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Wang M, Xu X, Wang K, Diao Y, Xu J, Gu L, Yao L, Li C, Lv G, Yang T. Conversion therapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma in the era of precision medicine: Current status, challenges and opportunities. Cancer Sci 2024; 115:2159-2169. [PMID: 38695305 PMCID: PMC11247552 DOI: 10.1111/cas.16194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most prevalent malignancy of the digestive tract, is characterized by a high mortality rate and poor prognosis, primarily due to its initial diagnosis at an advanced stage that precludes any surgical intervention. Recent advancements in systemic therapies have significantly improved oncological outcomes for intermediate and advanced-stage HCC, and the combination of locoregional and systemic therapies further facilitates tumor downstaging and increases the likelihood of surgical resectability for initially unresectable cases following conversion therapies. This shift toward high conversion rates with novel, multimodal treatment approaches has become a principal pathway for prolonged survival in patients with advanced HCC. However, the field of conversion therapy for HCC is marked by controversies, including the selection of potential surgical candidates, formulation of conversion therapy regimens, determination of optimal surgical timing, and application of adjuvant therapy post-surgery. Addressing these challenges and refining clinical protocols and research in HCC conversion therapy is essential for setting the groundwork for future advancements in treatment strategies and clinical research. This narrative review comprehensively summarizes the current strategies and clinical experiences in conversion therapy for advanced-stage HCC, emphasizing the unresolved issues and the path forward in the context of precision medicine. This work not only provides a comprehensive overview of the evolving landscape of treatment modalities for conversion therapy but also paves the way for future studies and innovations in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming‐Da Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery HospitalSecond Military Medical University (Navy Medical University)ShanghaiChina
| | - Xue‐Jun Xu
- Department of Hepatobiliary SurgeryGeneral Hospital of Xinjiang Military Region of PLAUrumuqiXinjiangChina
| | - Ke‐Chun Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery HospitalSecond Military Medical University (Navy Medical University)ShanghaiChina
| | - Yong‐Kang Diao
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery HospitalSecond Military Medical University (Navy Medical University)ShanghaiChina
| | - Jia‐Hao Xu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery HospitalSecond Military Medical University (Navy Medical University)ShanghaiChina
| | - Li‐Hui Gu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery HospitalSecond Military Medical University (Navy Medical University)ShanghaiChina
| | - Lan‐Qing Yao
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery HospitalSecond Military Medical University (Navy Medical University)ShanghaiChina
| | - Chao Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery HospitalSecond Military Medical University (Navy Medical University)ShanghaiChina
| | - Guo‐Yue Lv
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, General Surgery CenterFirst Hospital of Jilin UniversityChangchunJilinChina
| | - Tian Yang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery HospitalSecond Military Medical University (Navy Medical University)ShanghaiChina
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, General Surgery CenterFirst Hospital of Jilin UniversityChangchunJilinChina
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Chu JH, Huang LY, Wang YR, Li J, Han SL, Xi H, Gao WX, Cui YY, Qian MP. Pathologically successful conversion hepatectomy for advanced giant hepatocellular carcinoma after multidisciplinary therapy: A case report and review of literature. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2024; 16:1647-1659. [PMID: 38660668 PMCID: PMC11037071 DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v16.i4.1647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the leading causes of death due to its complexity, heterogeneity, rapid metastasis and easy recurrence after surgical resection. We demonstrated that combination therapy with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE), hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC), Epclusa, Lenvatinib and Sintilimab is useful for patients with advanced HCC. CASE SUMMARY A 69-year-old man who was infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) 30 years previously was admitted to the hospital with abdominal pain. Enhanced computed tomography (CT) revealed a low-density mass in the right lobe of the liver, with a volume of 12.9 cm × 9.4 cm × 15 cm, and the mass exhibited a "fast-in/fast-out" pattern, with extensive filling defect areas in the right branch of the portal vein and an alpha-fetoprotein level as high as 657 ng/mL. Therefore, he was judged to have advanced HCC. During treatment, the patient received three months of Epclusa, three TACE treatments, two HAIC treatments, three courses of sintilimab, and twenty-one months of lenvatinib. In the third month of treatment, the patient developed severe side effects and had to stop immunotherapy, and the Lenvatinib dose had to be halved. Postoperative pathological diagnosis indicated a complete response. The patient recovered well after the operation, and no tumor recurrence was found. CONCLUSION Multidisciplinary conversion therapy for advanced enormous HCC caused by HCV infection has a significant effect. Individualized drug adjustments should be made during any treatment according to the patient's tolerance to treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ju-Hang Chu
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Lu-Yao Huang
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Ya-Ru Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Jun Li
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Shi-Long Han
- Department of Interventional and Vascular Surgery, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Hao Xi
- Department of Pathology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Wen-Xue Gao
- Clinical Research Management Office, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Ying-Yu Cui
- Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Medical Genetics, State Key Laboratory of Cardiology, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200331, China
| | - Ming-Ping Qian
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200072, China
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Ma YN, Jiang X, Liu H, Song P, Tang W. Conversion therapy for initially unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma: Current status and prospects. Biosci Trends 2024; 17:415-426. [PMID: 38143080 DOI: 10.5582/bst.2023.01322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
Research has shown that locoregional and/or systemic treatments can reduce the tumor stage, enabling radical surgical resection in patients with initially unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma. This is referred to as conversion therapy. Patients who undergo conversion therapy followed by curative surgery experience a significant survival benefit compared to those who receive chemotherapy alone, those who are successfully downstaged with conversion therapy but not treated with surgery, or those who are treated with upfront surgery. Several treatments have been studied as conversion therapy. However, the success rate of conversion varies greatly, ranging from 0.8% to 60%. Combined locoregional plus systemic conversion therapy has demonstrated significant clinical advantages, with a conversion rate of up to 60%, an objective remission rate of 96% for patients, and a disease control rate of up to 100%. However, patients who underwent conversion therapy experienced significantly more complications than those who underwent direct LR without conversion therapy. Conversion therapy can cause hepatotoxicity, bone marrow suppression, local adhesions, increased fragility of blood vessels and liver tissues, and hepatic edema, which can increase the difficulty of surgery. In addition, criteria need to be established to evaluate the efficacy of conversion therapy and subsequent treatment. Further clinical evidence in this area is urgently needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Nan Ma
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hainan General Hospital, Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
- Center for Clinical Sciences, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Xuemei Jiang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hainan General Hospital, Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Hui Liu
- Department of Interventional Radiology, Haikou Affiliated Hospital of Central South University Xiangya School of Medicine, Haikou, China
| | - Peipei Song
- Center for Clinical Sciences, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Wei Tang
- International Health Care Center, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Haikou Affiliated Hospital of Central South University Xiangya School of Medicine, Haikou, China
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