Combined stereotactic body radiotherapy and trans-arterial chemoembolization as initial treatment in BCLC stage B-C hepatocellular carcinoma

PURPOSE

We retrospectively evaluated the efficacy and safety of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) combined with trans-arterial chemoembolization (TACE) as initial therapy in Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) system stage B-C hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Seventy-two patients received a single dose of TACE followed by SBRT 4 weeks later. All patients had tumor sizes ≥5 cm, at least 700 ml of disease-free liver, Child-Pugh (CP) score ≤ B7 and tumor nodules ≤5. SBRT dose, ranging from 6 × 5-8 Gy or 5-10 × 4 Gy, was individualized according to normal tissue constraints. No subsequent scheduled treatment was delivered unless disease progression was observed. Local control (LC), overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), response rate (RR), and toxicity were evaluated.

RESULTS

The patients' characteristics were: median age 60 years (range 28-87 years); CP score A/B (n = 68/4); BCLC stage B/C (n = 51/21); solitary/multifocal (n = 37/35); portal vein invasion (n = 18). The median tumor size and GTV were 11.2 cm (range 5.0-23.6 cm) and 751 cm³ (range 41-4009 cm³), respectively. The median equivalent dose in 2 Gy per fraction (EQD2, α/β = 10) was 37.3 Gy2 (range, 28-72 Gy2). The median follow-up time was 16.8 months (range, 3-96 months). The objective RR was 68% and the 1‑year LC rate was 93.6% (95% CI, 87.6-100%). The median OS was 19.8 months (95% CI, 11.6-30.6 months). SBRT-related grade 3 or higher adverse gastrointestinal events and treatment-related death occurred in three (2.8%) and one patient (1.4%) respectively. No patient developed classical radiation-induced liver injury.

CONCLUSION

Our experience suggests that combined TACE and SBRT can be a safe and effective initial therapy for BCLC stage B-C HCC with appropriate patient selection. Further prospective trials are warranted.

Single fraction computed tomography-guided high-dose-rate brachytherapy or stereotactic body radiotherapy for primary and metastatic lung tumors?

PURPOSE

To provide a pilot dosimetric study of computed tomography (CT)-guided high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy (BRT) and stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for primary and metastatic lung lesions.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

For nine lung primary and metastasis patients, 3D image-based BRT plan using a single virtual catheter was planned for 34 Gy in single fraction to the gross tumor volume (GTV) + 3 mm margin to account for tumor deformation. These plans were compared to margin-based (MB-) and robustness optimized (RO-) SBRT, assuming the same tumor deformation under real-time tumor tracking. Consistent dose calculation was ensured for both BRT and SBRT plans using the same class of collapsed cone convolution superposition algorithm. Plan quality metrics were compared by Friedman tests and Wilcoxon t-tests.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

Brachytherapy plans showed significant higher GTV mean dose compared to MB- and RO-SBRT (122.2 Gy vs. 50.4 and 44.7 Gy, p < 0.05), and better dose gradient index (R50) = 2.9 vs. 4.3 and 8.4 for MB- and RO-SBRT, respectively. Dose constraints per the RTOG 0915 protocol were achieved for all critical organs except chest wall in BRT. All other dose-volume histograms (DVH) metrics are comparable between BRT and SBRT. Treatment delivery time of BRT and SBRT plans significantly increased and decreased with increasing GTV size, respectively. SBRT using advanced MLC tracking technique and non-coplanar VMAT can achieve comparable dosimetric quality to HDR BRT. Whether or not, the significantly higher GTV dose can increase killing of radioresistant tumor cells and offset the effect of tumor reoxygenation in single fraction BRT, requires further clinical investigation.

Management of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: Is Adjuvant Therapy Needed?

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma of the undifferentiated histologic subtype is endemic and prevalent in southeast Asia. The dramatic improvement of treatment outcomes and overall prognosis during the past few decades has been attributed to advances in disease screening and diagnosis, diagnostic imaging, radiotherapy techniques, use of combination systemic therapy, and dedicated clinical and biomarker surveillance. The current practice of treating patients with advanced locoregional disease using cisplatin concurrent with conventional fractionated radiotherapy, followed by adjuvant cisplatin and fluorouracil, was established in 1998 when the landmark Intergroup-0099 Study demonstrated a survival benefit with the addition of systemic therapy.

There is little doubt regarding the need for concurrent chemotherapy, but there has been uncertainty about the magnitude of the benefit attributed to the adjuvant phase. Furthermore, instead of one-size-fits-all recommendations, it will be ideal if we can tailor adjuvant therapy to high-risk patients only to avoid unnecessary toxicities. In addition, recent evidence suggests that induction chemotherapy before concurrent chemoradiation can achieve better outcomes, especially in distant control, even in the modern era of intensity-modulated radiation therapy. This article provides a comprehensive review of key literature on the current management of locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma and highlights future research directions to unravel these controversies.

Comparison of platelet-albumin-bilirubin (PALBI), albumin-bilirubin (ALBI), and child-pugh (CP) score for predicting of survival in advanced hcc patients receiving radiotherapy (RT)

Purpose

This work evaluated the prognostic performance of Child-Pugh (CP), albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) and platelet-albumin-bilirubin (PALBI) scores in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients undergoing radiotherapy (RT).

Results

The study included 174 consecutive patients with 63% at CP A5 (n = 110) and 34% at CP A6 (n = 64). The median ALBI score was −2.39 (range: −3.61 to −1.41) with 34.5% at grade A1 (n = 60) and 65.5% at grade A2 (n = 114). The median PALBI score was −2.39 (range −3.39 to −1.24) with 33.3% at grade 1 (n = 58), 41.4% at grade 2 (n = 72) and 25.3% at grade 3 (n = 44). With a median follow-up of 21.7 months, the median OS of the entire cohort was 22.2 months. OS was significantly associated with the PALBI grade (p = 0.002) and for the ALBI grade (p = 0.00495), but not for the CP score (p = 0.46). The PALBI grade has a significantly higher AUC compared than the ALBI grade or CP scores in predicting OS. The PALBI grade was predictive of CP score decline ≥2 (20% grade 3 vs. 5.3% grade 1/2 p = 0.05) but the ALBI and CP scores were not.

Conclusion

Among CP A HCC patients receiving radiotherapy, the PALBI and ALBI grade maybe a better prognostic tool than the CP score. The role of PALBI in predicting liver toxicity warranted further exploration.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed HCC patients treated with individualized hypo-fractionated radiotherapy (IHRT) using stereotactic technique from 2006 to 2015. We collected CP, ALBI and PALBI scores prior to treatment and analyzed their correlation with overall survival (OS) and liver toxicity.

Adjuvant S-1 chemotherapy after curative resection of gastric cancer in Chinese patients: assessment of treatment tolerability and associated risk factors

INTRODUCTION

The use of adjuvant chemotherapy with S-1 (tegafur, gimeracil, and oteracil potassium) has been shown to improve the outcome of patients with gastric cancer. There are limited data on the tolerability of S-1 in Chinese patients. In this multicentre retrospective study, we assessed the toxicity profile in local patients.

METHODS

Patients with stage II-IIIC gastric adenocarcinoma who had undergone curative resection and who had received S-1 adjuvant chemotherapy were included in the study. Patient demographics, tumour characteristics, chemotherapy records, as well as biochemical, haematological, and other toxicity profiles were extracted from medical charts. Potential factors associated with grade 2-4 toxicities were identified.

RESULTS

Adjuvant S-1 was administered to 30 patients. Overall, 19 (63%) patients completed eight cycles. The most common grade 3-4 adverse events included neutropaenia (10%), anaemia (6.7%), septic episode (16.7%), diarrhoea (6.7%), hyperbilirubinaemia (6.7%), and syncope (6.7%). Dose reductions were made in 22 (73.3%) patients and 12 (40.0%) patients had dose delays. Univariate analyses showed that patients who underwent total gastrectomy were more likely to experience adverse haematological events (P=0.034). Patients with nodal involvement were more likely to report adverse non-haematological events (P=0.031). Patients with a history of regular alcohol intake were more likely to have earlier treatment withdrawal (P=0.044). Lower body weight (P=0.007) and lower body surface area (P=0.017) were associated with dose interruptions.

CONCLUSIONS

The tolerability of adjuvant S-1 in our patient population was similar to that in other Asian patient populations. The awareness of S-1-related toxicities and increasing knowledge of potential associated factors may enable optimisation of S-1 therapy.

Randomized phase II study of the x-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP) antisense AEG35156 in combination with sorafenib in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)

4105

Background: XIAP inhibits caspases which are proteases responsible for apoptotic cell death. It is highly expressed in HCC. AEG35156 is a second generation antisense oligonucleotide targeting XIAP mRNA, thus lowers the apoptotic threshold of cancer cells. It also accumulates in the liver. This study is designed to assess the added benefit of combining AEG35156 with sorafenib. Methods: Patients with histologically or clinically diagnosed (AASLD criteria) HCC who had failed or were unsuitable for resection or ablative therapies were randomized (2:1) to receive either weekly injection of AEG35156 300mg in combination with sorefanib 400mg BID or sorefanib alone. The primary end point was progression-free survival (PFS). Other endpoints were overall survival (OS), response rates and safety. Results: 51 patients were recruited. 48 patents were evaluable. There were 31 patients in the combination arm and 17 in the control arm. The median age was 60. 88% of patients were male. 81% of patients were hepatitis B carrier. 90% of patients belong to Child-Pugh class A. The median follow-up was 16.2 months. The PFS for the combination arm was 4.0 months (95% CI: 1.2-4.1) and 2.6 months for control arm. The OS for the combination arm was 6.5 months (95% CI: 3.9-11.5) and 5.4 months for the control arm. There were 3 partial responders (Choi’s criteria) in the combination arm (10%, 95% CI: 3-27%) and none (0%) in the control arm. Patients who had the study treatment interrupted (PFS 4.0, 95% CI: 2.4-5.4) or had dose modification (PFS 4.45, 95% CI: 1.0-6.5) according to protocol did significantly better than those who had no dose reduction (PFS 1.2, 95% CI: 1.2-4.0) and those in the control arm (PFS 2.6, 95% CI: 1.2-5.4). This also applies to OS. Regarding toxicities, there were one AEG35156 related serious adverse event (SAE) of hypersensitivity and two sorafenib related gastrointestinal SAE. Conclusions: AEG35156 in combination with Sorafenib was well tolerated in patients with advanced HCC. Dose reduced AEG35156 in combination with sorafenib have shown more activity than sorafenib alone and warrants further investigation.

Klebsiella meningitis mimicking clinical deterioration from hemorrhage of a complex posterior fossa arteriovenous malformation

We report a case of a 33-year-old male with a history of complex posterior fossa arteriovenous malformation (AVM) with partial resection done in China; at follow-up in our unit, he presented with a 1-day history of acute deterioration of consciousness level after minor head injury. The clinical and radiologic features were compatible with spontaneous hemorrhage from the AVM, and the patient died 1 day after admission. However, postmortem examination revealed the direct cause of death was due to Klebsiella meningitis. The clinical catch is highlighted, and the importance of early and prompt detection of this condition is emphasized.

Parenteral nutrition support after bone marrow transplantation: comparison of total and partial parenteral nutrition during the early posttransplantation period

OBJECTIVE

Bone marrow transplantation (BMT) usually is indicated if the patient's malignant disease involves the marrow or if hazard to the normal marrow is the limiting factor in the aggressive treatment of disease. The success of BMT depends on a complete team with all the resources needed to ensure optimal results. Aggressive nutrition support after BMT is very important. Adequate parenteral nutrition, total (TPN) or partial, followed by enteral nutrition according to the patient's gastrointestinal function is the important principle.

METHODS

Between 1996 and 2000, 60 patients, 46 male and 14 female, received BMT in Chang Gung Memorial Hospital. Their ages ranged from 6 to 54 y. Standard TPN was used in 40 patients after BMT, and partial parenteral nutrition was used in the remaining 20 patients. TPN was enriched with branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) when the patient's liver functions were impaired, and cyclic TPN was shifted when the patient's liver functions persistently deteriorated.

RESULTS

Most patients improved their nutrition status and increased their body weights, especially those receiving TPN. The patients receiving partial parenteral nutrition decreased their visceral proteins significantly during the course of parenteral nutrition. The BCAA-TPN can maintain a patient's visceral protein better than standard TPN. Only two patients expired because of graft rejection and sepsis; their body weights and nutrition status showed deterioration despite aggressive nutrition support.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that the nutrition support for patients with BMT is related to the success of marrow transplantation. Parenteral nutrition support, especially with TPN, is important because of frequent gastrointestinal dysfunction during the posttransplantational period, and it is better at maintaining the nutrition status and body weights of patients after BMT. An oral diet can be resumed after the patient's gastrointestinal function has improved and it can be tolerated.

Controlled Growth of Gold Nanoparticles in Aerosol-OT/Sorbitan Monooleate/Isooctane Mixed Reverse Micelles

Stable anisotropic gold nanoparticles were prepared by the reduction of tetrachloroauric acid with hydrazine in mixed reverse micelles formed with anionic surfactant Aerosol-OT and nonionic surfactant sorbitan monooleate (Span80) in isooctane. It was found that the Span80 serves not only as a structure modifier but also as a stabilizer for Au particles, to prevent their further growth and precipitation. The control of particle size, shape, and degree of dispersion was achieved by varying the process variables, such as molar ratio of reduction agent to metal salt, size of water droplets (omega(o)), concentration of metal salt, and sequence of addition of metal salt into the mixed reverse micelles. When the HAuCl(4) was injected directly into the mixed reversed micelles containing hydrazine, nonspherical gold nanoparticles, such as rods and cubes, were obtained at the molar ratio of hydrazine to HAuCl(4) of less than 1.0. The nonspherical Au particles were preferably formed at larger omega(o) value and lower gold salt loading. By the analyses of high-resolution electron microscope, electron diffraction pattern, and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), the resultant particles have been found to be pure gold of face-centered cubic structure. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.

Induction of CD8 T cells by vaccination with recombinant adenovirus expressing human papillomavirus type 16 E5 gene reduces tumor growth

The potential of the E5 protein as a tumor vaccine candidate has not been explored yet. In this study, we evaluate the human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV-16) E5 protein delivered by an adenovirus vector as a tumor vaccine for cervical lesions. The results demonstrate that a single intramuscular injection of a recombinant adenovirus carrying the HPV-16 E5 gene into syngeneic animals can reduce the growth of tumors which contain E5 gene expression. Moreover, the E5 vaccine-induced tumor protection occurs through CD8 T cells but not through CD4 T cells in in vitro assays. In addition, our studies using knockout mice with distinct T-cell deficiencies confirm that cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-induced tumor protection is CD8 dependent but CD4 independent. Hence, HPV-16 E5 can be regarded as a tumor rejection antigen.

The hepatoprotective effects of Solanum alatum Moench. on acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in mice

Solanum alatum Moench. has been shown to have a protective effect against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver injury. Solanum alatum treatment (100 mg/kg, p.o.) decreased the elevation of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT; GPT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST; GOT) induced by acetaminophen (paracetamol) (600 mg/kg, i.p.) administration. It also decreased the extent of visible necrosis in liver tissue. In addition, Solanum alatum treatment restored hepatic glutathione (GSH) depletion induced by acetaminophen (600 mg/kg, i.p.) administration. Microsomal enzyme levels such as P-450, reductase, and aniline hydroxylation enzyme were also restored to normal levels after Solanum alatum administration. The hepatoprotective mechanism may function through direct binding with acetaminophen toxic metabolites, decreasing the attraction of acetaminophen metabolites for other cellular GSH or thiol protein. Additionally, Solanum alatum treatment increased the concentration of hepatic GSH and maintained a high level activity of GSTase, which led to acceleration of the excretion of toxic acetaminophen metabolites.

The influence of propolis ethanol extract on liver microsomal enzymes and glutathione after chronic alcohol administration

Propolis designates a series of gums, resins and balms of viscous consistency, which are gathered by honeybees from certain parts, mainly the buds and barks of plants, especially those found on coniferous trees. Bees bring propolis back to the hive, where it is modified and mixed with other substances including the bees' own wax and salivary secretions. In this study, the influences of propolis ethanol extract on chronic alcohol induced liver microsomal enzyme changes were investigated. Three grams of alcohol was added to rats' daily diet for four weeks to induce chronic alcohol liver injuries, and two different doses of propolis ethanol extract were p.o. administrated three times per day on the 28th, 29th, and 30th day. During the period of propolis administration, the ethanol diet was continued. After sacrifice, the rat livers were excised for assay of microsomal enzymes activity, glutathione (GSH) concentration, glutathione-S-transferase (GSTase) and gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase (gamma-GCSase) activity. It was found that 30 mg/kg of propolis ethanol extract significantly prevented the elevations of total cytochrome P-450 enzymes, NADPH-dependent cytochrome C reductase, aniline hydroxylation, 7-ethoxyresorufin hydroxylation (7-ERH), 7-penthoxyresorufin hydroxylation (7-PRH), and lipid peroxidation induced by chronic ethanol administration. Additionally, propolis ethanol extract (100 mg/kg) also induced GSTase and gamma-GCSase activities and decreased glutathione levels in the liver.

Estimation of duration of separation, widowhood, and family life cycle

This is the second of two reports on a study of the durations related to marriage. Divorce and death of one's spouse, the main causes of dissolution of marriage, are two of the most important events in a person's life. In the United States in 1994, 30.7 million, or 16.2%, of the adult population were either divorced or widowed. Among the widowed, the female to male ratio was 5 to 1! In this paper duration of separation due to divorce and duration of widowhood are the main variables under study. Algebraic formulas are derived and computer programs are written for estimating these durations for husbands and wives, and for living couples of any age. Relations with the duration of marriage, the expectation of life, and the family life cycle are also presented.

Effects of equal and unequal reinforcer duration during functional analysis

In the functional analysis described by Iwata, Dorsey, Slifer, Bauman, and Richman (1982/1994), reinforcer duration varied across conditions (e.g., brief attention vs. 30 s of escape); this may result in unequal exposure to the establishing operations for aberrant behavior. In this study, we compared the effects of unequal and equal reinforcer duration during a functional analysis. The results showed that reinforcer duration affects the rate of aberrant behavior and may potentially alter functional analysis interpretation.

Action of lipolytical enzymes in biphasic organic-aqueous systems: dynamics of the irreversible Michaelis-Menten reaction

Through simple model analysis, the mass action kinetic model for lipolytic enzymes in biphasic aqueous-organic systems can be simplified using the quasi-steady state assumption (or the quasi-equilibrium state assumption) for the adsorbed enzyme E* or the enzyme-substrate complex E*S. Some parameter combinations leading to the above assumptions are derived confirmed by full numerical integration of the whole enzymatic process. The results may be classified into three categories: (1) the quasi-equilibrium state assumption for E*, (2) the quasi-steady state assumption for E*, and (3) the quasi-steady state assumption for E*S. Further simplification for both E* and E*S is also discussed.

Early diagnosis of a vein of Galen aneurysm: report of a case

Congenital vascular malformation with an aneurysm of the vein of Galen is rarely seen, particularly in the prenatal period. With the advancement of diagnostic techniques such as ultrasonography, we were able to detect a case prenatally and to diagnose it postnatally.

A two-state recurrent stochastic model with time-dependent transition rates

The two-state recurrent stochastic model with time-independent transition rates is generalized to a model with time-dependent transition rates. The rates can be any general function of external time, that is, any general function of the calendar time in which the process unfolds. Formulas for the state transition probabilities, the proportion of individuals in a particular state at time t, the distribution function, and the expectation of the number of individuals in a particular state at time t are derived.

A true rate of population growth--Lotka's intrinsic rate of natural increase revisited

In this paper, Lotka's intrinsic rate of current population growth is evaluated. A new method of computing the net reproduction rate and a new rate of population growth are proposed. The proposed rate is the rate of growth of the female population per woman per year. The rate is positive, equal to zero, or negative as a population is increasing, remaining stationary, or decreasing. The rate for the 1987 U.S. white female population was R = -0.0037. This means that the white population was decreasing in 1987 and was losing 3.7 females for every 1000 women per year.

Enzyme loading in a solid support with nonuniform pore size distribution

The concept of pore size distribution is incorporated into the Clark model of enzyme immobilization in the present study. This refined model predicted that in the case of small harmonic pore radius with the same surface area and porosity of the support, more enzyme could be loaded in a support with nonuniform pores than that with uniform pores. In comparing the enzyme loading efficiency of the support with two different pore size distributions, the one with Gaussian distribution had the greater amount of enzyme immobilized than the other one with Rajagopalan's distribution. Furthermore, more enzyme could be loaded in a support with wider Gaussian pore size distribution than that with narrower distribution. The immobilized enzyme profile in the solid support with pore size distribution displayed a stepwise pattern which differed appreciably from the sigmoidal profile predicted for the support with uniform pore size. This stepwise enzyme distribution profile became sigmoidal with decreasing h(T) or increasing k. The new model could be used for designing protocols for an enzyme immobilization process.

A survival model and estimation of time to tumor

In this paper we introduce a stochastic model of survival distribution, where the mortality intensity is a function of the accumulated effect of an individual's continuous exposure to toxic material in the environment (absorbing coefficient) and his biological reaction to the toxin absorbed (discharging coefficient). Formulas for the density function, the distribution function, and the expectation of lifetime are presented. The paper also includes special cases where there is a change in exposure level or exposure is discontinued or exposure is discrete in time. The model is then applied to the NCTR's serial sacrifice experimental study on mice fed 2-AAF, including some mice whose feeding was discontinued. The random variable here is the time to tumor. The chi-square test shows a good fit of the model to the data (P = 0.365). In addition to the parameters and their standard errors, estimates are computed for the expectation, variance, and percentiles of time to tumor, and for the age-specific cancer incidence rates. Confidence intervals for the parameters are also given.

Phospholipids and fatty acid profile of brain synaptosomal membrane from normotensive and hypertensive rats

1. The main synaptosomal membrane phospholipids and their acyl group profiles, from 3-4 month-old spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), were compared with those of age-matched normotensive Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats. 2. The contents of the main or total phospholipids were not found to be significantly different between these two groups. It was also true for the membrane cholesterol contents in these two groups. 3. The acyl groups of the main phospholipids from hypertensive rats were significantly higher in the saturated fatty acids: such as palmitic acid or stearic acid, and lower in polyunsaturated fatty acids: such as undecylenic acid or docosahexaenoic acid, when compared to the corresponding normotensive controls. 4. The differences in the acyl group profile of the brain membrane phospholipids of the hypertensive rats seem to reflect an abnormality in the genetically related lipolytic process.