Objective To understand the role and mechanism of tumor associated macrophages (TAM) on the occurrence and development of primary liver cancer, and its application in the treatment. MethodThe related literatures about the researches of relation between TAM and primary liver cancer at home and abroad in recent years were collected, sorted out, and made a review. Results Under different stimulating factors, TAM could be polarized to anti-tumor type 1 TAMs or tumor-promoting type 2 TAMs, and type 2 TAMs was the main part in the tumor microenvironment. Through some mechanisms such as vascularity-promoting, invasion-promoting, and immunosuppression to promote the occurrence and development of tumors, and potential treatment plans for primary liver cancer could be found by targeting TAM from different perspectives. Conclusion TAM has a wide range of effects on primary liver cancer, and their mechanisms are complex, understanding the relation between them and make an effective control of TAM could provide new therapeutic ideas and plans for clinical treatment of primary liver cancer.
ObjectiveTo study the epidemiologic characteristics of primary liver cancer (PLC). MethodsThe literatures about regional distribution and etiologic epidemiology of PLC were reviewed. Results PLC was mainly distributed on caostland in the south-east of China. The main cause of PLC was hepatitis B virus, aflatoxin and contamination of drinking water. Otherwise, PLS was also related with lack of some trace element, sex horemones, genealogy cause and so on.Conclusion The genesis of PLC was by multiple factors.
Objective To analyze the disease burden of liver cancer caused by nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) among the Chinese population by utilizing the latest global burden of disease (GBD) 2021 data, and conduct a comparative analysis with the global situation, so as to provide references and lessons for the formulation of public health policies and disease management plans in China. Methods GBD 2021 database publicly released in May 2024 was searched and relevant disease burden data of liver cancer caused by NASH in China and globally from 1990 to 2021 was sorted out. Joinpoint regression model was employed to calculate the average annual percentage change (AAPC) of the age-standardized rates of various burden indicators in order to evaluate the changing characteristics of disease epidemiology over time. Meanwhile, Bayesian method was used to predict the number of incidences and deaths of liver cancer caused by NASH in China and globally from 2022 to 2045. Results Compared with 1990, in 2021, the number of incidences, prevalence, deaths, disability-adjusted life years, age-standardized incidence rate and age-standardized prevalence rate of liver cancer caused by NASH in the overall, male and female populations in China and globally all increased. Moreover, in 1990 and 2021, all the burden indicators of the Chinese male population were higher than those of the female population in the corresponding years. The overall trend analysis showed that during the 32 years from 1990 to 2021, the age-standardized incidence rate [AAPC=0.44%, 95%CI (0.35%, 0.53%), P<0.001] and the age-standardized prevalence rate [AAPC=0.92%, 95%CI (0.73%, 1.11%), P<0.001] of liver cancer caused by NASH in the overall population in China both showed a significant upward trend. In addition, in 1990 and 2021, the age-standardized rates of all the burden indicators of the overall population in China were higher than the global levels in the corresponding years. The prediction results of the Bayesian model showed that from 2022 to 2045, the number of incidences and deaths of liver cancer caused by NASH in the overall, male and female populations in China and globally will generally show an upward trend. Conclusions The disease burden of liver cancer caused by NASH in China and globally is generally on the rise. In order to curb the increasing disease burden, it is necessary to formulate relevant public health policies and disease management plans in a timely manner.
Objective To summarize the role of the relationship between liver cancer and cellular immunological function, and the role of immune therapy in clinical application. Methods To analyze the relationship between liver cancer and cellular immunological function, and the present research situation of immune therapy for liver cancer in clinical application retrospectively via review the related domestic and foreign literatures. Results The cellular immune dysfunction existed in all liver cancer patients. The state of body’s cellular immunological function is closely related with the arising and development of liver cancer, and the lowness of cellular immunological function is an important factor of hepatocellular carcinoma hard to cure or recurrence and metastasis. Immune therapy plays an important role in the treatment of liver cancer by adjusting the body’s cellular immunological function. Conclusions Liver cancer is closely related with the body’s cellular immunological function. Immune therapy is expected to offer a new way for the treatment of liver cancer, which can also be used as an important auxiliary treatment way.
ObjectiveTo study the clinical role of spleen/remnant liver volume ratio in evaluating liver reserve function after surgical treatment for liver cancer. MethodsTo calculate the ratio of spleen volume/remnant liver volume after tumor excision with imaging method and immersion method; to analyze the relationships between spleen/remnant liver volume ratio and liver function score after operation as well as hospital stay. ResultsLiver function ChildPugh score was related mainly with spleen/remnant liver volume ratio (t=7.831, P=0.000), which was proved by multiple regression analysis. The median hospital stay of the group with spleen/remnant liver ratio ≤0.9 was 14 d （12-16 d）, which was less than that (22 d, 15-29 d) of the other group with the ratio gt;0.9 (P=0.000). ConclusionsSpleen/remnant liver volume ratio can predict effectively recovery ability of patients after operation for liver cancer， and assess correctly the reserve function of liver. When the ratio is less than or equal 0.9, the operation is safe.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of pipecolic acid oxidase (PIPOX) on the proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion of primary liver cancer cells. MethodsImmunohistochemical staining and analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database were used to examine the PIPOX expression levels in liver cancer tissues and paired adjacent normal tissues, and studied their relationship with patient prognosis. Liver cancer cell lines stably overexpressing or knocking out PIPOX were constructed to explore PIPOX’s impact on liver cancer cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion by conducting in vitro functional experiments such as CCK-8, EdU, apoptosis detection, and Transwell assays. In vivo, nude mice subcutaneous tumor models and lung metastasis models were used to verify PIPOX’s effect on liver cancer growth and metastasis. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and western blot were both employed to detect the expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers in liver cancer cells. ResultsImmunohistochemical staining and TCGA database analysis revealed that PIPOX expression was significantly lower in liver cancer tissues compared to paired adjacent normal tissues (P<0.05). Prognostic analysis indicated shorter overall survival and disease-free survival in PIPOX low expression group (P<0.05). In vitro gain- and loss-of-function experiments showed that PIPOX significantly inhibited liver cancer cell migration and invasion (P<0.05), while having no significant effects on their proliferation and apoptosis (P>0.05). Animal experiments also confirmed that PIPOX significantly inhibited liver cancer lung metastasis (P<0.05), but had no significant effects on tumor growth (P>0.05). Finally, RT-qPCR and western blot results revealed that PIPOX promoted the expression of the epithelial marker E-cadherin (P<0.05) and inhibited the expression of mesenchymal markers (N-cadherin, vimentin, Snail) (P<0.05). ConclusionsPIPOX significantly inhibits liver cancer cell migration and invasion, potentially via suppressing the EMT process. However, PIPOX does not significantly affect liver cancer cell proliferation and apoptosis.
ObjectivesTo analyze the average daily medical expenditures for primary liver cancer in China from 2002 to 2011.MethodsThis study employed retrospective survey on multiple centers from 12 provinces and cities in China from 2002 to 2011, based on the continuous data from the Cancer Screening Program in the Urban China Project. The average daily medical expenditures of primary liver cancer patients and influencing factors were analyzed.ResultsA total of 11 045 liver cancer patients from 12 provinces and cities were included, with an average age of 55 and an average duration of hospitalization of 16.76 days. The average daily medical expenditures of liver cancer patients during the 10 years was 1 251 yuan (95%CI 1 236 to 1 266). The average daily medical expenditures was significantly different in regions (1 356 yuan in the east region, 1 209 yuan in the middle region and 1 068 yuan in the west region), types of hospital (1 341 yuan in general hospitals, 1 213 yuan in specialized hospitals) and hospital levels (1 293 yuan in 3A grade hospital, 805 yuan in non-3A grade hospital) (P<0.05). The average daily medical expenditures were 1 253 yuan for stage Ⅰ, 1 169 yuan for stage Ⅱ, 1 167 yuan for stageⅢ and 1 092 yuan for stage Ⅳ (P<0.05). From 2002 to 2011, the average daily medical expenditures of hospitalization increased from 1 079 yuan (95%CI 1 021 to 1 136) to 1 549 yuan (95%CI 1 486 to 1 613), with an average growth rate of 3.69%. Since 2007, a continuous growth was observed. Subgroup analysis suggested there were obvious differences in growth patterns between different regions and hospitals, as well as differences between various treatments.ConclusionsThe average daily medical expenditures of liver cancer in China had been increasing from 2002 to 2011 and there were significant differences between various regions and hospital levels. Combined with data on the change of duration of hospitalization, it can provide reference for the economic evaluation of the nation’s prevention and treatment policies for liver cancer.
Objective To study the effects of pcDNA3/AFP/TK/Angio fusion gene targeting therapy for human primary liver cancer in nude mice implanted with SMMC-7721. Methods Human liver cancer cell line SMMC-7721 was implanted subcutaneously in nude mice to establish experiment model. Animals bearing liver cancer were randomly divided into five groups: control group， vector group， GCV (ganciclovir) group， pcDNA3/TK/Angio group; pcDNA3/AFP/TK/Angio group. Different plasmids were directly injected into tumors and GCV was intraperitoneally administrated simultaneously according to different groups. The growth of tumors was observed and the pathology was examined as well. Serum AFP level was measured by radioimmunology, the ultrastructural change of tumor cells was studied by using electron microscopy, the expressions of MVD and VEGF were respectively detected with immunohistochemistry and the cell apoptosis in situ was detected by TUNEL. Results The success rate to establish subcutaneous implanted liver cancer model in nude mice was 100%. The tumor volume, serum AFP level, VEGF and MVD expressions of pcDNA3/TK/Angio group and pcDNA3/AFP/TK/Angio group were lower than those in control group, vector group and GCV group (P＜0.05) and more apoptosis cells could be observed. While the tumor volume, serum AFP level, VEGF and MVD expressions of pcDNA3/AFP/TK/Angio group was lower than those in pcDNA3/TK/Angio group (P＜0.05); and apoptosis index was higher than that of the latter (P＜0.05).Conclusion pcDNA3/AFP/TK/Angio fusion gene inhibits the growth of tumor remarkably and becomes a promising new biological agent to treat human primary liver cancer.
Based on the experience of more than 10 000 times of radiofrequency ablation treatment and the clinical and basic research results of radiofrequency ablation treatment of liver cancer obtained during the period, the author shares the experience of radiofrequency ablation indication selection, preoperative preparation, concept of radiofrequency ablation and postoperative follow-up of liver cancer. The purpose is to explore how to improve the curative effect of RFA treatment for small liver cancer, and reduce local residue, recurrence, as well as relevant complications.
Liver cancer is one of the world’s most prevalent malignancies, and is also the third leading cause of cancer death in China. Hepatitis and cirrhosis background is a major feature of liver cancer patients in China, which makes specific requirements that suits the national conditions in many aspects of prevention and control like screening diagnosis, treatment options, and prognosis follow-up. The Specifications for Diagnosis and Treatment of Primary Liver Cancer (2017 Edition), which is based on China’s practice, proposes liver cancer staging in line with China’s national conditions and forms a multi-disciplinary joint diagnosis and treatment model based on surgical treatment. Liver transplantation is included in liver cancer as one of the surgical treatments option. It also emphasizes the support of evidence-based medicine. The Specifications for Diagnosis and Treatment of Primary Liver Cancer (2017 Edition) may have laid a solid foundation for future diagnosis and treatment of liver cancer in China.