Angiotensin receptor blockers retard the progression and fibrosis via inhibiting the viability of CAFs in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

Background: Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) is a highly lethal malignancy characterized by massive fibrosis and has ineffective adjuvant therapies. Here, we demonstrate the potential of angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) in targeting iCCA.

Methods: Masson's trichrome staining was used to assess the effect of ARBs in iCCA specimens, CCK8 and gel contraction assays in vitro and in xenograft models in vivo.

EYA4 inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma growth and invasion by suppressing NF-κB-dependent RAP1 transactivation.

Background: Our previous studies demonstrated that eyes absent homolog 4 (EYA4), a member of the eye development-related EYA family in Drosophila, is frequently methylated and silenced in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) specimens and associated with shorter survival. The current work aimed to explore the mechanisms through which EYA4 functions as a tumor suppressor in HCC.

Methods: Stable EYA4-expressing plasmid (pEYA4) transfectants of the human HCC cell lines Huh-7 and PLC/PRF/5 (PLC) were established.

EYA4 gene functions as a prognostic marker and inhibits the growth of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

Background: The molecular prognostic markers and carcinogenesis of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) have not been well documented. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prognostic value of the eyes absent homolog 4 (EYA4) gene in ICC and its biological effects on ICC growth in vitro and in vivo.

Methods: One hundred twelve patients with ICC who underwent hepatectomy were enrolled in the study.

EYA4 functions as tumor suppressor gene and prognostic marker in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma through β-catenin/ID2 pathway.

Eye absent homolog 4 (EYA4) was initially found as key gene in controlling eye development in Drosophila. We recently found that EYA4 was an independent prognostic factor in hepatocellular carcinoma. Its biological functions in malignancies remained unknown.

DNA methylation profiling identifies EYA4 gene as a prognostic molecular marker in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: DNA hypermethylation plays important roles in carcinogenesis by silencing key genes. This study aims to identify pivotal genes in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by DNA methylation microarray and to assess their prognostic values.

Materials And Methods: DNA methylation microarray was performed in 45 pairs of HCC and adjacent nontumorous tissues and six normal liver tissues to identify hypermethylated genes in HCC.

Simvastatin enhances the chemotherapeutic efficacy of S-1 against bile duct cancer: E2F-1/TS downregulation might be the mechanism.

Simvastatin has inhibitory effects on cancers. The present study aimed to investigate the interactive effects between simvastatin and S-1 against bile duct cancer and its mechanisms. The effects of simvastatin and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) alone or in combination on the growth and apoptosis of the human cholangiocarcinoma cell line EGI-1 and the gallbladder carcinoma cell line Mz-ChA-1 cells were evaluated in vitro.

Analysis of the genome-wide DNA methylation profile of side population cells in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: DNA methylation plays an important role in maintaining pluripotency and regulating the differentiation of stem cells, but the DNA methylation profile of stem cells in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unclear.

Aims: To investigate the genome-wide DNA methylation profile of side population (SP) cells of HCC, a special subpopulation of cells enriched with cancer stem cells, by DNA methylation microarray analysis and to analyze the functions and signal pathways of the aberrantly methylated genes in SP cells.

Methods: Side population cells were isolated from HCC cell lines Huh7 and PLC/PRF/5 using flow cytometry, and the tumorigenicity of these SP cells was assessed in NOD/SCID mice.

Sorafenib enhances the chemotherapeutic efficacy of S-1 against hepatocellular carcinoma through downregulation of transcription factor E2F-1.

Purpose: Sorafenib and S-1 (one mixed formulation containing 5-FU prodrug and dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase inhibitor) were two effective agents against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but whether they had synergistic effects remained unclear. The present study aimed at evaluating their synergistic effects against HCC and its mechanisms.

Methods: Inhibitory effects of sorafenib, 5-FU and their combination on HCC cells PLC/PRF/5 and SK-HEP-1 were evaluated.

Outcomes of non-anatomic liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma in the patients with liver cirrhosis and analysis of prognostic factors.

Purpose: In the east countries, patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are usually associated with varied degrees of liver cirrhosis, and anatomic resection is therefore limited to use, especially in those with severe liver cirrhosis. This study aims to evaluate the clinical value of non-anatomic resection in HCC patients with cirrhosis.

Methods: Seventy-seven consecutive HCC patients with cirrhosis underwent non-anatomic liver resection in Tongji Hospital from January 2003 to December 2006.