Significant Value of C-Acetate and F-Fluorodeoxyglucose PET/Computed Tomography on Y Microsphere Radioembolization for Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Pretreatment dual-tracer (F-fluorodeoxyglucose and C-acetate) PET/computed tomography (CT) has potential to predict treatment response for Y microsphere radioembolization (RE) in patients with inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Patients with C-acetate-avid HCC have a better response to Y microsphere RE, and possibly better survival. Pretreatment dual-tracer PET/CT has a significant theranostic value on Y microsphere RE in determining target tumor dose for HCCs with different cellular differentiation, metabolic tumor volume, and functioning liver volume, and can be used to prescribe individual injected activity of Y microspheres.

Radioembolization with Y glass microspheres for hepatocellular carcinoma: significance of pretreatment C-acetate and F-FDG PET/CT and posttreatment Y PET/CT in individualized dose prescription.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to establish an algorithm for the prescription of Y glass microsphere radioembolization (Y-GMRE) of HCC in individual patients based on the relationship between tumour dose (TD) and response validated by Y PET/CT dosimetry and dual-tracer PET/CT metabolic parameters.

Methods: The study group comprised 62 HCC patients prospectively recruited for Y-GMRE who underwent pretreatment dual-tracer (C-acetate and F-FDG) PET/CT as surrogate markers of HCC cellular differentiation. Pretreatment tumour-to-nontumour ratio on Tc-MAA SPECT/CT (T/NT) was correlated with posttreatment Y PET/CT T/NT after quantification validation.

Prospective validation of the Chinese University Prognostic Index and comparison with other staging systems for hepatocellular carcinoma in an Asian population.

Background And Aim: Hepatitis B viral (HBV) infection is the predominant etiology of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in Asia. Our group previously reported a staging system known as the Chinese University Prognostic Index (CUPI) for HCC populations of which HBV infection is the predominant etiology. This study aims to validate CUPI and compare with other published staging systems.

Patient selection and activity planning guide for selective internal radiotherapy with yttrium-90 resin microspheres.

Purpose: Selective internal radiotherapy (SIRT) with yttrium-90 ((90)Y) resin microspheres can improve the clinical outcomes for selected patients with inoperable liver cancer. This technique involves intra-arterial delivery of β-emitting microspheres into hepatocellular carcinomas or liver metastases while sparing uninvolved structures. Its unique mode of action, including both (90)Y brachytherapy and embolization of neoplastic microvasculature, necessitates activity planning methods specific to SIRT.

Current role of selective internal irradiation with yttrium-90 microspheres in the management of hepatocellular carcinoma: a systematic review.

Purpose: This article reviews the role of selective internal irradiation (SIR) with yttrium-90 ((90)Y) microspheres for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods And Materials: Studies were identified by searching Medline and PubMed databases for articles from 1990 to 2009 using the keywords "selective internal irradiation," "hepatocellular carcinoma," "therapeutic embolization," and "yttrium-90."

Results: (90)Y microspheres are a safe and well-tolerated therapy for unresectable HCC (median survival range, 7 -21.

Adjuvant intra-arterial iodine-131-labeled lipiodol for resectable hepatocellular carcinoma: a prospective randomized trial-update on 5-year and 10-year survival.

Objective: In this prospective randomized trial, we attempted to find out if 1 dose of postoperative adjuvant intra-arterial iodine-131-labeled lipiodol could reduce the rate of local recurrence, and increase disease-free and overall survival for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study evaluated the long-term outcome.

Background: Resection of HCC is potentially curative, but local recurrence is common.

A comparison of three transarterial lipiodol-based formulations for hepatocellular carcinoma: in vivo biodistribution study in humans.

This study aimed to evaluate and compare the biodistribution properties of three transarterial Lipiodol-based therapeutic regimens in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this prospective study with 13 patients randomly allocated to one of three study groups, each of the patients received transcatheter intra-arterial administration into a solitary HCC with one of three different Lipiodol-based formulations: Lipiodol-ethanol mixture (LEM; Group A), Lipiodol alone (Group B), and Lipiodol and gelatin pledgets (Group C). With the use of radioactive iodine-131-labeled Lipiodol, each group was assessed for (1) pattern of Lipiodol accumulation in the lungs within the first 2 weeks as evaluated by single-photon emission computed tomography and (2) decomposition of Lipiodol formulation within the first 2 weeks as evaluated by radioactivity detected in peripheral blood and urine.

Synthesis and structure evaluation of a novel cantharimide and its cytotoxicity on SK-Hep-1 hepatoma cells.

A remarkable control of the potency of cantharimide is described based on the electronic properties of functional group and it exhibits a relatively less toxic effect to the non-malignant hematological disorder bone marrow cells.

Apoptotic activity of a novel synthetic cantharidin analogue on hepatoma cell lines.

Cantharidin isolated from Mylabris caraganae and other insects is used traditionally as an anti-cancer drug. However, its toxicity on the renal system and suppression effect on bone marrow limits its clinical usage. Recently, we have synthesized two cantharidin analogues, CAN 029 (compound 2) and CAN 030 (compound 3).

Panmucositis and chemosensitisation associated with betel quid chewing during dose-dense adjuvant breast cancer chemotherapy.

Purpose: The severity of chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis has previously been reported to be greater in patients who chew betel quid (areca), an addictive habit shared by hundreds of millions of individuals worldwide. Here, we report a case of fulminant panmucositis complicating dose-dense adjuvant breast cancer treatment in a betel-chewing patient without evidence of other risk factors.

Methods: Grade IV mucositis was triggered by the initial use of standard-dose anthracycline chemotherapy, and involved not only the mouth but also the genital and anal mucosa, as well as other severe non-mucosal toxicities.

Apoptotic potential of the concentrated effective microorganism fermentation extract on human cancer cells.

The effective microorganism fermentation extract (EM-X, the first generation) was claimed to possess strong anti-oxidation property. On the other hand, we have shown that the second generation of the effective microorganism fermentation extract (EM-X2) possessed growth inhibition on human cancer cells involving MDA-MB231 breast cancer and K-562 chronic myelogenous leukaemia cells. Elevation of super oxide dismutase activity from EM-X2 treated cancer cell extract was observed.

A randomized phase III study of doxorubicin versus cisplatin/interferon alpha-2b/doxorubicin/fluorouracil (PIAF) combination chemotherapy for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: Single-agent doxorubicin has been widely used to treat unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but the response rate is low (< 20%) and there is no convincing evidence for improved survival. Cisplatin, interferon, doxorubicin, and fluorouracil (PIAF) used in combination, by contrast, has shown promise in a phase II study. We compared doxorubicin to PIAF in patients with unresectable HCC in a phase III trial.

Overall survival after concurrent cisplatin-radiotherapy compared with radiotherapy alone in locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

This phase III randomized study compared concurrent cisplatin-radiotherapy (CRT) versus radiotherapy (RT) alone in patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma. A total of 350 patients were randomly assigned to receive external RT alone or concurrently with cisplatin at a dosage of 40 mg/m(2) weekly. The primary endpoint was overall survival, and the median follow-up was 5.

Karyotypic imbalances and differential gene expressions in the acquired doxorubicin resistance of hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

Administration of doxorubicin has been shown to prolong survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, treatment regimen is often complicated by the emergence of drug resistance. The goal of our study is to enhance our understanding on the genetic changes that confer cellular chemoresistance to doxorubicin.

Transcriptional profiling identifies gene expression changes associated with IFN-alpha tolerance in hepatitis C-related hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

Purpose: Treatment with IFN-alpha therapy has been shown to exhibit antitumor effects on patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, individual responses remained unpredictable because of the frequent presence of intrinsic or acquired IFN-alpha resistance. Hence, delineation of molecular targets implicated in the resistant pathway holds value in refining the therapeutic benefits of IFN-alpha.

Genetic alterations in doxorubicin-resistant hepatocellular carcinoma cells: a combined study of spectral karyotyping, positional expression profiling and candidate genes.

Despite a prolongation of patient survival, the overall response of doxorubicin (DX) treatment on patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains modest. This is largely attributed to the development of tumor drug resistance either at the onset or during the course of treatment. To investigate the genetic changes associated with DX chemo-resistance, we examined the cytotoxic effect of DX on a panel of 9 HCC cell lines (HepG2, Hep3B, PLC/PRF/5, and six in-house established, HKCI-1, 2, 3 and 4, C1 and C2).

Salvage surgery following downstaging of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma.

Objective: We reported here a series of 49 patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who underwent nonsurgical treatment to downstage the disease followed by salvage surgery, their long-term outcome, and pattern of recurrence.

Summary Background Data: Most HCC patients present with unresectable disease and are treated with chemotherapy or intra-arterial therapy with a palliative intent. Occasionally, there are good responses to treatment so that salvage surgery becomes feasible afterward.

False-negative rate of abdominal sonography for detecting hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with hepatitis B and elevated serum alpha-fetoprotein levels.

Objective: Routine screening for hepatocellular carcinoma among chronic carriers of hepatitis B virus using a combination of abdominal sonography and serum alpha-fetoprotein levels is widely practiced. Negative results on an abdominal sonogram generally indicate the absence of hepatocellular carcinoma despite the elevation of alpha-fetoprotein levels, but the false-negative rate of abdominal sonography has not been established prospectively.

Subjects And Methods: In our screening program, we routinely investigated patients with Lipiodol (iodized oil) CT when they presented with alpha-fetoprotein levels above 20 ng/mL or a focal lesion as depicted on abdominal sonography.

Does percutaneous liver biopsy of hepatocellular carcinoma cause hematogenous dissemination? An in vivo study with quantitative assay of circulating tumor DNA using methylation-specific real-time polymerase chain reaction.

Objective: Our purpose was to find out whether percutaneous biopsy of hepatocellular carcinoma will cause significant dissemination of tumor into the circulation by quantitative analysis of circulating tumor DNA.

Subjects And Methods: In this prospective study of 32 patients with suspected hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent sonographically guided liver biopsy, a peripheral venous blood sample was obtained before and 5 min after the procedure. Biopsy was performed using an 18-gauge biopsy gun.

A phase I safety and pharmacokinetic study of OGT 719 in patients with liver cancer.

OGT 719 (Oxford GlycoSciences, Abingdon, UK) is a novel nucleoside analogue with a galactose molecule attached to a fluorinated pyrimidine. OGT 719 has the capacity selectively to bind to asialoglycoprotein receptors that are found exclusively on hepatocytes and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. The aim of this study was to establish the safety and to examine the pharmacokinetics of this novel compound in patients with liver cancer.

Superoxide anion is involved in the early apoptosis mediated by Gleditsia sinensis fruit extract.

Changes in the intracellular level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) including superoxide anion, hydroxyl radical, hydrogen peroxide and finally cellular acid-base equilibrium are reported to play an important role in the early step of apoptosis. All of which would precede the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and releasing of those apoptotic inducing factors such as cytochrome c as well as caspases activation. Any potential chemotherapeutic agent that could drive such changes in ROS would be particularly attractive.

Lamivudine for the prevention of hepatitis B virus reactivation in hepatitis B s-antigen seropositive cancer patients undergoing cytotoxic chemotherapy.

Purpose: For cancer patients receiving cytotoxic chemotherapy, hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation is a well described complication resulting in varying degrees of liver damage. The objectives of this study were to assess the efficacy of the antiviral agent lamivudine in reducing the incidence of HBV reactivation and diminishing morbidity and mortality of cancer patients with chronic HBV infection during chemotherapy.

Patients And Methods: Two groups were compared in this nonrandomized study.