The Reduction of Metallabenzenes: Different Scenarios Highly Dependent on the Central Group 14 Elements, Si vs. Ge.

In order to synthesize a silabenzenyl anion, in which the anionic carbon atom of a phenyl anion was replaced with a silicon atom, the reductive dearylation reaction of 1-Tbt-2-tert-butyl-silabenzene (Tbt=2,4,6-tris[bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl]phenyl) with KC8 was attempted. Unexpectedly, this reaction resulted in the formation of a dianion species without the elimination of the Tbt group. This is totally different from the reactions of Tbt-substituted germa- or stannabenzene with KC8 , which resulted in the formation of the corresponding heavy analogues of phenyl anion, together with the elimination of Tbt group. Experimental and theoretical investigation revealed that one of the protons of the o-benzyl positions of the Tbt group was abstracted by the negatively charged silicon atom of an in-situ generated intermediate. Compared with the previously reported germanium system, the contrasting results indicate that the central heavy group 14 element has a great influence on the elimination step of the Tbt group.

Intralesional administration of VAX014 facilitates in situ immunization and potentiates immune checkpoint blockade in immunologically cold tumors.

BACKGROUND: Immunologically cold tumors with an 'immune desert' phenotype lack tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and are typically impervious to systemic immune checkpoint blockade (ICB). Intratumoral treatment of tumors with immunomodulatory agents can promote local tumor inflammation leading to improved T cell responses in injected tumors. Addition of systemic ICB increases response frequency and immune-mediated clearance of injected and distal non-injected lesions, and this promising approach is being widely investigated clinically. In this work, we evaluate and characterize the local and systemic antitumor immunotherapeutic activity of VAX014, a novel non-viral targeted oncolytic agent based on recombinant bacterial minicells, following intratumoral administration and in combination with systemic ICB. METHODS: The immunotherapeutic activity of VAX014 following weekly intratumoral administration was investigated in multiple preclinical tumor models with B16F10 murine melanoma serving as the primary model for evaluation of immune desert tumors. Mice bearing a single intradermal tumor were used to evaluate tumor response and overall survival (OS), assess changes in immune cell populations, and explore global changes to immunotranscriptomes of injected tumors. Mice bearing bilateral intradermal tumors were then used to evaluate non-injected tumors for changes in TIL populations and phenotypes, compare immunotranscriptomes across treatment groups, and assess distal non-injected tumor response in the context of monotherapy or in combination with ICB. RESULTS: VAX014 demonstrated strong immune-mediated tumor clearance of injected tumors coinciding with significantly elevated CD8+ TILs and upregulation of multiple immune pathways essential for antitumor immune responses. Modest activity against distal non-injected immune desert tumors was observed despite elevated levels of systemic antitumor lymphocytes. Combination with systemic CTLA-4 blockade improved survival and elevated TILs but did not improve clearance rates of non-injected tumors. Immunotranscriptomes of non-injected tumors from this treatment combination group exhibited upregulation of multiple immune pathways but also identified upregulation of PD-1. Further addition of systemic PD-1 blockade led to rapid clearance of non-injected tumors, enhanced OS, and provided durable protective immunological memory. CONCLUSIONS: Intratumoral administration of VAX014 stimulates local immune activation and robust systemic antitumor lymphocytic responses. Combination with systemic ICB deepens systemic antitumor responses to mediate clearance of injected and distal non-injected tumors.

VAX014, an Oncolytic Therapy, Reduces Adenomas and Modifies Colon Microenvironment in Mouse Model of CRC.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains the third most common form of cancer and, despite its reduced mortality, results in over 50,000 deaths annually, highlighting the need for novel therapeutic approaches. VAX014 is a novel clinical-stage, oncolytic bacterial minicell-based therapy shown to elicit protective antitumor immune responses in cancer, but it has not been fully evaluated in CRC. Here, VAX014 was demonstrated to induce oncolysis in CRC cell lines in vitro and was evaluated in vivo, both as a prophylactic (before spontaneous development of adenomatous polyps) and as a neoadjuvant treatment using the Fabp-CreXApcfl468 preclinical animal model of colon cancer. As a prophylactic, VAX014 significantly reduced the size and number of adenomas without inducing long term changes in the gene expression of inflammatory, T helper 1 antitumor, and immunosuppression markers. In the presence of adenomas, a neoadjuvant VAX014 treatment reduced the number of tumors, induced the gene expression of antitumor TH1 immune markers in adenomas, and promoted the expansion of the probiotic bacterium Akkermansia muciniphila. The neoadjuvant VAX014 treatment was associated with decreased Ki67 proliferation in vivo, suggesting that VAX014 inhibits adenoma development through both oncolytic and immunotherapeutic effects. Combined, these data support the potential of VAX014 treatment in CRC and "at risk" polyp-bearing or early adenocarcinoma populations.

Tumor stiffness measurement using magnetic resonance elastography can predict recurrence and survival after curative resection of hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Tumor stiffness measurement using magnetic resonance elastography can assess tumor mechanical properties and predict hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence. This study aimed to investigate preoperative tumor stiffness on magnetic resonance elastography as a predictor of overall survival and recurrence-free survival in patients with solitary nodular hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent curative resection. METHODS: Seventy-eight patients with solitary nodular hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent preoperative magnetic resonance elastography and curative resection were retrospectively analyzed. Potential associations of tumor stiffness and other clinicopathological variables with overall survival and recurrence-free survival were analyzed in both univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards analyses. The optimal tumor stiffness cutoff value was determined using the minimal P value approach. RESULTS: In multivariate analysis, tumor stiffness (hazard ratio 1.31; 95% confidence interval, 1.07-1.59; P = .008) and vascular invasion (hazard ratio 2.62; 95% confidence interval, 1.27-5.17; P = .010) were independent predictors of recurrence-free survival. For overall survival, tumor stiffness (hazard ratio, 1.33; 95% confidence interval, 1.02-1.76; P = .037) was the only independent predictor. The optimal tumor stiffness cutoff value was 5.81 kPa for both overall survival and recurrence-free survival. Patients with tumor stiffness ≥5.81 kPa had a significantly greater risk of death (hazard ratio 6.10; 95% confidence interval, 2.11-21.90; P < .001) than those with tumor stiffness <5.81 kPa. CONCLUSION: Preoperative tumor stiffness as measured by magnetic resonance elastography was a predictor of overall survival and recurrence-free survival in hepatocellular carcinoma patients who underwent curative resection. Higher tumor stiffness was associated with higher risk of recurrence and death.

TAS2940, a novel brain-penetrable pan-ERBB inhibitor, for tumors with HER2 and EGFR aberrations.

Genetic alterations in human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 (HER2)/epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) are commonly associated with breast and lung cancers and glioblastomas. Cancers with avian erythroblastosis oncogene B (ERBB) deregulation are highly metastatic and can cause primary brain tumors. Currently, no pan-ERBB inhibitor with remarkable brain penetration is available. Here, TAS2940, a novel irreversible pan-ERBB inhibitor with improved brain penetrability, was evaluated for its efficacy against several ERBB aberrant cancer models. The selectivity of TAS2940 was evaluated by enzymatic kinase assays. The inhibitory effects of TAS2940 against ERBB genetic alterations were examined using MCF10A cells expressing various HER2 or EGFR mutations and other generic cell lines harboring deregulated ERBB expression. In vivo efficacy of TAS2940 was examined following oral treatment in subcutaneous or intracranial xenograft cancer models. TAS2940 was highly potent against cells harboring HER2/EGFR alterations. TAS2940 could selectively inhibit phosphorylation of targets and the growth of cancer cells with ERBB aberrations in vitro. TAS2940 also inhibited tumor growth in xenograft mouse models with ERBB aberrations: HER2 amplification, HER2/EGFR exon 20 insertions, and EGFR vIII mutation. TAS2940 was effective in the intracranial xenograft models of HER2/EGFR cancers and improved the survival of these mice. TAS2940 has promising therapeutic effects in preclinical study against cancers harboring HER2/EGFR mutations, especially metastatic and primary brain tumors. Our results highlight potential novel strategies against lung cancers with brain metastases harboring HER2/EGFR exon 20 insertions and glioblastomas with EGFR aberrations.

Morphometrics in three dimensional choroidal vessel models constructed from swept-source optical coherence tomography images.

We created three types of vessel models: vessel volume, surface, and line models from swept-source optical coherence tomography images and tested experimentally calculated three-dimensional (3D) biomarkers. The choroidal volume (CVolume), surface area (VSurface), and vessel length-associated index (VLI) were measured. The calculated 3D parameters were the mean choroidal thickness, choroidal vascularity index (CVI), vessel length density index (VLDI), vessel length to the stromal (VL-S) ratio, surface-to-volume ratio (S-V ratio), and vessel diameter index (VDI). Cluster analysis showed that the parameters were classified into two clusters: one was represented by the VVolume including the CVolume, VSurface, CVI, S-V ratio, VLI, VDI, and subfoveal choroidal thickness and the other by the VL-S ratio including the VLDI. Regarding the regional distribution, the VVolume, CVolume, VSurface, CVI, VLI, VL-S ratio, and VDI at the foveal center were higher than at the parafovea (P < 0.01). Although the VVolume decreased with age and axial length (AL) elongation, the association of the 3D parameters with age and AL elongation differed. The VLI, VLDI, VL-S ratio, and CVI decreased with age (P < 0.01) but not with AL elongation. The results suggested a structural difference in the choroidal vessel volume reduction between aging and AL elongation. The 3D parameters may provide additional information about the choroidal vasculature.

Intravesical VAX014 Synergizes with PD-L1 Blockade to Enhance Local and Systemic Control of Bladder Cancer.

Emerging clinical evidence indicates that the combination of local administration of immunotherapy with systemic immune-checkpoint blockade targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway improves response rates in select solid tumor indications; however, limited clinical experience with this approach exists in advanced bladder cancer patients. VAX014 is a novel bacterial minicell-based, integrin-targeted oncolytic agent undergoing clinical investigation for intravesical (IVE) treatment of nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancer. Here, we demonstrated that the antitumor activity of VAX014 following IVE administration was dependent upon CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in two syngeneic orthotopic bladder tumor models (MB49 and MBT-2). PD-L1 upregulation was found to be an acquired immune-resistance mechanism in the MB49 model, and the combination of VAX014 with systemic PD-L1 blockade resulted in a significant improvement in bladder tumor clearance rates and development of protective antitumor immunologic memory. Combination treatment also led to enhanced systemic antitumor immune responses capable of clearing distal intradermal tumors and controlling pulmonary metastasis. Distal tumors actively responding to combination therapy demonstrated a phenotypic shift from regulatory T cell to Th1 in intratumoral CD4+ T cells, which was accompanied by a higher percentage of activated CD8+ T cells and higher IFNγ. Finally, VAX014's target integrins α3ß1 and α5ß1 were overexpressed in tumor biopsies from advanced-stage bladder cancer patients, as well as in both the MB49 and MBT-2 orthotopic mouse models of bladder cancer. These collective findings provide a rationale for the clinical investigation of VAX014 and systemic PD-1/PD-L1 blockade in advanced-stage bladder cancer.

TAS1553, a small molecule subunit interaction inhibitor of ribonucleotide reductase, exhibits antitumor activity by causing DNA replication stress.

Ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) is composed of two non-identical subunits, R1 and R2, and plays a crucial role in balancing the cellular dNTP pool, establishing it as an attractive cancer target. Herein, we report the discovery of a highly potent and selective small-molecule inhibitor, TAS1553, targeting protein-protein interaction between R1 and R2. TAS1553 is also expected to demonstrate superior selectivity because it does not directly target free radical or a substrate binding site. TAS1553 has shown antiproliferative activity in human cancer cell lines, dramatically reducing the intracellular dATP pool and causing DNA replication stress. Furthermore, we identified SLFN11 as a biomarker that predicts the cytotoxic effect of TAS1553. Oral administration of TAS1553 demonstrated robust antitumor efficacy against both hematological and solid cancer xenograft tumors and also provided a significant survival benefit in an acute myelogenous leukemia model. Our findings strongly support the evaluation of TAS1553 in clinical trials.

Validity of the Algorithm for Liver Resection of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in the Caudate Lobe.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to validate our algorithm for resecting Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the caudate lobe based on tumor location, tumor size, and indocyanine green clearance rate. METHODS: Patients who underwent curative resections for solitary HCC in the caudate lobe were included. The surgical outcomes of patients with HCC in the caudate lobe were compared with those of patients with HCC in other sites of the liver. RESULTS: After one-to-one matching, the caudate-lobe group (n = 150) had longer operation time, greater amount of bleeding, lower weight of resected specimens, and shorter distance between tumor and resection line than the other-sites group (n = 150), but the complication rates were not different between the groups (38.0% vs. 34.1%, P = 0.719). After a median follow-up period of 3.0 years (range, 0.3-16.2 years), the median overall survivals were 6.5 (95% confidence interval [CI], 5.3-7.9) and 7.5 years (95% CI, 6.3-9.7) in the caudate-lobe and other-site groups, respectively (P = 0.430). Median recurrence-free survivals in the caudate-lobe group (1.9 years; 95% CI, 1.4-2.7) had a tendency to be shorter than those in the other-sites group (2.3 years; 1.7-3.4) (P = 0.052). CONCLUSIONS: Patients' survival and complication rates in the caudate-lobe group were comparable to those in the other-sites group; therefore, our algorithm for resecting HCC in the caudate lobe is of clinical use.

Artificial intelligence-based computational framework for drug-target prioritization and inference of novel repositionable drugs for Alzheimer's disease.

BACKGROUND: Identifying novel therapeutic targets is crucial for the successful development of drugs. However, the cost to experimentally identify therapeutic targets is huge and only approximately 400 genes are targets for FDA-approved drugs. As a result, it is inevitable to develop powerful computational tools that can identify potential novel therapeutic targets. Fortunately, the human protein-protein interaction network (PIN) could be a useful resource to achieve this objective. METHODS: In this study, we developed a deep learning-based computational framework that extracts low-dimensional representations of high-dimensional PIN data. Our computational framework uses latent features and state-of-the-art machine learning techniques to infer potential drug target genes. RESULTS: We applied our computational framework to prioritize novel putative target genes for Alzheimer's disease and successfully identified key genes that may serve as novel therapeutic targets (e.g., DLG4, EGFR, RAC1, SYK, PTK2B, SOCS1). Furthermore, based on these putative targets, we could infer repositionable candidate-compounds for the disease (e.g., tamoxifen, bosutinib, and dasatinib). CONCLUSIONS: Our deep learning-based computational framework could be a powerful tool to efficiently prioritize new therapeutic targets and enhance the drug repositioning strategy.

Dysfunction of Cl- channels promotes epithelial to mesenchymal transition in oral squamous cell carcinoma via activation of Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a highly aggressive carcinoma with a high incidence of recurrence and distant metastasis. However, the mechanism of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) during tumor progression and metastasis in OSCC has not yet been fully elucidated. It is well known that the Cl- channel controls cell volume and activates several signaling pathways for cell differentiation. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of the Cl- channel on EMT in the OSC 20 cell line, which is an OSCC line. OSC-20 cells were cultured with low serum medium containing a Cl- channel blocker NPPB. Morphological changes, gene expression, immunoreactivity, cell volume, and signaling pathway of the NPPB-treated OSC-20 cells were evaluated. The NPPB-treated OSC-20 cells showed typical morphology of mesenchymal cells. The expression levels of the epithelial marker E-cadherin in the NPPB-treated OSC-20 cells were lower than those of the untreated and TGF-ß1-treated OSC-20 cells. On the other hand, mesenchymal markers such as vimentin, ZEB1, and Snail, in the NPPB-treated OSC-20 cells were higher than those in the untreated and TGF-ß1-treated OSC-20 cells. Furthermore, a large number of vimentin-positive cells also appeared in the NPPB-treated OSC-20 cells. Additionally, the cell volume of these cells was significantly increased compared to that of the untreated and TGF-ß1-treated cells. Interestingly, NPPB did not activate the TGF-ß/smad signaling pathway, but activated the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway. These results suggest that Cl- channel dysfunction promoted EMT via activation of the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway in OSCC.

Magnetic resonance elastography-based prediction of hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence after curative resection.

BACKGROUND: Liver stiffness measurement using magnetic resonance elastography can assess the severity of liver fibrosis, which is significantly associated with recurrence after curative resection for hepatocellular carcinoma. The aim of this prospective study was to investigate whether preoperative liver stiffness measurement by magnetic resonance elastograhy can predict recurrence after curative resection for hepatocellular carcinoma. METHODS: Patients who underwent preoperative liver stiffness measurement and curative resection for hepatocellular carcinoma were enrolled in this study. Potential associations between liver stiffness measurement, along with other clinical and pathologic variables, and intrahepatic hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence were analyzed. RESULTS: In total, 156 patients were included in this study. During a median follow-up period of 25.1 months (range, 6.0-60.5 months), 72 (46.1%) patients with hepatocellular carcinoma had an intrahepatic recurrence. The median disease-free period after resection was 17.9 months (range, 1.0-60.5 months). In the multivariate analysis, liver stiffness measurement (hazard ratio, 1.27; 95% confidence interval, 1.11-1.43; P <.001) and vascular invasion (hazard ratio, 1.96; 95% confidence interval, 1.15-3.25; P = .013) were identified as independent predictors of recurrence. When the optimal cutoff point was set at 4.53 kPa using the minimal P value approach, the disease-free period after curative resection in 71 patients with a liver stiffness measurement value ≥4.53 kPa (11.3 months [range, 2.0-60.5 months]) was significantly shorter than that of 85 patients with a liver stiffness measurement value <4.53 kPa (22.5 months [range, 1.1-60.5 months]; P <.001). CONCLUSION: Liver stiffness measurement using magnetic resonance elastography is a useful preoperative predictor of intrahepatic recurrence after curative resection for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Comparison of the surgical outcomes in patients with synchronous versus metachronous multiple hepatocellular carcinoma.

Multiplicity is one of the characteristics of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and patients with multiple HCC (≤ 3 nodules) are recommended as candidates for liver resection. To confirm the validity of resecting multiple HCC, we compared the surgical outcomes in patients with synchronous and metachronous multiple HCC. Patients who underwent resection for multiple HCC (2 or 3 nodules) were classified into the "synchronous multiple HCC" group, while those undergoing resection for solitary HCC and repeated resection for 1 or 2 recurrent nodules within 2 years after initial operation were classified into the "metachronous multiple HCC" group. After one-to-one matching, longer operation time and more bleeding were seen in the synchronous multiple HCC group (n = 98) than those in the metachronous multiple HCC group (n = 98); however, the complication rates were not different between the two groups. The median overall survival times were 4.0 years (95% CI, 3.0-5.9) and 5.9 years (4.0-NA) for the synchronous and metachronous multiple HCC (after second operation) groups, respectively (P = 0.041). The recurrence-free survival times were shorter in the synchronous multiple HCC group than in the metachronous multiple HCC group (median, 1.5 years [95% CI, 0.9-1.8] versus 1.8 years, [1.3-2.2]) (P = 0.039). On multivariate analysis, independent factors for overall survivals in the synchronous multiple HCC group were older age, cirrhosis, larger tumor, and tumor thrombus. Taken together, resection of metachronous multiple HCC still has good therapeutic effect, even better than synchronous multiple HCC, so resection is suggested for metachronous multiple HCC.

Selection of patients with esophageal varices for liver resection of hepatocellular carcinoma.

The presence of esophageal varices (EV) is a phenotype of portal hypertension, and the indications of liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with concomitant EV are conflicting. This retrospective study aimed to elucidate if there is justification for liver resection in patients with EV. The surgical outcomes were compared between the patients who underwent resection for HCC with EV (EV group) and those without EV (non-EV group) after propensity-score matching. More bleeding was prevalent (P < 0.001) and refractory ascites was more frequently observed (P = 0.031) in the EV group (n = 277) compared with the non-EV group (n = 277); however, the numbers of patients with morbidities (P = 0.740) and re-operation (P = 0.235) were not significantly different between the two groups. After a median follow-up period of 3.0 years, the median overall and recurrencefree survival periods of patients with EV were 4.8 years (95% confidence interval [CI], 4.1-5.9) and 1.7 years (1.5-2.0), respectively, and were significantly shorter than those of patients without EV (7.6 years [95% CI, 6.3.9.7], P < 0.001, and 2.2 years [1.9-2.5], P = 0.016). On multivariate analysis, the independent factors for overall survival in the EV group were indocyanine green clearance rate at 15 minutes, des-gamma carboxyprothrombin, and the presence of multiple tumors. Considering that liver resection for patients with EV can be safely performed, it should not be contraindicated. However, surgical outcomes of these patients were unsatisfactory, suggesting that candidates for resection for HCC should be carefully selected.

Enhanced Retrieval of Taste Associative Memory by Chemogenetic Activation of Locus Coeruleus Norepinephrine Neurons.

The ability of animals to retrieve memories stored in response to the environment is essential for behavioral adaptation. Norepinephrine (NE)-containing neurons in the brain play a key role in the modulation of synaptic plasticity underlying various processes of memory formation. However, the role of the central NE system in memory retrieval remains unclear. Here, we developed a novel chemogenetic activation strategy exploiting insect olfactory ionotropic receptors (IRs), termed "IR-mediated neuronal activation," and used it for selective stimulation of NE neurons in the locus coeruleus (LC). Drosophila melanogaster IR84a and IR8a subunits were expressed in LC NE neurons in transgenic mice. Application of phenylacetic acid (a specific ligand for the IR84a/IR8a complex) at appropriate doses induced excitatory responses of NE neurons expressing the receptors in both slice preparations and in vivo electrophysiological conditions, resulting in a marked increase of NE release in the LC nerve terminal regions (male and female). Ligand-induced activation of LC NE neurons enhanced the retrieval process of conditioned taste aversion without affecting taste sensitivity, general arousal state, and locomotor activity. This enhancing effect on taste memory retrieval was mediated, in part, through α1- and ß-adrenergic receptors in the basolateral nucleus of the amygdala (BLA; male). Pharmacological inhibition of LC NE neurons confirmed the facilitative role of these neurons in memory retrieval via adrenergic receptors in the BLA (male). Our findings indicate that the LC NE system, through projections to the BLA, controls the retrieval process of taste associative memory.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Norepinephrine (NE)-containing neurons in the brain play a key role in the modulation of synaptic plasticity underlying various processes of memory formation, but the role of the NE system in memory retrieval remains unclear. We developed a chemogenetic activation system based on insect olfactory ionotropic receptors and used it for selective stimulation of NE neurons in the locus coeruleus (LC) in transgenic mice. Ligand-induced activation of LC NE neurons enhanced the retrieval of conditioned taste aversion, which was mediated, in part, through adrenoceptors in the basolateral amygdala. Pharmacological blockade of LC activity confirmed the facilitative role of these neurons in memory retrieval. Our findings indicate that the LC-amygdala pathway plays an important role in the recall of taste associative memory.

High platelet count as a poor prognostic factor for liver cancer patients without cirrhosis.

A low platelet count, one of parameters of portal hypertension, is clinically a predictor of postoperative mortality, while platelets induce tumor development during growth factor secretion. In this study, we retrospectively investigated whether high platelet count negatively affects the survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Patients undergoing initial and curative resection for HCC were included. Surgical outcomes were compared between the high platelet (platelet count ≥ 20 × 104/µL) and control (< 20 × 104/µL) groups in patients without cirrhosis and between the low platelet (< 10 × 104/µL) and control (≥ 10 × 104/µL) groups in patients with cirrhosis. Among patients without cirrhosis, tumor was larger (P < 0.001) and tumor thrombus was more frequent (P < 0.001) in the high-platelet group than in the control group. After a median follow-up period of 3.1 years (range 0.2-16.2), median overall survival was 6.3 years (95% confidence interval [CI], 5.3-7.8) and 7.6 years (6.6-10.9) in the high-platelet (n = 273) and control (n = 562) groups, respectively (P = 0.027). Among patients with cirrhosis, liver function was worse (P < 0.001) and varices were more frequent (P < 0.001) in the low-platelet group. The median overall survival of patients in the low-platelet group (n = 172) was significantly shorter than that of patients in the control group (n = 275) (4.5 years [95% CI, 3.7-6.0] vs. 5.9 years [4.5-7.5], P = 0.038). Taken together, thrombocytopenia indicates poor prognosis in HCC patients with cirrhosis, while thrombocytosis is a poor prognostic predictor for those without cirrhosis.

Accumulation of Molecular Aberrations Distinctive to Hepatocellular Carcinoma Progression.

Cancer develops through the accumulation of genetic and epigenetic aberrations. To identify sequential molecular alterations that occur during the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), we compared 52 early and 108 overt HCC samples by genome sequencing. Gene mutations in the p53/RB1 pathway, WNT pathway, MLL protein family, SWI/SNF complexes, and AKT/PI3K pathway were common in HCC. In the early phase of all entities, TERT was the most frequently upregulated gene owing to diverse mechanisms. Despite frequent somatic mutations in driver genes, including CTNNB1 and TP53, early HCC was a separate molecular entity from overt HCC, as each had a distinct expression profile. Notably, WNT target genes were not activated in early HCC regardless of CTNNB1 mutation status because ß-catenin did not translocate into the nucleus due to the E-cadherin/ß-catenin complex at the membrane. Conversely, WNT targets were definitively upregulated in overt HCC, with CTNNB1 mutation associated with downregulation of CDH1 and hypomethylation of CpG islands in target genes. Similarly, cell-cycle genes downstream of the p53/RB pathway were upregulated only in overt HCC, with TP53 or RB1 gene mutations associated with chromosomal deletion of 4q or 16q. HCC was epigenetically distinguished into four subclasses: normal-like methylation, global-hypomethylation (favorable prognosis), stem-like methylation (poor prognosis), and CpG island methylation. These methylation statuses were globally maintained through HCC progression. Collectively, these data show that as HCC progresses, additional molecular events exclusive of driver gene mutations cooperatively contribute to transcriptional activation of downstream targets according to methylation status. SIGNIFICANCE: In addition to driver gene mutations in the WNT and p53 pathways, further molecular events are required for aberrant transcriptional activation of these pathways as HCC progresses.

High C-reactive protein/albumin ratio associated with reduced survival due to advanced stage of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

C-reactive protein (CRP)- and albumin (Alb)-based scoring systems are available for predicting the prognosis of patients with diverse forms of gastrointestinal cancer, but their utility for patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is still unclear. This study aimed to elucidate whether a high CRP/Alb ratio is associated with the surgical outcome of ICC patients. Patients who underwent initial and curative resection for ICC were included in this study, and were divided into the High and Low CRP/Alb groups based on their preoperative CRP and Alb values. The surgical outcomes were compared between the two groups. The median CRP/Alb ratio amongst 88 patients was 0.033 (range, 0.019-3.636); 44 patients with CRP/Alb > 0.033 were allocated to the High CRP/Alb group and 44 patients were allocated to the Low CRP/Alb group. The operative data did not differ between the two groups, while the tumor status was more advanced in the High CRP/Alb group. The median overall survival was 2.4 years (95% CI, 1.4-3.3) and 8.9 years (3.8-NA) in the High and Low CRP/Alb groups, respectively (P < 0.001), and recurrence-free survival was 0.5 years (95% CI, 0.3-0.7) and 7.7 years (1.3-NA), respectively (P < 0.001). In a multivariate analysis, the independent factors for overall survival were High CRP/Alb (P = 0.017) and multiple nodules (P = 0.008). Taken together, the survival of ICC patients in the High CRP/Alb group was reduced compared to that of patients in the Low CRP/Alb group due to the advanced stage of the tumor as well as malnutrition.

Favorable outcomes of surgical resection for extrahepatic recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma.

AIM: Repeat resection for intrahepatic recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is effective for the long-term survival of patients; however, little is known about the surgical outcomes of extrahepatic nodules. The aim of this study is to investigate whether resection can contribute to the survival of patients with extrahepatic recurrent HCC. METHODS: Under the conditions that intrahepatic recurrent HCC was absent or controlled by locoregional therapies, patients who had resectable extrahepatic recurrent HCC in the lymph nodes, adrenal gland, peritoneum, lung, or brain were included in this study. The survival of patients who did (Surgical group) and did not (Non-surgical group, underwent other therapies) undergo resection for extrahepatic recurrent HCC was compared. RESULTS: Thirty-eight and 26 patients were included in the Surgical and Non-surgical groups, respectively. No patient had severe postoperative complications. After a median follow-up of 1.2 (range, 0.2-8.8) years, the median cumulative incidence of extrahepatic recurrent HCC was 1.2 years (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.4-3.5) in the Surgical group. The median overall survival was 5.3 (95% CI, 2.5-8.8) and 1.1 (0.8-2.3) years in the Surgical and Non-surgical groups, respectively (P < 0.001). The 5-year rates of survival were 60.5% and 9.1% in the Surgical and Non-surgical groups, respectively. Surgical resection, α-fetoprotein, disease-free interval, and metastasis at the adrenal gland were the independent factors for overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: Due to the favorable surgical outcomes, resection should be considered as one of the therapeutic choices for patients with extrahepatic recurrent HCC if intrahepatic recurrent HCC can be controlled by locoregional therapies.

Semantic Segmentation of the Choroid in Swept Source Optical Coherence Tomography Images for Volumetrics.

The choroid is a complex vascular tissue that is covered with the retinal pigment epithelium. Ultra high speed swept source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) provides us with high-resolution cube scan images of the choroid. Robust segmentation techniques are required to reconstruct choroidal volume using SS-OCT images. For automated segmentation, the delineation of the choroidal-scleral (C-S) boundary is key to accurate segmentation. Low contrast of the boundary, scleral canals formed by the vessel and the nerve, and the posterior stromal layer, may cause segmentation errors. Semantic segmentation is one of the applications of deep learning used to classify the parts of images related to the meanings of the subjects. We applied semantic segmentation to choroidal segmentation and measured the volume of the choroid. The measurement results were validated through comparison with those of other segmentation methods. As a result, semantic segmentation was able to segment the C-S boundary and choroidal volume adequately.