Phase 0 Study of Vandetanib-Eluting Radiopaque Embolics as a Preoperative Embolization Treatment in Patients with Resectable Liver Malignancies

PurposeTo assess the safety and tolerability of a vandetanib-eluting radiopaque embolic (BTG-002814) for transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) in patients with resectable liver malignancies.Materials and MethodsThe VEROnA clinical trial was a first-in-human, phase 0, single-arm, window-of-opportunity study. Eligible patients were aged ≥18 years and had resectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (Child-Pugh A) or metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Patients received 1 mL of BTG-002814 transarterially (containing 100 mg of vandetanib) 7–21 days prior to surgery. The primary objectives were to establish the safety and tolerability of BTG-002814 and determine the concentrations of vandetanib and the N-desmethyl vandetanib metabolite in the plasma and resected liver after treatment. Biomarker studies included circulating proangiogenic factors, perfusion computed tomography, and dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging.ResultsEight patients were enrolled: 2 with HCC and 6 with mCRC. There was 1 grade 3 adverse event (AE) before surgery and 18 after surgery; 6 AEs were deemed to be related to BTG-002814. Surgical resection was not delayed. Vandetanib was present in the plasma of all patients 12 days after treatment, with a mean maximum concentration of 24.3 ng/mL (standard deviation ± 13.94 ng/mL), and in resected liver tissue up to 32 days after treatment (441–404,000 ng/g). The median percentage of tumor necrosis was 92.5% (range, 5%–100%). There were no significant changes in perfusion imaging parameters after TACE.ConclusionsBTG-002814 has an acceptable safety profile in patients before surgery. The presence of vandetanib in the tumor specimens up to 32 days after treatment suggests sustained anticancer activity, while the low vandetanib levels in the plasma suggest minimal release into the systemic circulation. Further evaluation of this TACE combination is warranted in dose-finding and efficacy studies.     

The effect of trans arterial chemoembolization in the management of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. A systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundA comprehensive re-evaluation on the role of trans-arterial chemoembolization (TACE) in patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.MethodsA thorough database searching was performed in PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library. Eligible studies were restricted to comparative studies between TACE and non-TACE cohorts. RevMan5.3 software and Stata 13.0 software were used for statistical analyses. The primary endpoint of our study was long-term survival.ResultsA total of 11 studies with 2036 patients were finally identified. Pooled results revealed that patients receiving TACE had a significantly better overall survival (OS) versus those without TACE (P < 0.05). Subgroup analyses were performed according to different types of TACE. Prophylactic post-surgical TACE (PPTACE) was associated with a significantly better OS versus those without PPTACE (P < 0.05). Palliative TACE (PTACE) also achieved a significantly better OS compared with those with supportive treatment (ST) only (P < 0.00001). However, TACE had no impact on disease-free survival (P = 0.87) and was less effective than surgical resection (P = 0.003).ConclusionPPTACE has a remarkable impact on OS versus those with surgical resections only and should be regularly performed. Regarding patients with unresectable disease, apart from conventional ST, adjuvant PTACE is also recommended. Upcoming prospective randomized controlled trials are warranted for further validation.     

Efficacy and Safety of Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Creation for Budd-Chiari Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

PurposeTo assess the critical role of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) in the management of Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS), as the data with respect to the safety and outcome of TIPS in patients with BCS are scarce because of the rarity of the disease.Materials and MethodsA comprehensive search of literature of various databases from 2000 to October 2021 was conducted for studies evaluating the outcome of TIPS in patients with BCS. The primary outcomes of the analysis were technical and clinical success, adverse events and mortality associated with TIPS, dysfunction of TIPS, need for TIPS revision, need for liver transplantation (LT), and 1-year survival.ResultsA total of 33 studies (1,395 patients) were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled rates and 95% confidence intervals of various outcomes were 98.6% (97.6–99.7) for technical success, 90.3% (86.0–94.6) for clinical success, 10.0% (6.5–13.6) for major adverse events, 0.5% (0.2–1.0) for TIPS-related mortality, 11.6% (7.8–15.4) for post-TIPS hepatic encephalopathy (HE), 40.1% (32.5–47.7) for TIPS dysfunction, 8.6% (4.9–12.4) for the need for TIPS revision, 4.5% (2.8–6.2) for the need for LT, and 94.6% (93.1–96.1) for 1-year survival. Publication bias was seen with all outcomes except for post-TIPS HE, TIPS dysfunction, and the need for LT.ConclusionsThe existing literature supports the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of TIPS in the treatment of BCS. Deciding the optimal timing of TIPS in BCS needs further studies.     

扶正化瘀方含药血清对肝星状细胞activinA/smad信号通路活化的影响

目的　探讨扶正化瘀方含药血清对肝星状细胞（HSC）激活素A（activinA）/smad信号通路活化的影响。方法　20只SD大鼠按照随机数字表法分为对照组及扶正化瘀（Fzhy）-低、中、高剂量含药血清组，每组5只，分别以蒸馏水，0.75、1.5、3.0 g/kg扶正化瘀溶液（扶正化瘀胶囊药物粉末与蒸馏水配制）灌胃1次/d，连续3 d，取血制备空白血清（对照组）和含药血清。以大鼠HSC-T6细胞为研究对象，分别用5%、10%、20%体积分数的各组含药血清培养细胞。CCK-8检测细胞存活率，选取细胞存活率在50%左右的体积分数重新分为对照组及Fzhy-低、中、高剂量组。流式细胞术检测细胞周期及凋亡率、线粒体膜电位变化和活性氧（ROS）水平；实时荧光定量聚合酶链反应检测细胞中activinA、smad3、samd7、核因子（NF）-κB的mRNA水平；蛋白质印迹法检测细胞中activinⅡA受体（ActRⅡA）、smad3、NF-κB p65、胱天蛋白酶（caspase）-3的蛋白水平。结果　各扶正化瘀含药血清组的细胞存活率均低于对照组（P＜0.05），选择体积分数为10%的含药血清进行后续实验。对照组和各扶正化瘀方含药血清组细胞周期和凋亡率差异均无统计学意义。对照组及Fzhy-低、中、高剂量组细胞内ROS水平及线粒体膜电位水平降低比例逐次升高（P＜0.05）。与对照组比较，Fzhy-中、高剂量组smad3 mRNA表达水平降低，smad7 mRNA升高，Fzhy-低、中、高剂量组NF-κB、activinA mRNA，smad3、NF-κB p65、ActRⅡA蛋白表达水平降低，Fzhy-低剂量组、中剂量组caspase-3蛋白表达水平升高（P＜0.05）；与Fzhy-低剂量组相比，Fzhy-中、高剂量组smad3 mRNA表达水平降低，Fzhy-中剂量组activinA及smad7 mRNA升高（P＜0.05）。结论　扶正化瘀方含药血清可通过影响HSC-T6细胞增殖、参与细胞的氧化应激以及调节细胞activinA/smad信号转导通路来实现抗纤维化作用。     

Effects of Cassava Juice (Manihot esculenta Crantz) on Renal and Hepatic Function and Motor Impairments in Male Rats

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is a plant that contains neurotoxins such as linamarin and lotaustraline. Its long-term consumption is associated with neuronal damage and contributes to the development of motor impairment in humans and rats. We investigated the effects of the consumption of cassava juice on renal and hepatic function and motor impairments in male rats. The rats received the vehicle, non-toxic and toxic doses of cassava juice, or linamarin as a pharmacological control, over 35 consecutive days. The effects were evaluated in an open field test, rotarod, and swim test. The toxic cassava dose and linamarin resulted in motor impairments in the rotarod and swim test from day 7 of treatment. The toxic cassava dose and linamarin increased the parameters that indicate renal and hepatic damage, with the exception of total protein and albumin levels. Behavioral variables that show motor incoordination (i.e., latency to fall in the rotarod) were negatively correlated with biochemical parameters of renal and kidney damage, whereas spin behavior was positively correlated. Our data indicate that chronic oral consumption of cassava juice caused renal and hepatic damage that was correlated with motor coordination impairment in rats, similarly to their principal neurotoxic compound, linamarin.     

黄芩苷对肝星状细胞iNOS/PUMA信号通路的影响

目的研究黄芩苷通过iNOS/PUMA信号通路促进肝星状细胞凋亡的作用。方法MTT检测细胞增殖抑制率,Western Blot检测iNOS、PUMA蛋白表达,real-time PCR检测PUMA mRNA表达,一氧化氮检测试剂盒检测NO含量,iNOS抑制剂L-NAME预处理后检测细胞增殖抑制率和PUMA表达,Hoechst 33342核染色检测细胞凋亡。结果50 mM黄芩苷引起肝星状细胞活化诱导性死亡;黄芩苷促进肝星状细胞PUMA mRNA、蛋白表达;iNOS抑制剂L-NAME预处理后PUMA表达降低、细胞凋亡减少。结论黄芩苷能通过iNOS/PUMA信号通路促进肝星状细胞凋亡。     

不同制法下瘀血汤对CCl4诱导大鼠肝纤维化的影响

目的:探讨蜜丸酒煎下瘀血汤与饮片酒煎下瘀血汤抗肝纤维化作用是否存在异同。方法:40只Wistar大鼠随机分为正常组、模型组、蜜丸酒煎下瘀血汤组、饮片酒煎下瘀血汤组、扶正化瘀方组。以50%CCl_4皮下注射9周制备肝纤维化模型。第7周首日开始,正常组与模型组给予0.3%羧甲基纤维素钠灌胃,其余3组分别给予蜜丸酒煎下瘀血汤(0.58 g·kg~(-1)),饮片酒煎下瘀血汤(0.43 g·kg~(-1)),扶正化瘀方(2 g·kg~(-1))灌胃,第9周结束后收集肝组织和血清样本。分别采用苏木素-伊红(HE)染色观察各组大鼠肝组织病理学,天狼猩红染色观察纤维化程度,碱水解法测定肝组织羟脯氨酸含量情况,全自动分析法检测大鼠血清肝功能,实时荧光定量聚合酶链式反应(Real-time PCR)检测肝组织α-平滑肌肌动蛋白(α-SMA)和Ⅰ型胶原(COL-I)mRNA的表达情况,蛋白免疫印迹法(Western blot)和免疫组化测定肝组织α-SMA蛋白的表达,酶联免疫吸附测定(ELISA)测定炎症因子与氧化指标。结果:与正常组比较,模型组大鼠肝肝纤维化程度较严重,肝组织天狼猩红阳性染色面积比、羟脯氨酸含量,α-SMA和COL-I蛋白及mRNA表达显著增加(P0.01),大鼠血清丙氨酸氨基转移酶(AST),天门冬氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT),总胆红素(TBil),肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α),白细胞介素(IL)-1β,IL-17A及丙二醛(MDA)的水平显著增加(P0.01),超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)及谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)的水平显著降低(P0.01);与模型组比较,蜜丸酒煎下瘀血汤与饮片酒煎下瘀血汤可明显减轻肝纤维化程度,肝组织天狼猩红阳性染色面积比、羟脯氨酸含量,α-SMA和COL-I蛋白及mRNA表达,大鼠血清AST,ALT,TBil,TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-17A,MDA的水平明显降低(P0.05,P0.01),SOD及GSH-Px水平明显增加(P0.05,P0.01)。其中蜜丸酒煎下瘀血汤组肝组织病理变化的改善显著优于饮片酒煎下瘀血汤,且肝组织在天狼猩红阳性染色面积比、羟脯氨酸含量、肝组织COL-I mRNA以及α-SMA mRNA和蛋白的表达降低也较饮片酒煎下瘀血汤明显(P0.05,P0.01)。血清肝功能、炎症因子及氧化相关指标2种制法下瘀血汤组间差异无统计学意义,但蜜丸酒煎下瘀血汤改善趋势更为明显。结论:蜜丸酒煎下瘀血汤与饮片酒煎下瘀血汤均具有较好的抗肝纤维化作用,其中以蜜丸酒煎下瘀血汤作用更为显著,提示制蜜丸一定程度上能够增加下瘀血汤抗肝纤维化作用。     

原发性肝淀粉样变1例报告并文献回顾

目的:报道1例原发性肝淀粉样变病例，提高该病的认识水平，减少误诊误治。方法:分析我院2015年03月诊治并经病理学确诊的肝淀粉样变1例，并结合国内外文献，对本病的临床表现、诊断、治疗及预后进行讨论分析。结果:患者临床表现为右上腹隐痛、腹胀、肝大；既往:1年前因脾破裂于我院肝胆外科行脾切除术；术后病理:（脾）内有较多出血，有血肿形成，周围脾白髓萎缩，红髓间质有玻璃样变性，符合陈旧性脾破裂伴血肿形成。肝功提示:碱性磷酸酶明显升高，白蛋白减低，球蛋白升高，肝脏CT示肝脏体积明显增大，肝脏实质强化不均匀，胆囊结石。肝穿刺组织病理活检:肝细胞索变性坏死，有炎细胞浸润，肝索内肝细胞间有粉染无结构物质，免疫组化染色结果:CD34(-)、刚果红染色(+)。结论:对肝淀粉样变缺乏诊治经验是该病误诊的原因之一，以腹痛、肝大为主要临床表现极易误诊为脂肪肝，肝硬化及原发性肝癌。当临床上遇到肝脏肿大明显伴碱性磷酸酶明显升高且与其他肝功生化指标变化不平行时，尤其合并多器官受累表现者，须警惕肝淀粉样变的可能，确诊的惟一方法是肝穿刺行组织病理检查，但应注意出血等并发症。