Meta-analysis of simultaneous versus staged resection for synchronous colorectal liver metastases.

AIM: There is no clear consensus on the optimal timing of surgical resection for synchronous colorectal liver metastases (SCLM). This study is a meta-analysis of the available evidence. METHODS: Systematic review and meta-analysis of trials comparing outcomes following simultaneous resection with staged resection for SCLM published from 1990 to 2010 in PubMed, Embase, Ovid and Medline. Pooled odds ratios (OR) or weighted mean differences (WMD) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated using either the fixed effects or random effects model. RESULTS: Nineteen non-randomized controlled trials (NRCT) studies were included in this analysis. These studies included a total of 2724 patients: 1116 underwent simultaneous resection and 1608 underwent staged resection. Meta-analysis showed that shorter hospital stay (P < 0.001) and lower total complication rate (P < 0.001) were observed in patients undergoing simultaneous resection group. The overall survival rate in the simultaneous resection group did not statistically differ with that in the staged resection group at 1 year (P = 0.13), 3 years (P = 0.26), 5 years (P = 0.38), as well as the 1, 3 and 5 years disease-free survival rates (respectively, P = 0.55; P = 0.16; P = 0.12). No significant difference was noted between the two groups in terms of mortality (P = 0.16), intraoperative blood loss (P = 0.06) and recurrence (P = 0.47). CONCLUSION: Simultaneous resection is safe and efficient in the treatment of patients with SCLM while avoiding a second laparotomy. In selected patients, simultaneous resection might be considered as the preferred approach. However, the findings have to be carefully interpreted due to the lower level of evidence and the existence of heterogeneity.

Unilateral Orbitopathy Caused by Skull Base Chordoid Meningioma.

Chordoid meningioma (CM) makes up only 1% of all meningiomas. Most cases of this variant are locally aggressive, have high growth potential, and are likely to recur. Although CMs are known to be invasive, they rarely extend into the retro-orbital space. Herein, we report a case of a central skull base CM in a 78-year-old woman whose only manifestation was unilateral proptosis with impaired vision resulting from the tumor extending into the retro-orbital space through the superior orbital fissure. The diagnosis was confirmed by analysis of specimens collected during endoscopic orbital surgery, which simultaneously relieved the protruding eye and restored the patient's visual acuity by decompressing the oppressed orbit. This rare presentation of CM reminds physicians there may be lesions outside the orbit that can cause unilateral orbitopathy and that endoscopic orbital surgery can be used to confirm its diagnosis as well as treat it.

Quantitative assessment of the association between MTHFR C677T polymorphism and colorectal cancer risk in East Asians.

A great number of studies regarding the association between MTHFR C677T polymorphism and risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) in East Asians were published, but the results were inconsistent. Thus, a meta-analysis was performed to investigate the association. PubMed, Embase, and CBM databases were searched for eligible publications. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95 % confidence intervals (95 % CIs) were calculated using random or fixed effect models. Finally, 24 case-control studies with a total of 7,230 CRC cases and 9,285 controls were included. Meta-analyses of a total of 24 studies showed there was a statistically significant association between MTHFR C677T polymorphism and decreased CRC risk in East Asians under four genetic models (T versus C, OR = 0.92, 95 % CI 0.85-0.99; TT versus CC, OR = 0.80, 95 % CI 0.69-0.94; TT versus CT/CC, OR = 0.82, 95 % CI 0.71-0.95; TT/CT versus CC, OR = 0.92, 95 % CI 0.86-0.98). The cumulative meta-analyses for the allele contrast (T versus C), homozygote (TT versus CC), dominant (TT/CT versus CC), and recessive (TT versus CT/CC) models all showed a trend of more obvious association as information accumulated by year. Subgroup analyses by country further identified this association in Korea and Japan. This meta-analysis suggests that MTHFR C677T polymorphism is associated with decreased risk of colorectal cancer in East Asians, and MTHFR 677T variant has a protective effect on colorectal cancer.

Null genotype of glutathione S-transferase Tl contributes to colorectal cancer risk in the Asian population: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Previous studies investigating the association between the glutathione S-transferase Tl (GSTT1) null genotype and colorectal cancer (CRC) risk in the Asian population have reported controversial results. Thus, a meta-analysis was performed to clarify the effect of the GSTT1 null genotype on CRC risk in the Asian population. METHODS: A comprehensive study was conducted, and 12 case-control studies were finally included, involving a total of 4517 CRC cases and 6607 controls. Subgroup analyses were performed by the sample size. RESULTS: A meta-analysis of all 12 studies showed that the GSTT1 null genotype was significantly associated with an increased CRC risk in the Asian population (odds ratio [OR] = 1.10, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.02-1.19, the P-value of the OR [P(OR)] = 0.02, the value of the heterogeneity analysis [I(2)] = 42%). A more obvious association was observed after the heterogeneity was eliminated by excluding one study (OR = 1.15, 95% CI: 1.06-1.25, P(OR) = 0.001, I(2) = 0%). This association was further identified by both subgroup analyses and a sensitivity analysis. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis suggests that the GSTT1 null genotype contributes to an increased colorectal cancer risk in the Asian population.

Hierarchical highly ordered SnO2 nanobowl branched ZnO nanowires for ultrasensitive and selective hydrogen sulfide gas sensing.

Highly sensitive and selective hydrogen sulfide (H2S) sensors based on hierarchical highly ordered SnO2 nanobowl branched ZnO nanowires (NWs) were synthesized via a sequential process combining hard template processing, atomic-layer deposition, and hydrothermal processing. The hierarchical sensing materials were prepared in situ on microelectromechanical systems, which are expected to achieve high-performance gas sensors with superior sensitivity, long-term stability and repeatability, as well as low power consumption. Specifically, the hierarchical nanobowl SnO2@ZnO NW sensor displayed a high sensitivity of 6.24, a fast response and recovery speed (i.e., 14 s and 39 s, respectively), and an excellent selectivity when detecting 1 ppm H2S at 250 °C, whose rate of resistance change (i.e., 5.24) is 2.6 times higher than that of the pristine SnO2 nanobowl sensor. The improved sensing performance could be attributed to the increased specific surface area, the formation of heterojunctions and homojunctions, as well as the additional reaction between ZnO and H2S, which were confirmed by electrochemical characterization and band alignment analysis. Moreover, the well-structured hierarchical sensors maintained stable performance after a month, suggesting excellent stability and repeatability. In summary, such well-designed hierarchical highly ordered nanobowl SnO2@ZnO NW gas sensors demonstrate favorable potential for enhanced sensitive and selective H2S detection with long-term stability and repeatability.

Fabrication of a Micro-Electromechanical System-Based Acetone Gas Sensor Using CeO2 Nanodot-Decorated WO3 Nanowires.

Preparation of reliable, stable, and highly responsive gas-sensing devices for the detection of acetone has been considered to be a key issue for the development of accurate disease diagnosis systems via exhaled breath. In this paper, novel CeO2 nanodot-decorated WO3 nanowires are successfully synthesized through a sequential hydrothermal and thermolysis process. Such CeO2 nanodot-decorated WO3 nanowires exhibited a remarkable enhancement in acetone-sensing performance based on a miniaturized micro-electromechanical system device, which affords high response (S = 1.30-500 ppb, 1.62-2.5 ppm), low detection limit (500 ppb), and superior selectivity toward acetone. The improved performance of the acetone sensor is likely to be originated from the fast carrier transportation of WO3 nanowires, the formation of WO3-CeO2 heterojunctions, and the existence of large amounts of oxygen vacancies in CeO2. The improved reaction thermodynamics and sensing mechanisms have also been revealed by the specific band alignment and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis.

Precise preparation of WO3@SnO2 core shell nanosheets for efficient NH3 gas sensing.

Development of high-performance ammonia (NH3) sensor is imperative for monitoring NH3 in the living environment. In this work, to obtain a high performance NH3 gas sensor, structurally well-defined WO3@SnO2 core shell nanosheets with a controllable thickness of SnO2 shell layer have been employed as sensing materials. The prepared core shell nanosheets were used to obtain a miniaturized gas sensor based on micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS). By tuning the thickness of SnO2 layer via atomic layer deposition, a series of WO3@SnO2 core-shell nanosheets with tunable sensing properties were realized. Particularly, the sensor base on the fabricated WO3@SnO2 nanosheets with 20-nm SnO2 shell layer demonstrated superior gas sensing performance with the highest response (1.55) and selectivity toward 15 ppm NH3 at 200 °C. This remarkable enhancement of NH3 sensing ability could be ascribed to the formation of unique WO3-SnO2 core-shell heterojunction structure. The detailed mechanism was elucidated by the heterojunction-depletion model with the help of specific band alignment.

Systematic Study of the SiOx Film with Different Stoichiometry by Plasma-Enhanced Atomic Layer Deposition and Its Application in SiOx/SiO2 Super-Lattice.

Atomic scale control of the thickness of thin film makes atomic layer deposition highly advantageous in the preparation of high quality super-lattices. However, precisely controlling the film chemical stoichiometry is very challenging. In this study, we deposited SiOx film with different stoichiometry by plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition. After reviewing various deposition parameters like temperature, precursor pulse time, and gas flow, the silicon dioxides of stoichiometric (SiO2) and non-stoichiometric (SiO1.8 and SiO1.6) were successfully fabricated. X-ray photo-electron spectroscopy was first employed to analyze the element content and chemical bonding energy of these films. Then the morphology, structure, composition, and optical characteristics of SiOx film were systematically studied through atomic force microscope, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray reflection, and spectroscopic ellipsometry. The experimental results indicate that both the mass density and refractive index of SiO1.8 and SiO1.6 are less than SiO2 film. The energy band-gap is approved by spectroscopic ellipsometry data and X-ray photo-electron spectroscopy O 1s analysis. The results demonstrate that the energy band-gap decreases as the oxygen concentration decreases in SiOx film. After we obtained the Si-rich silicon oxide film deposition, the SiO1.6/SiO2 super-lattices was fabricated and its photoluminescence (PL) property was characterized by PL spectra. The weak PL intensity gives us greater awareness that more research is needed in order to decrease the x of SiOx film to a larger extent through further optimizing plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition processes, and hence improve the photoluminescence properties of SiOx/SiO2 super-lattices.

Measurements of Microstructural, Chemical, Optical, and Electrical Properties of Silicon-Oxygen-Nitrogen Films Prepared by Plasma-Enhanced Atomic Layer Deposition.

In this study, silicon nitride (SiNx) thin films with different oxygen concentration (i.e., SiON film) were precisely deposited by plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition on Si (100) substrates. Thus, the effect of oxygen concentration on film properties is able to be comparatively studied and various valuable results are obtained. In detail, x-ray reflectivity, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and spectroscopic ellipsometry are used to systematically characterize the microstructural, optical, and electrical properties of SiON film. The experimental results indicate that the surface roughness increases from 0.13 to 0.2 nm as the oxygen concentration decreases. The refractive index of the SiON film reveals an increase from 1.55 to 1.86 with decreasing oxygen concentration. Accordingly, the band-gap energy of these films determined by oxygen 1s-peak analysis decreases from 6.2 to 4.8 eV. Moreover, the I-V tests demonstrate that the film exhibits lower leakage current and better insulation for higher oxygen concentration in film. These results indicate that oxygen affects microstructural, optical, and electrical properties of the prepared SiNx film.

[Percutaneous laser ablation in the treatment of portal vein tumor thrombus in 93 hepatocellular carcinoma patients].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of percutaneous laser ablation (LA) in the treatment for portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: The PVTT of HCC patients were treated through percutaneous transhepatic laser ablation (PTLA). The survival rate, thrombus size, blood flow of embolized portal vein by thrombus, liver function, ascites and clinical presentation were observed. RESULTS: The 6-month, 1-year and 2-year survival rate of these 93 patients were 82.8%, 53.0% and 34.1%, respectively. In 11 patients with partially occluded portal vein by PVTT, the cut-surface of the PVTT diminished significantly 6 months after LA. The color blood stream signal was seen again one day after LA in all of the other 82 patients with totally occluded portal vein by thrombus, and it could still be seen in 67 of those one month later, 57 (of 71) 3 months later, 40 (of 57) 6 months later, 27 (of 32) 1 year and 4 (of 6) 2 years later after LA. In the 38 patients who survived over 1 year, PVTT was gradually atrophied and disappeared eventually in 14, PVTT was atrophied and the portal vein changed into honeycomb-like appearance in 14. In the remaining 10 patients, PVTT continued to grow and made the portal vein enlarged. It was also observed that liver function, clinical symptom and ascites were improved in various degree after LA. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous laser ablation might be an effective and safe treatment method for controlling portal vein tumor thrombus of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Primary hepatic malignant fibrous histiocytoma mimicking cystadenocarcinoma: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Malignant fibrous histiocytoma is the most common sarcoma of soft tissue, which occurs usually in the extremities, but less common in the retroperitoneal space, abdominal cavity or other sites. Primary malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the liver is extremely rare; only 28 cases have been reported to date in the English literature. METHODS: In this report, a case of primary malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the liver was described in terms of clinical presentations, diagnosis and treatment and outcome. RESULTS: A 50-year-old man had a large multicystic-mass lesion in the left lobe of the liver, which was inoperable by laparotomy. Pathological examination of biopsy specimen after operation confirmed a malignant fibrous histiocytoma of storiform-pleomorphic type. The tumor developed rapidly, and the patient died of hepatic failure 2 months after the surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Primary malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the liver is diagnosed in late stage because of its rarity and non-specific presentations. Surgical resection, if feasible, is the first step treatment. The prognosis of primary malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the liver is grim with a median survival of 3 months as reported. Surgeons should be alert to the existence of this type of soft tissue tumor in the liver.

[Anti-viral therapy using lamivudine and thymosin is helpful to prevent recurrence in hepatocellular carcinoma with coexisting active hepatitis B].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of postoperative anti-viral therapy using lamivudine and thymosin alpha1 on recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) coexisting with active hepatitis B. METHODS: From Jan. 2000 to Dec. 2002, 33 HCC patients with coexisting with active hepatitis B were randomized into two groups: Group I (n = 17) received hepatectomy only, and Group II (n = 16) received hepatectomy and postoperative therapy using lamivudine plus thymosin alpha1. The suppression of HBV-DNA, HBeAg seroconversion rate, tumor recurrence rate and median survival in the two groups were observed and compared. RESULTS: In Group II and Group I, the 1-year HBV-DNA suppression rate was 100.0% vs 6.0% (P < 0.01), HBeAg seroconversion rate was 62.5% vs 5.9% (P < 0.05), tumor recurrence rate was 81.3% vs 95.5% (P > 0.05), the recurrence time was 7.0 vs 5.0 months (P < 0.01) and median survival 10.0 vs 7.0 months (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Anti-viral therapy using lamivudine and thymosin alpha1 postoperatively may suppress the HBV reaction, delay the recurrence and prolong the survival for patients with HCC with coexisting active hepatitis B.

[Hepatocellular carcinoma with tumor thrombi in the portal vein. A comparison of therapeutic effects by different treatments].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of different treatments for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with tumor thrombus in the portal vein (PVTT). METHODS: From Jan. 2000 to Jan. 2003, a total of 84 HCC patients with PVTT were divided into five groups based on methed of treatment: Group A (n = 9), HCC resection + PVTT removal + postoperative TACE + thymosin alpha(1); Group B (n = 20), HCC resection + PVTT removal + postoperative TACE; Group C (n = 7), HCC resection + PVTT removal; Group D (n = 38), TACE only; Group E (n = 10), conservative treatment only. RESULTS: The rate of PVTT shrinkage or disappearance of groups A, B, C, D and E was 66.7%, 70.0%, 57.1%, 7.9% and 0, respectively with respective median survival time of 10.0, 7.0, 8.0, 5.0 and 2.0 months. The one year survival rate was 44.4%, 15.0%, 14.3%, 10.5% and 0. CONCLUSION: Resection of HCC and removal of tumor thrombus in the portal vein may have the tumor thrombus cleared in most of the patients and postoperative TACE and thymisin alpha(1) treatment may improve their survival.

Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α induces a tendency of differentiation and activation of rat hepatic stellate cells.

AIM: To investigate the effect of hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α (HNF4α) on the differentiation and transformation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). METHODS: By constructing the recombinant adenovirus vector expressing HNF4α and HNF4α shRNA vector, and manipulating HNF4α expression in HSC-T6 cells, we explored the influence of HNF4α and its induction capacity in the differentiation of rat HSCs into hepatocytes. RESULTS: With increased expression of HNF4α mediated by AdHNF4α, the relative expression of Nanog was downregulated in HSC-T6 cells (98.33 ± 12.33 vs 41.33 ± 5.67, P < 0.001). Consequently, the expression of G-P-6 and PEPCK was upregulated (G-P-6: 14.34 ± 3.33 vs 42.53 ± 5.87, P < 0.01; PEPCK: 10.10 ± 4.67 vs 56.56 ± 5.25, P < 0.001), the expression of AFP and ALB was positive, and the expression of Nanog, Type I collagen, α-SMA, and TIMP-1 was significantly decreased. HNF4α also downregulated vimentin expression and enhanced E-cadherin expression. The ultrastructure of HNF4α-induced cells had more mitochondria and ribosomes compared with the parental cells. After silencing HNF4α expression, EPCK, E-cadherin, AFP, and ALB were downregulated and α-SMA and vimentin were upregulated. CONCLUSION: HNF4α can induce a tendency of differentiation of HSCs into hepatocyte-like cells. These findings may provide an effective way for the treatment of liver diseases.

Transfection of IL-2 and/or IL-12 genes into spleen in treatment of rat liver cancer.

AIM: To test the efficacy of gene therapy in rat liver tumor. METHODS: A retroviral vector GCIL12EIL2PN encoding human IL-2 (hIL-2) and mouse IL-12 (mIL-12) fused gene and its packaging cell were constructed. The packaging cell lines contained of IL-2 and/or IL-12 genes were injected intrasplenically to transfect splenocyte at different time. The therapeutic effect, immune function and toxic effect were evaluated. RESULTS: The average survival times of the 4 groups using IL genes at days 1, 3, 5 and 7 after tumor implantation were 53.3+/-3.7, 49.3+/-4.2, 31.0+/-2.1 and 24.3+/-1.4 d respectively in IL-2/IL-12 fused gene group, 25.0+/-2.5, 23.5+/-2.0, 18.3+/-2.4 and 12.0+/-1.8 d respectively in IL-2 gene treatment group, and 39.0+/-4.8, 32.0+/-3.9, 23.0+/-2.5 and 19.4+/-2.1 d respectively in IL-12 gene treatment group (P<0.01, n=10). In the IL-12/IL-2 fused gene treatment group, 30% of rats treated at days 1 and 3 survived more than 60 d and serum mIL-12 and hIL-2 levels were still high at day 3 after treatment. Compared with IL alone, NK cell activity was strongly stimulated by IL-2/IL-12 gene. Microscopy showed that livers were infiltrated by a number of lymphocytes. CONCLUSION: IL-2 and/or IL-12 genes injected directly into spleen increase serum IL-2 and IL-12 levels and enhance the NK cell activity, which may inhibit the liver tumor growth. The therapy of fused gene IL-2/IL-12 is of low toxicity and relatively high NK cell activity. Our data suggest that IL-2/IL-12 fused gene may be a safe and efficient gene therapy for liver tumor. The gene therapy should be administrated as early as possible.

Relationship between the imaging features and pathologic alteration in hepatoma of rats.

AIM: The imaging features of MRI and DSA, using the models of implanted and induced hepatoma, were investigated in rats. METHODS: CBRH3 cancer cells were implanted for different liver site of rat liver and the diethylnitrosoamine was given orally to rats in order to induce liver cancer. Both experimental groups were detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and morphologic assay. RESULTS: Hypointensity on T1WI and homogenous high signal intensity on T2WI in MRI, and ring-like abnormal stain on DSA were found in implanted cancer. Induced cancers appeared as homogeneous or heterogeneous hypointensity on T1WI (10 cases), and equal or slight high intensity on T2WI (8 cases), but some as hypointensity on T2WI (2 cases). CONCLUSION: The imaging features of implanted cancers were similar to that of human liver metastases. Therefore, it could serve as an experimental model of human liver metastatic tumor. The imaging feature of induced cancers, whereas, were similar to that of human primary liver cancer. It could be use as an experimental model of human primary liver cancer.

[Transcatheter hepatic arterial chemoembolization and thymosin alpha1 in postoperative treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of postoperative transcatheter hepatic arterial chemoembolization (TACE) and thymosin alpha(1) (T(alpha1)) treatment on recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: From Jan 2000 to Dec 2002, 57 patients with HCC were randomly divided into three groups: group A (n = 18) received hepatectomy plus postoperative TACE and T(alpha1), group B (n = 23) received hepatectomy plus postoperative TACE and group C (n = 16) received hepatectomy only. The recurrence rate, the time to tumor recurrence and the median survival for the three groups were investigated. RESULTS: For group A, B and C, the 1 year recurrence rate was 83.3%, 87.0% and 87.5% (P = 0.926), respectively. The time to tumor recurrence was 7.0, 5.0 and 4.0 months (P = 0.039), respectively. The median survival was 10.0, 7.0 and 8.0 months (P = 0.002), respectively. CONCLUSION: Postoperative TACE plus Talpha(1) treatment for HCC patients does not decrease the recurrence rate but may delay its occurrence and prolong surviving time.

[Significance of typing of tumor thrombi in determination of treatment and assessment of prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma with tumor thrombi in the portal vein].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the benefit of typing of tumor thrombi in determining treatment plan and assessing prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with tumor thrombi in the portal vein. METHODS: The clinical data of 84 patients of HCC with portal vein tumor thrombi admitted from Jan. 2000 to Jan. 2003 were analyzed retrospectively. The patients, 75 males and 9 females, aged 47 (28 - 70), were divided into 4 groups, groups I - IV, according to imaging examination of the tumor thrombi. The median survival periods and effectiveness of treatment, including surgical resection and non-surgical treatment, were observed. RESULTS: The surgical resection rates were 64.7%, 83.8%, 31.4%, and 0 in the groups I - IV respectively (P = 0.912). The general median survival period of the patients undergoing surgery was 8.0 months, significantly longer than that of the patients receiving non-surgical treatment (4.0 months, P = 0.000 6). In different group of tumor thrombi type, the general median survival period of the patients undergoing surgery was significantly longer than that of the patients receiving non-surgical treatment. The median survival periods were 10.1, 7.2, 5.7 and 3.0 months for groups I (n = 17), II (n = 26), III (n = 35) and groups IV (n = 6) respectively, with significant difference between any 2 groups (all P = 0.000 1). CONCLUSION: Typing of tumor thrombi helps determine the treatment plan and assess the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma patients with tumor thrombi in the portal vein.

[Treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma by transfecting interleukin-12 and interleukin-2 fusion gene intrasplenically, an experimental study].

OBJECTIVE: To study the inhibitory effect of retroviral packaging cells injected intrasplenically encoding mouse interleukin-12 (mIL-12) and human interleukin-2 (hIL-2) fusion gene on the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma. METHODS: The retroviral vectors encoding mIL-12 gene, hIL-2 gene, and mIL-12 and hIL-2 genes, GCIL12EXPN, GCXEIL2PN, and GCIL12EIL2PN were constructed and then transfected into the retroviral packaging cells PA317 to construct cells PA317-GCIL12EXPN, PA317-GCXEIL2PN, and PA317-GCIL12EIL2PN. Rat hepatocellular carcinoma cells CBRH3 were implanted into the livers of Wistar rats to establish hepatoma animal model. Then the rats were divided into 5 groups to be injected intrasplenically with normal saline one day after the implantation (0.8 ml/rat, group I, n = 10), blank vector PA317-GCXEXPN one day after the implantation (10(7) cells/rat, group II, n = 10), PA317-GCIL12EXPN containing IL-2 gene (1 x 10(7) cells/rat 1, 3, 5, or 7 days after the implantation, group III, n = 40), PA317-GCXEIL2PN containing mIL-12 gene (1 x 10(7) cells/rat 1, 3, 5, or 7 days after the implantation, group IV, n = 40), and PA317-GCIL12EIL2PN containing IL-12-IL-2 fusion gene (1 x 10(7) cells/rat 1, 3, 5, or 7 days after the implantation, group V, n = 40) respectively. The rats surviving longer than 2 months were re-injected with hepatocellular carcinoma cells. The therapeutic effect, immune function and toxic effect were evaluated. CT was conducted on the liver before and after the experiment. Laparotomy was performed 3 and 7 days after treatment to resect some of the carcinoma tissues to undergo pathological examination and OX8 immunohistostaining. Serum mIL-12 and hIL-2 were detected one day before and 3, 7, 30, and 60 days after treatment. RESULTS: The average survival times of the rats treated with IL-12-IL-2 fusion gene at the first, third, fifth and seventh day after tumor implantation were 53.3 +/- 3.7 days, 49.3 +/- 4.2 days, 31.0 +/- 2.1 days, and 24.3 +/- 1.4 days respectively, longer than those treated with IL-2 gene (25.0 +/- 2.5 days, 23.5 +/- 2.0 days, 18.3 +/- 2.4 days, and 12.0 +/- 1.8 days respectively, P < 0.001), and those treated with IL-12 gene (39.0 +/- 4.8 days, 32.0 +/- 3.9 days, 23.0 +/- 2.5 days, and 19.4 +/- 2.1 days respectively, P < 0.001). Long survival (>or= 60 days) rate in the rats treated with IL-12-IL-2 fusion gene on the first and third day was 30%. The serum mIL-12 and hIL-2 levels in these rats remained high on the 60th day after treatment. The pathological study showed that the number of infiltrating lymphocytes in liver tumor tissues was increased in the IL-12-IL-2 fusion gene treatment group. CONCLUSION: The retroviral packaging cell line injected intrasplenically encoding mIL-12 and hIL-2 fusion gene inhibits the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma significantly in rats. The therapeutical efficacy of early administration is superior to that of late one.

[Treatment of portal vein tumor thrombus of hepatocellular carcinoma with percutaneous laser ablation].

OBJECTIVE: To introduce a newly developed procedure in the control of portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and evaluate the efficacy and indicate of this method. METHODS: The PVTT of HCC patients were treated by percutaneous transhepatic laser ablation (LA). The blood flow of PVTT embolized portal vein, live function, ascites and clinical presentation was observed. RESULTS: Twenty-four HCC patients, with a total of 30 PVTT portal vein and its main branch were treated with LA. There were no any blood flow signal in Doppler color Ultrasonography in these PVTT embolized portal vein before treatment. After treatment, blood flow was reappearance in all cases within one week. The continued patency blood flow was observed in 16 portal vein and continued but not patency blood flow in other 12 portal vein within 30 days. The continued patency blood flow was observed in 18 portal vein within 90 days. The improvement of liver function and clinical symptom. The reduction of ascites was observed in varying degrees. CONCLUSION: LA treatment might be a effective and safe procedure in the control of portal vein tumor thrombus of HCC.