Combined treatment with silibinin and either sorafenib or gefitinib enhances their growth-inhibiting effects in hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

Background/aims: Silibinin, the main component of silymarin, is used as a hepatoprotectant and exhibits anticancer effects against various cancer cells. This study evaluated the effects of a combination of silibinin with either gefitinib or sorafenib on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells.

Methods: Several different human HCC cell lines were used to test the growth-inhibiting effects and cell toxicity of silibinin both alone and in combination with either gefitinib or sorafenib.

High prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection in patients with B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in Korea.

This study assessed the association of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in a highly HBV-endemic area. The prevalence of either HBV or HCV infection in 235 patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was compared with that of an age- and sex-matched hospital control group of 235 patients. The prevalence of HBV infection was higher in B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (15.

The usefulness of colonoscopy as a screening test for detecting colorectal polyps.

Background/aims: Colonic polyps are the most common lesions encountered during screening colonoscopy. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of colonoscopy to detect colonic polyps in adults.

Methodology: From January 2003 to September 2005, a total of 4,629 adults underwent colonoscopic screening as a part of a health evaluation program.

[Positron emission tomography with fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose is useful for predicting the prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma].

Background/aims: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is heterogenous in terms of its glucose metabolism. Positron emission tomography with fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG-PET) shows various levels of FDG uptake for patients with HCC. This study was designed to assess the usefulness of FDG-PET for predicting the outcome of the patients with HCC.

[Evaluation of various hepatic lesions with positron emission tomography].

Background/aims: [18F]FDG-PET is a functional imaging modality reflecting cellular glucose metabolism. In most malignant cells, accumulation and trapping of [18F]FDG allows the visualization of increased uptake compared with normal cells. The aim of this study was to assess the value of PET in differentiating benign from malignant hepatic lesions and to determine in which types of hepatic tumors PET can help evaluate stage, monitor response to therapy, and detect recurrence.