Overexpression of Pin1 and rho signaling partners correlates with metastatic behavior and poor recurrence-free survival of hepatocellular carcinoma patients.

Background: Identification of molecular markers for early detection or prediction of metastasis is crucial for both management of HCC patient postoperative treatment and identify new therapeutic targets to inhibit HCC progression and metastasis. In the current study, we investigated the clinical correlation between Pin1, RhoA and RhoC and their association with HCC metastasis.

Methods: Using a randomized study design of primary HCC samples from 139 patients, we determined messenger RNA expression of Pin1, RhoA and RhoC and their prognostic value.

Prevention of post-sphincterotomy bleeding by proton pump inhibitor: A randomized controlled trial.

Objective: Post-endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) bleeding is one of the most frequent complications of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Although the use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) reduces the risk of peptic ulcer bleeding, their role in preventing EST bleeding has not been evaluated. This study aimed to assess the use of pre-emptive PPIs in patients undergoing EST.

Serine peptidase inhibitor Kazal type 1 (SPINK1) as novel downstream effector of the cadherin-17/β-catenin axis in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of liver cancer worldwide. Previously, we reported that cadherin-17 (CDH17) and its related CDH17/β-catenin axis may be responsible for inducing HCC in a subset of patients exhibiting CDH17 over-expression. Here we aimed at obtaining a better understanding of the CDH17-related HCC biology and to obtain further indications for the design of targeted therapies in CDH17 over-expressing HCC patients.

Emergence of CD26+ Cancer Stem Cells with Metastatic Properties in Colorectal Carcinogenesis.

Colorectal cancer results from genetic aberrations which accumulate over a long period of time, with malignant and metastatic properties acquired at a relatively late stage. A subpopulation of CD26+ colorectal cancer stem cells are known to be implicated in metastasis. We quantified CD26+ cancer cells in 11 primary tumor samples by flow cytometry, and showed that tumors having confirmed or suspected metastases harbored a relatively high CD26+ level in these samples.

Does hepatitis B seroconversion affect survival outcome in patients with hepatitis B related hepatocellular carcinoma?

Background: Little is known about whether hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seroconversion (SC) contributes to any survival benefits for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: All patients with hepatitis B-related HCC and HBsAg seroclearance between 1989 and 2013 were identified. Case- and control-groups were matched according to their stage of disease and mode of treatment.

Surgery for Intermediate and Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Consensus Report from the 5th Asia-Pacific Primary Liver Cancer Expert Meeting (APPLE 2014).

Background: The Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) staging and treatment strategy does not recommended surgery for treating BCLC stage B and C hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, numerous Asia-Pacific institutes still perform surgery for this patient group. This consensus report from the 5th Asia-Pacific Primary Liver Cancer Expert Meeting aimed to share opinions and experiences pertaining to liver resection for intermediate and advanced HCCs and to provide evidence to issue recommendations for surgery in this patient group.

Nine-year experience of doxorubicin-eluting beads chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: Chemoembolization with doxorubucin-eluting beads (DEB) has been used to treat hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) since 2007. This study compared the efficacy and survival between transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) with DEB and conventional approach (cTACE) in HCC treatment.

Methods: This retrospective case-control study compared the overall survival and tumor response of HCC patients to cTACE (n=190) and DEB (n=143) by the reassessment of computed tomography and serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP).

Differences in health-related quality of life between European and Asian patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Aim: The aim of this study is to explore the possible effects of clinical and cultural characteristics of hepatocellular carcinoma on patients' health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

Methods: Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma from Asian and European countries completed the EORTC QLQ-C30 and the EORTC QLQ-HCC18. Comparisons were made using Student's t-test and Wilcoxon rank-sum test with method of false discovery to correct multiple comparisons.

Hepatitis B virus full-length genomic mutations and quasispecies in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background And Aim: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) full-length genomic mutations and quasispecies characteristics in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were investigated.

Methods: Hepatitis B virus DNA was extracted from the tumor and non-tumor tissues of 16 HCC patients. Overlapping DNA fragments covering the entire HBV genome were amplified and sequenced.

Risk Factors and Post-Resection Independent Predictive Score for the Recurrence of Hepatitis B-Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Background: Independent risk factors associated with hepatitis B (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after resection remains unknown. An accurate risk score for HCC recurrence is lacking.

Methods: We prospectively followed up 200 patients who underwent liver resection for HBV-related HCC for at least 2 years.

Acute pancreatitis induced by transarterial chemoembolization: a single-center experience of over 1500 cases.

Background: Acute pancreatitis is a relatively rare but potentially lethal complication after transarterial chemotherapy. This study aimed to review the complications such as acute pancreatitis after transarterial chemotherapy with or without embolization for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Methods: A total of 1632 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who had undergone transarterial chemoembolization from January 2000 to February 2014 in a single-center were reviewed retrospectively.

Efficacy of radiofrequency ablation compared with transarterial chemoembolization for the treatment of recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma: a comparative survival analysis.

Background: This study aims to assess if radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has any oncological superiority over transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) on post-hepatectomy recurrence.

Methodology: From 2002 to 2011, 60.15% of 823 patients developed recurrence after hepatectomy for Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Yttrium-90 radioembolization for advanced inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: Advanced inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) conferring a grave prognosis may benefit from yttrium-90 ((90)Y) radioembolization.

Methods: Thirty patients with advanced inoperable HCC including those with any lesion >8 cm in maximal diameter or multiple bi-lobar lesions (totally more than five lesions), or portal vein thrombosis treated with radioembolization were reviewed. Treatment efficacy and safety were evaluated.

Efficacy of radiofrequency ablation compared with transarterial chemoembolization for the treatment of recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma: a comparative survival analysis.

Background: This study aims to assess if radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has any oncological superiority over transarterial chemoembolization(TACE) on post-hepatectomy recurrence.

Methods: From 2002 to 2011, 60.15% of 823 patients developed recurrence after hepatectomy for HCC.

A preclinical study on the combination therapy of everolimus and transarterial chemoembolization in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is commonly used for the treatment of locally advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by its dual effects of chemotherapy and ischemic hypoxia. However, one of the side effects of TACE is the introduction of hypoxic condition, which in turn activates hypoxia-induced survival pathways and enhances VEGF-induced neovascularization by stabilizing HIF-1α expression. Herein, the preclinical therapeutic efficacy of the combined treatment of everolimus, a novel mTOR inhibitor and TACE for the treatment of HCC was investigated.

Adjuvant sorafenib for hepatocellular carcinoma after resection or ablation (STORM): a phase 3, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Background: There is no standard of care for adjuvant therapy for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. This trial was designed to assess the efficacy and safety of sorafenib versus placebo as adjuvant therapy in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma after surgical resection or local ablation.

Methods: We undertook this phase 3, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma with a complete radiological response after surgical resection (n=900) or local ablation (n=214) in 202 sites (hospitals and research centres) in 28 countries.

Pure Laparoscopic Versus Open Left Lateral Sectionectomy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Single-Center Experience.

Introduction: Laparoscopic left lateral sectionectomy has been proven to be a safe and effective treatment for liver lesions. However, most of the literatures only reported this treatment method on benign lesion or colorectal metastases. The data on long-term outcome of laparoscopic left lateral section resection in patients with HCC and cirrhosis are still limited.

Comparison of Survival Outcomes Between Right Posterior Sectionectomy and Right Hepatectomy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Cirrhotic Liver: A Single-Centre Experience.

Background: Right hepatectomy (RH) instead of right posterior sectionectomy (RPS) is commonly performed for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in cirrhotic livers located lateral to the right hepatic vein in order to ensure adequate resection margin. This potentially increased the risk of postoperative liver failure. This study aims to compare survival outcomes and surgical morbidities between RH and RPS.