吉西他滨联合奥沙利铂经肝动脉化疗栓塞防治肝癌术后复发

目的:探讨吉西他滨联合奥沙利铂经肝动脉化疗栓塞(transcatheter arterial chemoembolization,TACE)在防治肝癌高危患者术后复发中的价值.方法:回顾性分析肝癌术后复发高危患者120例,88例术后3-6wk接受TACE治疗为TACE组,其中43例采用吉西他滨联合奥沙利铂组成的GEMOX方案(GEMOX组),45例使用传统化疗药物方案(对照组);32例因其他原因未接受TACE治疗作为为单纯手术组.通过6mo、12mo的随访,比较各组6mo、12mo术后复发率.结果:TACE组术后6mo、12mo肝内复发率(20.5%、43.8%)明显低于单纯手术组(37.5%、59.4%),两者均有统计学意义(χ2=6.512、4.573,P<0.05).在TACE组中,GEMOX组6mo术后复发率(11.6%)较对照组(28.9%)低,差异有统计学意义(χ2=4.026,P<0.05),两组12mo术后复发率无明显差异(χ2=0.876,P>0.05);在TACE不良反应中,GEMOX组白细胞减少及恶心、呕吐发生率较对照组低,差异有统计学意义(Z=-2.156、-2.295,P<0.05).结论:对肝癌术后复发高危患者进行预防性TACE有助于减少或延缓术后近期复发率,吉西他滨联合奥沙利铂方案疗效更佳.     

Transarterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma: A review of techniques

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignant diseases worldwide. While curative therapies, including resection, liver transplantation, and percutaneous ablation (percutaneous ethanol injection and radiofrequency ablation), are applicable for only a portion of the HCC population, transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) has been recognized as an effective palliative treatment option for patients with advanced HCC. TACE is also used even for single HCCs in which it is difficult to perform surgical resection or locoregional treatment due to systemic co-morbidities or anatomical problems. TACE has become widely adopted in the treatment of HCC. By using computed tomography-angiography, TACE is capable of performing diagnosis and treatment at the same time. Furthermore, TACE plays an important role in the multidisciplinary treatment for HCC when combined with other treatment. In this review, we first discuss the history of TACE, and then review the previous findings about techniques of achieving a locoregional treatment effect (liver infarction treatment, e.g., ultra-selective TACE, balloon-occluded TACE), and the use of TACE as a drug delivery system for anti-cancer agents (palliative, e.g., platinum complex agents, drug-eluting beads) for multiple lesions.     

Transarterial injection of H101 in combination with chemoembolization overcomes recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma

Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) has become the standard treatment modality for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Nonetheless, the clinical outcomes in patients with unresectable HCC are often unsatisfactory, especially in those with recurrent HCC. H101, an E1B gene deleted adenovirus, is known to have a significant antitumor activity. In addition, local injection of H101 can enhance the effect of antitumor therapies (chemotherapy and radiotherapy). Transarterial H101 gene injectio...     

Short-term interval combined chemoembolization and radiofrequency ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM: To investigate hepatic function after combined transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) with a short-term interval (0-2 d).METHODS: A total of 115 patients with compensated liver cirrhosis underwent RFA combined with TACE at a time-interval of 0-2 d for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) < 5.0 cm. There were 21 patients who received further hepatic directed treatment altering liver function within 12 mo after the combined therapy for HCC-recurrence, and were excluded. The remaining 94 patients who survived without HCC-recurrence were included in this retrospective study.RESULTS: At 1 mo after treatment, Child-Pugh scores (CPs) remained unchanged in 89 of 94 patients (94.7%), and transiently increased by one-point in 5 patients (5.3%). However, the score returned to baseline score at 3 mo and was maintained until 6 mo in all patients. The baseline CPs of 8 or more was identified as a factor for transient rise of CPs after the treatment (CPs 8/9 vs 5/6/7; 21.4% vs 2.5%; P = 0.022). At 12 mo follow-up, CPs was unchanged in 90 patients (95.7%), and increased by one-point in 4 patients (4.3%). The rise of CPs at 12 mo was not statistically associated with the initial transient rise of CPs. There were procedure-related complications in 3 patients (3.2%), but the complications were resolved by medical and interventional treatments without hepatic functional sequelae.CONCLUSION: The combined TACE and RFA with an interval of 0-2 d are safe for the management of HCC < 5 cm in cirrhotic patients.     

Current and future treatments for hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents a unique challenge for physicians and patients. There is no definitively curative treatment. Rather, many treatment and management modalities exist with differing advantages and disadvantages. Both current guidelines and individual patient concerns must be taken into account in order to properly manage HCC. In addition, quality of life issues are particularly complex in patients with HCC and these concerns must also be factored into treatment strategies. Thus, considering all the options and their various pros and cons can quickly become complex for both clinicians and patients. In this review, we systematically discuss the current treatment modalities available for HCC, detailing relevant clinical data, risks and rewards and overall outcomes for each approach. Surgical options discussed include resection, transplantation and ablation. We also discuss the radiation modalities: conformal radiotherapy, yttrium 90 microspheres and proton and heavy ion radiotherapy. The biologic agent Sorafenib is discussed as a promising new approach, and recent clinical trials are reviewed. We then detail currently described molecular pathways implicated in the initiation and progression of HCC, and we explore the potential of each pathway as an avenue for drug exploitation. We hope this comprehensive and forward-looking review enables both clinicians and patients to understand various options and thereby make more informed decisions regarding this disease.     

Current surgical treatment strategies for hepatocellular carcinoma in North America

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an aggressive tumor that often occurs in the setting of chronic liver disease. Many patients do not initially manifest any symptoms of HCC and present late when cure with surgical resection or transplantation is no longer possible. For this reason, patients at high risk for developing HCC are subjected to frequent screening processes. The surgical management of HCC is complex and requires an inter-disciplinary approach. Hepatic resection is the treatment of choice for HCC in patients without cirrhosis and is indicated in some patients with early cirrhosis (Child-Pugh A). Liver transplantation has emerged in the past decade as the standard of care for patients with cirrhosis and HCC meeting Milan criteria and in select patients with HCC beyond Milan criteria. Loco-regional therapy with transarterial chemoembolization, transarterial embolization, radiofrequency ablation and other similar local treatments can be used as neo-adjuvant therapy to downstage HCC to within Milan criteria or as a bridge to transplantation in patients on transplant wait list.     

Meta-analysis of radiofrequency ablation in combination with transarterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM: To compare radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) with RFA monotherapy in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: We searched PubMed, Medline, Embase and Chinese databases (CBMdisc and Wanfang data) for randomized controlled trails comparing RFA plus TACE and RFA alone for treatment of HCC from January 2000 to December 2012. The overall survival rate, re-currence-free survival rate, tumor progression rate, and safety were analyzed and compared. The analysis was conducted on dichotomous outcomes and the standard meta-analytical techniques were used. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95%CIs were calculated using either the fixed-effects or random-effects model. For each meta-analysis, the χ2 and I2 tests were first calculated to assess the heterogeneity of the included trials. For P<0.05 and I 2>50%, the assumption of homogeneity was deemed invalid, and the random-effects model wasused; otherwise, data were assessed using the fixed-effects model. All statistical analysis was conducted us-ing Review manager (version 4.2.2.) from the Cochrane collaboration. RESULTS: Eight randomized controlled trials were identified as eligible for inclusion in this analysis and included 598 patients with 306 treated with RFA plus TACE and 292 with RFA alone. Our data analysis indicated that RFA plus TACE was associated a sig-nificantly higher overall survival rate (OR 1-year=2.96, 95%CI: 1.84-7.74, P<0.001; OR 2-year=3.72, 95%CI: 1.24-11.16, P=0.02; OR 3-year=2.65, 95%CI: 1.81-3.86, P<0.001) and recurrence-free survival rate (OR 3-year=3.00, 95%CI: 1.75-5.13, P<0.001; OR 5-year=2.26, 95%CI: 1.43-3.57, P=0.0004) vs that of RFA alone. The tumor progression rate in patients treated with RFA alone was higher than that of RFA plus TACE (OR=0.60, 95%CI: 0.42-0.88, P=0.008) and there was no significant difference on major complications between two different kinds of treatment (OR=1.20, 95%CI: 0.31-4.62, P=0.79). Additionally, the meta-analysis data of subgroups revealed that the     

Loco-regional treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma: Role of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the few cancers for which locoregional treatments (LRTs) are included in international guidelines and are considered as a valid alternative to conventional surgery. According to Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer classification, percutaneous treatments such as percutaneous ethanol injection, radiofrequency ablation and microwave ablation are the therapy of choice among curative treatments in patients categorized as very early and early stage, while transcatheter arterial chemoembolization is considered the better option for intermediate stage HCC. A precise assessment of treatment efficacy and surveillance is essential to optimize survival rate, whereas residual tumor requires additional treatment. Imaging modalities play a key role in this task. Currently, contrast-enhanced computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging are considered the standard imaging modalities for this purpose. Contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), using second generation contrast agents, plays an increasingly important role in detecting residual disease after LRTs. CEUS is a straightforward to perform, repeatable and cost-effective imaging modality for patients with renal failure or iodine allergies. Due to the ability to focus on single regions, CEUS can also provide high temporal resolution. Moreover, several studies have reported the same or better diagnostic accuracy as contrast-enhanced computed tomography for assessing tumor vascularity 1 mo after LRTs, and recently three-dimensional (3D)-CEUS has been reported as a promising technique to improve the evaluation of tumor response to therapy. Furthermore, CEUS could be used early after procedures in monitoring HCC treatments, but nowadays this indication is still debated, and data from literature are conflicting, especially after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization procedure.     

Doxorubicin-eluting bead vs conventional transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma before liver transplantation

AIM:To assess the possible effect of two different types of preoperative transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE)on recurrence-free survival after liver transplantation(LT)in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)and to analyze the effects of TACE on tumor histology.METHODS:We retrospectively analyzed the histological features of 130 HCC nodules in 63 native livers removed at transplantation.Patients who received any other type of treatment such as radiofrequency tumor ablation,percutaneous ethanol ablation or who were not treated at all were excluded.All patients in the present study were within the Milan Criteria at the last imaging findings before transplantation.Doxorubicineluting bead TACE(DEB-TACE)was performed in 22patients(38 nodules),and conventional TACE(c-TACE)in 16(25 nodules).Patients’and tumors’characteristics were retrospectively reviewed.We performed a pernodule analysis of the explanted livers to establish the mean percentage of necrosis of any nodule treated by TACE(conventional or DEB)and a per-patient analysis to establish the percentage of necrosis in the cumulative tumor area,including 21 nodules not reached by TACE.Inflammatory and fibrotic changes in the tissue surrounding the tumor nodule were analyzed and categorized as poor/absent,moderate and enhanced reaction.Uni-and multivariate analysis of risk factors for HCC-recurrence were performed.RESULTS:The number and diameter of the nodules,the time spent on the waiting list and the number of treatments were similar in the two groups.A trend towards higher appropriate response rates(necrosis≥90%)was observed in the DEB-TACE group(44.7%vs32.0%,P=0.2834).The mean percentage of necrosis in the cumulative tumor area was 58.8%±36.6%in the DEB-TACE group and 50.2%±38.1%in the c-TACE group(P=0.4856).Fibrotic and inflammatory reactions surrounding the tumor nodule were markedly more common in the DEB-TACE group(P<0.0001,for both the parameters).The three-year recurrence-free survival was higher in DEB-TACE-treated patients tha     

Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization with a fine-powder formulation of cisplatin for hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM:To evaluate the efficacy of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE) using a suspension of a fine-powder formulation of cisplatin(DDPH) for hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).METHODS:The study population was comprised of 164 patients who were treated by TACE alone.Of these patients,76 underwent TACE using a suspension of DDPH in lipiodol(LPD)(DDPH group),and the remaining 88 underwent TACE with an emulsion of doxorubicin(ADM) with LPD(ADM group).We compared the DDPH group with the ADM group in terms of...     

在TACE术中应用奥沙利铂联合表柔比星治疗肝癌患者疗效观察

目的 探讨在经导管动脉化疗栓塞术（TACE）中应用奥沙利铂联合表柔比星治疗晚期肝癌患者的临床疗效。方法 78例晚期肝癌患者被分成两组,39例对照组在行TACE介入时应用奥沙利铂与吉西他滨治疗,39例观察组则应用奥沙利铂联合表柔比星治疗。两组患者均完成4个周期治疗,并于第4周期治疗完成后观察临床疗效。结果 观察组治疗有效率为84.62%,明显高于对照组的64.10%（x²=25.19,P<0.05）。在治疗4周期后,观察组死亡1例,对照组死亡2例; 观察组治疗前血清IL-2、TNF-α和IFN-γ水平分别为（52.9±6.1）μg/ml、（44.2±9.7） U/ml和（15.0±2.2） U/ml,治疗后则升高至（72.0±11.6） μg/ml、（65.6±13.2）U/ml和（26.1±5.9） U/ml （P<0.05）,对照组患者血清细胞因子水平有类似变化,但治疗后升高不及观察组明显;观察组不良反应发生率为43.59%,明显低于对照组71.79%（x²=26.22,P<0.05）。结论 相比奥沙利铂联合吉西他滨而言,奥沙利铂联合表柔比星治疗晚期肝癌患者能提高临床疗效,且不良反应少。     

Cerebral and pulmonary embolisms after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma

A cerebral lipiodol embolism is an extremely rare complication of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma. We present a case of cerebral lipiodol embolism that occurred after the third arterial chemoembolization, report the clinical and radiological findings, and review the medical literature.     

复方斑蝥胶囊对肝癌患者TACE治疗前后细胞免疫功能的影响

目的:探讨原发性肝癌(HCC) 患者肝动脉插管化疗栓塞术(TACE) 治疗前后及TACE 后应用中成药复方斑蝥胶囊后细胞免疫功能变化.方法:所有HCC 患者TACE 治疗前及治疗后1 wk 、1 mo,服用复方斑蝥胶囊前及用药后4 wk 用检测外周血T淋巴细胞亚群、NK 细胞及ALT 、AST 、TBIL.结果:HCC...     

Puncture injection of para-toluenesulfonamide combined with chemoembolization for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is difficult to eradicate due to its resilient nature. Portal vein is often involved in tumors of large size, which exclude the patient from surgical resection and local ablative therapy, such as percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) because they were considered neither effective nor safe. Currently, there is almost no effective treatment for HCC of such condition. As a unique antitumor agent in form of lipophilic fluid for local injection, para-toluenesulfonamide (PTS) produces mild side effects while necrotizing the tumor tissues quickly and efficiently. Being largely different from both PEI and RFA therapies, PTS can disseminate itself in tumors more easily than other caustic agents, such as alcohol. So PTS may offer additional benefit to HCCs with vascular involvement. We herein describe a 70-year-old HCC patient who was treated with the combination of PTS injection and transcatheter arterial chemoembolization, resulting in a significantly improved clinical prognosis.     

索拉非尼联合肝动脉化疗栓塞术治疗中晚期肝细胞癌疗效观察

目的观察经导管肝动脉化疗栓塞术(TACE)与靶向治疗药相结合治疗中晚期肝细胞癌的疗效和安全性。方法 2008年1月至2012年12月我院收治的中晚期肝细胞癌患者60例,均采用TACE治疗,其中37例术后口服索拉非尼(400 mg,2次/d),根据不良反应调整用量,定期复查腹部CT。根据m RECIST标准进行疗效评价,观察患者的肿瘤进展时间和总生存期,并记录索拉非尼不良反应和TACE前后的肝功能变化。结果 37例应用TACE联合索拉非尼治疗患者的中位生存期为(13±0.98)m,显著长于23例单纯TACE治疗组[(7.3±1.20)m,P=0.001],肿瘤进展时间为(7.5±1.21)m,显著长于单纯TACE治疗组[(5±0.62)m,P=0.001];在随访结束时,联合治疗组疾病控制率为48.6%,显著高于单纯TACE组的17.4%(P0.01);多因素分析显示有无联合应用索拉非尼、有无门脉癌栓、是否抗病毒治疗是显著影响生存时间的风险因素;索拉非尼治疗主要的相关不良反应为手足皮肤反应。结论 TACE联合索拉非尼治疗可延长中晚期肝细胞癌患者的疾病进展时间及总生存期,安全性好。     

Management of sub-centimeter recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma after curative treatment: Current status and future

Hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) frequently recur despite initial successful surgical resection or local ablation therapy. Diagnostic methods for small HCCs have improved with the introduction of gadoxetic acid-enhanced liver magnetic resonance imaging and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI). Currently, sub-centimeter recurrent nodules showing typical hallmark imaging findings of HCC are frequently detected in patients with a treatment history for HCC. With five typical magnetic resonance findings, including arterial enhancement, washout on portal or transitional phase, high signal intensity on both T2-weighted image and DWI, and low signal intensity on hepatobiliary phase, sub-centimeter recurrent HCC can be diagnosed with high accuracy. Although more information is needed to determine the treatment of choice, local ablation therapy under fusion imaging and/or contrast-enhanced ultrasound guidance or cone-beam computed tomography-guided chemoembolization seem to be promising as they are effective and safe for the management of sub-centimeter recurrent HCCs.     

肝动脉化疗栓塞术中注入重组人血管内皮抑制素治疗中晚期肝癌的疗效及安全性分析

目的：观察重组人血管内皮抑制素经肝动脉灌注联合TACE治疗中晚期肝癌的近期及远期疗效。方法将64例中晚期肝癌患者分为对照组（n=30例),仅予以TACE治疗,和观察组（n=34例）,在行TACE治疗时,同时经肝动脉注入重组人血管内皮抑制素,比较两组近、远期疗效,观察治疗前后肿瘤直径、KPS评分及AFP变化,分析两组毒副反应。结果观察组治疗总有效率（64.7%）明显高于对照组（43.3%,P<0.05）;两组患者治疗后肿瘤直径[（4.0±1.2） cm和（4.9±1.3） cm]较治疗前[（6.7±2.0） cm和（6.6±2.2） cm]明显缩小（P<0.05）,KPS评分明显升高[（92.5±9.8）对（76.1±4.5）和（84.8±8.6）对（75.2±3.4）,P<0.05],AFP明显降低[（547.2±160.7）μg/L对（1275.3±316.8）μg/L和（558.5±176.4）μg/L 对（1218.8±337.9）μg/L,P<0.05],且观察组肿瘤直径[（4.0±1.2） cm、KPS评分（92.5±9.8）较对照组缩小（4.9±1.3） cm或升高（84.8±8.6）更为显著,P<0.05];两组毒副反应比较差异无显著性（P>0.05）;随访1年,观察组患者病死率（5.9%）和肝外转移率（14.7%）明显低于对照组患者（16.7%和26.7%, P<0.05）。结论在行TACE治疗时加用重组人血管内皮抑制素治疗中晚期肝癌患者可明显提高近期及远期疗效,缩小肿瘤直径和改善KPS评分,且不会加重毒副反应。     

肝细胞癌患者TACE治疗前后血清miR-145水平变化及其临床意义

目的 探讨肝细胞癌(HCC)患者在经导管动脉化疗栓塞术(TACE)治疗前后血清microRNA-145(miR-145)水平变化及其临床意义。方法 2013年1月～2015年12月我院收治的72例HCC患者和同期60例健康体检者,采用qRT-PCR法检测血清miR-145水平,采用ROC曲线分析血清miR-145和甲胎蛋白(AFP)预测不良预后的价值。结果 在治疗1个月末,16例(22.2 %)为PR,13例(18.1%)为SD,43例(59.7 %)为PD;HCC组血清miR-145水平为(0.59±0.25),显著低于对照组【(1.02±0.28),P＜0.05】,术后1个月,HCC患者血清miR-145水平为(0.81±0.26),显著高于术前(P＜0.05);不同性别、年龄、肿瘤直径、肿瘤分化、癌栓和Child-Pugh分级患者血清miR-145水平无显著性差异(P＞0.05),而不同TNM分级和术前AFP水平患者之间差异显著(P＜0.05); PD组血清miR-145水平为(0.86±0.21),显著高于PR组或SD组【分别为(0.62±0.19)和(0.75±0.19),P＜0.05】;随访3年,28例(38.9%)患者死亡,其中高miR-14 水平患者3 a生存率为75.6 %,显著高于低水平患者的41.9 %(x²=8.765,P＜0.05);血清miR-145、AFP和miR-145联合AFP预测HCC不良预后的曲线下面积分别为0.871、0.851和0.942,两者联合预测的敏感度为91.7 %,准确度为90.2%。结论 TACE术后检测血清miR-145水平可能预示HCC患者预后较好。     

Combined therapy with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization and percutaneous microwave coagulation for small hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM： To assess the efficacy of combined transcatheter arterial chemoembolization （TACE） and percutaneous microwave coagulation therapy （PMCT） for small hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC）.
METHODS： Thirty-five patients with a total of 41 HCC nodules （≤ 3 cm in diameter） were treated with TACE followed by computed tomograghy （CT）-guided percutaneous microwave coagulation therapy （PMCT） within 1-3 wk.
RESULTS： By biopsies and enhanced CT scans, complete necrosis of the tumor and 3-5 mm of the surrounding non-cancerous area were observed in 34 foci. In seven foci, incomplete necrosis of the surrounding parenchyma was observed. Serum alphafetoprotein （AFP） levels returned to normal 10 d after treatment in 25 patients who originally had high serum AFP levels. The follow-up period was 6-31 mo, and all patients remained alive. One patient had a recurrence in the subsegments of the liver, and another patient had a recurrence near the original lesion.
CONCLUSION： Combined therapy with TACE and PMCT is a safe and effective treatment without severe complications for small HCC.     

TACE治疗原发性肝癌患者血清肿瘤标志物水平变化

目的 探讨原发性肝癌（PLC）患者经肝动脉化疗栓塞术（TACE）治疗前后血清肿瘤标志物水平变化。方法 2014年1月~2015年2月我院收治的47例PLC患者和47例同期来我院检查的健康人,采用电化学发光免疫分析法检测血清CA242、CA724和AFP。结果 PLC患者在术前AFP、CA242和CA724水平均显著高于健康人（t=49.293,t=17.392,t=9.394,P<0.01）;在TACE治疗后半年和1年,PLC患者血清AFP和CA724水平均较治疗前显著下降（P<0.01）,但CA242水平则无明显变化（P>0.05）。结论 PLC患者在接受TACE治疗后血清CA724和AFP水平均显著降低,在临床上评价肝癌患者术后治疗效果中具有一定的参考价值。