Transarterial chemoembolization in combination with programmed death-1/programmed cell death-ligand 1 immunotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma: A mini review

The effectiveness of problem-based learning and case-based learning teaching methods in clinical practical teaching in TACE treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma in China: a bayesian network meta-analysis

PURPOSE

To investigate the effectiveness of problem-based learning (PBL) and case-based learning (CBL) teaching methods in clinical practical teaching in transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) treatment in China.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A comprehensive search of PubMed, the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) database, the Weipu database and the Wanfang database up to June 2023 was performed to collect studies that evaluate the effectiveness of problem-based learning and case-based learning teaching methods in clinical practical teaching in TACE treatment in China. Statistical analysis was performed by R software (4.2.1) calling JAGS software (4.3.1) in a Bayesian framework using the Markov chain-Monte Carlo method for direct and indirect comparisons. The R packages "gemtc", "rjags", "openxlsx", and "ggplot2" were used for statistical analysis and data output.

RESULTS

Finally, 7 studies (five RCTs and two observational studies) were included in the meta-analysis. The combination of PBL and CBL showed more effectiveness in clinical thinking capacity, clinical practice capacity, knowledge understanding degree, literature reading ability, method satisfaction degree, learning efficiency, learning interest, practical skills examination scores and theoretical knowledge examination scores.

CONCLUSIONS

Network meta-analysis revealed that the application of PBL combined with the CBL teaching mode in the teaching of liver cancer intervention therapy significantly improves the teaching effect and significantly improves the theoretical and surgical operations, meeting the requirements of clinical education.

Coexistence of liver abscess, hepatic cystic echinococcosis and hepatocellular carcinoma: A case report

BACKGROUND

Human cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a life-threatening zoonosis caused by the Echinococcus granulosus (sensu lato). Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality in the world. The coexistence of CE and HCC is exceedingly rare, and only several well-documented cases have been reported. In addition to this coexistence, there is no report of the coexistence of CE, HCC, and liver abscess to date. Herein, we aimed to report a case of coexistence of liver abscess, hepatic CE, and HCC.

CASE SUMMARY

A 65-year-old herdsman presented to the department of interventional therapy with jaundice, right upper abdominal distension and pain for 10 d. Laboratory test showed that he had positive results for HBsAg, HBeAb, HBcAb, and echinococcosis IgG antibody. The test also showed an increased level of alpha fetoprotein of 3400 ng/mL. An abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan revealed an uneven enhanced lesion of the liver at the arterial phase with enhancement and was located S4/8 segment of the liver. In addition, CT scan also revealed a mass in the S6 segment of the liver with a thick calcified wall and according to current guideline and medical images, the diagnoses of hepatic CE (CE4 subtype) and HCC were established. Initially, transarterial chemoembolization was performed for HCC. In the follow-up, liver abscess occurred in addition to CE and HCC; thus, percutaneous liver puncture drainage was performed. In the next follow-up, CE and HCC were stable. The liver abscess was completely resolved, and the patient was discharged with no evidence of recurrence.

CONCLUSION

This is the first reported case on the coexistence of liver abscess, hepatic CE, and HCC. Individualized treatment and multidisciplinary discussions should be performed in this setting. Therefore, treatment and diagnosis should be based on the characteristics of liver abscess, hepatic CE, and HCC, and in future clinical work, it is necessary to be aware of the possibility of this complex composition of liver diseases.

Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy combined with sorafenib versus sorafenib alone for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The clinical benefits and safety of hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) combined with sorafenib versus sorafenib alone for advanced HCC are inconsistent in clinical studies. This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of HAIC combined with sorafenib versus sorafenib alone for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We searched the database up to March 1, 2023, for studies evaluating the effectiveness and safety of HAIC combined with sorafenib versus sorafenib alone for advanced HCC. This study was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022323712). Outcomes included overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), objective response rate (ORR), diseases control rate (DCR), and adverse effects (AEs). The hazard ratio (HR) and odd ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used to measure the pooled effect. Six studies with 318 patients in the combination group and 338 patients in the control group were included. Meta-analysis showed that HAIC combined with sorafenib significantly improves OS compared with sorafenib alone (HR = 9.70, 95% CI 4.52-20.82] and HAIC combined with sorafenib significantly improves PFS compared with sorafenib alone (HR = 9.48, 95% CI 4.47-20.13). Besides, HAIC combined with sorafenib did not show significantly advantage of DCR rate (OR = 1.85, 95% CI 0.93-3.69), but associated with higher rates of ORR compared with sorafenib alone (OR = 9.85, 95% CI 3.05-31.85). HAIC combined with sorafenib can achieve a better effect and survival benefits than sorafenib alone in patients with advanced HCC, but the limitation should be treated with cautions.

Transarterial Chemoembolization Plus Sorafenib versus Transarterial Chemoembolization Alone for Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma: An Umbrella Review of Meta-Analyses and Systematic Reviews

Background

Sorafenib is the standard treatment for most cases of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), based on Western and Eastern clinical guidelines. Thus, an increasing number of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) plus sorafenib combination therapies have been used in clinical practice. In addition, several systematic reviews and meta-analyses have explored the efficacy and safety of the combination of TACE and sorafenib. Therefore, we performed an umbrella review to summarize and evaluate these evidence-based studies.

Methods

PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases were searched up to June 1, 2023. All meta-analyses that evaluated the effect of TACE plus sorafenib on HCC were considered eligible. The quality of the included meta-analyses was evaluated by AMSTAR2 (A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews). The quality of evidence per association provided in the meta-analyses was rated using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations (GRADE). This study was registered with PROSPERO (Registration ID: CRD42023420417).

Results

We included 12 meta-analyses, including randomized clinical trials, cohort studies, and observational studies. A total of 44 associations with overall survival, survival rate, time to disease progression, overall response rate, disease control rate, and adverse events were evaluated in this umbrella review. The quality of most associations ranged from low to very low, indicating that flaws were significant in the current meta-analyses.

Conclusion

This umbrella review identified beneficial associations between TACE and sorafenib combination therapy in advanced HCC. However, owing to the low certainty of the evidence, clinicians should interpret our results with caution when applying them in clinical practice, and high-quality studies are required in the future to confirm our results.