Combination Assay of Methylated with Tumor Markers Shows High Sensitivity for Detection of Early-Stage Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Introduction: Patients with hepatitis virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma (viral HCC) are decreasing as hepatitis control improves, but those with non-viral-related HCC (non-viral HCC) are increasing in Japan. No established surveillance system exists for patients with non-viral HCC, so they are often diagnosed at an advanced stage. To address this, we performed this study.

Varying Impact of Lenvatinib or Sorafenib Therapy on Skeletal Muscle Loss in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Introduction: Lenvatinib and sorafenib are key therapeutic agents for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, there are no useful biomarkers for selecting molecular-targeted agents (MTAs). Skeletal muscle volume is associated with the clinical outcomes in these patients.

Methylated SEPT9 assay-based liquid biopsy as a biomarker in molecular targeted agent-treated hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: The development of molecular targeted agents (MTAs) has changed the treatment strategy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, currently, there are no established predictive biomarkers for the treatment efficacy of MTAs. Previously, we developed a novel liquid biopsy test for HCC screening using sensitive methylated DNA testing of septin 9 gene (SEPT9).

Impact of skeletal muscle volume on patients with BCLC stage-B hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing sorafenib therapy.

Aim: Skeletal muscle volume has been reported to be an important factor that determines overall survival (OS) and post-progression survival (PPS) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the impact of skeletal muscle volume on HCC with Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage B (BCLC-B) remains unclear. We conducted sub-analyses of a previous study on BCLC-B and compared our findings with data on HCC with BCLC stage C (BCLC-C).

Double cancer of primary hepatic angiosarcoma and hepatocellular carcinoma treated with atezolizumab plus bevacizumab.

Aim: Primary hepatic angiosarcoma (PHA) is extremely rare, and its imaging findings are similar to those of other liver tumors including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Here, we report a case of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related HCC followed by PHA that showed remarkable clinical response to atezolizumab plus bevacizumab (Atezo/Bev) therapy.

Case Presentation: A 78-year-old man with recurrent HCC had a liver tumor with lymphadenopathy.

Management of Systemic Therapies and Hepatic Arterial Infusion Chemotherapy in Patients with Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma Based on Sarcopenia Assessment.

Background: Sarcopenia, defined as the loss of skeletal muscle mass (MM), physical performance, and strength, has been associated with poor clinical outcomes in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients treated with several therapies. As systemic therapies, including molecular targeted agents, have a strong impact on sarcopenia, we aimed to review the impact of sarcopenia in patients receiving systemic therapies, especially sorafenib and hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC).

Summary: Several studies have demonstrated that sarcopenia is associated with poor clinical outcomes in patients receiving sorafenib or lenvatinib, while HAIC has no association with overall survival (OS) and sarcopenia.

Skeletal Muscle Volume Is an Independent Predictor of Survival after Sorafenib Treatment Failure for Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Few studies exist on the relationship between post-progression survival (PPS) and skeletal muscle volume in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients receiving sorafenib. This study aimed to analyze the effects of muscle volume on clinical outcomes. We retrospectively enrolled 356 HCC patients.