PCNA在接受过术前经导管肝动脉栓塞化疗的肝癌组织中的表达及其预后意义

背景与目的:增殖细胞核抗原(proliferating cell nuclear antigen,PCNA)可反映肝细胞癌(以下简称"肝癌")的增殖活性,经导管肝动脉栓塞化疗(transcatheter arterial chemoembolization,TACE)对术后残癌细胞增殖活性影响的报道结果不一。本研究旨在探讨术前TACE对肝癌增殖活性的影响和PCNA在二期切除肝癌复发预后中的意义。方法:选取91例术前TACE及50例未行TACE的肝癌手术切除标本,采用免疫组化方法检测两组标本PCNA的表达情况,分层分析两组PCNA表达的差异,以及术前TACE后二期根治性切除的肝癌中PCNA的表达水平与复发的关系。结果:PCNA表达于肝细胞核中,术前TACE组和未行TACE组的PCNA阳性率分别为67.0%和66.0%(P>0.05),术前TACE组中癌栓、播散结节或肿瘤低分化(Ⅲ～Ⅳ级)者PCNA的表达均明显低于对应分层的未行TACE者,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。术前TACE后根治性二期切除患者,复发组与未复发组肿瘤组织中PCNA阳性率分别为77.8%、47.1%,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。PCNA阳性组1、3、5年无瘤生存率分别为55.8%、31.8%、23.6%,PCNA阴性组分别为83.2%、62.1%、53.2%,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:术前TACE对高侵袭肝癌细胞增殖活性有较好的抑制作用,术前TACE后二期根治性切除肝癌PCNA的表达与患者术后复发转移密切相关。     

Postoperative adjuvant transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for resectable multiple hepatocellular carcinoma beyond the Milan criteria: a retrospective analysis

Objective: To clarify the value of postoperative adjuvant transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) for resectable multiple hepatocellular carcinoma beyond the Milan criteria. Background: Patients with multiple HCC have been shown to have a worse survival after a partial hepatectomy (PH) because of the high incidence of intrahepatic tumor recurrence. Postoperative adjuvant TACE is an optional strategy for HCC patients with a high recurrence risk. Its effects and range of applications are debatable. Methods: This retrospective study enrolled 135 HCC patients with resectable multiple hepatocellular carcinoma beyond the Milan criteria, and those patients underwent a hepatectomy with/without postoperative adjuvant TACE from Jan. 2004 to Dec. 2008. The patients were divided to the PH cohort or the PH+TACE cohort. The prognosis measures were the disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) from the date of treatment. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to assess the prognostic factors associated with DFS and OS, using the Cox proportional hazards model. Results: The 1-, 2-, and 5-year DFS and OS for the PH+TACE group differed significantly from the PH group (p = 0.004, p = 0.002, respectively). Multivariate analysis revealed that the significant independent risk factors associated with the DFS and OS were postoperative TACE treatment (p = 0.002, p = 0.001, respectively) and the number of tumors (p = 0.006, p = 0.037, respectively). Conclusions: Our results show that postoperative adjuvant treatment resulted in delayed intrahepatic recurrence and better survival for patients with resectable multiple hepatocellular carcinoma beyond the Milan criteria. Postoperative adjuvant TACE should be regarded as a common strategy for patients with resectable multiple HCC beyond the Milan criteria.     

核苷类似物联合TACE治疗HBV相关性肝细胞癌的预后分析

目的 比较肝切除术后核苷类似物联合经肝动脉化疗栓塞（TACE）与单用TACE治疗对提高乙型肝炎病毒（HBV）相关性肝细胞癌（HCC）患者总生存率的效果。方法 回顾性分析345例行肝切除术的HBV相关性HCC患者资料,其中术后接受核苷类似物抗病毒联合TACE治疗者89例（观察组）,术后单用TACE治疗者256例（对照组）。采用倾向性匹配法均衡组间混杂因素的影响。结果 观察组的90天死亡率（2.2%）稍低于对照组（3.1%, P=0.672）。同时,观察组患者的1、3、5年累积总生存率显著高于对照组,分别为93%、66%、45%和90%、54%、36%（P=0.014）。倾向性分析显示,观察组患者的1、3、5年累积总生存率为93%、67%和45%,亦显著高于对照组患者的87%、46%和24%（P<0.001）。基于肿瘤分期的亚组分析显示,巴塞罗那临床肝癌分期A/B期的患者中,观察组患者的累积总生存率显著优于对照组（P=0.011）。结论 HBV相关性HCC肝切除术后核苷类似物联合TACE治疗有利于降低存在高危复发因素且术前HBV DNA≥103 IU/ml患者围手术期死亡率并提高其总生存率。     

Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization Combined with Interferon-α is Safe and Effective for Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma after Curative Resection

Objectives: Intrahepatic recurrence is the major cause of death among patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after curative surgical resection. Several approaches have been reportedto decrease the recurrence rate. The objective of our study was to compare the clinical effects of transcatheterarterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with interferon-alpha (IFN-α) therapy on recurrence after hepaticresection in patients with HBV-related HCC with that of TACE chemotherapy alone. Methods: We retrospectivelyanalyzed the data from 228 patients who were diagnosed with HBV-related HCC and underwent curative resectionbetween January 2001 to December 2008. The patients were divided into TACE (n = 126) and TACE-IFN-α (n= 102) groups for postoperative chemotherapy. The TACE regimen consisted of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), cisplatin(DDP) , and the emulsion mixed with mitomycin C (MMC) and lipiodol. The recurrence rates, disease-freesurvival (DFS), overall survival (OS), and risk of recurrence were evaluated. Results: The clinicopathologicalparameters and adverse effects were similar between the 2 groups (P > 0.05). The median OS for the TACEIFN-α group (36.3 months) was significantly longer than that of the TACE group (24.5 months, P < 0.05). The3-and 5-year OS for the TACE-IFN-α group were significantly longer than those of the TACE group (P < 0.05)and the recurrence rate was significantly lower (P < 0.05). The TACE and IFN-α combination therapy, activehepatitis HBV infection, the number of tumor nodules, microvascular invasion, liver cirrhosis, and the BCLCstage were independent predictors of OS and DFS. Conclusions: The use of the TACE and IFN-α combinationchemotherapy after curative hepatic resection safely and effectively improves OS and decreases recurrencein patients with HBV-related HCC who are at high risk. Our findings can serve as a guide for the selection ofpostoperative adjuvant chemotherapy for patients with HBV-related HCC who are at high risk of recurrence.     

53例肝细胞癌患者根治性切除术后辅助肝动脉化疗栓塞的生存分析

  目的   探讨肝细胞癌根治性切除术后辅助肝动脉化疗栓塞对无瘤生存率及累积生存率的影响。   方法   收集53例肝细胞癌根治性切除术后辅助TACE治疗患者和64例单纯行肝细胞癌根治术后患者的临床资料,采用回顾性研究的方法,对其治疗的1、2、3、5无瘤生存率和累积生存率进行对比分析,从而探讨肝细胞癌根治性切除术后辅助TACE治疗对无瘤生存率及累积生存率的影响。   结果   术后+TACE组1、2、3、5年的无瘤生存率和累积生存率分别为84.9%、60.4%、39.6%、18.9%和98.1%、86.8%、69.8%、47.2%,单纯手术组1、2、3、5年的无瘤生存率和累积生存率分别为70.3%、43.8%、21.9%、12.5%和87.5%、71.9%、50.0%、31.3%,两组的无瘤生存率和累积生存率差异均有统计学意义。Cox回归结果显示术后+TACE治疗是影响患者无瘤生存率和累积生存率的独立影响因素。   结论   肝细胞癌根治性切除术后辅助TACE治疗可提高患者的无瘤生存率和累积生存率,术后辅助TACE治疗是影响患者术后无瘤生存率和累积生存率的独立影响因素。      

Postoperative adjuvant transarterial chemoembolization for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma patients with microvascular invasion: a propensity score analysis

BackgroundMicrovascular invasion (MVI) is an independent risk factor associated with tumor recurrence and poor survival in patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) after partial hepatectomy (PH). The potential impact of adjuvant TACE on the prognosis of patients with ICC involving MVI (ICC-MVI) remains uncertain. Our aim was to investigate the effectiveness of postoperative adjuvant transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) on ICC involving MVI.MethodsMulticentric data consisted of 223 patients who underwent curative-intent PH for ICC-MVI from 2002–2015 were retrospectively analyzed. The impact of adjuvant TACE was evaluated using inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) and propensity-score matched (PSM) analyses.ResultsNo association between the TACE and the overall survival (OS) and recurrence rates was observed among the overall ICC-MVI patients. However, subgroup analyses revealed that adjuvant TACE favored OS (HR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.39–0.99; P=0.047) and time to recurrence (TTR) (HR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.36–0.97; P=0.037) among patients with elevated CA19-9 and those without lymphadenectomy (HR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.30–0.93; P=0.027 for OS, and HR, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.28–0.87; P=0.015 for TTR, respectively). In the CA19-9 ≥39 U/L subgroup and Nx subgroup, adjuvant TACE was associated with higher 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS rates (P=0.033 and P=0.034, respectively) and lower corresponding recurrence rates (P=0.024 and P=0.023, respectively).ConclusionsAmong the ICC-MVI patients undergoing curative-intent PH, only those have elevated CA19-9 or who did not undergo lymphadenectomy might be suitable for adjuvant TACE.     

经肝动脉化疗栓塞联合射频消融治疗原发性肝细胞癌合并门静脉癌栓的预后影响因素分析

背景与目的：经肝动脉化疗栓塞（transcatheter arterial chemoembolization,TACE)是否为治疗原发性肝细胞癌（hepatocellular carcinoma,HCC）合并门静脉癌栓（portal vein tumor thrombus,PVTT）的绝对禁忌,目前尚无定论。该研究旨在探讨TACE联合射频消融（radiofrequency ablation,RFA）治疗HCC合并PVTT的预后影响因素。方法：回顾性分析2011年1月1日—2013年12月31日于郑州大学附属肿瘤医院行TACE联合RFA治疗的HCC合并PVTT的157例患者的临床资料及随访数据,单因素及多因素Cox回归分析人口学资料、实验室指标及临床资料与生存时间和肿瘤转移复发情况的关系。结果：多因素Cox回归结果显示,在调整和控制其他因素后,血清白蛋白（albumin,ALB）水平为TACE联合RFA治疗后HCC合并PVTT患者3年生存及降低肿瘤复发转移风险的保护性因素,术前甲胎蛋白（alpha-fetoprotein,AFP）、丙氨酸转氨酶（alanine aminotransferase,ALT）、天门冬氨酸转氨酶（aspartate transaminase,AST）水平、门静脉癌栓部位及肝功能Child Pugh分级为患者3年生存的独立危险因素;AFP、AST水平及门静脉癌栓部位为肿瘤复发转移的独立危险因素。结论：TACE联合RFA并非治疗HCC合并PVTT的绝对禁忌,在治疗前对患者进行相关因素评估有助于更好地选择治疗方法和时机,从而提高HCC治疗水平。     

Significance of reduction surgery in multidisciplinary treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma with multiple intrahepatic lesions

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: By comparing the survival rates of patients treated with or without surgery, the significance of, and the indication for, reduction surgery in the multidisciplinary treatment of patients with HCC with multiple intrahepatic lesions were examined. METHODS: In patients with HCC with multiple intrahepatic lesions, cumulative survival rates were determined and compared for 28 patients (group S) who underwent reductive hepatic resection and 43 (group N) who were treated nonsurgically by transcatheter arterial infusion chemotherapy (TAI), transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE), or percutaneous transhepatic ethanol injection therapy. In group S, 20 patients had adjuvant therapy, consisting of ethanol injection therapy or microwave coagulonecrotic therapy for the remaining satellite lesions during hepatectomy, and all patients in this group underwent TAI or TACE postoperatively. The influence of surgery on patient survival was examined by multiple regression analysis using the Cox's hazard model; then, for each prognostic factor, survival rates were obtained and compared between the groups. RESULTS: In group S, the 1-, 3-, and 5-year cumulative survival rates were 58.2%, 27.1%, and 21.7%, whereas the corresponding values in group N were 34.3%, 4.7%, and 4.7%, the difference being statistically significant (P = 0.0239). In group S, the 1-, 3-, and 5-year cumulative survival rates for patients without intraoperative adjuvant therapy were 25%, 0%, and 0%, whereas those for patients with intraoperative adjuvant therapy were 72.7%, 41.3%, and 33.0% (P = 0.001). Multiple regression analysis showed that hepatic resection, the Child-Pugh score, and the size of the main tumor affected survival independently. Univariate analysis of differences in the cumulative survival rates between the groups as a function of prognostic factor showed that group S had statistically significant better survival rates than group N in those subgroups of patients who were <60 years old, with HBV infection, with a Child-Pugh score of 5 or 6, with a main tumor of <5-cm diameter, with <5 tumors, or without portal thrombi. CONCLUSIONS: When combined with intraoperative adjuvant therapy for remaining satellite tumors, reduction surgery provided survival benefit for patients with HCC with multiple intrahepatic lesions in those groups of patients selected by criteria determined in this study.     

残癌危险因素对肝癌切除术后肝动脉栓塞化疗效果的影响

目的 探讨术后辅助性肝动脉栓塞化疗对残癌低危和残癌高危患者预后的不同影响。方法 进入研究的病例分为干预组(辅助性动脉栓塞化疗组)和对照组(未行辅助性动脉栓塞化疗),根据残癌的高危因素将肝癌切除术的患者分为残癌高危者和残癌低危者,采用病例对照实验设计,以单因素统计方法和Cox模型,分析研究术后辅助性肝动脉栓塞化疗对肝癌切除术患者预后的影响,以及残癌高危因素对辅助性动脉栓塞化疗作用的影响。结果 对于残癌低危患者,干预组和对照组术后1,2,3,4年生存率分别为97．2％、78．0％、66．5％、66．5％和91．2％、81．4％、70．3％、54．4％,生存率差异无显著性(P=0．7667);而对于残癌高危患者,干预组和对照组术后1,2,3,4年生存率分别为89．5％、73．4％、59．2％、53．8％和70．5％、61．9％、46．8％、46．8％,生存率差异有显著性(P=0．0029)。Cox比例风险模型分析结果显示,辅助性动脉栓塞化疗对切除术后肝癌患者预后的影响,决定于患者有无残癌的危险因素,辅助性动脉栓塞化疗不是影响患者预后的独立因素。结论 术后给予辅助性肝动脉栓塞化疗,可延长有残癌高危因素患者的生存期,而对于无残癌危险因素的患者,术后辅助性肝动脉栓塞化疗不能延长生存期。     

Adjuvant transarterial chemoembolization improves survival outcomes in hepatocellular carcinoma with microvascular invasion: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundThe benefits of adjuvant transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with microvascular invasion (MVI) remain controversial. We compared the efficacy and safety of adjuvant TACE and hepatic resection (HR) alone for HCC patients with MVI.MethodsThe PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, VIP, Wan Fang, and Sino Med databases were systematically searched to compare adjuvant TACE and HR alone for the treatment of HCC with MVI from inception to January 1, 2019. The study outcomes, including overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS), were extracted independently by two authors.Results12 trials involving 2190 patients were evaluated. A meta-analysis of 11 studies suggested that the 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival (OS) rates (OR = 0.33, P < 0.001; OR = 0.49, P < 0.001; and OR = 0.59, P < 0.01; respectively), favored adjuvant TACE over HR alone. 11 studies were included in the meta-analysis of DFS, and adjuvant TACE showed better 1-, 3-, and 5-DFS (OR = 0.45, P < 0.001; OR = 0.50, P < 0.001; and OR = 0.58, P < 0.001; respectively) compared to HR alone. Subgroup analysis demonstrated that adjuvant TACE could benefit HCC patients with MVI with tumor diameter >5 cm or multinodular tumors.ConclusionAdjuvant TACE may improve OS and DFS for HCC patients with MVI compared to HR alone and should be recommended for selected HCC patients with MVI. However, these results need to be validated through further high-quality clinical studies.Lay summaryThe benefits of adjuvant TACE in HCC patients with microvascular invasion remain controversial. Twelve studies involving 2190 patients were include in our meta-analysis. Adjuvant TACE may improve OS and DFS for HCC patients with MVI compared to HR alone and should be recommended for selected HCC patients with MVI.     

Villin 1 is a predictive factor for the recurrence of high serum alpha-fetoprotein-associated hepatocellular carcinoma after hepatectomy

The prognostic assessment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after resection is an important clinical issue. The present study investigated those genes associated with high serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), and their clinical significance, including prognosis and recurrence after hepatectomy. Based on gene expression analysis of 110 training HCC cases, 20 genes whose mRNA expression levels were significantly upregulated and 50 genes that were downregulated correlated with high serum AFP-associated HCC patients. Gene expression profiles of Villin1 (Vil1) were obtained in high serum AFP-associated HCC tumor tissues. In the present analysis, only VIL1 was significantly correlated with the recurrence of HCC. The results were validated independently using Taqman gene expression assays and immunostaining analysis. Results showed that the upregulation of VIL1 mRNA was also correlated with high serum PIVKAII, vascular invasion (P < 0.05), poor differentiation, an advanced cancer stage (P < 0.01) and recurrence-free survival (P = 0.017). The upregulation of VIL1 mRNA was observed more frequently in the early recurrence patients as compared to the late recurrence patients. Cox regression univariate and multivariate analyses indicated that high serum AFP levels (overall survival, HR 1.675, P = 0.002; FRS, HR 1.359, P = 0.039) and Vil1 protein expression (overall survival, HR 0.253, P = 0.009; FRS, HR 0.401, P = 0.041) were independent, unfavorable prognostic factors for overall and recurrence-free survival of patients. We demonstrated that the VIL1 gene is a potential candidate molecular marker for high serum AFP-associated HCC and a predictive candidate for the postoperative recurrence and poorer prognosis of HCC.     

术后复发性肝癌的介入治疗疗效分析

目的分析肝动脉化疗栓塞(TACE)治疗术后复发性肝细胞肝癌的生存率及影响因素。方法对行TACE治疗的130例术后复发性肝细胞肝癌患者进行回顾性分析,计算此类患者治疗后的生存率及生存时间,分析影响其生存的相关因素。结果全组130例总的1,3,5年生存率为83.0%、45.5%和17.6%,中位生存时间2.4年。单纯TACE治疗94例,其1,3年生存率分别为76.4%和37.1%,中位生存期2.1年;TACE联合瘤内无水酒精注射(PEI)治疗36例,1,3年生存率分别为100.0%和66.5%,中位生存期为3.5年。TACE联合PEI治疗组的生存率和生存期均显著优于单纯TACE治疗组(P<0.05),死亡风险显著低于单纯TACE治疗组(P<0.05);复发瘤直径>5cm和有远处转移者的死亡风险,显著高于肿瘤直径≤5cm和无远处转移者(P<0.05)。结论TACE联合PEI治疗,可显著提高术后复发性肝癌患者的生存率,延长生存期。     

肝癌术后预防性肝动脉化疗栓塞对延缓复发的意义

[目的]了解预防性肝动脉化疗栓塞术(TACE)在延缓肝癌手术后复发方面的作用.[方法]对823例行根治性切除并经病理证实为肝细胞癌患者进行随访分析.其中126例患者手术后行预防性TACE,将可能影响原发性肝癌术后复发的观察指标包括性别、年龄、术前AFP、有无癌栓、手术切缘、手术前肿瘤是否破裂、肿瘤大小、肿瘤有无子灶、肿瘤包膜情况、手术后有无行预防性TACE等,用Cox模型分析各因素与复发时间之间的关系.所有数据经SAS6.12和SPSS统计软件处理分析.[结果]年龄小、有癌栓、手术前肿瘤有破裂、肿瘤体积大和肿瘤周围有子灶等因素使肝癌手术后复发时间提前,保证较大手术切缘距离和手术后行预防性TACE可延缓肝癌手术后复发.预防性TACE可明显降低肝癌患者术后2年的复发率.[结论]对有早期复发病理学征象的肝癌患者行预防性TACE治疗可能延缓术后肿瘤复发.     

The impact of preoperative serum C-reactive protein on the prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND: The authors evaluated the significance of the preoperative serum C-reactive protein (CRP) level as a prognostic indicator in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: One hundred forty-one patients who underwent curative resection for HCC were reviewed retrospectively. Clinicopathologic variables were compared between patients with serum CRP levels >/= 1.0 mg/dL (n = 22 patients; the CRP-positive group) and patients with serum CRP levels < 1.0 mg/dL (n = 119 patients; the CRP-negative group). Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to identify factors that affected survival and disease recurrence. RESULTS: There was a significant correlation between the preoperative serum CRP level and tumor size. Invasion to the portal vein in the CRP-positive group was significantly more frequent than that in the CRP-negative group. Even after they underwent curative resection, 75.3% of patients in the CRP-positive group experienced recurrence within 1 year. The overall survival and recurrence-free survival rates in the CRP-positive group were significantly lower compared with the rates in the CRP-negative group. On multivariate analysis, the preoperative serum CRP level was selected as one of the unfavorable indicators regarding survival and recurrence. When CRP levels, albumin levels, and platelet counts that were available before surgery were scored as a combined index, the total score demonstrated a good stratification value for survival after hepatic resection. CONCLUSIONS: The current results showed that the preoperative serum CRP level is an independent and significant indicator predictive of poor prognosis and early recurrence in patients with HCC. The new CRP-based scoring system offers reliable information for predicting survival.     

Comparative effectiveness of radiofrequency ablation with or without transarterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma

The aim of this study is to compare the overall survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) versus RFA alone. All eligible studies were collected from the PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and the Embase electronic databases. The outcomes were overall survival rates. We used odds ratios to assess the strength of the association, and 95 % confidence intervals give a sense of the precision of the estimate. Statistical analyses were performed by Review Manager 5.0 and Stata 11.0. A total of 19 available studies were considered in the present meta-analysis. When all groups were pooled, meta-analysis showed that RFA plus TACE significantly improved the survival rates of patients with HCC at 1, 3, and 5 years compared with RFA alone. The combination of RFA with TACE has advantages in improving overall survival rate, and provides better prognosis for HCC patients.     

Predictive effects of preoperative serum CA125 and AFP levels on post-hepatectomy survival in patients with hepatitis B-related hepatocellular carcinoma

The association between the serum levels of cancer antigen 125 (CA125; also termed MUC16) and the prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has not been widely reported to date. The aim of the present study was to determine the association between preoperative serum CA125 levels and prognosis of patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related HCC after hepatectomy. The study included 306 patients with HBV-related HCC who underwent liver resection and were classified into four subgroups based on their baseline CA125 and α-fetoprotein (AFP) levels. The perioperative clinical data were compared and analyzed. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses were performed to determine the associations between patient clinicopathological characteristics and survival. The results revealed that the median follow-up time was 35 months. Patients with low preoperative serum CA125 levels presented with improved 3-year disease-free survival (DFS) (79.3 vs. 75.7%; P=0.278) and overall survival (OS) (84.4 vs. 77.1%; P=0.001) rates compared with those among patients with high preoperative serum CA125 levels. High preoperative serum CA125 levels were a risk factor associated with short DFS and OS rates in all patients. In patients with baseline AFP levels >100 ng/ml, low preoperative serum CA125 levels were significantly associated with prolonged DFS and OS rates (log-rank test P=0.002 and P=0.005, respectively). In patients with AFP levels ≤100 ng/ml, no significant differences were observed in DFS or OS rates between the high and low preoperative serum CA125 groups. Patients with high preoperative serum CA125 and AFP levels exhibited the worst prognosis (low DFS and OS rates). In conclusion, high baseline CA125 levels may be associated with a poor prognosis in patients with HBV-related HCC.     

Preoperative transcatheter arterial chemoembolization reduces long-term survival rate after hepatic resection for resectable hepatocellular carcinoma.

AIMS: To study the effect of preoperative transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) on long-term survival after hepatic resection for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), we conducted a comparative analysis in 235 HCC patients who underwent hepatic resection with a curative intent. METHODS: We compared clinicopathologic background, mortality, and survival rates after hepatic resection between those who underwent preoperative TACE (n=109) and those who did not (n=126). RESULTS: One hundred and two patients in the TACE group (93.6%) received TACE only once. The mean interval between TACE and hepatic resection was 33.1days. Patients in the TACE group were younger than those in the non-TACE group, and liver cirrhosis and non-anatomical hepatic resection were more prevalent in this group. The 5-year overall survival rate after hepatic resection was significantly lower in the TACE group (28.6%) than in the non-TACE group (50.6%), especially in patients without cirrhosis or with stage I or II tumor. There was no difference between the two groups in mortality or disease-free survival after hepatic resection. Multivariate analysis showed preoperative TACE, preoperative aspartate aminotransferase elevation, and microscopic portal invasion to be independent risk factors for a poor outcome after hepatic resection. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative TACE should be avoided for patients with resectable HCC, especially for those without cirrhosis or with an early stage tumor.     

不同的TACE化疗剂量对肝癌患者血清纤维化指标和生存率的影响

目的 评价不同肝动脉栓塞化疗(TACE)药物剂量对原发性肝癌(HCC)患者肝纤维化指标和远期预后的影响.方法 选取接受TACE治疗的中晚期HCC患者58例,按随机数据表法分为常规剂量组30例和低剂量组28例,分别给予不同剂量表柔比星进行化疗,比较2组术后肝纤维化指标和远期预后.结果 所有患者均顺利完成TACE,无1例出现术中大出血、肝衰竭和死亡.2组术前肝纤维化指标组间比较均无统计学差异(P>0.05),TACE术后均有一定程度升高,与术前相比差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05);常规剂量组HA、PCⅢ和C-Ⅳ上升高于低剂量组(P<0.05),但LN组间比较无统计学差异(P>0.05).2组中位生存时间分别为34和29个月,至随访结束常规剂量组和低剂量组分别有46.7%(14/30)和60.7%(17/28)病例存活;常规剂量组1年、2年、3年生存率分别为89.70%、76.80%和34.00%,低剂量组1年、2年、3年生存率分别为84.50%、57.10%和40.00%,组间比较差异无统计学意义(P=0.712).结论 低剂量的化疗药物对肝纤维化指标和临床预后的影响与常规剂量基本相同,建议临床选择低剂量进行治疗,但更确切的疗效需要大样本临床研究证实.     

Expression and prognostic role of tumor suppressor gene PTEN/MMAC1/TEP1 in hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND: Inactivation of the tumor suppressor gene PTEN/MMAC1/TEP1, located on chromosome 10q23, is a common event in advanced stages of diverse human malignancies. However, the prognostic role of PTEN expression in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has not been characterized. METHODS: One hundred five resected specimens were collected from patients with HCC. Expression levels of PTEN and p53 in clinical samples were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Immunohistochemical analysis of 105 HCC tissue specimens revealed that decreased or absence of PTEN immunostaining was found in 43 specimens (40.9%). Reduced PTEN expression levels were correlated with increased tumor grade (P = 0.017), advanced disease stage (P = 0.016), and elevated serum alpha-fetoprotein (alphaFP) levels (P = 0.001). Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated that patients with reduced PTEN levels had shorter overall survival (P = 0.001) and higher recurrence rates (P = 0.0007) compared with patients who had intact PTEN expression. Examining p53 expression unveiled an inverse correlation between p53 overexpression and reduced PTEN expression in patients with HCC (P = 0.004). In addition, patients with p53 overexpression had shorter overall survival compared with patients who were without p53 overexpression (P = 0.0014). Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that reduced PTEN expression was an independent prognostic factor for survival in patients with HCC. CONCLUSIONS: The current study demonstrated that reduced PTEN expression levels are involved in the pathogenesis of HCC. Moreover, decreased PTEN expression was correlated with tumor progression, high alphaFP levels, p53 overexpression, and poor prognosis in patients with HCC.