Two novel SNPs in the promoter region of PKR gene in hepatitis C patients and their impact on disease outcome and response to treatment

Background and study aims

The double-stranded RNA dependent protein kinase (PKR) plays a vital role in the immune system. During HCV infection, PKR has antiviral effect by inhibition of protein synthesis of the HCV. The functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in PKR promoter region might have a relation to HCV disease outcome and response to treatment. The objective of the present work was threefold. First, it proposed an optimized protocol for PCR amplification of PKR promoter. Second, it screened the promoter region of PKR gene in HCV Egyptian patients to detect the possible SNPs’ function. Third, to study the association between the detected SNPs and the response to treatment.

Non-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging as a surveillance tool for hepatocellular carcinoma: Comparison with ultrasound

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Surgery combined with post-operative trancatheter arterial chemoembolization improves survival of intermediate hepatocellular carcinoma

Aim: To investigate the efficacy of surgery combined with post-operative trancatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) for intermediate hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: A total of 102 patients were divided into two groups: Radical liver resection only (LR group, 52 patients) and radical liver resection combined with post-operative TACE (combined group, 50 patients). Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan–Meier method. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed using Cox proportional analysis to detect prognostic factors of survival outcomes.

Results: The 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rate in the LR group were significantly lower compared with those in combined group (p?=?.019). The 1-, 3- and 5-year progression-free survival rate in the LR group were also lower than those in the combined group (p?=?.048). Multivariate analysis detected that tumor number (multiple vs single), tumor distribution (both lobes vs semi-liver), treatment strategy (surgery?+?TACE vs surgery) were independent factors for OS (HR values were 2.307, 3.155 and 0.526, respectively) and PFS (HR values were 1.938, 3.425 and 0.633, respectively; p?<?.05).

Conclusion: In conclusion, surgery combined with post-operative TACE may improve survival outcomes for patients with intermediate HCC. Tumor number, tumor distribution and treatment strategy (surgery?+?TACE) were significantly associated with the prognosis of patients with intermediate HCC.