ObjectiveTo explore the relation between preoperative serum gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase to platelet ratio (GPR) and overall survival (OS) of patients with hepatitis B virus-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (Abbreviated as “patients with HCC”), and to establish a nomogram for predicting OS. MethodsAccording to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, the clinicopathologic data of patients with HCC who underwent radical resection in the Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery of Xianyang Central Hospital, from January 15, 2012 to December 15, 2018, were retrospectively analyzed. The optimal critical value of GPR was determined by receiver operating characteristic curve, then the patients were divided into a low GPR group (GPR was optimal critical value or less ) and high GPR group (GPR was more optimal critical value). The Kaplan-Meier method was used to draw the survival curve and analyze the OS of patients. The univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model were used to analyze the factors influencing prognosis in the patients with HCC. According to the risk factors of OS for patients with HCC, a nomogram was established. The consistency index and calibration curve in predicting the 3-year and 5-year accumulative OS rates of patients with HCC were evaluated. ResultsA total of 213 patients were gathered. The optimal critical value of GPR was 0.906. There were 114 patients in the low GPR group and 99 patients in the high GPR group. The Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis showed that the 1-, 3- and 5-year accumulative OS rates were 99.1%, 81.8%, 60.6% in the low GPR group, respectively, which were 74.2%, 49.1%, 35.7% in the low GPR group, respectively. The OS curve of the low GPR group was better than that of the high GPR group (χ2=25.893, P<0.001). The multivariate analysis results showed that the microvascular invasion, incomplete capsule, intraoperative bleeding ＞1 000 mL, postoperative complications, GPR >0.906, low tumor differentiation, and late TNM stage did not contribute to accumulative OS in the patients with HCC (P<0.05). The consistency index (95%CI) of the nomogram in predicting accumulative OS rates at 3- and 5-year for patients with HCC were 0.761 (0.739, 0.783) and 0.735 (0.702, 0.838), respectively. The calibration curves of 3- and 5-year accumulative OS rates of the nomogram were in good agreement with the actual results. ConclusionsPreoperative GPR is associated with OS, and patients with higher GPR have worse prognosis. The nomogram based on GPR has a good accuracy and differentiation.
“Chinese Guideline for Diagnosis and Treatment of Primary Liver Cancer （version-2022）” （China Liver Cancer Staging, Abbreviation “CNLC 2022”） was updated recently and the “Barcelona Clinical Liver Cancer Strategy for Prognosis Prediction and Treatment Recommendation: The 2022 update” （Abbreviation “BCLC 2022”） was also updated in December 2021. The similarities and differences of the two guidelines were interpreted. For the BCLC stage B and C, which are equivalent to CNLC stage Ⅱa and Ⅱb and CNLC stage Ⅲa, respectively, the recommendation of surgical treatment and radiation therapy are disparate in the CNLC 2022 and BCLC 2022. For the systematic treatment of advanced liver cancer, Atezolizumab-Bevacizumab, Renvatinib and Sorafenib were both recommended as the first-line medication in the two guidelines. However, the CNLC 2022 is more flexible than BCLC 2022, which provides more treatment options for Chinese liver cancer patients. It is worth paying attention to two important new concepts proposed in the BCLC 2022: stage migration during treatment and untreatable progression. The BCLC stage B was divided into three subgroups according to tumor burden and liver function and different clinical pathways were recommended in the BCLC 2022.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of pipecolic acid oxidase (PIPOX) on the proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion of primary liver cancer cells. MethodsImmunohistochemical staining and analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database were used to examine the PIPOX expression levels in liver cancer tissues and paired adjacent normal tissues, and studied their relationship with patient prognosis. Liver cancer cell lines stably overexpressing or knocking out PIPOX were constructed to explore PIPOX’s impact on liver cancer cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion by conducting in vitro functional experiments such as CCK-8, EdU, apoptosis detection, and Transwell assays. In vivo, nude mice subcutaneous tumor models and lung metastasis models were used to verify PIPOX’s effect on liver cancer growth and metastasis. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and western blot were both employed to detect the expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers in liver cancer cells. ResultsImmunohistochemical staining and TCGA database analysis revealed that PIPOX expression was significantly lower in liver cancer tissues compared to paired adjacent normal tissues (P<0.05). Prognostic analysis indicated shorter overall survival and disease-free survival in PIPOX low expression group (P<0.05). In vitro gain- and loss-of-function experiments showed that PIPOX significantly inhibited liver cancer cell migration and invasion (P<0.05), while having no significant effects on their proliferation and apoptosis (P>0.05). Animal experiments also confirmed that PIPOX significantly inhibited liver cancer lung metastasis (P<0.05), but had no significant effects on tumor growth (P>0.05). Finally, RT-qPCR and western blot results revealed that PIPOX promoted the expression of the epithelial marker E-cadherin (P<0.05) and inhibited the expression of mesenchymal markers (N-cadherin, vimentin, Snail) (P<0.05). ConclusionsPIPOX significantly inhibits liver cancer cell migration and invasion, potentially via suppressing the EMT process. However, PIPOX does not significantly affect liver cancer cell proliferation and apoptosis.
ObjectiveTo explore the clinical value and experience of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) of “LEER” model with “less pain” “early move” “early eat” and “reassuring” as its ultimate goal in perioperative period of laparoscopic anatomical hepatectomy of patients with primary liver cancer.MethodsThe basic clinical data of 98 patients treated in our department from May 2017 to March 2020 who were diagnosed as primary liver cancer and underwent laparoscopic anatomical hepatectomy were retrospectively analyzed. The incidence of postoperative complications, postoperative recovery and patients’ satisfaction were compared between 40 patients managed with traditional model (traditional group) and 58 patients managed with measures of ERAS of “LEER” model (“LEER”-ERAS group).ResultsCompared with the traditional group, the “LEER”-ERAS group had lower postoperative pain scores (t=2.925, P=0.004), earlier postoperative anal exhaustion, bowel movement and normal diet (t=3.071, t=3.770, t=3.232, all P<0.005) , shorter time to postoperative off-bed activity (t=5.025, P<0.001) and earlier postoperative removal time of drainage tube (t=3.232, P=0.001). Postoperative hospital stay was shorter (t=4.831, P<0.001), the cost of hospitalization was lower (t=3.062, P=0.003), and the patient’s satisfaction with medical treatment was higher (χ2=9.267, P=0.002). There were no statistical difference in the operative time, intraoperative blood loss, rate of conversion to laparotomy, blocking time of porta hepatis, postoperative complications and postoperative adverse events between the two groups (P>0.05).ConclusionsCompared with the traditional model, the measures of ERAS of “LEER” model that applied to laparoscopic anatomical hepatectomy of patients with primary liver cancer, is safe and effective, and can relieve postoperative pain, accelerate postoperative rehabilitation, improve satisfaction of patients, shorten hospital stay, and reduce medical costs. It has further promotion and research value.
Objective To investigate the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in detection and diagnosis of small primary liver cancer. Methods SonoVue-enhanced ultrasonography were performed on 353 patients with 378 primary liver cancer, less than 3 cm in diameter. Enhancement patterns and enhancement phases of hepatic lesions on contrast-enhanced ultrasonography were analyzed and compared with the results of histopathology. Results In all hepatic tumors, 96.6% （365/378） lesions enhanced in the arterial phase. Among them, 317 (83.9%) tumors enhanced earlier than liver parenchyma and 48 (12.7%) tumors enhanced synchronously with liver parenchyma, and 342 (90.5%) tumors showed early wash-out in the portal and late phases. With regard to the enhancement pattern, 329 (87.0%) tumors presented whole-lesion enhancement, 35 (9.3%) to be mosaic enhancement and 14 (3.7%) to be rim-like enhancement. If taking the whole-lesion enhancement and mosaic enhancement in arterial phase as diagnotic standard for primary liver cancer on contrast-enhanced ultrasonography, the sensitivity was 92.9%(351/378), and if the earlier or synchronous enhancement of the tumor compared with liver parenchyma in arterial phase and the wash-out in portal phase were regarded as the stardand, the sensitivity was 87.3%(330/378). Conclusion Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography could display real-time enhancement patterns as well as the wash-out processes both in hepatic tumors and the liver parenchyma. It might be of clinical value in diagnosis of primary liver cancer based on the hemodynamics of hepatic tumors on contrast-enhanced ultrasonography.
Objective To explore application value of multi-disciplinary team (MDT) model in patient underwent associating liver partition and portal vein occlusion for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS). Methods A huge mass of liver right lobe about 90.9 mm×75.5 mm×77.5 mm was found by the preoperative abdominal CT examination, which was considered as the primary liver cancer. The ALPPS was decided to perform through the discussion by the Departments of Radiology, Anesthesiology, Infectious disease, Oncology, and Hepatobiliary surgery. The first step operation included the exploratory laparotomy, associating ligation of the right branch of portal vein and disconnection of left and right hemi liver, radiofrequency ablation, and cholecystectomy. The second step operation was performed at 45 d after the first step operation, which included the release of the abdominal adhesion and the resection of the right lobe of liver. Results During the period of the two steps surgeries, though the patient had the liver failure, hepatic encephalopathy, and poor proliferation of the left lobe of liver, and so on, the ALPPS was finished smoothly and the R0 resection was achieved through the collboration of MDT. After the surgery, the related complications were treated by the MDT, the patient got great recovery and no recurrence or metastasis occurred during the following-up. Conclusion It is feasible to use ALPPS in treatment of primary giant liver cancer under MDT model, it will be more conducive to clinical brainstorming for the best treatment and better income of patient.
In 2022, there were 367.7 thousands new cases and 316.5 thousands deaths of primary liver cancer in China. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is one of the radical treatments for liver cancer. It has the characteristics of definite curative effect, minimal invasion and low cost. In patients with early liver cancer, the curative effect is similar to surgical resection. The concept and practice of precision surgery provide new ideas for improving the efficacy of RFA. Based on the RFA treatment experience of more than ten thousand cases, the author’s team has carried out research on the precise ablation treatment of primary liver cancer. Now, the author will combine the existing literature and our team’s experience to discuss the application and prospect of the precise surgery concept in RFA treatment.
ObjectiveTo evaluate systematically the effectiveness and safety of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) in combination with lenvatinib (LEN) in the treatment of intermediate and advanced primary liver cancer (PLC). MethodsThe relevant literature was comprehensively searched in the CNKI, VIP, Ovid, Schopus, PubMed, and other databases from the establishment of the databases to March 14, 2023. The literature was obtained according to the search strategy and the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and the data were extracted and the literature quality was evaluated. The Revman 5.4 software and Stata 15.1 software were used to conduct the meta-analysis to evaluate the effect of TACE+LEN regimen on the objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), overall survival (OS), as well as secondary outcome indicators such as aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alpha fetoprotein (AFP), and hypertension, diarrhea, hand-foot disease, fatigue, proteinuria, and fever for the patients with PLC. ResultsA total of 15 relevant literature was included, including 1 219 patients with PLC, 591 of whom treated with TACE+LEN and 628 treated with TACE alone. The meta-analysis results showed that the TACE+LEN regimen could increase ORR and DCR and prolong OS (P<0.01), as well as effectively decrease AFP level (P<0.01). However, TACE+LEN regimen increased the risks of hypertension, diarrhea, hand-foot disease, fatigue, and proteinuria as compared with TACE alone treatment (P<0.05). However, there were no statistical impacts on AST and ALT, or the risk of fever (P>0.05). ConclusionFrom the results of this meta-analysis, TACE+LEN regimen has a certain efficacy in treatment of intermediate and advanced PLC, but prevention of its related complications is paid attention to.
Objective To understand the role and mechanism of tumor associated macrophages (TAM) on the occurrence and development of primary liver cancer, and its application in the treatment. MethodThe related literatures about the researches of relation between TAM and primary liver cancer at home and abroad in recent years were collected, sorted out, and made a review. Results Under different stimulating factors, TAM could be polarized to anti-tumor type 1 TAMs or tumor-promoting type 2 TAMs, and type 2 TAMs was the main part in the tumor microenvironment. Through some mechanisms such as vascularity-promoting, invasion-promoting, and immunosuppression to promote the occurrence and development of tumors, and potential treatment plans for primary liver cancer could be found by targeting TAM from different perspectives. Conclusion TAM has a wide range of effects on primary liver cancer, and their mechanisms are complex, understanding the relation between them and make an effective control of TAM could provide new therapeutic ideas and plans for clinical treatment of primary liver cancer.
ObjectiveTo systematically review the effects of Liujunzi decoction on improving the quality of life (QOL) of patients with advanced primary liver cancer. MethodsDatabases including MEDLINE, EMbase, SCI, The Cochrane Library (Issue 2, 2014), CBM, CNKI, VIP and WanFang Data were searched electronically from inception to July 2014 to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about Liujunzi Decoction for advanced primary liver cancer. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of included studies. Then, meta-analysis was performed by using RevMan 5.3 software. ResultsA total of 7 RCTs involving 458 patients were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that the Liujunzi decoction group had significantly higher stability of QOL (RR=0.76, 95%CI 0.64 to 0.91, P=0.002), Karnofsky Performance Score (KPS) (MD=4.47, 95%CI 2.74 to 6.21, P<0.00001) and effective rate of TCM syndrome (RR=0.73, 95%CI 0.62 to 0.86, P=0.0001) than those of the control group. ConclusionCurrent evidence shows that Liujunzi decoction could improve the QOL and KPS, and relieve TCM syndromes of patients with advanced primary liver cancer, especially for those with spleen deficiency-syndrome. Due to the limited quantity and quality of the included studies, the above conclusion still needs to be verified by carrying out more high-quality RCTs.