Hepatol Res
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Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers with a high recurrence rate. Currently, tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are the first-line treatment for cases refractory to conventional therapies. However, the acquisition of somatic mutations can result in TKI resistance. ⋯ However, the majority of the patients remain refractory, likely due to the solid immune suppressive status, which involves many stromal cells, humoral mediators, and suppressive checkpoint molecules. Therefore, current clinical trials are focusing on how immunosuppressive conditions in HCC might be overcome using immune checkpoint inhibitors in combination with different types of immune checkpoint blockades, TKIs, and other conventional treatments. The development of immune checkpoint inhibitors is rapidly progressing and these inhibitors are likely to be key agents for HCC treatment in the near feature.
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As it is not practical to perform regular screening for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in all patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), there is a need to identify NAFLD patients who are at high risk for HCC. Wisteria floribunda agglutinin-positive Mac-2 binding protein (WFA+ -M2BP) has been shown to be a surrogate marker for predicting HCC as well as a liver fibrosis marker in patients with chronic hepatitis B and C. The aim of this study was to investigate whether WFA+ -M2BP predicts HCC development in NAFLD patients. ⋯ Wisteria floribunda agglutinin-positive Mac-2 binding protein predicts HCC development and is a useful surrogate marker for identifying NAFLD patients who are at a high risk for HCC.
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We aimed to investigate sleep quality, mild hepatic encephalopathy, anxiety, and depression in patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis by using a variety of scales and questionnaires. ⋯ These results indicated that patients with hepatitis B liver cirrhosis have a disturbed sleep, which might be an MHE symptom, further causing considerable anxiety. Thus, the evaluation of sleep quality and psychological state of patients with hepatitis B liver cirrhosis necessitates further investigation to guide positive intervention.
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Liver transplantation for metastatic neuroendocrine tumor in the liver used to be the main reason for liver transplantation for metastatic liver tumor. It is reported that liver transplantation in selected patients with non-resectable metastatic neuroendocrine tumor in the liver had favorable outcomes equivalent to liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma. ⋯ According to the SECA study in Oslo, liver transplantation for non-resectable colorectal liver metastasis had a high rate of recurrence but a favorable prognosis. Further discussion on patient selection, attempts at immunosuppressive therapy, and combination with chemotherapy and treatment at the time of relapse are required in order to improve the outcomes of liver transplantation for metastatic liver tumor.
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Decompensated cirrhosis patients have greatly variable prognosis. The aim of the study was to carry out a risk stratification for those patients by Chronic Liver Failure (CLIF) Consortium scores. ⋯ The CLIF-C ACLF and CLIF-C AD are better prognostic scores than MELD, MELD-Na, and CP in predicting mortality of ACLF and no-ACLF patients. A combined use of CLIF- Sequential Organ Failure Assessment, CLIF-C ACLFs, and CLIF-C ADs could identify cirrhosis patients at high death risk and assist clinical decisions for management.