Risk factors of complications after thermal ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma: the role of assessment of liver background.

Objective: To use an elastography technology and other clinical and radiological data for assessment of liver background and analyze risk factors of complications after thermal ablation in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Methods: Demographics, laboratory analyses, and radiological characteristics were collected from all patients. Main elastography-related indicators included F index (fibrosis index), A index (inflammation index), ATT (attenuation coefficient), E (kPa), AREA (area of blue parts), and CORR (correlation).

The multiple faces of cGAS-STING in antitumor immunity: prospects and challenges.

As a key sensor of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA), cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) detects cytosolic dsDNA and initiates the synthesis of 2'3' cyclic GMP-AMP (cGAMP) that activates the stimulator of interferon genes (STING). This finally promotes the production of type I interferons (IFN-I) that is crucial for bridging innate and adaptive immunity. Recent evidence show that several antitumor therapies, including radiotherapy (RT), chemotherapy, targeted therapies and immunotherapies, activate the cGAS-STING pathway to provoke the antitumor immunity.

Efficacy of microwave ablation in the treatment of large benign thyroid nodules: a multi-center study.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy, safety, and improvement of symptoms by ultrasound-guided microwave ablation (MWA) for patients with large benign thyroid nodules (BTNs).

Methods: Eighty-seven patients with 87 BTNs (≥ 4 cm) treated with MWA between April 2015 and March 2021 were enrolled in this retrospective multicenter study, with clinical and ultrasound examinations performed at the 1st, 3rd, 6th, and 12th months. A multivariable linear mixed effects model was employed to explore the alterations in volume and volume reduction ratio (VRR), as well as the potential factors associated with VRR.

T-Lymphocyte Gene-Regulated CCL5 and Its Association with Extrahepatic Metastasis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Background: Extrahepatic metastasis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) greatly limits the prognostic survival of HCC patients. Levels of preoperative peripheral lymphocyte subsets and cytokines in the serum for predicting extrahepatic spread of hepatocellular carcinoma are still not common in clinical practice. The aim of this study is to investigate the value and mechanisms of peripheral lymphocyte subsets and cytokines in predicting extrahepatic spread of HCC.

Peripheral immune factors aiding clinical parameter for better early recurrence prediction of hepatocellular carcinoma after thermal ablation.

Objectives: Current predictors are largely unsatisfied for early recurrence (ER) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after thermal ablation. We aimed to explore the prognostic value of peripheral immune factors (PIFs) for better ER prediction of HCC after thermal ablation.

Methods: Patients who received peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) tests before thermal ablation were included.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound features predict the prognosis of percutaneous microwave ablation of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

Objective: To evaluate the prognostic effect of pre-operative contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) features on intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) after percutaneous microwave ablation (MWA).

Methods: A total of ICC 29 patients (average age 56.34 ± 9.