[Transcription factor activity profile of human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines with different metastatic potentials].

Objectives: To examine the activities of transcription factors (TFs) in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines with different metastatic potentials, so as to identify the TFs associated with HCC metastasis.

Methods: Transcription factor activity profile of Hep3B, MHCC97L and MHCC97H, three HCC cell lines with different metastatic potentials, were examined using protein/DNA array. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA) and Western blot were used to confirm the results obtained by protein/DNA array.

[Up-regulation of thymidine phosphorylase and anti-angiogenesis by interferon alpha in human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line and xenograft].

Objective: To further study the impact of interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) on thymidine phosphorylase (TP) expression and angiogenesis.

Methods: Human hepatocellular carcinoma cells of the line SMMC-7721 were cultured and added with IFN-alpha of different doses: 0 (as control group), 1000, 5000 and 10,000 U/ml. Twenty-four hours later RT-PCR was used to detect the TP mRNA expression.

Expressed proteome analysis of human hepatocellular carcinoma in nude mice (LCI-D20) with high metastasis potential.

We report for the first time an expressed proteome for human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in nude mice model. Most cases of human liver cancer are HCC with highly metastatic ability. Therefore, the early prediction or diagnosis and effective treatment are the key points of research.

Overexpression of platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha in endothelial cells of hepatocellular carcinoma associated with high metastatic potential.

Purpose: Little information is available on the heterogeneity of the vascular endothelium in hepatocellular carcinoma. The aim of this study was to identify the differentially expressed genes in tumor endothelial cells from highly metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma.

Experimental Design: Magnetic beads conjugated with anti-CD31 antibody were used to isolate vascular endothelial cells from hepatocellular carcinoma xenografts with different metastatic potentials in nude mice.

[Screening hepatocellular carcinoma autoantibodies by serological proteome analysis].

Objective: To screen hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) autoantibodies as diagnostic biomarkers or therapy targets by serologic proteome analysis (SERPA).

Methods: Total proteins extracted from human HCC cell line HCCLM3 were separated by two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) and then transferred onto PVDF membranes, which were subsequently incubated with sera from HCC, hepatitis B virus (HBV) infected patients or healthy volunteers. All immuno-reactive protein spots on blot films were matched to those on 2-DE gel maps by image analysis and identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight-mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS/MS).

Proteomic analysis on metastasis-associated proteins of human hepatocellular carcinoma tissues.

Purpose: A comparative proteomic approach was used to identify and analyze proteins related to metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: Proteins extracted from 12 HCC tissue specimens (six with metastases and six without) were separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE). The protein spots exhibiting statistical alternations between the two groups through computerized image analysis were then identified by mass spectrometry.

[Therapeutic effectiveness of liver transplantation: a single center study of 203 consecutive cases].

Objective: To investigate the measures to further improve the therapeutic efficacy of liver transplantation.

Methods: The clinical data of 203 consecutive cases of orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) performed in Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University April 2001 to October 2004, with the indications for considering OLT of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (142 cases), liver cirrhosis (36 cases), fulminant hepatic failure (7 cases), Wilson's disease (6 cases), and other end-stage liver diseases (12 cases), including 199 cases of cadaveric OLT, inclusive of 2 cases of reduced-size and 1 case of splitting liver transplantation, and 4 cases of living-donor liver transplantation, were retrospectively analyzed. Multivariate analysis using Cox proportional hazards regression model was applied to determine the risk factors predicting liver transplantation prognosis for HCC.

[Diagnosis and management for early hepatic artery thrombosis after liver transplantation].

Objective: To explore the diagnosis and management of early hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT) after liver transplantation.

Methods: Routine examination of Color Doppler Imagine (CDI) was used to detect hepatic artery flow after liver transplantation in 220 cases from April 2001 to November 2004. Suspected patients were further confirmed by immediate hepatic artery angiography, and continuous infusion of urokinase through hepatic artery with catheter was performed to the patients with HAT.

Heat-shock protein 27: a potential biomarker for hepatocellular carcinoma identified by serum proteome analysis.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide and ranks second in China. The prognosis of HCC remains dismal mainly because of its late diagnosis, especially in patients with coexisting chronic liver diseases. To identify serum biomarkers for HCC, sera from 20 healthy volunteers, 20 hepatitis B virus (HBV) infected patients and 20 HCC patients were selected for screening study and same number of sera into the same three groups were used for validation study.

[The prognostic significance of preoperative plasma level of osteopontin in combination with intercellular adhesion molecule-1 for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma].

Objective: To investigate the enhanced predictive activity of preoperative plasma osteopontin (OPN) level in combination with intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) for recurrence and prognosis of patients after resection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: A total of 75 patients received liver resection for HCC from August 2001 to December 2001 in authors' institute were enrolled in this study. The preoperative plasma levels of OPN and ICAM-1 were detected by ELISA, and the association of them combination with the recurrence and prognosis of HCC patients was analyzed.

[Transcatheter hepatic arterial chemoembolization on recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma after resection].

Objective: To investigate the effect of transcatheter hepatic arterial chemoembolization (TACE) therapy on the survival and prognosis of recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after surgical resection.

Methods: The data of 130 surgically resected but recurrent HCC patients treated by TACE were reviewed retrospectively. The survival and influencing factors on the prognosis were analyzed.

Risk factors for postoperative complications after liver resection.

Background: Liver resection is still a complicated operation with a high risk of postoperative morbidity. This study was undertaken to analyze the risk factors for postoperative complications after liver resection.

Methods: From 2001 to 2004, a total of 146 patients underwent liver resection for malignant or benign lesions.

[Influence of reconstruction of immunological functions of T lymphocytes on mouse hepatocarcinoma metastasis].

Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of reconstruction of immunological functions of T cells on the degree of metastases of mouse hepatocarcinoma and the mechanisms of their functioning.

Methods: The T cell model of immunological functions in Balb/c nu/nu mice was established and the effectiveness of the model was evaluated. The mice were divided into 4 groups.

[Relationship between DLC-1 expressions and metastasis in hepatocellular carcinoma].

Objectives: To study the relationship between the expression level of DLC-1 mRNA (located in 8p) and the invasion/metastasis of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: Fifty-one surgical specimens of human HCC were divided into high-invasive and low invasive groups according to their clinicopathological features. DLC-1 mRNA expression was studied in the 51 HCC specimens as well as 5 different metastasis potential cell lines using real-time quantitative PCR (RQ-PCR).

[Study of serum proteome biomarkers with relation to the formation of portal vein tumor thrombi in hepatocellular carcinoma patients].

Objective: To screen serum proteome biomarkers and establish predictive model with relation to the formation of portal vein tumor thrombi (PVTT) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients.

Methods: Serum samples were collected from 135 HCC patients, which were divided, into training set (including 33 HCC patients with PVTT and 62 HCC patients without PVTT) and blind testing set (including 18 HCC patients with PVTT and 22 HCC patients without PVTT). Special serum protein or peptide pattern was determined by SELDI-TOF-MS measurement after treating the sample onto WCX2 protein chip for each case.

[Relationship between dendritic cells and memory T lymphocytes in tumor site and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma].

Objective: To investigate the relationship between the distribution and quantity of dendritic cells (DCs) and memory T lymphocytes in the tumor site and the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: Hematoxilin and eosin staining was done on 123 specimens of pathologically proven HCC to observe the infiltration of lymphocytes. Immunohistochemistry was used to count the S-100 protein positive DCs and CD45RO antigen positive memory T cells in ten high power fields within a specimen.

[Vasoinhibitory effect of daltepartin sodium on human hepatocellular carcinoma in nude mice].

Objectives: To study the inhibition effect of Daltepartin Sodium (low molecular weight heparins) on human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in nude mice.

Methods: Metastatic model of HCC was established in nude mice. The model mice were randomly divided into 4 groups; they were the control group (saline solution), chemotherapy group (fluorouracil and Cis-dichlorodiamine platinum), Daltepartin Sodium group (Daltepartin Sodium), combined treatment group (Daltepartin Sodium and chemotherapy).

[Changes in the immune function of dendritic cells (DC) derived from HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patient's peripheral blood monocytes (PBMC) pulsed with tumor antigen].

Objective: To identify the phenotype and immune function of dendritic cells derived from HBV-related HCC patients's peripheral blood monocytes pulsed with soluble tumor antigen, and their relation to immune escape.

Methods: Peripheral blood monocytes were isolated from 18 HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients, 11 HBV-related liver cirrhosis patients (LC) and 10 health blood donors; DCs were induced in the completed medium containing GM-CSF and IL-4. The morphology of DCs was studied using a confocal microscope and scanning electronic microscope, and the phenotype of DCs were detected by flow cytometric analysis.

Consideration of role of radiotherapy for lymph node metastases in patients with HCC: retrospective analysis for prognostic factors from 125 patients.

Objectives: To evaluate the role of radiotherapy (RT) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with abdominal lymph node (LN) metastasis at our institution in the past 7 years.

Methods And Materials: We identified 125 patients with HCC metastasis to regional LNs treated with or without external beam RT (EBRT) between 1998 and 2004. Clinical characteristics collected included alpha-fetoprotein status, gamma-glutamyltransferase, status of intrahepatic tumors (size and number), previous therapy for intrahepatic tumors, metastatic LN status (location, number, and size), tumor thrombi, and Child-Pugh classification.

Liver transplantation for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma at the Liver Cancer Institute of Fudan University, China.

Background: Selection of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) for orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) remains controversial. Since there is a trend to expand the transplant criteria for HCC patients, we reviewed the data of patients with HCC who had received OLT at our institute to determine their survival and prognostic factors.

Methods: A total of 67 patients with HCC who had undergone OLT from April 2001 through December 2003 were reviewed retrospectively.

Transfection of thymidine phosphorylase cDNA to human hepatocellular carcinoma cells enhances sensitivity to fluoropyrimidine but augments endothelial cell migration.

Purpose: To investigate the effects on sensitivity to fluoropyrimidine and endothelial cell (EC) migration by transfection with thymidine phosphorylase (TP) cDNA to a hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell line SMMC-7721.

Methods: SMMC-7721 was transfected with pcDNA3.1/zeo (+) with human TP cDNA.

[Cryohepatectomy for liver cancer: preliminary evaluation of reducing postoperative recurrence].

Objective: To determine whether cryohepatectomy is potentially beneficial in reducing the recurrence and prolonging survival for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: The study included 84 patients who underwent cryohepatectomy, cryosurgery with liquid nitrogen (-196 degrees C) followed by the resection of the frozen tumor by conventional technique, for HCC and were closely follow-up after surgery. Recurrence and survival rates were calculated by the life-table method.

[The effects of portal vein microscopic and macroscopic tumor thrombi on post-operation patients with hepatocellular carcinoma].

Objective: To evaluate the effects of portal vein microscopic and macroscopic tumor thrombi on post-operation patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: Three thousand three hundred and forty eight HCC patients were retrospectively reviewed, which were divided into no portal vein tumor thrombi (PVTT), microscopic PVTT and macroscopic PVTT groups according to the pathology, effects of portal vein microscopic and macroscopic tumor thrombi on post-operation patients's survival were studied by univariate analysis and overall survival was evaluated in each group.

Results: Hazard ratio (HR) of portal vein microscopic tumor thrombi and macroscopic tumor thrombi was 1.

Molecular cytogenetic characteristics of the human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HCCLM3 with high metastatic potential: comparative genomic hybridization and multiplex fluorescence in situ hybridization.

The HCCLM3 cell line was established at the authors' institute from the lung metastatic lesions of BALB/c nude mice bearing human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) from the metastatic HCC cell line MHCC97-H. It has been shown to have a high potential for lung metastases and extensive metastases when the cells are inoculated subcutaneously or orthotopically in athymic nude mice. In the present study, the molecular cytogenetic characteristics of this cell line were evaluated with conventional G-banding, comparative genomic hybridization, and multiplex fluorescence in situ hybridization.