Two cases of hepatocellular carcinoma successfully treated by carbon ion radiotherapy after atezolizumab plus bevacizumab treatment.

We herein report two cases of huge hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) that were successfully treated by carbon ion radiotherapy after atezolizumab plus bevacizumab treatment. Case 1, an 84-year-old man, was diagnosed with HCC (maximum diameter: 11 cm) with portal invasion and presented HCC rupture. After obtaining hemostasis with transcatheter embolization, three cycles of atezolizumab-bevacizumab therapy were administered, and marked shrinkage of the HCC was confirmed.

Examining the Efficacy of Nivolumab for Gastric Cancer Focusing on Using an Inflammation-based Prognostic Score: A Multicenter Retrospective Study.

Background/aim: To discover the positive therapeutic effects of nivolumab in patients with advanced gastric cancer (AGC), it is necessary to establish a useful biomarker to predict therapeutic efficacy. This multicenter retrospective study sought to evaluate the predictive impact of inflammation-based prognostic score (IBPS) on the therapeutic efficacy of nivolumab in patients with AGC.

Patients And Methods: In this retrospective study, we evaluated 58 AGC patients treated with nivolumab from October 2017 to November 2018 at five institutes.

Increased Spleen Volume in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients Treated with Atezolizumab plus Bevacizumab in Comparison to Lenvatinib: A Retrospective Analysis.

Introduction: We previously reported 2 cases of esophageal varices rupture during atezolizumab and bevacizumab (Atez/Bev) treatment, in which the spleen volume gradually increased. The aim of this retrospective study is to compare the chronological change in spleen volume of patients treated with Atez/Bev and lenvatinib (LEN).

Methods: Seventy-two patients (Atez/Bev group, n = 26; LEN group, n = 46) were included in this retrospective study.

Staphylococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome after Autologous Breast Reconstruction: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Staphylococcal toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a rare but potentially life-threatening systemic bacterial intoxication. TSS is characterized by fever, hypotension, rash, digestive symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea, multiorgan system involvement, and desquamation in the initial recovery period. We report a case of a 35-year-old woman who developed TSS caused by methicillin-resistant following deep inferior epigastric perforator flap breast reconstruction.

Prognosis and incidence of immunological and oncological complications after direct-acting antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis C.

Background And Study Aims: The long-term comprehensive prognosis of chronic hepatitis C after direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy is unclear. This study aimed to investigate the prognosis and incidence of immunological and oncological complications after DAA therapy.

Patients And Methods: The study included a total of 1461 patients who received DAA therapy in our university hospital and affiliated hospitals between September 3, 2014 and September 30, 2018.

Adverse events as potential predictive factors of therapeutic activity in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma treated with atezolizumab plus bevacizumab.

Aim: To investigate the possible correlation between the development of adverse events (AEs) and prognosis in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with atezolizumab plus bevacizumab (Atez/Bev).

Methods: A total of 286 patients with unresectable HCC treated with Atez/Bev as first-line systematic therapy were included.

Results: Regarding treatment-related AEs, decreased appetite of any grade, proteinuria of any grade, and fatigue of any grade were found with a frequency of ≥20%.

Clinical outcomes with atezolizumab plus bevacizumab or lenvatinib in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: a multicenter real-world study.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to compare response rates of lenvatinib and atezolizumab plus bevacizumab, in first-line real-world setting.

Methods: Overall cohort included Western and Eastern hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patient populations from 46 centres in 4 countries (Italy, Germany, Japan, and Republic of Korea).

Results: 1312 patients were treated with lenvatinib, and 823 patients were treated with atezolizumab plus bevacizumab.

Nutritional Status Is Associated with Prognosis in Patients with Advanced Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma Treated with Atezolizumab plus Bevacizumab.

Introduction: This study investigated the relationship between nutritional status, as determined by the prognostic nutritional index (PNI), and outcomes in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with atezolizumab plus bevacizumab (Atez/bev).

Methods: The study analyzed 485 HCC patients treated with Atez/bev.

Results: There were 342 patients with a low PNI (<47) and 143 patients with a high PNI (≥47).

Laparoscopic hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma in a patient with congenital factor V deficiency: a case report.

Background: Factor V (FV) deficiency is an extremely rare disease, with an incidence of 1 in 1 million. The bleeding symptoms are mild, and the prognosis is good; however, the safety of surgical treatment is unclear, because there are few available reports. Herein, we report a case of hepatocellular carcinoma with congenital FV deficiency in a patient who safely underwent laparoscopic hepatectomy.

High frequency of AND mutations in Japanese patients with adult-onset cerebral small vessel disease.

Background: This study aimed to clarify the frequency and clinical features of monogenic cerebral small vessel disease (mgCSVD) among patients with adult-onset severe CSVD in Japan.

Methods: This study included patients with adult-onset severe CSVD with an age of onset ≤55 years (group 1) or >55 years and with a positive family history (group 2). After conducting conventional genetic tests for and , whole-exome sequencing was performed on undiagnosed patients.

Comparative efficacy and safety of atezolizumab and bevacizumab between hepatocellular carcinoma patients with viral and non-viral infection: A Japanese multicenter observational study.

Aim: This study compared the efficacy and safety of atezolizumab and bevacizumab (Atez/Bev) in patients with viral and non-viral infection in clinical settings.

Methods: We conducted the retrospective cohort study of 323 BCLC stage B or C hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with Child-Pugh class A, and a performance status of 0 or 1 who started Atez/Bev from September 2020 to December 2021 at 22 institutions in Japan. Patients with viral infection was defined as those who were either serum anti-HCV- Ab or HBs-Ag-positive, while patients with non-viral infection was defined as those who were both serum anti-HCV Ab- and HBs-Ag-negative.

Multicenter Randomized Open-Label Phase II Clinical Study Comparing Outcomes of NK105 and Paclitaxel in Advanced or Recurrent Breast Cancer.

Background: NK105 is a paclitaxel (PTX)-incorporating "core-shell-type" polymeric micellar nanoparticle formulation composed of block copolymers (polyethylene glycol and a polyamino acid). The efficacy and safety of NK105 and paclitaxel in advanced or recurrent breast cancer have never been compared at equivalent dose levels.

Patients And Methods: Patients were randomly assigned to either NK105 or PTX in a 1:1 ratio.

Atezolizumab plus bevacizumab versus lenvatinib or sorafenib in non-viral unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma: an international propensity score matching analysis.

Background: A growing body of evidence suggests that non-viral hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) might benefit less from immunotherapy.

Materials And Methods: We carried out a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from consecutive patients with non-viral advanced HCC, treated with atezolizumab plus bevacizumab, lenvatinib, or sorafenib, in 36 centers in 4 countries (Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, and UK). The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS) with atezolizumab plus bevacizumab versus lenvatinib.

The hepatocellular carcinoma modified Gustave Roussy Immune score (HCC-GRIm score) as a novel prognostic score for patients treated with atezolizumab and bevacizumab: A multicenter retrospective analysis.

Aim: This study investigated whether or not the hepatocellular carcinoma modified Gustave Roussy Immune Score (HCC-GRIm-Score) serves as a prognostic indicator for HCC patients treated with atezolizumab and bevacizumab (Atez/Bev).

Methods: A total of 405 HCC patients who received Atez/Bev from September 2020 to January 2022 at 22 different institutions were included in this retrospective study. The HCC-GRIm score was based on the combination of the albumin level (<3.

Calibrating Hepatitis E Virus Serological Assays Using Asymptomatic Specimens Obtained in Japan.

This study aimed to calibrate hepatitis E virus (HEV) serological assays. We optimized the previously developed in-house HEV antibody enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) by setting the cutoff with an in-house serological performance panel consisting of broad HEV antibody titers and subtracting nonspecific background values for anti-HEV IgM, IgA, and IgG. We also compared the assay's performance with that of commercial serological assay kits (four kits for IgM, one for IgA, and two for IgG).

Clinical Predictor of Urinary Protein as Adverse Event Associated with Atezolizumab plus Bevacizumab Treatment for Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Introduction: Adverse events (AEs) of urinary protein from monoclonal antibodies against vascular endothelial growth factor are factors that often inhibit systemic therapy for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC). This study aimed to elucidate risk factors of urinary protein in the early period (<12 weeks) of atezolizumab plus bevacizumab treatment (Atez/Bev).

Methods: From 2020 to June 2022, 193 uHCC patients treated with Atez/Bev at our affiliated hospitals were enrolled (median 73 years, 158 males, 183 Child-Pugh A, BCLC-0:A:B:C = 1:7:73:112).

Development and validation of a modified albumin-bilirubin grade and α-fetoprotein score (mALF score) for hepatocellular carcinoma patients receiving atezolizumab and bevacizumab.

Aim: Predicting the survival of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients receiving atezolizumab and bevacizumab (Atez/bev) remains a challenge. This study aims to validate the modified albumin-bilirubin grade and α-fetoprotein score (mALF score).

Methods: This retrospective, multicenter study included 426 HCC patients receiving Atez/Bev.

Predicting systemic therapy toxicity in older adult patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer: A prospective multicenter study of National Hospital Organization in Japan.

Introduction: Previous studies have developed risk stratification schemas to assess systemic therapy toxicity. However, it is controversial which geriatric assessment variables should be used to assess the individual risk of severe treatment-associated toxicity in older adult patients.

Materials And Methods: Patients aged ≥70 years with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated at 24 National Hospital Organization institutions completed a pre-first-line systemic therapy assessment, including patient characteristics, treatment variables, laboratory test values, and geriatric assessment variables.