods:The data of patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent hepatic artery chemoembolization at General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University from July 2019 to April 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Of 282 patients who were enrolled, there were 233 males and 49 females, aged (55.9±10.0) years. The groups were divided into the conventional TACE group ( n=179) and the DEB-TACE group ( n=103) based on the treatments. The efficacy of the two groups was compared according to the modified response evaluation criteria in solid tumors. Postoperative adverse effects and liver function between the two groups were compared. Results:The differences in comparing the preoperative and postoperative liver function indexes between the two groups were not statistically significant. Patients who died and were lost to follow-up at 6 months after surgery were excluded and 240 patients were excluded in the efficacy analysis, with 148 patients in the conventional TACE group and 92 patients in the DEB-TACE group. At 6 months after treatment in the conventional TACE group, there were 64 patients (43.2%) with complete remission, 18 patients (12.2%) with partial remission, 27 patients (18.2%) with stable disease, and 39 patients (26.4%) with disease progression. In the DEB-TACE group, the corresponding figures were 38 patients (41.3%), 17 patients (18.5%), 26 patients (28.3%), and 11 patients (12.0%), respectively. The efficacy of DEB-TACE was better than conventional TACE with statistically significant differences between the 2 groups (χ 2=8.96, P=0.030). The incidence of postoperative embolic syndrome was 53.1% (95/179) in the conventional TACE group, which was significantly higher than the 34.0% (35/103) in the DEB-TACE group (χ 2=7.34, P=0.007). Conclusion:The efficacy and safety of DEB-TACE for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma were superior to those of the conventional TACE group.
ABSTRACT
Objective:To analyze the value of laminin γ2 (LAMC2) in the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the difference in patients with different types of microvascular invasion (MVI).Methods:A cohort of 100 patients with HCC who underwent surgical treatment at the Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital from January 2021 to March 2022 were prospectively enrolled. There were 80 males and 20 females, aged (55.7±11.1) years. The data of 17 patients with hepatic hemangioma without cirrhosis who underwent operation at the same hospital during the study period were collected to serve as the control group (6 males, 11 females), aged (42.8±9.8) years. LAMC2 in serum was determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The levels of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and LAMC2 were compared between the two groups, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were drawn to compare these two markers in the diagnosis of HCC. The LAMC2 of different MVI patients were compared.Results:The levels of LAMC2 and AFP were 1 334.2(838.9, 2 656.0) pg/ml and 19.0(4.6, 778.6) μg/L in the HCC group, which were significantly higher than 375.2(221.2, 691.7)pg/ml and 3.3(2.5, 3.5) μg/L in the control group ( Z=-4.32, -4.63, both P<0.001). The areas under the ROC curve were 0.829(95% CI: 0.748-0.892) for LAMC2 and 0.852(95% CI: 0.769-0.910) for AFP, and was 0.949(95% CI: 0.911-0.988) for using both in the diagnoses. The diagnostic efficacy of combining LAMC2 and AFP was significantly better than that of LAMC2 alone and AFP alone (area under ROC: Z=3.15, 3.07, P=0.002, 0.002). When the patients were divided into the M0 group (61 patients), the M1 Group (25 patients) and the M2 Group (14 patients) based on MVIs, the concentrations of LAMC2 were 1 168.6(834.3, 2 521.4) pg/ml, 942.2(614.0, 2 056.6) pg/ml and 3 128.4(1 852.7, 7 191.3) pg/ml, respectively. The level of LAMC2 in the M2 group was significantly higher than that in the M0 and M1 groups ( Z=-3.46, -3.32, P=0.001, 0.004). Conclusion:The diagnostic efficacy of LAMC2 combined with AFP for HCC was significantly higher than that of either LAMC2 alone or AFP alone. Serum LAMC2 levels were significant different among the groups of HCC patients with different types of MVI.
ABSTRACT
Clonorchis sinensis is considered a class I carcinogen for cholangiocarcinoma, but an increasing number of studies have found that it is also closely associated with hepatocellular carcinoma. This paper reviews the discovery and prevalence, historical studies, key regional studies, animal models and complications of Clonorchis sinensis, and summarizes the possible molecular mechanisms of Clonorchis sinensis contributing to hepatocellular carcinoma development, in order to gain insight into the correlation between Clonorchis sinensis and hepatocellular carcinoma, and thus to provide new ideas for the study of the effects of Clonorchis sinensis infection on hepatocellular carcinoma.