Early experience of seven hepatocellular carcinoma cases treated with regorafenib.

Regorafenib became second-line treatment for the patients with sorafenib refractory. In our study, two patients could not continue regorafenib for its adverse effects. It was suggested that appropriate use criteria of regorafenib should be observed and manage adverse effects earlier.

Comparison of hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy between 5-fluorouracil-based continuous infusion chemotherapy and low-dose cisplatin monotherapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.

Aim: The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy and safety of hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) between 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-based continuous infusion chemotherapy and low-dose cisplatin (CDDP) monotherapy in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: Patients were grouped according to HAIC regimen (5-FU group, n = 317/CDDP group, n = 66). A two-to-one match was created using propensity score analysis (5-FU group, n = 102/CDDP group, n = 51).

Advanced liver fibrosis effects on the response to sofosbuvir-based antiviral therapies for chronic hepatitis C.

Background: Sustained virological response (SVR) rates for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients have drastically improved with the use of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapies; however, a small minority of patients still fails to eradicate the virus. We analyzed factors associated with SVR in DAA therapy and the effect of age and liver fibrosis on treatment response.

Methods: Nine hundred and eighteen patients with chronic HCV infection were treated with 24 weeks of daclatasvir plus asunaprevir (DCV + ASV) or 12 weeks of sofosbuvir plus ledipasvir (SOF + LDV), ombitasvir, paritaprevir plus ritonavir (OMB + PTV + r) or sofosbuvir plus ribavirin (SOF + RBV).

Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy followed by sorafenib in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HICS 55): an open label, non-comparative, phase II trial.

Background: In patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), evidence is unclear as to whether hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) or sorafenib is superior. We performed a prospective, open-label, non-comparative phase II study to assess survival with HAIC or HAIC converted to sorafenib.

Methods: Fifty-five patients were prospectively enrolled.

Clinical outcomes of sorafenib treatment failure for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma and candidates for regorafenib treatment in real-world practice.

Aim: As second-line therapy, regorafenib has been shown to provide a survival benefit for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who progress on sorafenib. In this retrospective study, we assessed the clinical outcomes of sorafenib treatment failure with regard to second-line chemotherapy.

Methods: Patients (n = 160) with advanced HCC, Child-Pugh A liver function and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS) 0-1 treated with sorafenib between June 2009 and September 2016 were enrolled.

Comparison of clinical outcome of hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy and sorafenib for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma according to macrovascular invasion and transcatheter arterial chemoembolization refractory status.

Background And Aim: Sorafenib is the standard treatment for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with distant metastasis, unresectable HCC, and HCC refractory to transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) or with macroscopic vascular invasion (MVI). Also, hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) has been used for advanced HCC in Southeast and East Asian countries. However, clearer information is needed for choosing appropriately between these therapies.

Comparison of Outcome of Hepatic Arterial Infusion Chemotherapy Combined with Radiotherapy and Sorafenib for Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients with Major Portal Vein Tumor Thrombosis.

Objective: To compare the outcome of hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy combined with radiotherapy (HAIC + RT) versus sorafenib monotherapy in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and major portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT).

Methods: This retrospective study included 108 HCC patients with PVTT of the main trunk or first branch and Child-Pugh ≤7. Sixty-eight received HAIC + RT and 40 received sorafenib.

Risk factors for exacerbation of gastroesophageal varices and portosystemic encephalopathy during treatment with nucleos(t)ide analogs for hepatitis B virus-related cirrhosis.

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the risk factors for worsening of gastroesophageal varices (GEVs) and development of portosystemic encephalopathy in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related cirrhosis during nucleos(t)ide analog (NA) treatment.

Methods: One hundred and thirty-seven patients with HBV-related cirrhosis were enrolled in this retrospective cohort study. Findings of portal hemodynamics with computed tomography, liver function, and endoscopic examinations during NA treatment were assessed.

The risks of hepatocellular carcinoma development after HCV eradication are similar between patients treated with peg-interferon plus ribavirin and direct-acting antiviral therapy.

The risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development is reduced following viral elimination by interferon therapy in chronic hepatitis C patients. However, the risk in patients treated with interferon-free direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) is unknown. We evaluated chronic hepatitis C patients who achieved viral eradication by pegylated-interferon plus ribavirin (PEG-IFN/RBV, n = 244) or daclatasvir plus asunaprevir (DCV/ASV, n = 154) therapy.

Clinical outcomes of stereotactic body radiotherapy for elderly patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Aim: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in elderly patients.

Methods: From 2008 to 2015, 117 patients with HCC (≤3 nodules, ≤30 mm in diameter, Child-Pugh score ≤7, and no vascular or extracellular metastasis) were treated with SBRT at our hospital. We evaluated overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), local control, and adverse events.

Efficacy and safety of edoxaban for treatment of portal vein thrombosis following danaparoid sodium in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Aim: To compare the efficacy and safety of edoxaban and warfarin for treatment of portal vein thrombosis (PVT) following danaparoid sodium in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Methods: Fifty cirrhotic patients with PVT treated initially for 2 weeks with danaparoid sodium were enrolled in this retrospective cohort study. Treatment was later switched to either edoxaban (n = 20) or warfarin (n = 30).

Impact of Hepatitis C Virus Eradication on the Clinical Outcome of Patients with Hepatitis C Virus-Related Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma Treated with Sorafenib.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of hepatitis C virus (HCV) eradication on the clinical outcome of patients with HCV-related advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with sorafenib.

Methods: A total of 58 HCV-related advanced HCC patients with Child-Pugh grade A disease who were treated with sorafenib were enrolled in this retrospective cohort study. Of these, 27 patients were HCV RNA negative as a result of previous antiviral therapy (sustained viral response [SVR] group), while the remaining 31 were HCV RNA positive (non-SVR group).

Clinical outcome and prognostic factors in hepatocellular carcinoma patients with bone metastases medicated with zoledronic acid.

Aims: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical outcome and prognostic parameters in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and bone metastases who had received treatment with zoledronic acid (ZOL).

Methods: Ninety-nine HCC patients with bone metastases who had been treated with ZOL were enrolled in this retrospective cohort study. We analyzed the prognostic factors, including serum N-telopeptide of type I collagen (NTX) levels, as bone metabolism markers.

Liver fibrosis assessment by FibroScan compared with pathological findings of liver resection specimen in hepatitis C infection.

Aim: FibroScan is a tool for the non-invasive diagnosis of hepatic fibrosis. Previous studies have compared liver stiffness to percutaneous liver biopsy findings, but no study has compared liver stiffness to liver resection specimen findings. The aim of this study was to compare FibroScan measurements to resected liver specimen findings.

Assessment of Outcome of Hepatic Arterial Infusion Chemotherapy in Patients with Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma by the Combination of RECIST and Tumor Markers.

To assess the outcome of stable disease (SD) patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by tumor markers after the first course of hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC). The study subjects were 156 HCC patients treated with HAIC and classified as Child Pugh A, with no extrahepatic metastasis, and no history of sorafenib treatment. In the study and validation cohorts, the AFP and DCP ratios of patients who were considered SD to the first course of HAIC were analyzed by AUROC for a prediction of response to the second course of HAIC.

Comparison of Outcome of Hepatic Arterial Infusion Chemotherapy and Sorafenib in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma Refractory to Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization.

Aim: To compare the outcome of 5-fluorouracil (FU)-based hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) with sorafenib monotherapy in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) refractory to transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE).

Patients And Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, 123 patients with HCC refractory to TACE, with Child-Pugh A and free of extrahepatic metastasis, were divided into two groups: 65 received HAIC and 58 received sorafenib. Since the size of main tumor and portal vein invasion were significantly different between the HAIC and sorafenib groups, we selected 48 patients from the 65 patients of the HAIC group and 48 from the 58 patients of the sorafenib group.

The risk of transient postprandial oxyhypoglycemia in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Background: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is frequently associated with insulin resistance (IR) and abnormalities in glucose metabolism. Prevalent postprandial hyperinsulinemia along with insulin resistance in NAFLD may lead to hypoglycemia. This study investigated the prevalence of postprandial oxyhypoglycemia in patients with NAFLD.

Complete response to short-term sorafenib treatment alone for hepatocellular carcinoma with bone, lymph node, and peritoneum metastases.

We report a 60-year-old male patient who developed extrahepatic metastases in bone, peritoneum, and lymph nodes (confirmed by computed tomography and positron emission tomography-computed tomography) after hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma. He was treated with sorafenib (800 mg/day) but developed grade 3 hand-foot syndrome. He continued to be treated with sorafenib but at a lower dose (400 mg/week).

Preoperative Fluorine 18 Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography for Prediction of Microvascular Invasion in Small Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the value of preoperative fluorine 18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (F-FDG PET-CT) for predicting microvascular invasion (MVI) in small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: We retrospectively examined 60 patients who received F-FDG PET-CT prior to hepatic resection for small HCC (≤30 mm) with subsequent MVI confirmation by histopathology. The associations between PET-positive status and tumor factors were assessed.

Effects of ITPA polymorphism on decrease of hemoglobin during simeprevir, peg-interferon, and ribavirin combination treatment for chronic hepatitis C.

Aim: Polymorphisms in the ITPA gene influence anemia during peg-interferon (PEG-IFN) and ribavirin (RBV) therapy, but their effects during triple therapy with simeprevir, PEG-IFN, and RBV are not sufficiently known.

Methods: We analyzed 212 patients with genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C, who were treated with simeprevir plus PEG-IFN/RBV triple therapy, and assessed the effect of the ITPA polymorphism on hemoglobin levels and RBV dose reduction. ITPA (rs1127354) and IFNL4 (ss469415590) polymorphisms were genotyped using the Invader assay.

Improvement of renal dysfunction in a patient with hepatitis C virus-related liver cirrhosis by daclatasvir and asunaprevir combination therapy: A case report.

Recently, treatments for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection have been drastically improved by the development of direct-acting antiviral agents. In September 2014, dual oral therapy using daclatasvir (DCV) and asunaprevir (ASV) was approved for the treatment of chronic HCV infection in Japan. We treated a patient with HCV-related liver cirrhosis with severe leg edema due to chronic renal dysfunction using this dual oral therapy.

Development of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with hepatitis C virus infection who achieved sustained virological response following interferon therapy: A large-scale, long-term cohort study.

Background: We assessed the risk factors for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) following successful eradication of hepatitis C virus (HCV) with interferon (IFN) therapy in a long-term, large-scale cohort study.

Methods: We reviewed 1094 consecutive patients with HCV who achieved sustained virological response (SVR) following IFN therapy between January 1995 and September 2013.

Results: During the observation period (median 50 months: range 13-224), 36 (3%) of 1094 patients developed HCC after SVR.

Comparison of hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy versus sorafenib monotherapy in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.

Objectives: Sorafenib is the standard treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with distant metastasis, unresectable HCC, and those refractory to transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) or with macroscopic vascular invasion (MVI). The application of sorafenib has been approved by the Japanese Government-sponsored Medicare for unresectable HCC. In this retrospective cohort study we aimed to compare various aspects of HAIC with sorafenib in the treatment of Child-Pugh A patients with advanced HCC who were otherwise free of extrahepatic metastasis.

Usefulness of combining gadolinium-ethoxybenzyl-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging and contrast-enhanced ultrasound for diagnosing the macroscopic classification of small hepatocellular carcinoma.

Objective: Non-simple nodules in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) correlate with poor prognosis. Therefore, we examined the diagnostic ability of gadolinium-ethoxybenzyl-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (EOB-MRI) and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) for diagnosing the macroscopic classification of small HCCs.

Methods: A total of 85 surgically resected nodules (≤30 mm) were analyzed.

Efficacy of radiofrequency ablation for initial recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma after curative treatment: Comparison with primary cases.

Objective: To determine the efficacy of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for initial recurrence of small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC; ≤3 nodules, each nodule ≤3cm in diameter) after curative treatment and identify prognostic factors affecting therapeutic outcome, we compared clinical and outcome factors between patients with primary HCC and those with initial recurrent HCC who underwent RFA.

Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, 211 HCC patients who underwent RFA were enrolled and comprised two groups: primary group (n=139) and initial recurrent group (n=72). We compared local tumor progression, overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), and RFA safety between the groups.