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In our previous study, we found that small ubiquitin-related modifier (SUMO)-activating enzyme ubiquitin-associated-2 domain (UBA2) was upregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients who were insensitive to chemoembolization. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of UBA2 in HCC progression. Three cohorts were used to evaluate the efficacy of UBA2 as a prognostic factor for HCC. Our results indicated that UBA2 was associated with aggressive clinical behaviors and was a strong indicator of poor prognosis in HCC. In vitro experiments demonstrated that UBA2 accelerated cell growth, invasion, and migration. These results were further supported by in vivo experiments. RNA-sequencing analysis indicated NQO1 as a target of UBA2, with its levels altering following UBA2 manipulation. The results were verified by western blotting (WB) and quantitative PCR. The SUMOplot Analysis Program predicted lysine residue K240 as a modification target of UBA2, which was confirmed by immunoprecipitation (IP) assays. Subsequent mutation of NQO1 at K240 in HCC cell lines and functional assays revealed the significance of this modification. In addition, the oncogenic effect of UBA2 could be reversed by the SUMO inhibitor ML792 in vivo and in vitro. In conclusion, our study elucidated the regulatory mechanism of UBA2 in HCC and suggested that the SUMO inhibitor ML792 may be an effective combinatory treatment for patients with aberrant UBA2 expression.
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BACKGROUND: The tumour mutation burden (TMB) is a valuable indicator of the accumulation of somatic mutations, and is thought to be associated with the biological behaviour and prognosis of tumours. However, the related genetic mechanism for these association is still unclear. The aim of the present study was to identify the key gene(s) associated with TMB in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and to investigate its biological functions, downstream transcription factors, and mechanism of action. METHODS: Patients in The Cancer Genome Atlas-Liver Hepatocellular Carcinoma (TCGA-LIHC) database were classified according to TMB signature-related genes. Key genes related to the TMB signature and tumour prognosis were identified. Immunohistochemistry and Quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) were then used to assess gene expression in clinical HCC tissues and HCC cells. Cells with altered gene expression were evaluated for the effect on cell proliferation and apoptosis, both in vitro and in vivo. Three independent databases and cell sequencing data were used to identify the mechanisms involved and the downstream transcription factors. The mechanism was also studied by altering the expression of downstream transcription factors in vitro. RESULT: The integrated cluster (IC) 2 group, characterized by 99 TMB signature-related genes, showed a significant different TMB score compared to the IC1 group (p < 0.001), as well as more favourable tumour prognosis (p = 0.031). We identified five key prognostic genes that were differentially expressed between IC2 and IC1 and were associated with overall survival. The expression of one of these key prognostic genes, RCAN2, was negatively correlated with TMB in 18 out of 33 tumour types examined. A high level of RCAN2 was correlated with better overall survival in HCC (p = 0.0009). Overexpression of RCAN2 enhanced apoptosis in vitro and in vivo, whereas knockdown of RCAN2 attenuated apoptosis. The mechanism by which RCAN2 promotes apoptosis may involve upregulation of the expression of ETS homologous factor (EHF) and of death receptor 5 (DR5). CONCLUSIONS: Downregulation of RCAN2 expression was found to correlate with elevated TMB in multiple cancer types. RCAN2 was also found to be a biomarker of HCC prognosis, and to promote the apoptosis of HCC cells through the EHF/DR5 pathway. These findings provide a new perspective on systemic treatment for advanced HCC with a high TMB.
Subject(s)
Apoptosis , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular , Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic , Liver Neoplasms , Muscle Proteins , Receptors, TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand , Transcription Factors , Animals , Female , Humans , Male , Mice , Middle Aged , Apoptosis/genetics , Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics , Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/genetics , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/pathology , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/metabolism , Cell Line, Tumor , Cell Proliferation/genetics , DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics , DNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism , Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/genetics , Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/metabolism , Liver Neoplasms/genetics , Liver Neoplasms/pathology , Liver Neoplasms/metabolism , Mice, Nude , Muscle Proteins/genetics , Muscle Proteins/metabolism , Mutation , Prognosis , Receptors, TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand/genetics , Receptors, TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand/metabolism , Signal Transduction/genetics , Up-Regulation/genetics , Transcription Factors/metabolismABSTRACT
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Babaodan (BBD) is a unique Chinese medication utilized in traditional Chinese medicine. It can eliminate toxins, induce diuresis, and eliminate yellowish hue. In addition to treating acute and chronic viral hepatitis, cholecystitis, cholangitis, and urinary tract infections, BBD has garnered popularity as a substitution treatment for several malignant cancers, particularly hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). AIM OF THE STUDY: To elucidate the efficacy and mechanism of BBD alone and combined with camrelizumab (CLM) for treating HCC. METHODS: We investigated the effects of BBD on the HCC tumor microenvironment in vivo. Furthermore, we evaluated its effects on tumor growth and metastasis induced by M2 macrophages in vitro. RESULTS: In a mouse model of orthotopic HCC, BBD decreased tumor growth. Furthermore, it increased the M1/M2 macrophage ratio and CD8+ T-cell abundance in mice. In addition, BBD reversed HCC cell proliferation and metastasis induced by M2 macrophages, increased the anti-HCC effect of low-dose CLM, and attenuated organ damage induced by high-dose CLM. Lastly, BBD enhanced the efficacy of CLM via the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. CONCLUSION: BBD increases the antitumor effect of CLM by modulating the tumor immune microenvironment and attenuating its the toxic side effects of CLM.
Subject(s)
Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular , Cell Proliferation , Liver Neoplasms , Macrophages , Tumor Microenvironment , Animals , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/drug therapy , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/pathology , Liver Neoplasms/drug therapy , Liver Neoplasms/pathology , Cell Proliferation/drug effects , Macrophages/drug effects , Mice , Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized/pharmacology , Tumor Microenvironment/drug effects , Male , Cell Line, Tumor , Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology , Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use , Humans , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Drug Synergism , Neoplasm MetastasisABSTRACT
Clarifying the spatiotemporal evolution of sustainable water resources utilization (SWU) and its decoupling effects from economic growth (EG) is essential for the effective management of water ecosystems and sustainable development of basins. However, the traditional Ecological Footprint model limits the ability to compare SWU within a basin, and existing studies need to pay more attention to the importance of water renewability in quantifying SWU. Based on the capital flow and capital stock perspectives, this study constructed an evaluation method for SWU and its decoupling effect from EG by combining the three-dimensional Water Ecological Footprint (WEF), sustainable reclassification, and the Tapio model, and explored different types of SWU enhancement strategies. The results indicate that: (1) From 2010 to 2022, the SWU of the Yellow River Basin (YRB) shows a decreasing and then increasing trend and is generally in water ecological deficit, with a lower SWU in the middle and lower reaches. Overall, the per capita WEFsize decreased by 0.73% per year, while the WEFdepth increased by 0.26% per year, the pressure and stress on the SWU of the YRB are still significant. (2) Agricultural freshwater use and domestic greywater discharge dominate the WEF of the basin, and the problem of inversion of the water use structure with the industrial structure is evident. (3) Spatial differentiation within the basin is apparent, and SWU shows a spatial distribution of western strength and eastern weakness, with significant consumption of water capital stock due to insufficient water capital flow as the main reason. (4) Topio decoupling analysis shows that WEF and EG are mainly strongly decoupled, with WEF lagging behind EG; the decoupling relationship between SWU and EG evolves from END-SD-WD, reduces the consumption of water capital stock and increasing water capital flow is a reasonable way to realise its stable strong decoupling. This study is essential for SWU studies of large river basins in arid and semi-arid regions. It provides insights into the sustainable management and rational allocation of water resources in the YRB and other similar basins worldwide.
Subject(s)
Rivers , Water Resources , Ecosystem , Conservation of Natural Resources , Conservation of Water ResourcesABSTRACT
Background: Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) is a highly aggressive cancer with a dismal prognosis and few effective therapeutic approaches. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy, safety, and predictive biomarkers of hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (FOLFOX-HAIC) in combination with lenvatinib and PD-1 inhibitor for patients with advanced iCCA. Methods: Locally advanced or metastatic iCCA patients receiving the triple combination therapy of lenvatinib, PD-1 inhibitor, and FOLFOX-HAIC were included in this retrospective study. Primary endpoint was the progression-free survival, evaluated using the RECIST criterion. The secondary endpoints included overall survival, objective response rate, and safety. Whole exome and RNA sequencing of tumor biopsy tissues were performed for biomarker exploration. Results: Between May, 2019 and December 2022, a total of 46 patients were included in this study. The primary endpoint showed a median progression-free survival of 9.40 months (95% CI: 5.28-13.52), with a 6-month progression-free survival rate of 76.1%. The median overall survival was 16.77 months (95% CI, 14.20-19.33), with an objective response rate of 47.8% and disease control rate of 91.3% per RECIST. In addition, 4.3% and 8.7% of patients achieved complete response of all lesions and intrahepatic target lesions per mRECIST, respectively. The most common treatment-related adverse events were neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, elevated aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase level. Furthermore, integrated analysis of genetic, transcriptomic, and immunohistochemistry data revealed that pre-existing immunity (high expression level of immune-related signatures and intra-tumoral CD8+ T cell density) in baseline tumor tissues was associated with superior clinical benefits. However, the evaluation of tumor mutation burden did not show potential predictive value in this triple combination. Conclusion: FOLFOX-HAIC in combination with lenvatinib and PD-1 inhibitor demonstrated a promising antitumor activity with manageable safety profiles in patients with advanced iCCA. Moreover, our study also revealed new perspectives on potential biomarkers for clinical efficacy.
Subject(s)
Bile Duct Neoplasms , Cholangiocarcinoma , Leukopenia , Phenylurea Compounds , Quinolines , Humans , Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors/adverse effects , Retrospective Studies , Cholangiocarcinoma/drug therapy , Cholangiocarcinoma/genetics , Bile Duct Neoplasms/drug therapy , Bile Duct Neoplasms/genetics , Bile Ducts, IntrahepaticABSTRACT
Background & Aims: The mechanism underlying resistance to immunotherapy involves engagement of immune checkpoint pathways. The transcriptional and epigenetic processes of checkpoint molecules, however, have not been well investigated. We thus studied whether the transcription factor myeloid zinc finger 1 (MZF1) may promote resistance to immunotherapy in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: Single-cell RNA-sequencing was performed to study the correlation between MZF1 and tumour microenvironment features in six patients with HCC. Combined immunohistochemistry and multi-immunofluorescence analyses were performed for verification. Ectopic expression of MZF1 was used in both orthotopic and genetically engineered hydrodynamic mouse HCC models for in vivo experiments. Proteome analysis, including protein degradation assays, ubiquitination assays, and co-immunoprecipitation assays, revealed the function of MZF1 in immune checkpoint pathways. Results: Single-cell RNA-sequencing suggested an immunosuppressive environment and a strong correlation with the immune checkpoint programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) in MZF1-overexpressing tumours. Analyses of 163 HCC samples demonstrated that MZF1 expression in HCC cells is associated with decreased T-cell infiltration. In vivo experiments showed that ectopic MZF1 expression in HCC cells impairs T-cell recruitment, resulting in resistance to immune checkpoint blockade. Mechanistically, MZF1 accelerated PD-L1 ubiquitination by binding to the cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) activation site, while a direct bond between CDK4 and MZF1 led to increased MZF1 expression. Conclusions: MZF1 promotes PD-L1 ubiquitination via CDK4 and possibly MZF1. Inhibition of CDK4 can therefore restore PD-L1 expression and may be a potential strategy for combination with anti-PD-L1 antibodies. Impact and implications: Resistance to immune checkpoint blockade with anti-programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) antibody therapy is attributed to oncogenic alterations of tumour cells, however, effective countermeasures are yet to be established. Here, we report that the transcription factor myeloid zinc finger 1 (MZF1) can bind to the cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) activation site and accelerate PD-L1 ubiquitination. A CDK4 inhibitor therefore enhances anti-PD-L1 antibody efficacy by blocking MZF1 signalling. This indicates a potential benefit of combining CDK4 inhibitors and anti-PD-L1 antibodies for the treatment of advanced HCC.
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Altered DNA methylation is a crucial epigenetic event in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development and progression. Through methylation-transcriptomic analysis, we identified a set of sixty potential DNA methylation-based epidriver genes. In this set of genes, we focused on the hypermethylation of EMX1, which is frequently observed in hepatobiliary tumors. Despite of its frequent occurrence, the function of EMX1 remains largely unknown. By utilizing bisulfite-next-generation sequencing, we have detected EMX1 DNA hypermethylation on the gene body, which is positively correlated with EMX1 mRNA expression. Further analysis revealed that EMX1 mRNA terminal exon splicing in HCC generated two protein isoforms: EMX1 full length (EMX1-FL) and alternative terminal exon splicing isoform (EMX1-X1). Cellular functional assays demonstrated that gain-of-function EMX1-FL, but not EMX1-X1, induced HCC cells migration and invasion while silencing EMX1-FL inhibited HCC cells motility. This result was further validated by in vivo tumor metastasis models. Mechanistically, EMX1-FL bound to EGFR promoter, promoting EGFR transcription and activating EGFR-ERK signaling to trigger tumor metastasis. Therefore, EGFR may be a potential therapeutic target for EMX1-high expression HCC. Our work illuminated the crucial role of gene body hypermethylation-activated EMX1-FL in promoting tumorigenesis and metastasis in HCC. These findings pave the way for targeting the EMX1-EGFR axis in HCC tumorigenicity and metastasis.
Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular , Liver Neoplasms , Humans , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/pathology , DNA Methylation/genetics , Liver Neoplasms/pathology , Cell Line, Tumor , ErbB Receptors/genetics , ErbB Receptors/metabolism , RNA, Messenger/metabolism , Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic , Neoplasm MetastasisABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To investigate the efficacy, safety, and biomarkers of systemic chemotherapy with oxaliplatin, leucovorin, and 5-fluorouracil (FOLFOX) in combination with lenvatinib and toripalimab as the first-line treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with extrahepatic metastasis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this biomolecular exploratory, phase II trial, eligible patients underwent the triple combination therapy of lenvatinib, toripalimab, plus FOLFOX chemotherapy. Primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS) rate at 6 months by RECIST v1.1. Single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) of tumor biopsy samples was performed for exploratory biomarker analyses. RESULTS: Between November 19, 2019, and July 4, 2021, 30 patients were enrolled. The primary endpoint was a 6-month PFS rate of 66.7%, with a median PFS of 9.73 months [95% confidence interval (CI), 2.89-16.58]. The median overall survival (OS) was 14.63 months (95% CI, 11.77-17.50), with an objective response rate of 43.3%. Twenty-four (80.0%) patients exhibited high-risk features, among whom the median OS and PFS were 13.7 months (95% CI, 9.24-18.16) and 8.3 months (95% CI, 3.02-13.58), respectively. The most common adverse events were neutropenia, and increased aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels. Exploratory analyses of snRNA-seq profiles suggested that patients with higher abundance of tumor-infiltrating immune cells were more likely to benefit from this combination. In addition, two subtypes of hepatocytes (AKR1C2+ and CFHR4+ malignant hepatocytes) were associated with reduced clinical benefits. CONCLUSIONS: FOLFOX chemotherapy in combination with lenvatinib and toripalimab showed promising antitumor activity with manageable toxicities in advanced HCC with extrahepatic metastasis. AKR1C2+ and CFHR4+ hepatocyte subtypes may be predictive biomarkers of resistance to the combination therapy.
Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular , Liver Neoplasms , Humans , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/drug therapy , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/genetics , Liver Neoplasms/drug therapy , Liver Neoplasms/genetics , Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/adverse effects , Fluorouracil , Leucovorin , Biomarkers , RNA, Small Nuclear/therapeutic useABSTRACT
Adjuvant chemotherapy based on 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), such as FOLFOX, is suggested as a treatment for gastrointestinal cancer. Yet, intestinal damage continues to be a prevalent side effect for which there are no practical prevention measures. We investigated whether Babao Dan (BBD), a Traditional Chinese Medicine, protects against intestinal damage induced by 5-FU by controlling immune response and gut microbiota. 5-FU was injected intraperitoneally to establish the mice model, then 250 mg/kg BBD was gavaged for five days straight. 5-FU led to marked weight loss, diarrhea, fecal blood, and histopathologic intestinal damage. Administration of BBD reduced these symptoms, inhibited proinflammatory cytokine (IL-6, IL-1ß, IFN-γ, TNF-α) secretion, and upregulated the ratio of CD3(+) T cells and the CD4(+)/CD8(+) ratio. According to 16S rRNA sequencing, BBD dramatically repaired the disruption of the gut microbiota caused in a time-dependent way, and increased the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes (F/B) ratio. Transcriptomic results showed that the mechanism is mainly concentrated on the NF-κB pathway, and we found that BBD reduced the concentration of LPS in the fecal suspension and serum, and inhibited TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway activation. Furthermore, at the genus level on the fifth day, BBD upregulated the abundance of unidentified_Corynebacteriaceae, Aerococcus, Blautia, Jeotgalicoccus, Odoribacter, Roseburia, Rikenella, Intestinimonas, unidentified_Lachnospiraceae, Enterorhabdus, Ruminiclostridium, and downregulated the abundance of Bacteroides, Parabacteroides, Parasutterella, Erysipelatoclostridium, which were highly correlated with intestinal injury or the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway. In conclusion, we established a network involving 5-FU, BBD, the immune response, gut microbiota, and key pathways to explain the pharmacology of oral BBD in preventing 5-FU-induced intestinal injury.
Subject(s)
Microbiota , NF-kappa B , Animals , Mice , Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88 , Toll-Like Receptor 4 , RNA, Ribosomal, 16S , Adaptor Proteins, Signal TransducingABSTRACT
Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy with oxaliplatin, 5-fluorouracil, and leucovorin (FOLFOX-HAIC) has shown a strong anti-tumor effect in hepatocellular carcinoma in China. Different from hepatocellular carcinoma in China, hepatocellular carcinoma in Western countries is caused by hepatitis C and alcoholic liver disease, and is often diagnosed at an early stage, when the tumor is small or the thrombus is not serious. Although there are no reports of FOLFOX-HAIC efficacy for hepatocellular carcinoma in Western countries, FOLFOX-HAIC can be used in patients with large tumors (> 5 cm) (or T3 by TNM stage), and rich blood supply.
Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular , Liver Neoplasms , Humans , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/drug therapy , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/pathology , Liver Neoplasms/drug therapy , Liver Neoplasms/pathology , Treatment Outcome , Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use , Fluorouracil/therapeutic useABSTRACT
The concept of strong sustainability suggests that natural capital is irreplaceable and emphasizes that human natural consumption cannot exceed the carrying capacity of the ecological environment. In the realistic context of tightening resource constraints and ecological degradation, how to explore the optimal economic and well-being output under certain ecological constraints has become an important topic in sustainability research. Ecological well-being performance (EWP) can comprehensively reflect the efficiency of natural resources and ecological inputs into the well-being level and has become an important tool for sustainable development research. Based on strong sustainability, this paper constructs an EWP evaluation index system. It decomposes EWP into two stages: ecological economy and economic well-being, which opens the "black box" of the ecological well-being conversion process. PCA-DEA, the network super-efficiency Epsilon-based measure (Network SEBM) model, and Geodetector are used to dynamically measure the EWP in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area (TGRA) from 2010 to 2020 and analyze its spatial and temporal characteristics and influencing factors. The results show that (1) temporally, the EWP in the TGRA shows an increasing trend from 2010 to 2020, but the overall level is low. Spatially, it shows a high pattern in the east and low in the west, and spatial differences are gradually decreasing; (2) ecological economic efficiency is significantly lower than economic well-being efficiency, and ecological economic efficiency is the main reason limiting the improvement in EWP in the TGRA. The ecological well-being situation of the TGRA is not optimistic; (3) there is an overall problem of excessive ecological input and insufficient per-capita GDP and well-being output in the TGRA, and decisions should be made according to local conditions; (4) the level of economic development has an EWP level that plays a dominant role and also has a greater relationship with the policy system, socioeconomic conditions, and natural environment.
Subject(s)
Conservation of Natural Resources , Ecosystem , Humans , China , Sustainable Development , Economic DevelopmentABSTRACT
Purpose:Sorafenib is recommended for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma refractory to transarterial chemoembolization but with unsatisfactory overall survival and tumor response rate. Previously published studies showed hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy of oxaliplatin, fluorouracil, and leucovorin was an effective and safe treatment. The aims of this study were to compare the clinical efficacy and safety of oxaliplatin, fluorouracil, and leucovorin-based hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy with sorafenib in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma refractory to transarterial chemoembolization. Methods: This was a retrospective subgroup analysis of 2 prospective clinical trials, including 114 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who were confirmed to be transarterial chemoembolization refractoriness. Of these, 55 patients received hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy of fluorouracil, and leucovorin (FOLFOX-HAIC group, oxaliplatin 85 or 130â mg/m2, leucovorin 400â mg/m2, fluorouracil bolus 400â mg/m2, and 2400â mg/m2 for 23 or 46â h, every 3 weeks), and 59 patients were treated with sorafenib (sorafenib group, 400â mg sorafenib twice daily). Overall survival, progression-free survival, objective response rate, and treatment-related adverse events were compared between the 2 groups. Results: The FOLFOX-HAIC group showed a longer overall survival (17.1 months [95% confidence interval 13.4-20.8] vs 9.1 months [95% confidence interval 7.5-10.6]; hazard ratio 0.35 [95% confidence interval 0.23-0.53]; P < .001), a higher objective response rate (RECIST: 18 [32.7%] vs 1 [1.7%], P < .001), and a longer progression-free survival (7.6 months [95% confidence interval 5.6-9.6] vs 3.9 months [95% confidence interval 2.3-5.4]; hazard ratio 0.49 [95% confidence interval 0.33-0.72]; P < .001) than the sorafenib group. The safety results suggested that both oxaliplatin, fluorouracil, and leucovorin-based hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy and sorafenib had acceptable treatment-related toxic effects. No significant difference was observed in the overall occurrence of any grade, grade 3/4, or serious adverse events between the 2 groups. Conclusions: Oxaliplatin, fluorouracil, and leucovorin-based hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy might be a better choice than sorafenib for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma refractory to transarterial chemoembolization.
Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular , Chemoembolization, Therapeutic , Liver Neoplasms , Humans , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/drug therapy , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/pathology , Sorafenib , Leucovorin/adverse effects , Oxaliplatin , Retrospective Studies , Liver Neoplasms/drug therapy , Liver Neoplasms/pathology , Prospective Studies , Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/adverse effects , Fluorouracil/adverse effects , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) with oxaliplatin and 5-fluorouracil was effective in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The program of FOLFOX-HAIC in HCC was performed for 1 day (HAIC 1d) or 2 days (HAIC 2d). We hereby retrospectively compared the efficacy and safety between these two treatment regimens and explored the predictive power of thymidylate synthase (TYMS), an enzyme involved in the DNA synthesis process and metabolism of fluorouracil. METHODS: This study included patients with a primary diagnosis of unresectable HCC. These patients received HAIC for 1 day or 2 days. The overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), tumor response, and adverse events were compared. The propensity score matching (PSM) was used to reduce bias. Peripheral blood samples before the treatments were collected and used to measure the concentration of TYMS through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). ELISA was performed according to the manufacturers' guidelines. RESULTS: We included 368 patients for this study: 248 in the HAIC 1d group and 120 in the HAIC 2d group. There was no significant difference of OS between the two groups (14.5 for HAIC 1d vs 15.3 months for HAIC 2d, p=0.46). Compared with the HAIC 1d group, the HAIC 2d group did not prolong the PFS (7.3 vs 7.5 months, p=0.91) or elevate the tumor response (42.5% vs 39.1%, p=0.53) per RECIST 1.1. In the PSM cohort, the efficacy between the two groups was similar. The total frequencies of grade 3-4 events were higher with the HAIC 2d group than with the HAIC 1d group, especially in the PSM cohort (p=0.043). Additionally, patients with TYMS low level might benefit longer OS from the HAIC 2d group (18.7 vs 13.6 months, p=0.014). CONCLUSIONS: There was not much of a difference in efficacy between the two groups, but the HAIC for 1 day might be safer, which needed further research. The level of TYMS might be the predictive biomarkers.
Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular , Liver Neoplasms , Humans , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/drug therapy , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/pathology , Oxaliplatin/therapeutic use , Liver Neoplasms/drug therapy , Liver Neoplasms/pathology , Retrospective Studies , Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/adverse effects , Treatment Outcome , Infusions, Intra-Arterial , Fluorouracil/adverse effectsABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: The combination of lenvatinib, toripalimab and hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) with oxaliplatin, leucovorin, and 5-fluorouracil (FOLFOX) suggested encouraging antitumour activity in our retrospective study. We hereby prospectively establish the efficacy, safety and predictive biomarkers of the combination therapy as a first-line treatment in patients with high-risk advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This phase II, single-centre, single-arm trial enrolled advanced HCC participants with high-risk. Of 51 screened participants, 36 received lenvatinib, toripalimab plus FOLFOX-HAIC. Participants received 21-day treatment cycles of lenvatinib, toripalimab, and FOLFOX-HAIC. The primary end-point was the progression-free survival (PFS) rate per RECIST at six months. RESULTS: Thirty-six participants (86.1% with high-risk features) were enrolled in our study. The primary end-point was met with a PFS rate of 80.6% (95% CI, 64.0%-91.8%) at six months. The median PFS was 10.4 months (95% CI, 5.8-15.0), and the median OS was not reached at the prespecified final analysis and was 17.9 months (95% CI, 14.5-21.3) after follow-up was extended. The ORR per RECIST was 63.9%, and per mRECIST was 66.7%. The median duration of response was 14.4 months (95% CI, 8.9-19.9). The most common adverse events were thrombocytopenia, elevated aspartate aminotransferase, and hypertension, and no treatment-related death was reported. Participants with low levels of both CCL28 and BTC had unsatisfactory prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: Lenvatinib, toripalimab and FOLFOX-HAIC showed safe and encouraging antitumour activity for advanced HCC with high-risk features. The levels of CCL28 and BTC might be the predictive biomarkers for the triple combination therapy.
Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular , Liver Neoplasms , Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized , Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/adverse effects , Aspartate Aminotransferases , Fluorouracil , Humans , Leucovorin , Oxaliplatin/therapeutic use , Phenylurea Compounds , Quinolines , Retrospective Studies , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Babaodan (BBD) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescribed for various inflammatory diseases, including viral hepatitis and acute genitourinary tract infection. Like other TCMs, BBD is a multi-component formula whose chemical composition and mode of action are largely unknown. The current study identified the bioactive ingredients of BBD using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography combined with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF-MS) followed by mass spectrometry molecular networking analysis. Subsequently, network pharmacology analysis was performed to predict the potential targets and pathways regulated by BBD. Eventually, a panel of compounds was selected and examined for their anti-inflammatory effects using lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Eighty-six compounds, including saponins, bile acids, and fatty acids, were identified. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha was identified as a key molecule. Pathways in cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, and hepatitis were predicted to be the major regulatory pathways. The results from bioassays validated ginsenoside Rb1, ginsenoside Rd, deoxycholic acid, chenodeoxycholic acid, and taurochenodeoxycholic acid as novel bioactive ingredients in BBD with anti-inflammatory effects. In conclusion, our study explains the anti-inflammatory efficacy of BBD from both chemical and biological aspects, which provides a scientific basis for the clinical application of BBD in inflammation-related diseases.
Subject(s)
Drugs, Chinese Herbal , Anti-Inflammatory Agents/pharmacology , Biological Assay , Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/methods , Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry , Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology , Medicine, Chinese Traditional , Network PharmacologyABSTRACT
Purpose: Immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy have synergistic effects in multiple malignancies. We aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of toripalimab plus hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) of oxaliplatin, fluorouracil, and leucovorin versus lenvatinib in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Materials and Methods: We conducted this retrospective study at 3 hospitals in China and eligible patients were 18 years or older and had a primary diagnosis of unresectable HCC with macroscopic vascular invasion and/or extrahepatic spread. These patients were treated with toripalimab plus HAIC or lenvatinib monotherapy. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS) and the secondary endpoints were overall survival (OS), disease control rate per response evaluation criteria in solid tumors (RECIST) 1.1, and objective response rate (ORR) per RECIST 1.1. The results were compared by Student's test or the chi-square test, and the survival curves were calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method, and propensity-score matching (PSM) was used to reduce bias. Results: A total of 118 patients were recruited for this study: 53 in the TorHAIC group and 65 in the lenvatinib group. We found that the TorHAIC group showed a longer PFS (9.3 [95% CI, 7.81-10.8] vs 4.8 months [95% CI, 3.31-6.29]; hazard ratio [HR] = 0.57, 95% CI, 0.38-0.85; p = .006), a longer OS (17.13 [95% CI, 13.99-20.27] vs 10.1 months [95% CI, 8.14-12.06]; HR = 0.5, 95% CI, 0.31 - 0.81; p = .005), a higher disease control rate (86.8% vs 69.2%, p = .002) and a higher ORR (47.2% vs 9.2%, p < .001) by RECIST criteria than the lenvatinib group. Both toripalimab plus HAIC and lenvatinib had acceptable safety profiles. No treatment-related deaths occurred in this study. In the propensity score-matched cohorts (47 pairs), the outcomes in the TorHAIC group were also better than those in the lenvatinib group (p < .05). Conclusion: Toripalimab plus HAIC was tolerable and effective in advanced HCC and the result needs to be confirmed in the phase III trial.
Subject(s)
Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized/therapeutic use , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/therapy , Chemoembolization, Therapeutic/methods , Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Liver Neoplasms/therapy , Phenylurea Compounds/therapeutic use , Protein Kinase Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Quinolines/therapeutic use , Adult , Aged , Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized/administration & dosage , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/diagnosis , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/mortality , Clinical Decision-Making , Combined Modality Therapy , Disease Management , Female , Humans , Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors/administration & dosage , Infusions, Intra-Arterial/instrumentation , Infusions, Intra-Arterial/methods , Kaplan-Meier Estimate , Liver Neoplasms/diagnosis , Liver Neoplasms/mortality , Male , Middle Aged , Phenylurea Compounds/administration & dosage , Prognosis , Quinolines/administration & dosage , Retrospective Studies , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Our previous study showed that hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) using oxaliplatin, fluorouracil, and leucovorin (FOLFOX) plus sorafenib provided a significant survival benefit over sorafenib for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. However, it is unclear whether the survival benefit should be attributed to the synergism between HAIC and sorafenib or just HAIC alone. We aim to compare HAIC using FOLFOX plus sorafenib with HAIC alone in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study including 225 eligible patients treated with HAIC using FOLFOX (HAIC alone group, n=126, oxaliplatin 85 mg/m², leucovorin 400 mg/m², fluorouracil bolus 400 mg/m² and 2400 mg/m² for 46 hours, every 3 weeks) alone or HAIC plus sorafenib (soraHAIC group, n=99, sorafenib 400 mg twice daily). Survival curves were calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method, and propensity-score matching was used to reduce bias. RESULTS: The soraHAIC group showed a longer overall survival (12.9 [95% CI, 10.4-15.4] vs. 10.5 [95% CI, 9.5-11.5] months, HR=0.71 [95% CI, 0.53-0.96]; P=0.025), a better progression free survival (7.0 [95% CI, 5.3-8.8] vs. 5.3 [95% CI, 3.5-7.1] months, HR=0.76 [95% CI, 0.58-0.99]; P=0.046), and a higher disease control rate (RECIST 1.1: 74.8% vs. 61.1%, P=0.030) than the HAIC alone group. In multivariate analysis, soraHAIC was an independent favor factor for survival. In terms of the grade 3/4 adverse event, hand-foot skin reaction was more frequent in the soraHAIC group than the HAIC alone group. In the propensity-score matched cohorts (93 pairs), the overall survival, the progression free survival and disease control rates in the soraHAIC group were also better than those in the HAIC group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: HAIC plus sorafenib may improve overall survival and progression free survival compared with HAIC alone as initial treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) inhibitor is recommended to treat advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the safety of PD-1 inhibitor in patients with high HBV-DNA load is unknown because of the potential risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation. This study was to compare the HBV reactivation between patients with low HBV-DNA loads and high HBV-DNA loads undergoing antiviral prophylaxis and PD-1 inhibitor. METHODS: This was a retrospective study including consecutive hepatitis B surface antigen-positive HCC patients who received PD-1 inhibitor and concurrent antiviral prophylaxis for prevention of clinical hepatitis. Patients were divided into low HBV-DNA group (low group, ≤ 500 IU/ml) and high HBV-DNA group (high group, > 500 IU/ml) according to the baseline HBV-DNA level. The incidences of HBV reactivation, HBV-associated hepatitis, and PD-1 inhibitor disruption were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Two hundred two eligible patients were included: 94 in the low group and 108 in the high group. Seven patients (5 in the low group and 2 in the high group) developed HBV reactivation, and all recovered from HBV reactivation and HBV-associated hepatitis. The incidence of HBV reactivation in the two groups was low (5.3% vs 1.9%, P = 0.34). There was also no difference in the incidence of HBV-associated hepatitis (P = 0.56), or PD-1 inhibitor disruption (P = 0.82). The multivariable analysis showed PD-1 inhibitor with hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy was the only significant risk factor for HBV reactivation (P = 0.04) and hepatitis (P = 0.002). CONCLUSION: With concurrent antiviral prophylaxis, HBV-DNA load higher than 500 IU/ml should not be a contraindication for PD-1 inhibitor.
Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/virology , DNA, Viral/blood , Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors/adverse effects , Liver Neoplasms/virology , Virus Activation/drug effects , Adult , Aged , Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/drug therapy , Female , Hepatitis B/epidemiology , Hepatitis B/prevention & control , Hepatitis B virus/drug effects , Hepatitis B virus/physiology , Humans , Incidence , Liver Neoplasms/drug therapy , Male , Middle Aged , Retrospective Studies , Viral LoadABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Lenvatinib is the first-line treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma, but prognosis is still unsatisfactory. Recently, hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC), and immune checkpoint inhibitors showed promising results for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. Considering different anti-malignancy mechanisms, combining these three treatments may improve outcomes. This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of lenvatinib, toripalimab, plus HAIC versus lenvatinib for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. METHODS: This was a retrospective study including patients treated with lenvatinib [8 mg (⩽60 kg) or 12 mg (>60 kg) once daily] or lenvatinib, toripalimab plus HAIC [LeToHAIC group, lenvatinib 0-1 week prior to initial HAIC, 240 mg toripalimab 0-1 day prior to every HAIC cycle, and HAIC with FOLFOX regimen (oxaliplatin 85 mg/m2, leucovorin 400 mg/m2, 5-fluorouracil bolus 400 mg/m2 on day 1, and 5-fluorouracil infusion 2400 mg/m2 for 46 h, every 3 weeks)]. Progression-free survival, overall survival, objective response rate, and treatment-related adverse events were compared. RESULTS: From February 2019 to August 2019, 157 patients were included in this study: 71 in the LeToHAIC group and 86 in the lenvatinib group. The LeToHAIC group showed longer progression-free survival (11.1 versus 5.1 months, p < 0.001), longer overall survival (not reached versus 11 months, p < 0.001), and a higher objective response rate (RECIST: 59.2% versus 9.3%, p < 0.001; modified RECIST: 67.6% versus 16.3%, p < 0.001) than the lenvatinib group. In addition, 14.1% and 21.1% of patients in the LeToHAIC group achieved complete response of all lesions and complete response of the intrahepatic target lesions per modified RECIST criteria, respectively. Grade 3/4 treatment-related adverse events that were more frequent in the LeToHAIC group than in the lenvatinib group included neutropenia (8.5% versus 1.2%), thrombocytopenia (5.6% versus 0), and nausea (5.6% versus 0). CONCLUSIONS: Lenvatinib, toripalimab, plus HAIC had acceptable toxic effects and might improve survival compared with lenvatinib alone in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.