Isolation and characterization of cancer-associated fibroblasts in the tumor microenvironment of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background/aim: Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play an immunosuppressive role in the tumor microenvironment (TME) of human cancers; however, their characteristics and role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain to be elucidated.

Methods: Nine tumor and surrounding liver tissue samples from patients with HCC who underwent surgery were used to isolate patient-derived CAFs. Cell morphology was observed using an optical microscope after culture, and cell phenotypes were evaluated using flow cytometry and immunoblotting.

Comparative Analysis of Lenvatinib and Hepatic Arterial Infusion Chemotherapy in Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Multi-Center, Propensity Score Study.

The comparative efficacy and safety between lenvatinib and hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still unclear. This multicenter historical cohort study enrolled 244 patients who were treated with HAIC ( = 173) or lenvatinib ( = 71) between 2012 and 2020. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed, and 52 patients were selected per group.

Distinct Patterns of HBV Integration and Alterations between in Tumor and Non-Tumor Tissue in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Although hepatitis B virus (HBV) integration into the cellular genome is well known in HCC (hepatocellular carcinoma) patients, its biological role still remains uncertain. This study investigated the patterns of HBV integration and correlated them with (telomerase reverse transcriptase) alterations in paired tumor and non-tumor tissues. Compared to those in non-tumors, tumoral integrations occurred less frequently but with higher read counts and were more preferentially observed in genic regions with significant enrichment of integration into promoters.

Preferential Expression of Programmed Death Ligand 1 Protein in Tumor-Associated Macrophages and Its Potential Role in Immunotherapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

A predictive biomarker of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-based treatments in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has not been clearly demonstrated. In this study, we focused on the infiltration and programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in the tumor microenvironment of HCC. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated that PD-L1 was preferentially expressed on CD68 macrophages in the tumor microenvironment of HCC, suggestive of its expression in TAMs rather than in T cells or tumor cells ( < 0.

Significance of Genetic Alterations and Telomere Length in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Telomerase reverse transcriptase () mutations are reportedly the most frequent somatic genetic alterations in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). An integrative analysis of -telomere signaling during hepatocarcinogenesis is lacking. This study aimed to investigate the clinicopathological association and prognostic value of gene alterations and telomere length in HCC patients undergoing hepatectomy as well as transarterial chemotherapy (TACE).

A pilot comparative study of recombinant protein and whole-virus inactivated vaccines against porcine circovirus type 2 in conventionally reared pigs.

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) causes porcine circovirus-associated disease, which is characterized by systemic wasting syndrome, including respiratory problems worldwide. Most commercial PCV2 vaccines are derived from recombinant capsid protein or inactivated whole-virus. We compared average daily weight gain, interferon-γ, and neutralizing antibody levels of a recombinant protein vaccine and an inactivated whole-virus vaccine in a pilot study.

Cucurbitacin E ameliorates acute graft-versus-host disease by modulating Th17 cell subsets and inhibiting STAT3 activation.

Cucurbitacin E (CuE) is a biochemical compound found in plants that are members of the family CuE has been studied for its roles in anti-inflammation and the inhibition of angiogenesis as well as for its properties as an antioxidant. CuE is a new agent that was identified as a selective inhibitor of the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3)-related pathway. STAT3, a pivotal transcription factor for Th17 differentiation, is critical for T cell alloactivation in acute graft-versus-host disease (aGvHD).

Phase III HEAT Study Adding Lyso-Thermosensitive Liposomal Doxorubicin to Radiofrequency Ablation in Patients with Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma Lesions.

Lyso-thermosensitive liposomal doxorubicin (LTLD) consists of doxorubicin contained within a heat-sensitive liposome. When heated to ≥40°C, LTLD locally releases a high concentration of doxorubicin. We aimed to determine whether adding LTLD improves the efficacy of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) lesions with a maximum diameter () of 3 to 7 cm.

Effect of vaccination with a modified live porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus vaccine on growth performance in fattening pigs under field conditions.

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) has caused significant economic losses to the global swine industry. The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a commercial PRRSV modified live virus (MLV) vaccine in conventionally reared growing/finishing pigs. Four barns were designated for groups A, B, C and D in the growing-to-finishing site.

Unusual severe cases of type 1 porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) infection in conventionally reared pigs in South Korea.

Background: Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) causes a loss of approximately US$ 70 million every year to the South Korean pork industry. There are two distinct genotypes: European (type 1) and North American (type 2). In South Korea, type 1 and type 2 PRRSV are widely distributed and have evolved continuously since the infection was first described.

Delayed appearance of wing-beating tremor after liver transplantation in a patient with Wilson disease.

Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is the sole etiological treatment for Wilson disease (WD), but several neurological complications after OLT have been reported. We report a WD patient who developed a unilateral wing-beating tremor 6years after OLT. New neurological symptoms develop immediately after OLT in most cases.

Successful treatment of stereotactic body radiation therapy combined with transarterial chemolipiodolization for hepatocellular carcinoma with biliary obstruction.

Conventional radiation therapy (RT) is a widely recognized treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, conventional RT plays only a limited role in HCC treatment because of its low efficacy and the low tolerance of the liver for this modality. Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) was recently developed and represents the most advanced radiation therapy technique currently available.

Severe thrombocytopenia before liver transplantation is associated with delayed recovery of thrombocytopenia regardless of donor type.

Aim: To compare the recovery of thrombocytopenia and splenomegaly during long-term follow-up after liver transplantation in patients receiving a living donor transplant or a cadaveric donor transplant.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of 216 consecutive liver transplant patients who survived for > 6 mo after transplantation; 169 received a liver transplant from a living donor and 47 from a cadaveric donor. The platelet counts or spleen volumes were examined before transplant, 1, 6, and 12 mo after transplant, and then annually until 5 years after transplant.

Clinical implication of recurrent copy number alterations in hepatocellular carcinoma and putative oncogenes in recurrent gains on 1q.

To elucidate the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and develop useful prognosis predictors, it is necessary to identify biologically relevant genomic alterations in HCC. In our study, we defined recurrently altered regions (RARs) common to many cases of HCCs, which may contain tumor-related genes, using whole-genome array-CGH and explored their associations with the clinicopathologic features. Gene set enrichment analysis was performed to investigate functional implication of RARs.

Short-term overlap lamivudine treatment with adefovir dipivoxil in patients with lamivudine-resistant chronic hepatitis B.

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of short-term overlap lamivudine therapy with adefovir in patients with lamivudine-resistant and naive chronic hepatitis B, we compared patients receiving overlap therapy with those receiving adefovir alone.

Methods: Eighty patients who had received lamivudine treatment for various periods and had a lamivudine-resistant liver function abnormality were enrolled. Forty of these patients received adefovir treatment combined with lamivudine treatment for > or = 2 mo, while the other 40 received adefovir alone.

Clevudine is highly efficacious in hepatitis B e antigen-negative chronic hepatitis B with durable off-therapy viral suppression.

Unlabelled: Clevudine is a pyrimidine analog with potent and sustained antiviral activity against HBV. In the present study, we evaluated the safety and efficacy of clevudine 30 mg daily for 24 weeks and assessed the durability of antiviral response for 24 weeks after cessation of dosing in hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative chronic hepatitis B (e-CHB). We randomized a total of 86 patients (3:1) to receive clevudine 30 mg (n = 63) or placebo (n = 23) daily for 24 weeks.

Twenty-four-week clevudine therapy showed potent and sustained antiviral activity in HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B.

Unlabelled: Clevudine is a pyrimidine analogue with potent and sustained antiviral activity against HBV. The present study evaluated the safety and efficacy of 30 mg clevudine once daily for 24 weeks and assessed the durable antiviral response for 24 weeks after cessation of dosing. A total of 243 hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive chronic hepatitis B patients were randomized (3:1) to receive clevudine 30 mg once daily (n=182) or placebo (n=61) for 24 weeks.