The Usefulness of Serum Interleukin-6 as a Predictor of Response to Atezolizumab plus Bevacizumab Combination Treatment in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Introduction: In atezolizumab plus bevacizumab (Atezo/Bev) combination treatment, both drugs act on the immune system. Previously, we reported that immunological changes after Atezo/Bev administration for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC) revealed significant alterations in interleukin (IL)-6, soluble IL-2 receptor, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and programmed cell death-1 levels. Among these variable factors, serum levels of IL-6 can be easily measured on a commercial basis.

Effects of Lenvatinib on Skeletal Muscle Volume and Cardiac Function in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Introduction: Previously, we reported that the tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) sorafenib decreases serum levels of carnitine and reduces skeletal muscle volume. Moreover, others reported that TKIs might lead to cardiomyopathy or heart failure. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of lenvatinib (LEN) on skeletal muscle volume and cardiac function in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Lenvatinib Might Induce Activation of Host Immunity in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Introduction: Atezolizumab, an immune checkpoint inhibitor, plus bevacizumab, a monoclonal antibody that binds to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), is an approved first-line systemic treatment for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Immune checkpoint inhibitors are more effective in patients with HCC when administered with anti-VEGF drugs; however, these drugs affect host immunity. Lenvatinib is an anti-VEGF agent used to treat HCC; therefore, this study evaluated the effect of treatment of HCC with lenvatinib on host immunity in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD).

Adaptation of lenvatinib treatment in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and portal vein tumor thrombosis.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to clarify the adaptation of lenvatinib treatment in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT).

Method: Fifty-three patients with HCC were treated with lenvatinib. Before and after treatment blood sampling, patients were examined by computed tomography and ultrasonography.

Usefulness of virtual touch tissue quantification for predicting the presence of esophageal varices in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Background And Aim: Measuring the hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) is an established technique to detect increased portal pressure and predict the presence of esophageal varices (EVs); however, the risk of the test is greater than the information it provides. This study aimed to clarify the usefulness of virtual touch tissue quantification (VTQ), which assesses liver stiffness, in predicting the presence of EVs in patients with liver cirrhosis by comparing it with HVPG.

Methods: Two hundred seventeen patients with liver cirrhosis underwent VTQ, HVPG measurement, and upper endoscopy.

Flash Imaging Used in the Post-vascular Phase of Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasonography is Useful for Assessing the Progression in Patients with Hepatitis C Virus-Related Liver Disease.

Sonazoid is a commonly used contrast agent for characterizing liver tumors in ultrasonography (US). We performed flash imaging in the post-vascular phase of contrast-enhanced US (CEUS) to investigate associations between collapse of Sonazoid microbubbles (MB) and progression of liver disease. This study enrolled 409 patients (205 men, 204 women) with hepatitis C virus-related liver disease (CLD) between 2007 and 2017 (mean age 60 ± 14 y; range 20-90 y).

Influence of Sorafenib on Host Immunity in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis With Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma Stratified by Etiology.

Aim: We previously reported that sorafenib induces Th1 [interferon-γ (IFNγ)-positive interleukin 4 (IL4)-negative] dominance which prevents tumor cells from escaping the host immune system in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) and advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (aHCC). However, in that study we did not assess the influence of sorafenib on host immunity according to the etiology of LC. Therefore, this study was retrospectively performed to evaluate the impact of sorafenib therapy for aHCC on host immunity in patients stratified according to the etiology of LC: Patients and Methods: A total of 116 adult Japanese patients with LC and aHCC received sorafenib therapy at our hospital.

Hepatic arterialization can predict the development of collateral veins in patients with HCV-related liver disease.

Purpose: Arrival time parametric imaging (At-PI) using contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) is a procedure for evaluating liver disease progression in chronic hepatitis C infection (CHC). We investigated At-PI diagnostic efficacy in predicting development of collateral veins.

Methods: In total, 171 CHC patients underwent CEUS and upper gastrointestinal (UGI) endoscopy before liver biopsy.

Effect of Hepatic Inflammation in Chronic Hepatitis C Infection on Fibrosis Assessment by Arrival Time Parametric Imaging.

Arrival time parametric imaging (At-PI) in contrast-enhanced ultrasonography is useful for assessing liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) infection. The study aimed to elucidate the effect of hepatic inflammation on At-PI efficiency. Subjects were 159 CHC patients who underwent contrast-enhanced ultrasonography immediately before liver biopsy.

Sorafenib and hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombus.

Background: Patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (aHCC) and portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT) still have a very poor prognosis, even though the oral multikinase inhibitor sorafenib has revolutionized treatment of aHCC in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC). Standardization of multimodal therapy for aHCC with PVTT has not yet been achieved.

Aim: This retrospective study was performed to clarify the usefulness of combined treatment with sorafenib and hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) for patients with LC, aHCC and PVTT.

The Importance of Lamivudine Therapy in Liver Cirrhosis Patients Related HBV with Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma Receiving Hepatic Arterial Infusion Chemotherapy.

Purpose: We have previously reported that continuous hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) might be more effective for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (aHCC) in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) related to HCV infection (C-LC) or alcohol abuse (A-LC) than in patients who had LC related to HBV infection (B-LC). The aim of the present study was to retrospectively assess the efficacy of lamivudine therapy for B-LC patients with aHCC undergoing HAIC.

Methods: Seventeen adult Japanese B-LC patients with aHCC were treated by HAIC with or without lamivudine (100 mg/day) between 2002 and 2008 at our hospital.

Hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm after endoscopic biliary stenting for bile duct cancer.

We report a case of a pseudoaneurysm of the right hepatic artery observed 9 mo after the endoscopic placement of a Wallstent, for bile duct stenosis, which was treated with transcatheter arterial embolization. The patient presented with obstructive jaundice and was diagnosed with inoperable common bile duct cancer. A plastic stent was inserted endoscopically to drain the bile, and chemotherapy was initiated.