PEG-BCT-100 and Canavanine Synergistically Induce Apoptosis in Arginine Biosynthetic Enzyme-Deficient Pancreatic Cancer.

This study investigates the synergistic antitumor effect of PEG-BCT-100, an arginase, in clinical trials, with canavanine in pancreatic cancer, in vitro and in vivo. The treatment induces cancer cell apoptosis while sparing normal fibroblasts. Our findings suggest heightened susceptibility of pancreatic tumors deficient in arginine biosynthesis enzymes ASS1 and OTC.

Better survival after stereotactic body radiation therapy following transarterial chemoembolization in nonresectable hepatocellular carcinoma: A propensity score matched analysis.

Background: This study compared outcomes of nonresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who had transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) vs. stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) after TACE (TACE + SBRT).

Methods: This was a retrospective study of 2 centers in Hong Kong.

Induction of Oxidative Stress Through Inhibition of Thioredoxin Reductase 1 Is an Effective Therapeutic Approach for Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most prevalent and lethal cancers worldwide which lacks effective treatment. Cancer cells experience high levels of oxidative stress due to increased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Increased antioxidant-producing capacity is therefore found in cancer cells to counteract oxidative stress.

Blocking CDK1/PDK1/β-Catenin signaling by CDK1 inhibitor RO3306 increased the efficacy of sorafenib treatment by targeting cancer stem cells in a preclinical model of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an aggressive malignant solid tumor wherein CDK1/PDK1/β-Catenin is activated, suggesting that inhibition of this pathway may have therapeutic potential. CDK1 overexpression and clinicopathological parameters were analyzed. HCC patient-derived xenograft (PDX) tumor models were treated with RO3306 (4 mg/kg) or sorafenib (30 mg/kg), alone or in combination.

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.

Serum and urinary biomarkers that predict hepatorenal syndrome in patients with advanced cirrhosis.

Background: Prediction of hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) remains difficult in advanced cirrhotic patients.

Aims: To evaluate use of serum and urine biomarkers to predict HRS.

Methods: We prospectively recruited Child's B or C cirrhotic patients with normal serum creatinine, and followed them for 12 weeks for the development of HRS.

A detailed evaluation of cardiac function in cirrhotic patients and its alteration with or without liver transplantation.

Background: Cirrhosis has been shown to be associated with left ventricular (LV) myocardial dysfunction, but studies of right ventricular (RV) function in cirrhotic patients compared with controls are scarce. Limited studies have prospectively evaluated the progression of myocardial function in patients with cirrhosis and assessed changes in cardiac function following liver transplantation (LTx). So the aim of the study was to evaluate biventricular myocardial function in cirrhotic patients and its alteration with or without liver transplantation.

The outcomes of elderly patients with hepatocellular carcinoma treated with transarterial chemoembolization.

Background: The authors evaluated and compared the treatment outcomes of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) between young (70 years) patients at their institute over an 18-year period.

Methods: Advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients who received TACE at the authors' center were analyzed retrospectively. The demographic data, TACE-related morbidities, and survival outcome were compared between these 2 age groups.

Efficacy and tolerability of low-dose thalidomide as first-line systemic treatment of patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.

Objective: The systemic treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has produced disappointing results thus far. HCC is a hypervascular tumor with over-expression of angiogenic factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor. Thalidomide is an anti-neoplastic agent with anti-angiogenic and other mechanisms of action.

Breast sentinel lymph node biopsy using radioisotope injection: is one-day better than two-day protocol?

Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy is an evolving treatment approach for patients with operable breast cancer. There have been a number of variations in the biopsy technique. One is the timing of radioisotope injection, which might have a significant influence on the radiation exposure of the personnel in the operating room.