Host Immunity Influences the Efficacy of Combined Intra-Arterial Chemotherapy for Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Liver Cirrhosis Patients.

Background/aims: It has been reported that Th2 cytokines down-regulate antitumor immunity, while activation of Th1 cells promotes such immunity. The aim of this study was to assess changes of host immunity in relation to efficacy in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) and advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (aHCC) treated by combined intra-arterial chemotherapy (CIAC).

Methodology: Forty-three adult Japanese LC patients who had aHCC received CIAC.

Changes of cytokines in patients with liver cirrhosis and advanced hepatocellular carcinoma treated by sorafenib.

Purpose: Recently, the oral multikinase inhibitor sorafenib has been used to treat advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (aHCC). Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) induces apoptosis of tumor cells by binding to TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand, while binding of the Fas ligand on cytotoxic T lymphocytes to the Fas receptor on hepatocytes also causes apoptosis. The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate changes of cytokines in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) and aHCC receiving sorafenib therapy.

Influence of etiology on host immunity in liver cirrhosis patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma receiving intra-arterial chemotherapy.

Background/aims: We have shown that continuous intra-arterial combination chemotherapy (IACC) might be more effective for advanced HCC (aHCC) in patients with HCV-related (C-LC) or alcoholic (A-LC) liver cirrhosis (LC) patients than in patients with HBV-related LC (B-LC). This study retrospectively assesses the difference of etiology on host immunity in LC patients with aHCC treated by IACC.

Methodology: Forty-seven adult LC patients with aHCC were treated by IACC between 2005 and 2008, with inoperable tumors according to CT findings.

Sorafenib prevents escape from host immunity in liver cirrhosis patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.

Purpose: It has been reported that Th2 cytokines downregulate antitumor immunity, while activation of type T cells promotes antitumor immunity. The aim of this paper was to evaluate host immunity in liver cirrhosis (LC) patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (aHCC) receiving sorafenib therapy.

Methods: Forty-five adult Japanese LC patients received sorafenib for aHCC between 2009 and 2011 at our hospital.

Comparison of the hemodynamics between patients with alcoholic or HCV-related cirrhosis.

Background/aims: Hyperdynamic circulation, which is characterized by increased cardiac output (CO), normal or low arterial blood pressure (BP), and decreased systemic vascular resistance (SVR), occurs in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC). However, differences of hemodynamics between patients with alcoholic LC (ALC) and viral LC are not well understood. The aim of the present study was to compare hemodynamics between patients with alcoholic LC and patients with HCV-related LC (CLC).

Multimodal therapy for liver cirrhosis patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.

Purpose: We have previously shown that continuous intra-arterial combination chemotherapy (IACC) might be more effective for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (aHCC) in patients with HCV-related liver cirrhosis (C-LC) or alcoholic liver cirrhosis (A-LC) than in patients with HBV-related LC (B-LC). However, it is still unknown whether IACC actually improves the prognosis of aHCC patients with liver cirrhosis (LC), because it is difficult to perform a randomized controlled trial for patients with a poor prognosis. The aim of this study was to retrospectively assess the influence of IACC on the prognosis of aHCC.

Hepatotoxicity of intra-arterial combination chemotherapy in patients with liver cirrhosis and advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.

Purpose: We have previously reported that 24-h intra-arterial combination chemotherapy (IACC) prolongs the survival of patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (aHCC). However, it has also been reported that 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) exacerbates liver damage in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC). The aim of this study was to clarify the hepatotoxicity of IACC in LC patients with aHCC.

Changes of host immunity in relation to efficacy in liver cirrhosis patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma treated by intra-arterial chemotherapy.

Purpose: It is known that tumors develop mechanisms to escape from the immune system and to inhibit antitumor responses. The aim of this study was to retrospectively assess changes of host immunity in relation to efficacy in liver cirrhosis (LC) patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (aHCC) treated by combined intra-arterial chemotherapy.

Methods: Thirty-seven adult Japanese LC patients with aHCC were treated by intra-arterial combination chemotherapy.

Th1/Th2 balance: an important indicator of efficacy for intra-arterial chemotherapy.

Purpose: It has been reported that Th2 cytokines down-regulate antitumor immunity, while activation of type 1 T cells promotes antitumor immunity. However, the immunological features of liver cirrhosis (LC) patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (aHCC) treated by intra-arterial chemotherapy are still unclear. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of intra-arterial combination chemotherapy on the Th1/Th2 balance in LC patients with aHCC.

Changes of cytokines in cirrhosis patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma treated by intra-arterial chemotherapy.

Introduction: Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) induces cancer cell-specific apoptosis by binding to a TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand. Binding of the Fas ligand on cytotoxic T lymphocytes to the Fas receptor on hepatocytes is also known to induce apoptosis. The aim of this study was to clarify changes of cytokines in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) and advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (aHCC) receiving intra-arterial combination chemotherapy.

Twenty-four hour intra-arterial infusion of 5-fluorouracil, cisplatin, and leucovorin is more effective than 6-hour infusion for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.

Aim: To evaluate the time dependence of intra-arterial 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) therapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (aHCC).

Methods: Thirty-seven adult Japanese patients who had aHCC and liver cirrhosis were treated with combined intra-arterial 5-FU, cisplatin (CDDP), and leucovorin (LV). The Japan Integrated Staging score (JIS score) of each patient was 3 or more.

Disappearance of HCV after cessation of immunosuppression in a patient with ulcerative colitis and renal transplantation.

We report a patient, a 45-year-old Japanese woman, who underwent living-related donor renal transplantation in 1986 and 1988, with the second procedure being successful. Ulcerative colitis (UC) was diagnosed in 1987 while she was receiving immunosuppressive therapy after the renal transplantation. She became positive for serum anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) in November 1990, although her serum aminotransferase levels were normal.