ObjectiveTo compare the clinical therapeutic efficacy of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and external beam radiation (XRT) in the treatment of early hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MethodsThe early HCC patients were collected in the SEER (Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results) database, from 2010 to 2015, according to the established inclusion and exclusion criteria. The patients were assigned into an XRT group and a RFA group according to according treatment plans. The propensity score matching (PSM) was performed at a ratio of 1∶4 based on age, gender, race, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), cirrhosis, and tumor diameter. The overall survival of the patients of the two groups was compared, and the risk factors affecting the long-term prognosis for the early HCC patients were analyzed. ResultsA total of 2 861 early HCC patients were collected, including 2 513 in the RFA group and 348 in the XRT group. After PSM, a total of 1 582 patients were enrolled, including 343 in the XRT group and 1 239 in the RFA group. After PSM, the proportion of tumor with larger diameter (>5 cm) in the XRT group was still higher than that in the RFA group (P<0.001), but there were no statistically significant differences in the other clinical pathological characteristics between them (P>0.05). The Kaplan-Meier survival curves of the RFA group was better than that of the XRT group (HR=1.65, P<0.001); The stratified analysis based on the tumor diameter revealed that the survival curves of the RFA group were superior to those of the XRT group in the HCC patients with tumor diameters <3 cm, 3–5 cm, and >5 cm (<3 cm: HR=1.79, P<0.001; 3–5 cm: HR=1.50, P<0.001; >5 cm: HR=1.67, P=0.003). The results of the multivariate Cox regression model analysis showed that the older age (≥65 years), higher AFP level (≥400 μg/L), larger tumor diameter (≥3 cm), and later AJCC stage (stage Ⅱ) were the risk factors for overall survival in the early HCC patients (HR>1, P<0.05), while the XRT treatment was a risk factor for shortening overall survival in the HCC patients [HR(95%CI)=1.62(1.41, 1.86), P<0.001]. ConclusionThe data analysis results from the SEER database suggest that the long-term overall survival of RFA treatment is superior to XRT treatment for patients with AJCC stage Ⅰ or Ⅱ.
ObjectiveThe present study was to investigate the value of multi-disciplinary team (MDT) model in patient with primary giant liver cancer.MethodsThe MDT model was carried out for a BCLC B stage patient who admitted in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University in July 2018. The associated references were reviewed and the treatment methods were discussed about primary giant liver cancer.ResultsAn elder man who was diagnosed as primary hepatocellular carcinoma (minor cancer) in right lobe of the liver in three years ago and took Chinese medicine orally. When the patient subsequent visited this time, the liver cancer increased about 10 cm. After discussed by MDT, the treatment method was draw up to transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) plus surgery. After received twice TACE therapies in the later 14 weeks, the tumor in right lobe had significantly shrinked and left lobe enlarged. The patient underwent laparoscopic right liver hepatectomy after the second MDT discussion in 5 months later. The patient underwent operation successfully. The operation lasted for 270 minutes, and the intraoperative blood loss was about 500 mL. The suspended red blood cells (400 mL) was infused. The patient underwent transient liver failure and recovered through hepatoprotective and symptomatic supportive treatment, and discharged on 12 days after operation. A retrospective examination of abdominal CT at 4 months postoperatively revealed a significant hyperplasia of the left lobe of the liver, and there was no sign of recurrent tumor. The patient was continue to followed up.ConclusionsThepatient with primary giant hepatocellular carcinoma who cannot underwent surgery at the first time can received TACE, and a few patients could be underwent radical operation later. MDT should be applied flexibly in the treatment of patients with huge hepatocellular carcinoma from beginning to end, so the best treatment plan should be carried out for patients.
ObjectiveTo explore the effects of hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α) on the reverse differentiation of hepatocellular carcinoma cells into liver cancer stem cells, and the maintenance of malignant biological behavior in hypoxic environment.MethodsCD133-negative cells in HepG2 cells were separated by immunomagnetic beads and divided into two groups. The cells of siRNA group were transfected with siRNA-HIF-1α to silence the expression of HIF-1α gene, while cells of the blank control group did not transfect any siRNA fragments. The two groups of cells were cultured under normal and hypoxic conditions respectively. MTT, cloning and Transwell chamber experiments were used to detect the proliferation and invasion ability of cells. Western blot and real-time PCR (RT-PCR) were used to detect the expressions of HIF-1α, CD133, CD90, and CD44 protein and mRNA in cells.ResultsMTT results showed that the cell proliferation rate increased with the prolongation of hypoxia in four groups. Compared with the blank control group at 24, 32, 40, and 48 hours, the cell proliferation rate decreased significantly after siRNA-HIF-1a transfection, on both two kinds of cultured conditions (P<0.05). The results of plate cloning experiment showed that the number of cell-forming clones increased significantly after hypoxic culture (there were significant differences between the transfected normoxic group and transfected hypoxic group, blank control normoxic group and blank control hypoxic group, P<0.05); and the formation of transfected hypoxic condition group at the same time of hypoxia was also significant (P<0.05). The number of clones were significantly less than that of the blank control group at the hypoxic condition (P<0.05). Transwell lab experiment showed that after hypoxic culture, the number of cells migrated to the inferior chamber in the transfection group was significantly reduced compared with that of the blank control group (P<0.05). Western blot and RT-PCR results showed that the expression levels of HIF-1α protein and tumor stem cell markers (CD133, CD90, and CD44 protein) in the blank control hypoxic condition group were significantly higher than those in the other three groups (P<0.05); after siRNA-HIF-1a transfection, HIF-1α mRNA and tumor stem cell markers mRNA (CD133, CD90, and CD44 mRNA) in the transfected hypoxic condition group were significantly lower than those in the transfected normal condition group and the blank control normal condition group (P<0.05).ConclusionsIn hypoxia environment, HIF-1α can promote hepatocellular carcinoma cells to differentiate into liver cancer stem cells and enhance their malignant biological behavior.
ObjectiveTo compare clinical effect of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and open repeated hepatectomy (ORH) in treatment of liver cancer with late recurrence (recurrence time >12 months) and single tumor diameter ≤5 cm.MethodsThe patients with advanced intrahepatic recurrence after first operation for liver cancer in this hospital from January 2013 to December 2019 were retrospectively collected, who were treated with ORH (ORH group) or percutaneous RFA (RFA group) and met the inclusion criteria. The overall survival rate and disease-free survival rate of the two groups were compared after 1∶1 matching by propensity score matching (PSM), while the factors affecting survival were stratified.ResultsA total of 244 patients with recurrent liver cancer were collected, including 134 patients in the ORH group, 110 patients in the RFA group. The patients in the two groups were matched with 1∶1 by PSM, 90 patients in each group. The median overall survival time of the ORH group and the RFA group was 54 months and 45 months, respectively. There were no significant differences in the curves of cumulative overall survival and cumulative disease-free survival between the two groups (P=0.221, P=0.199). The incidence of severe complications in the ORH group was higher than that in the RFA group (10.00% versus 2.22%, P=0.029). A further subgroup analysis showed that the overall survival time of the ORH group was longer than that of the RFA group when the diameter of recurrent liver cancer was 3 to 5 cm (P=0.035), which had no significant differences for the patients with AFP (>400 μg/L or ≤400 μg/L), tumors number (single or multiple), and tumor diameter ≤3 cm between the two groups (P>0.05).ConclusionsPercutaneous RFA is effective and safe in treatment of advanced recurrent liver cancer, its overall survival and disease-free survival are similar to ORH treatment. However, when diameter of recurrent tumor is3–5 cm, ORH treatment has a advantage in prolonging survival time of patients.
ObjectiveTo detect the expression of Prox1 (prospero-related homeobox 1) gene in primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and to analyze the correlation of Prox1 gene expression with pathological grade and clinical stage of HCC. MethodsThe expressions of Prox1 gene in carcinoma tissues and adjacent cancerous tissues in HCC as well as normal liver tissues were detected by semi-quantitative RT-PCR, then the correlation of Prox1 gene expression with HCC pathological grade and clinical stage were analyzed. ResultsThe expression of Prox1 gene in carcinoma tissues (0.243±0.102) and adjacent cancerous liver tissues (0.537±0.235) was significantly lower than that in normal liver tissue (0.812±0.372), respectively （ Plt;0.01 or Plt;0.05）. Furthermore, the expression of Prox1 gene in carcinoma tissues was significantly lower than that adjacent cancerous liver tissues (Plt;0.05). The expressions of Prox1 gene in different pathological grade (F=97.950, Plt;0.001) and clinical stage were significantly different (F=228.300, Plt;0.001), and when compared with each other, the differences of pathological grade and clinical stage were also significant (Plt;0.001 or Plt;0.01). The expressions of Prox1 gene in HCC carcinoma tissue were negatively correlated with pathological grade (r=-0.930, Plt;0.01) and clinical stage (r=-0.980, Plt;0.01) of HCC. ConclusionsExpression of Prox1 gene may be related to the initiation and development of HCC, however, that whether Prox1 gene functions as tumor suppressor in HCC needs further investigation.
The Chinese human hepatocellular carcinoma cell SMMC7721 has been analysed by flow cytometry, Southern blotting and Western blotting. The results indicated that SMMC7721 cell is a hypoploid cell with a 0.81 DNA index, and that SMMC7721 cell has internal deletion in the 5'-end of its Rb gene and has no Rb gene product (Rb protein). The normal Rb cDNA has been inserted into a retrovirus vector DOL and introduced into SMMC7721 cells by electrporation transfection technique.About 75% of transfected SMMC7721 cells have been killed by Rb gene product. The remain 25% cells are alive as exogenous Rb gene has been mutationally inactivated. （Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis,1994,10:21-24）
【Abstract】Objective To investigate the imaging features of malignant invasion of major intrahepatic ductal structures (the portal and hepatic venous vasculature, the bilie duct) by primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) using multidetector-row spiral CT (MDCT). Methods We retrospectively analyzed 68 documented HCC patients with tumorous invasion of the major intrahepatic ductal structures who had undergone contrast-enhanced dual-phase MDCT scanning of the upper abdomen.The morphological changes of the portal and hepatic venous vasculature, the bile duct, and the liver parenchyma at both the hepatic arterial phase and portal venous phase images were carefully observed and recorded. Results Among the 68 patients, 47 patients had malignant invasion of the intrahepatic portal venous vessels with secondary tumor thrombus formation; 12 patients had tumor involvement of the hepatic veins and intraheptic segment of the inferior vena cava; Tumor invasion of the bile duct was seen in 9 patents. The direct CT signs of tumor invasion of intrahepatic venous vessels included: ①dilatation or enlargement of the involved vein with intraluminal softtissue “filling defect”； ②enhancement of the tumor thrombus at hepatic arterial phase, the so-called “venous arterialization” phenomenon. The indirect CT signs included: ①arterial-venous shunt, ②early and heterogeneous enhancement of the hepatic parenchyma adjacent to HCC focus, ③cavernous transformation of the portal vein. The CT signs suggesting tumor invasion of the bile duct included: ①dilation of the bile ducts near or proximal to HCC lesion, ②soft-tissue nodule or mass inside the bile ducts. Conclusion Invasion of major intrahepatic ductal structures by HCC will present corresponding CT imaging features. Contrast-enhanced MDCT dualphase scanning combined with appropriate image postprocessing techniques can better evaluate the malignant invasion of major intrahepatic ductal structures.
ObjectiveTo detect the expression of FXYD domain-containing ion transport regulator 6 (FXYD6) protein in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues and the corresponding paracancerous liver tissues, and to explore the clinical significance of FXYD6 protein expression in hepatocellular carcinoma.MethodsEighty hepatocellular carcinoma tissues and the corresponding 40 paracancerous tissues were retrospectively collected in Cangzhou Central Hospital from March 2012 to January 2018, and the expression of FXYD6 protein was examined in these tissues by strept avidin-biotin complex (SABC) immunohistochemistry. We analyzed the relationship between the expression of FXYD6 protein and clinicopathological characteristics of the patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, and the relationship between the expression of the protein and early recurrence or overall survival.ResultsThe positive expression rate of FXYD6 protein was statistically higher in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues than that in the corresponding paracancerous tissues [77.5% (62/80) vs. 40.0% (16/40), P<0.001]. Its expression in hepatocellular carcinoma was not related with gender, age, histological differentiation, tumor maximum diameter, tumor number, AFP concentration in serum, and HBV or HCV infection (P>0.05), but with integrity of tumor capsule, microvascular invasion, and tumor stage (P<0.05). The positive FXYD6 protein expression group had a significantly higher recurrence rate than that of the negative FXYD6 protein expression group [53.2% (33/62) vs. 16.7% (3/18), P=0.006]. However, multivariate analysis results showed that high FXYD6 protein expression was not a risk factor for early relapse (P=0.422). The positive FXYD6 protein expression group had a significantly shorter postoperative survival than the negative FXYD6 expression group ( P=0.043). However, multivariate analysis results showed high FXYD6 protein expression was not a risk factor for overall survival (P=0.754).ConclusionsFXYD6 protein was expressed abnormally in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues, which might be involved in the carcinogenesis and the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma. It might be a poor prognostic factor for patient with hepatocellular carcinoma.
ObjectiveTo summarize the application research progress of animal models of hepatocellular carcinoma at home and abroad in recent years. MethodThe relevant literature on animal models of hepatocellular carcinoma at home and abroad in recent years was reviewed. ResultsAt present, the common animal models of hepatocellular carcinoma mainly included spontaneous animal model, induced animal model, gene modified animal model, transplanted animal model, and humanized animal model. The etiology, pathogenesis, and pathophysiological changes of various animal models were different. The selection of animal models of hepatocellular carcinoma depended on the type and purpose of research. ConclusionsVarious animal models of hepatocellular carcinoma have their own advantages and disadvantages. Researchers should choose different animal models according to their own research purposes to achieve the expected experimental purposes, so that more valuable research results of animal models of hepatocellular carcinoma can be applied to clinical practice, and finally these research results can be truly applied to diagnosis and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.
ObjectiveTo summarize the experience of the whole process management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with high-risk of recurrence and metastasis based on the multidisciplinary team (MDT) mode, and to improve the clinicians’ understanding of the concept of whole process management, so as to improve the survival rate of patients with HCC. MethodThe clinicopathologic data of a HCC patient with high-risk of recurrence and metastasis admitted to the Division of Liver Surgery, Department of General Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University were retrospectively analyzed. ResultsA 52-year-old male patient was diagnosed with HCC with intrahepatic metastasis (China liver cancer staging Ⅱ b, Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage B) after admission due to “epigastric discomfort for 1+-month and liver occupying for 1+-week”. Through discussion by the MDT mode, the allogeneic liver transplantation was performed after successful downstaging following two conversion therapies. No serious complications occurred after operation, and the patient was discharged on the 23rd day after operation. Up to now, pulmonary bacterial and fungal infections and pulmonary metastases had been found during the postoperative follow-up. After anti-infective therapy and targeted therapy combined with radiotherapy, the patient was significantly relieved, had survived for 34 months after operation, and was still under regular follow-up. ConclusionsFor HCC patients with high-risk of recurrence and metastasis, MDT mode has a good clinical benefit for the whole process management of patient. Through the MDT model, the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of HCC are organically integrated, and the patient’ s diagnosis and treatment plans are dynamically adjusted to realize the whole process management of HCC patient, and to raise the survival rate and improve quality of life of HCC patient.