ObjectiveTo investigate the predictive value of the preoperative peripheral blood neutrophil percentage-to-albumin ratio (NPAR) for survival after radical resection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and to construct a nomogram prediction model based on NPAR. MethodsAccording to inclusion and exclusion criteria, the HCC patients with China Liver Cancer Staging (CNLC) stage Ⅰa–Ⅱa who underwent radical hepatectomy at West China Hospital of Sichuan University from January 2010 to December 2020 were retrospectively collected and then randomly divided into a training set and a validation set with a 7∶3 ratio. The optimal cutoff value for NPAR was determined using X-tile. Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to identify the independent risk factors for overall survival (OS) in HCC patients and then construct a nomogram model. The predictive performance of the model was evaluated using the C-index, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and calibration curve, as well as validated in the validation set. ResultsA total of 3 423 HCC patients with CNLC stage Ⅰa–Ⅱa were enrolled in this study, with 2 397 in the training set and 1 026 in the validation set. There were no statistically significant differences in baseline characteristics between the training and validation sets (P>0.05). The optimal cutoff value for NPAR was 17.0, and patients with NPAR ≤17.0 (2 124 cases) had significantly better OS and relapse-free survival (RFS) than those with NPAR>17.0 (273 cases). The multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model analysis showed that the alpha-fetal protein>400 μg/L, NPAR>17.0, multiple tumors, tumor diameter >5 cm, poor tumor differentiation, capsular invasion, microvascular invasion, and satellite lesions were the independent risk factors affecting postoperative OS in HCC patients (RR>1, P<0.05). The nomogram constructed based on these risk factors demonstrated good discriminations for OS and RFS (C-indexes of 0.708 and 0.709, respectively) and predictive performance in both the training and validation sets. ConclusionsPreoperative high NPAR (>17.0) in HCC patients with CNLC Ⅰa–Ⅱa stages is associated with significantly worse OS compared to those with low NPAR (≤17.0). The nomogram prediction model based on NPAR can effectively predict postoperative survival.
Objective To summarize the papers about the research status and prospects of ferroptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its drug resistance in recent years in order to provide directions and ideas for the treatment of HCC. Method The relevant literatures at home and abroad in recent years about ferroptosis in HCC and its drug resistance were reviewed. Results The mechanism of ferroptosis in the development and drug resistance of HCC was complicated, involving multiple protein and molecular pathways. Ferroptosis played an important role in improving chemotherapy and sorafenib resistance, and it had a broad application prospect in HCC. Conclusions The molecular mechanism of ferroptosis in HCC and its drug resistance has not been fully elucidated. Further research on the mechanism of ferroptosis in HCC may provide new molecular therapeutic targets for HCC. Ferroptosis has a broad application prospect in the treatment of HCC.
ObjectiveTo investigate the predictive value of preoperative plasma fibrinogen and serum albumin score (FA score) for postoperative survival of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after hepatectomy.MethodWe retrospectively analyzed the clinicopathological data and follow-up information of 275 patients with HCC who underwent hepatectomy in West China Hospital of Sichuan University from March 2009 to December 2013.ResultsThere’s no statistically significant difference in gender, ALT, total bilirubin, hepatitis B virus surface antigens, AFP, cirrhosis, macrovascular invasion, tumor differentiation, TNM stage, and postoperative adjuvant transarterial chemoembolization of HCC patients between FA score of 0 group and FA score of 1 and 2 group (P>0.05). There’s statistically significant difference in age, AST, tumor size, tumor number, microvascular invasion, and BCLC stage (P<0.05). Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analyses revealed that FA score (1 and 2) was an independent risk factor for HCC patients’ overall survival rate [HR=1.632, 95%CI was (1.141, 2.335), P=0.007] and early recurrence-free survival rate [HR=1.678, 95%CI was (1.083, 2.598), P=0.021], the overall survival rate and early recurrence free survival rate of HCC patients with FA score of 0 group were better than those of patients with FA score of 1 and2 group.ConclusionsThe preoperative FA score has a good prognostic value for survival of HCC patients who underwent hepatectomy. Preoperative FA score of 1 and 2 is an independent risk factor for overall survival rate and early recurrence free survival rate of HCC patients after hepatectomy.
Objective To clarify incidence and risk factors of hepatitis B reactivation during short term (one month) in hepatitis B virus (HBV) related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients receiving partial hepatectomy. Methods From January 2015 to December 2015, 214 consecutive patients with HBV-related HCC who underwent partial hepatectomy were retrospectively enrolled in this study. The risk factors affecting incidence of hepatitis B reactivation were analyzed. Results Hepatitis B reactivation happened in 7.0% (15/214) of patients within 1 month after partial hepatectomy. By univariate analysis, the preoperative HBV-DNA negativity and hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) positivity were significantly correlated with the occurrence of hepatitis B reactivation (P=0.023 and P=0.001, respectively). By multivariate analysis, the preoperative HBV-DNA negativity 〔OR=9.21, 95% CI (2.40, 35.45), P=0.001〕 and HBeAg positivity 〔OR=20.51, 95% CI (5.41, 77.73), P<0.001〕 were the independent risk factors for hepatitis B reactivation. Conclusions Hepatitis B reactivation is common after partial hepatectomy for HBV-related HCC during short term, especially in patients whose preoperative HBV-DNA negativity and HBeAg positivity. A close monitoring of HBV-DNA during short term after partial hepatectomy is necessary, once hepatitis B is reactivated, antiviral therapy should be given.
Objective To examine the effects of newly designed LY52 on the expression of matrix metalloproteinases and invasive ability of hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells. Methods The effects of LY52 on the proliferations of HepG2 cells were detected by MTT assay. Gelatin zymography and Western blot were used to detect the effects of LY52 on matrix metalloproteinase-2 expression in the cell line. Transwell chamber assay was used to detect the effects of LY52 on the invasion of the cells. Results No obvious inhibitory or cytotoxicity effects of LY52 was found in lower concentrations (lt;200 μg/ml) of LY52. Gelatin zymography and Western blot showed that matrix metalloproteinase-2 expression were inhibited by LY52 in a dose-dependent manner in HepG2 cells. Furthermore, transwell chamber assay showed that LY52 could significantly inhibit the invasion of the cell line in a dose-dependent manner.Conclusion The results suggest that LY52 may inhibit the invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by suppressing the matrix metalloproteinase-2 activity.
【Abstract】Objective To investigate the expression of the mRNA of cancer-testis antigen 9 (CT9) gene in hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods The expression of CT9 mRNA was detected through RT-PCR in HCC tissues and their adjacent non-HCC tissues from 45 HCC patients. From CT9 RT-PCR positive products, 3 samples were selected randomly and were sequenced. ResultsCT9 mRNA was detectable in 51.1%(23/45) of HCC samples, and no expression of CT9 mRNA was detected in the adjacent non-HCC tissues. In addition, the RTPCR products were proved to be CT9 cDNA by DNA sequencing. No relationship was found between the expression of CT9 mRNA and clinical factors such as age, sex, tumor size, degree of tumor differentiation, serum αfetoprotein level and infection of hepatitis B virus or hepatitis C virus （Pgt;0.05）. ConclusionCT9 mRNA is expressed with high percentage and specificity in hepatocellular carcinomas. The CT9 gene product is a potential target for antigenspecific immunotherapy of HCC.
Objective To investigate the cell growth inhibition and apoptosis induced by rapamycin on human hepatocellular carcinoma Bel-7402 cells and to study the role of mitochondrium membrane potential in the process of apoptosis. Methods Bel-7402 cells in vitro were given 5, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 nmol/L different concentrations of rapamycin, and the cell growth inhibiting ratio of Bel-7402 was assessed by MTT assay. The changes of morphology of Bel-7402 were observed by Hoechst 33258 staining and flow cytometry (FCM), respectively; The cell mitochondrial membrane potential was detected by using JC-1 staining method. Results Rapamycin could inhibit the growth of Bel-7402 cells significantly by inducing apoptosis, and the growth suppression and the cell apoptosis both presented time-effect relationship and were also dose-dependent. The rates of inhibiting and cell apoptosis after 72 h exposure to 50 nmol/L rapamycin were significantly higher that those of other groups (P＜0.01). Typical morphological changes of cell apoptosis were observed very clearly after the Bel-7402 cells had been exposed to rapamycin for 48 hours using Hoechst 33258 staining method, and it was also observed that the mitochondrial membrane potential decreased when apoptosis occured (P＜0.01). Conclusion Rapamycin could inhibit the growth of Bel-7402 cells by inducing cell apoptosis, and the descent of mitochondrial membrane potential may play an important role in the process of cell apoptosis.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the role and value of multidisciplinary team (MDT) in the decision-making for the treatment of elderly patients with large hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with multiple organ dysfunction. MethodThe clinicopathologic data of an elderly patient with large HCC with multiple organ dysfunction admitted to Dongguan Hospital of Southern Medical University were analyzed retrospectively. ResultsThe patient was an 82 years old male patient with asthmatic bronchitis, long-term hormone use, severe pulmonary ventilation dysfunction, moderate pericardial effusion, hypertension, and poor liver function compensation. After MDT discussion including 10 departments and full communication with the patient and his families, the open hepatectomy for hepatic S5 and S4b and cholecystectomy were proposed to perform. The operation process was smooth, and the patient was discharged on the 15th day after the operation without any complications. After discharge, lenvatinib was taken and thymosin alpha for injection was injected. At present, the patient’s quality of life was better, and there was no tumor recurrence or metastasis. ConclusionsFor the elderly patients with large HCC with severe cardiopulmonary dysfunction, the risk of treatment is higher. By MDT mode, the optimum treatment scheme for patient could be formulated to ensure efficient and accurate diagnosis and ensure high-quality treatment process, so as to maximally benefit patient.