Efficacy and Safety of Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization Combined with Lenvatinib Plus Anti-PD-1 Inhibitors for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients with Extrahepatic Metastases: A Multicenter Retrospective Study.

Purpose: The prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with extrahepatic metastases (EM) is poor. The efficacy and safety of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization combined with lenvatinib plus anti-programmed cell death 1 inhibitors (triple therapy) for HCC with EM remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to determine the efficacy and safety of triple therapy in HCC patients with EM.

Impact of Duration of Adjuvant Therapy on Patients with Initially Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma After Conversion Surgery: A Propensity Score Matching Study.

Background: This study aimed to assess the effect of adjuvant therapy with different durations in patients with initially unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC) after conversion surgery.

Methods: This study included 85 patients with initially uHCC who received conversion surgery between May 2019 and November 2022. They were divided into the long duration group (n = 57) and short duration group (n = 28) based on postoperative medication duration.

C-FOS inhibition promotes pancreatic cancer cell ferroptosis by transcriptionally regulating the expression of SLC7A11.

Cellular proto-oncogene C-Fos forms the AP-1 transcription factor by dimerizing with proto-oncogene c-Jun; this factor upregulates the transcription of genes associated with different malignancies. However, its functions in pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD) remain poorly understood. In this study, the c-Fos was increased in PAAD cells and tissues through bioinformatic analysis, RT-PCR, and WB.

Zeolitic Pickering Emulsifier with Intrinsic Amphiphilicity.

The formation of oil-in-water Pickering emulsions stabilized by lamellar zeolite (International Zeolite Association, three-letters code) emulsifier without surface grafting is investigated. The crucial emulsification factors are the oligolayer morphology and amphiphilicity developed upon acidic treatment (NH exchange/calcination, HNO treatment). In contrast with the readily available/abundant hydrophilic ≡Si-OH group in layer , the lipophilicity generated by strong acid sites is another key to the success of emulsification.

Outcomes of Salvage Surgery Versus Non-Salvage Surgery for Initially Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma After Conversion Therapy with Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization Combined with Lenvatinib Plus Anti-PD-1 Antibody: A Multicenter Retrospective Study.

Background: Combination treatment with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE), lenvatinib, and anti-programmed death-1 (anti-PD-1) antibodies (triple therapy) has a high rate of tumor response and converted resection for initially unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC) patients. This study aimed to assess the outcomes of salvage surgery in uHCC patients after conversion therapy with triple therapy.

Methods: uHCC patients who met the criteria for hepatectomy after receiving triple therapy as first-line treatment were eligible for inclusion in this study.

Outcomes of Salvage Surgery for Initially Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma Converted by Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization Combined with Lenvatinib plus Anti-PD-1 Antibodies: A Multicenter Retrospective Study.

Introduction: The actual rate of conversion surgery and its prognostic advantages remain unclear. This study aimed to assess the outcomes of salvage surgery after conversion therapy with triple therapy (transcatheter arterial chemoembolization [TACE] combined with lenvatinib plus anti-PD-1 antibodies) in patients with initially unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC).

Methods: Patients with initially uHCC who received at least one cycle of first-line triple therapy and salvage surgery at five major cancer centers in China were included.

Should associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy be applied to hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma patients with cirrhosis? A multi-center study.

Background: It is unclear whether associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS) can be performed in hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with cirrhosis. We explored the efficacy of ALPPS in HCC patients.

Methods: Data of 54 patients who underwent ALPPS between August 2014 and July 2020 at three centers were collected.

Lenvatinib Combined with Anti-PD-1 Antibodies Plus Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization for Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Multicenter Retrospective Study.

Background: Lenvatinib (LEN) combined with anti-PD-1 antibodies (PD-1) exerted promising effects on unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC). We assessed the safety and clinical efficacy of triple therapy [LEN+PD-1+transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE)] in uHCC.

Methods: uHCC patients with an ECOG PS score of 0-1 and Child-Pugh class A who underwent triple therapy were included.

Positron emission tomography and computed tomography with [Ga]Ga-fibroblast activation protein inhibitors improves tumor detection and staging in patients with pancreatic cancer.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the diagnostic performance of [Ga]Ga-FAPI PET/CT for primary and metastatic pancreatic carcinoma lesions and compare the results with those of [F]-fluorodeoxyglucose ([F]FDG) PET/CT.

Methods: Patients with suspected or diagnosed pancreatic malignancy, who underwent contemporaneous [F]FDG and [Ga]Ga-FAPI PET/CT between June 2020 and January 2021, were retrospectively analyzed. Routine contrast-enhanced CT (CE-CT) is performed in all patients as standardized care.

Long non-coding RNA DUXAP9 promotes hepatocellular carcinoma cell stemness via directly interacting with sox9.

Long non-coding RNA (LncRNA) DUXAP9 expression was recently found to be higher in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues and cells, and correlated with a shorter overall survival of HCC patients. However, its roles in HCC progression have never been revealed. Here, the roles of DUXAP9 in HCC cell stemness are explored as cancer stem cells (CSCs) contribute to one of the root of cancer progression.

Efficient removal of various coexisting organic pollutants in water based on β-cyclodextrin polymer modified flower-like FeO particles.

Hypothesis: The construction of porous β-cyclodextrin polymer (β-CDP) modified flower-like FeO particles (CDP@FeO) is expected to remove various organic pollutants from water, based on the larger specific surface area of flower-like FeO particles and the active sites provided by β-CDP. With the help of various noncovalent interactions, the removal ability of CDP@FeO for various water-soluble and water-insoluble organic pollutants were systematically studied.

Experiments: CDP@FeO were successfully synthesized and applied for the simultaneous removal of various organic pollutants with different electrical properties, structure and hydrophobicity.

MicroRNA-202 suppresses glycolysis of pancreatic cancer by targeting hexokinase 2.

Various studies have identified miR-202 critically participated in the development of different cancers. However, the potential mechanisms underlying the carcinogenesis of pancreatic cancer (PC) still remains elusive. In the study, cell proliferation assay, colony formation assay, EdU incorporation assay, Luciferase reporter assay, lactate production, glucose consumption assay, real-time PCR and western blot were used to investigate the mechanism of hexokinase 2 (HK2) regulated by miR-202 in pancreatic cancer in vitro and in vivo.

Nomogram for Predicting Long-Term Survival after Synchronous Resection for Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Inferior Vena Cava Tumor Thrombosis: A Multicenter Retrospective Study.

Background: Although surgery for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) complicated with inferior vena cava tumor thrombus (IVCTT) may improve survival for some patients, prognostic markers remain elusive because of its rarity. We constructed a prognostic nomogram which predicts individualized survival benefit of curative-intent surgery for HCC patients with IVCTT.

Methods: According to abdominothoracic anatomy of inferior vena cava (IVC), IVCTT can be divided into 3 types: inferior diaphragmic (ID), superior diaphragmic (SD), and intracardiac type (IC).

Upregulation of DPY30 promotes cell proliferation and predicts a poor prognosis in cholangiocarcinoma.

Objectives: Modification of lysine 4 on histone H3 methylation by SET1 and MLL family methyltransferase complexes is tightly linked to cancer progression. DPY30 is an important subunit of SET1 and MLL complexes, however, its expression and roles in cancer progression was little known, especially in cholangiocarcinoma (CCA).

Materials And Methods: The Q-PCR and IHC were performed to detect the levels of DPY30 mRNA and protein in CCA tissues.

Gankyrin drives metabolic reprogramming to promote tumorigenesis, metastasis and drug resistance through activating β-catenin/c-Myc signaling in human hepatocellular carcinoma.

Gankyrin plays important roles in tumorigenicity and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We have for the first time investigated the effects of Gankyrin on glycolysis and glutaminolysis both in vitro and in vivo, including in patient-derived xenografts. We reported Gankyrin increases glucose consumption, lactate production, glutamine consumption and glutamate production in HCC through upregulating the expression of the transporters and enzymes involved in glycolysis and glutaminolysis, including HK2, GLUT1, LDHA, PKM2, ASCT2 and GLS1.

SYPL1 overexpression predicts poor prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma and associates with epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide, which is mainly due to relapse and metastasis. Synaptophysin-like 1 (SYPL1), a member of SYP family proteins, exerts complicated functions, which prompted us to wonder whether SYPL1 contributed to HCC progress. Herein, we performed integrative experiments of quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry (IHC), and found that SYPL1 overexpression in HCC tissues was closely correlated with several malignant clinicopathologic features of HCC.

Protective Effects of Hydrogen Gas on Experimental Acute Pancreatitis.

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is an inflammatory disease mediated by damage to acinar cells and pancreatic inflammation. In patients with AP, subsequent systemic inflammatory responses and multiple organs dysfunction commonly occur. Interactions between cytokines and oxidative stress greatly contribute to the amplification of uncontrolled inflammatory responses.

Anti-rheumatoid arthritic effects of Saussurea involucrata on type II collagen-induced arthritis in rats.

Saussurea involucrata (SI) has long been used under the herbal name "snow lotus" for treatment of inflammation and pain-related diseases in traditional Chinese medicine. The present study aimed to evaluate the pharmacological effects of SI on collagen II (CII)-induced arthritis in rats. Rats with collagen II (CII)-induced arthritis were orally administered SI (420 mg kg(-1)) for 40 consecutive days.

[Experimental study of the function of nuclear factor-κB-dependent epithelial to mesenchymal transition in pancreatic cancer cells under hypoxic conditions].

Objective: To investigate the function of nuclear factor (NF)-κB in the epithelial to mesenchymal transition induced by hypoxia in pancreatic cancer cells.

Methods: For cultured pancreatic cancer cells (BxPC-3 and Panc-1) under hypoxic and normoxic conditions, the differences in the morphology were observed by optical microscope. The expression of markers of epithelial and mesenchymal phenotypes, E-cadherin, vimentin and N-cadherin, were determined by Western blot.

Laparoscopic versus open distal pancreatectomy: a meta-analysis.

Objective: Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (LDP) is a minimally invasive surgical technique. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the currently available literature and compare the short-term clinical outcomes of patients who underwent LDP for left-sided pancreatic pathology with patients who underwent traditional open surgery.

Methods: A literature search was performed to identify and compare studies that reported the clinical outcomes of both LDP and open distal pancreatectomy (ODP).

Dihydroartemisinin enhances Apo2L/TRAIL-mediated apoptosis in pancreatic cancer cells via ROS-mediated up-regulation of death receptor 5.

Background: Dihydroartemisinin (DHA), a semi-synthetic derivative of artemisinin, has recently shown antitumor activity in various cancer cells. Apo2 ligand or tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (Apo2L/TRAIL) is regarded as a promising anticancer agent, but chemoresistance affects its efficacy as a treatment strategy. Apoptosis induced by the combination of DHA and Apo2L/TRAIL has not been well documented, and the mechanisms involved remain unclear.

Escin augments the efficacy of gemcitabine through down-regulation of nuclear factor-κB and nuclear factor-κB-regulated gene products in pancreatic cancer both in vitro and in vivo.

Purpose: Pancreatic cancer is an aggressive malignancy, which generally develops resistance to chemotherapy. Agents that are safe and can sensitize cancer to chemotherapy are urgently needed. Escin, a natural mixture of triterpene saponins isolated from Aesculus wilsonii Rehd, has been demonstrated to possess anti-cancer activity both in vitro and in vivo.

Anatomical versus nonanatomical resection of colorectal liver metastases: a meta-analysis.

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to compare anatomical resection (AR) versus nonanatomical resection (NAR) for colorectal liver metastases (CLM) with respect to perioperative and oncological outcomes.

Methods: Literature search was performed to identify comparative studies reporting outcomes for both AR and NAR for CLM. Pooled odds ratios (OR) and weighted mean differences (WMD with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated using either the fixed effects model or random effects model.

Radiofrequency ablation vs hepatic resection for solitary colorectal liver metastasis: a meta-analysis.

Aim: To evaluate the comparative therapeutic efficacy of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and hepatic resection (HR) for solitary colorectal liver metastases (CLM).

Methods: A literature search was performed to identify comparative studies reporting outcomes for both RFA and HR for solitary CLM. Pooled odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated using either the fixed effects model or random effects model.

Nuclear factor-κB-dependent epithelial to mesenchymal transition induced by HIF-1α activation in pancreatic cancer cells under hypoxic conditions.

Background: Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) induced by hypoxia is one of the critical causes of treatment failure in different types of human cancers. NF-κB is closely involved in the progression of EMT. Compared with HIF-1α, the correlation between NF-κB and EMT during hypoxia has been less studied, and although the phenomenon was observed in the past, the molecular mechanisms involved remained unclear.