Comparative Effectiveness of Hepatic Artery Based Therapies for Unresectable Colorectal Liver Metastases: A Meta-Analysis

BackgroundPatients with unresectable Colorectal Liver Metastases (CRLM) are increasingly being managed using Hepatic Artery Based Therapies (HAT), including Hepatic Arterial Infusion (HAI), Radioembolization (RE), and Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization (TACE). Limited data is available on the comparative effectiveness of these options. We hypothesized that outcomes in terms of survival and toxicity were equivalent across the three strategies.MethodsA meta-analysis was performed using a prospectively registered search strategy at PROSPERO (CRD42013003861) that utilized studies from PubMed (2003–2013). Primary outcome was median overall survival (OS). Secondary outcomes were treatment toxicity, tumor response, and conversion of the tumor to resectable. Additional covariates included prior or concurrent systemic therapy.ResultsOf 491 studies screened, 90 were selected for analyses—52 (n = 3,000 patients) HAI, 24 (n = 1,268) RE, 14 (n = 1,038) TACE. The median OS (95% CI) for patients receiving HAT in the first-line were RE 29.4 vs. HAI 21.4 vs. TACE 15.2 months (p = 0.97, 0.69 respectively). For patients failing at least one line of prior systemic therapy, the survival outcomes were TACE 21.3 (20.6–22.4) months vs. HAI 13.2 (12.2–14.2) months vs. RE 10.7 (9.5–12.0). Grade 3–4 toxicity for HAT alone was 40% in the HAI group, 19% in the RE group, and 18% in the TACE groups, which was increased with the addition of systemic chemotherapy. Level 1 evidence was available in 5 studies for HAI, 2 studies for RE and 1 for TACE.ConclusionHAI, RE, and TACE are equally effective in patients with unresectable CRLM with marginal differences in survival.     

A New Model to Estimate Prognosis in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma after Yttrium-90 Radioembolization

Aims

The current prognostic model to estimate the survival in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients treated with transarterial hepatic selective internal radiotherapy (SIRT) is not fully characterized. The aim of this study was to establish a new scoring model including assessment of both tumor responses and therapy-induced systemic changes in HCC patients to predict survival at an early time point post-SIRT.

Methods and materials

Between 2008 and 2012, 149 HCC patients treated with SIRT were included into this study. CT images and biomarkers in blood tested at one month post-SIRT were analyzed and correlated with clinical outcome. Tumor responses were assessed by RECIST 1.1, mRECIST, and Choi criteria. Kaplan-Meier methods were used to estimate survival curves. Cox regression was used in uni- and multivariable survival analyses and in the establishment of a prognostic model.

Results

A multivariate proportional hazards model was created based on the tumor response, the number of tumor nodules, the score of the model for end stage liver disease (MELD), and the serum C-reactive protein levels which were independent predictors of survival in HCC patients at one month post-SIRT. This prognostic model accurately differentiated the outcome of patients with different risk scores in this cohort (P<0.001). The model also had the ability to assign a predicted survival probability for individual patients.

Conclusions

A new model to predict survival of HCC patients mainly based on tumor responses and therapy-induced systemic changes provides reliable prognosis and accurately discriminates the survival at an early time point after SIRT in these patients.     

Neutron Activated Samarium-153 Microparticles for Transarterial Radioembolization of Liver Tumour with Post-Procedure Imaging Capabilities

Introduction

Samarium-153 (¹⁵³Sm) styrene divinylbenzene microparticles were developed as a surrogate for Yttrium-90 (⁹⁰Y) microspheres in liver radioembolization therapy. Unlike the pure beta emitter ⁹⁰Y, ¹⁵³Sm possess both therapeutic beta and diagnostic gamma radiations, making it possible for post-procedure imaging following therapy.

Methods

The microparticles were prepared using commercially available cation exchange resin, Amberlite IR-120 H⁺ (620–830 μm), which were reduced to 20–40 μm via ball mill grinding and sieve separation. The microparticles were labelled with ¹⁵²Sm via ion exchange process with ¹⁵²SmCl₃, prior to neutron activation to produce radioactive ¹⁵³Sm through ¹⁵²Sm(n,γ)¹⁵³Sm reaction. Therapeutic activity of 3 GBq was referred based on the recommended activity used in ⁹⁰Y-microspheres therapy. The samples were irradiated in 1.494 x 10¹² n.cm^-2.s^-1 neutron flux for 6 h to achieve the nominal activity of 3.1 GBq.g^-1. Physicochemical characterisation of the microparticles, gamma spectrometry, and in vitro radiolabelling studies were carried out to study the performance and stability of the microparticles.

Results

Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy of the Amberlite IR-120 resins showed unaffected functional groups, following size reduction of the beads. However, as shown by the electron microscope, the microparticles were irregular in shape. The radioactivity achieved after 6 h neutron activation was 3.104 ± 0.029 GBq. The specific activity per microparticle was 53.855 ± 0.503 Bq. Gamma spectrometry and elemental analysis showed no radioactive impurities in the samples. Radiolabelling efficiencies of ¹⁵³Sm-Amberlite in distilled water and blood plasma over 48 h were excellent and higher than 95%.

Conclusion

The laboratory work revealed that the ¹⁵³Sm-Amberlite microparticles demonstrated superior characteristics for potential use in hepatic radioembolization.     

Basic and Clinical Research on the Therapeutic Effect of Intervention in Primary Liver Cancer by Targeted Intra-Arterial Verapamil Infusion

The aim of this study was assess the therapeutic effect of targeted intra-arterial verapamil infusion in liver cancer patients and its side-effects in a dog model. The blood verapamil levels in dogs were determined after one-off intra-arterial infusion (0.7 mg/kg). Blood pressure, breathing state, and II-lead electrocardiogram were measured. Primary liver cancer patients (100) were randomly assigned into two groups. Controls (50) were treated with targeted intra-arterial infusion, and every patient received once-a-month interventional therapy, twice. Treatment group (50) received chemotherapeutics plus verapamil. Therapeutic and toxic side effects were evaluated. Control (41) and treatment group (45) patients were further treated with a second round of targeted intra-arterial infusion of chemotherapeutics plus verapamil, in 30 days after the 2-time interventional therapy. Every patient accepted interventional therapy 4–5 times during the 6 months after the first confirmed diagnosis. Following verapamil infusion, verapamil in dog liver was tenfold higher than in blood and was 4- to 20-fold higher than that needed for reversing carcinoma drug resistance. After interventional therapy, there were no significant changes in iconographic evaluation indices between the groups. Average activities of aminotransferases were 332 and 178 U/l in the treatment and control groups (P < 0.05). The imaging parameters of the treatment group were significantly better than those of control group. No side effects were found among the 91 patients who accepted verapamil infusion. After verapamil infusion, verapamil levels in dog hepatic tissue exceeded the effective concentration that reverses carcinoma multidrug resistance without any visible changes in the vital signs. Targeted intra-arterial verapamil infusion could improve the chemotherapy for the primary liver cancer patients without any side effects.     

肝移植术后他克莫司肾毒性1例报道及文献复习

目的:探讨肝移植术后胆道感染的情况下他克莫司导致肾毒性的处理措施及临床疗效.方法:回顾性分析我科收治的1例肝移植术后服用他克莫司导致肾毒性的患者,换周西罗莫司后肾功能恢复的临床资料.患者因移植术后胆道狭窄,行经皮肝胆管穿刺引流术(PTCD)治疗后出现发热,明确诊断为胆道感染,予以控制感染.继之出现恶心、呕吐等消化道症状,明确为他克莫司导致肾毒性所致,治疗上停用他克莫司胶囊,服用西罗莫司.结果:肝移植术后胆道感染促进他克莫司导致肾毒性的发生,在胆道感染控制的基础上,予以换用他克莫司为西罗莫司,同时扩容、补液等改善肾脏灌注治疗后,患者的肾功能逐渐恢复,现于我院门诊跟踪并规律复查.结论:西罗莫司是一种低肾毒性的免疫抑制剂,对于肝移植术后他克莫司导致肾毒性的处理,换用西罗莫司治疗能有效保护肾功能.     

结直肠癌肝转移原发病灶切除后患者生存状况及预后因素分析

目的:探讨结直肠癌肝转移原发病灶切除后患者生存状况及预后因素分析。方法:回顾性分析2008年5月至2012年5月我院收治的60例结直肠癌肝转移并接受原发病灶切除术患者临床及随访资料。采用Kaplan-Meier方法计算中位生存时间,采用Log-rank检验进行单因素分析,采用Cox回归模型进行多因素分析,对影响结直肠癌肝转移原发病灶切除后患者预后的相关因素进行分析。结果:60例患者1、2、3年生存率分别为83.2%、67.8%及50.3%;中位生存时间为(22.9±5.56)个月。单因素分析结果显示,原发肿瘤形态学分型、原发肿瘤T分期、原发肿瘤N分期、原发病灶手术方式、肝转移时间以及肝转移灶局部治疗方式等6个临床因素是结直肠癌肝转移原发病灶切除患者预后的影响因素(P0.05)。多因素分析结果显示,影响结直肠癌肝转移原发病灶切除后患者预后的因素主要有原发肿瘤形态学分型、原发病灶手术方式以及肝转移灶局部治疗方式(P0.05)。结论:原发肿瘤形态学分型、原发病灶手术方式以及肝转移灶局部治疗方式是影响结直肠癌肝转移患者预后的主要因素。对结直肠癌肝转移患者进行早期明确诊断与手术治疗,并对肝转移灶局部设定合理治疗方案,对于患者生存状况的提高具有十分积极的意义。     

First Clinical Experience of Intra-Operative High Intensity Focused Ultrasound in Patients with Colorectal Liver Metastases: A Phase I-IIa Study

BackgroundSurgery is the only curative treatment in patients with colorectal liver metastases (CLM), but only 10–20% of patients are eligible. High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) technology is of proven value in several indications, notably prostate cancer. Its intra-operative use in patients with CLM has not previously been studied. Preclinical work suggested the safety and feasibility of a new HIFU device capable of ablating volumes of up to 2cm x 2cm in a few seconds.MethodsWe conducted a prospective, single-centre phase I-IIa trial. HIFU was delivered immediately before scheduled hepatectomy. To demonstrate the safety and efficacy of rapidly ablating liver parenchyma, ablations were performed on healthy tissue within the areas scheduled for resection.ResultsIn total, 30 ablations were carried out in 15 patients. These ablations were all generated within 40 seconds and on average measured 27.5mm x 21.0mm. The phase I study (n = 6) showed that use of the HIFU device was feasible and safe and did not damage neighbouring tissue. The phase IIa study (n = 9) showed both that the area of ablation could be precisely targeted on a previously implanted metallic mark (used to represent a major anatomical structure) and that ablations could be undertaken deliberately to avoid such a mark. Ablations were achieved with a precision of 1–2 mm.ConclusionHIFU was feasible, safe and effective in ablating areas of liver scheduled for resection. The next stage is a phase IIb study which will attempt ablation of small metastases with a 5 mm margin, again prior to planned resection.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov{"type":"clinical-trial","attrs":{"text":"NCT01489787","term_id":"NCT01489787"}}NCT01489787     

肝移植术后急性肾功能衰竭的相关因素的临床分析

目的：探讨肝移植术后并发急性肾功能衰竭（ARF）的相关因素,为肝移植术后ARF的预防和治疗提供参考。方法：回顾性分析了2005年1月-2010年10月在我院行肝移植术的98例患者的临床资料,对术后并发ARF的相关因素进行分析。结果：98例行肝移植术后发生ARF13例,发生率为13．27％。单因素分析显示术前血尿素氮CBUN）、术前血清肌酐（Scr）、术前血清白蛋白（Alb）、手术时间、失血量与ARF的发生有关（P〈0．05）。多因素Logistic回归法分析表明,术前Ser和BUN是肝移植术后并发ARF的危险因素。结论：术前血BUN、血清Scr、血清Alb、手术时间和失血量是肝移植术后并发ARF主要因素,而术前Scr和BUN水平升高是肝移植术后并发ARF的危险因素。对上述因素加以重点评估和合理控制,可以控制肝移植术后ARF的发生。     

原位肝移植术后急性肺损伤的相关因素的临床分析

目的：探讨肝移植后急性肺损伤（ALI）的相关因素,为肝移植术后ALI的预防和治疗提供参考。方法：回顾性分析了2005年1月-2010年10月在我院行肝移植术的98例患者的临床资料,对术后并发ALI的相关因素进行分析。结果：98例行肝移植术后发生ALI12例,发生率为12．24％。单因素分析显示年龄、术前血清TBIL、术中失血量、术中尿量和术后血BUN对ALI的发生有显著影响（P〈0．05）。多因素Logistic回归法分析表明,术中失血量、术前TBIL、年龄为术后并发ALI的危险因素。结论：术中失血量、术前TBIL、年龄为术后并发ALI的危险因素,对上述因素加以重点评估和合理控制,可以控制肝移植术后ALI的发生。     

肝移植术后急性肾功能衰竭的相关因素的临床分析

目的:探讨肝移植术后并发急性肾功能衰竭(ARF)的相关因素,为肝移植术后ARF的预防和治疗提供参考。方法:回顾性分析了2005年1月~2010年10月在我院行肝移植术的98例患者的临床资料,对术后并发ARF的相关因素进行分析。结果:98例行肝移植术后发生ARF 13例,发生率为13.27%。单因素分析显示术前血尿素氮(BUN)、术前血清肌酐(Scr)、术前血清白蛋白(Alb)、手术时间、失血量与ARF的发生有关(P<0.05)。多因素Logistic回归法分析表明,术前Scr和BUN是肝移植术后并发ARF的危险因素。结论:术前血BUN、血清Scr、血清Alb、手术时间和失血量是肝移植术后并发ARF主要因素,而术前Scr和BUN水平升高是肝移植术后并发ARF的危险因素。对上述因素加以重点评估和合理控制,可以控制肝移植术后ARF的发生。     

原位肝移植术后急性肺损伤的相关因素的临床分析

目的:探讨肝移植后急性肺损伤(ALI)的相关因素,为肝移植术后ALI的预防和治疗提供参考。方法:回顾性分析了2005年1月~2010年10月在我院行肝移植术的98例患者的临床资料,对术后并发ALI的相关因素进行分析。结果:98例行肝移植术后发生ALI12例,发生率为12.24%。单因素分析显示年龄、术前血清TBIL、术中失血量、术中尿量和术后血BUN对ALI的发生有显著影响(P<0.05)。多因素Logistic回归法分析表明,术中失血量、术前TBIL、年龄为术后并发ALI的危险因素。结论:术中失血量、术前TBIL、年龄为术后并发ALI的危险因素,对上述因素加以重点评估和合理控制,可以控制肝移植术后ALI的发生。     

Randomized Phase II Study of 5-Fluorouracil Hepatic Arterial Infusion with or without Antineoplastons as an Adjuvant Therapy after Hepatectomy for Liver Metastases from Colorectal Cancer

Background

Antineoplastons are naturally occurring peptides and amino acid derivatives found in human blood and urine. Antineoplaston A10 and AS2-1 reportedly control neoplastic growth and do not significantly inhibit normal cell growth. Antineoplastons contain 3-phenylacetylamino-2, 6-piperidinedione (A10), phenylacetylglutamine plus phenylacetylisoglutamine (A10-I), and phenylacetylglutamine plus phenylacetate (AS2-1). This open label, non- blinded randomized phase II study compared the efficacy of hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) with 5-fluorouracil,with or without antineoplastons as a postoperative therapy for colorectal metastasis to the liver.

Methods

Sixty-five patients with histologically confirmed metastatic colon adenocarcinoma in liver, who had undergone hepatectomy, and/or thermal ablation for liver metastases were enrolled between 1998- 2004 in Kurume University Hospital. Patients were randomly assigned to receive systemic antineoplastons (A10-I infusion followed by per-oral AS2-1) plus HAI (AN arm) or HAI alone (control arm) based on the number of metastases and presence/ absence of extra-hepatic metastasis at the time of surgery. Primary endpoint was cancer-specific survival (CSS); secondary endpoints were relapse-free survival (RFS), status and extent of recurrence, salvage surgery (rate) and toxicity.

Findings

Overall survival was not statistically improved (p=0.105) in the AN arm (n=32). RFS was not significant (p=0.343). Nevertheless, the CSS rate was significantly higher in the AN arm versus the control arm (n=33) with a median survival time 67 months (95%CI 43-not calculated) versus 39 months (95%CI 28-47) (p=0.037) and 5 year CSS rate 60% versus 32% respectively. Cancer recurred more often in a single organ than in multiple organs in the AN arm versus the control arm. The limited extent of recurrent tumours in the AN arm meant more patients remained eligible for salvage surgery. Major adverse effects of antineoplastons were fullness of the stomach and phlebitis. No serious toxicity, including bone marrow suppression, liver or renal dysfunction, were found in the AN arm.

Interpretation

Antineoplastons (A10 Injection and AS2-1) might be useful as adjunctive therapy in addition to HAI after hepatectomy in colorectal metastases to the liver.

Trial registration information

ClinicalTrials.gov UMIN000012099     

Patients with Chronically Diseased Livers Have Lower Incidence of Colorectal Liver Metastases: A Meta-Analysis

Background

70 years ago, it was put forward that the diseased liver was not a favorable soil for metastatic tumor cells. In addition, a few studies have demonstrated that rare occurrence of colorectal liver metastases among patients with fatty liver, cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis B and C virus infection. We performed a meta-analysis to verify the association between the incidences of colorectal liver metastases with chronically diseased livers.

Methods

Relevant studies were identified by a search of electronic database PubMed, Cochrane Library, OVID, Web of Science and CNKI (up to February 24, 2014). Pooled odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated using random- or fixed-effect models when appropriate. Meta-analysis and publication bias (Bgger''s test) was evaluated with STATA 12.0.

Results

A total of 10,349 colorectal cancer patients from 10 studies were included. The meta-analysis result showed there was a significant difference in the incidences of colorectal liver metastases between patients with normal and chronically diseased livers (OR = 0.32; 95% CI 95%: 0.26–0.38, P = 0.000 fixed-effects model). The result of Begg''s test (Pr>|z| = 0.089; P>0.05) revealed no publication bias.

Conclusions

The results of this meta-analysis demonstrated that patients with chronically diseased livers had significantly lower incidences of colorectal liver metastases than those with normal livers.     

Clinical and Laboratory Studies with Rubella Vaccines in Adults

Three live attenuated rubella vaccines were tested in adult volunteers. Clinical reactions were mild, but were more noticeable in vaccinated non-immune subjects than in control subjects. With the exception of two individuals, all of the remaining 54 subjects developed an immune response; the level of antibodies found was somewhat lower than that resulting from natural infection. Though virus could be isolated from some of the seronegative volunteers after vaccination, no evidence was found of transmission of infection.