Treatment of hepatocarcinoma

Abstract

This article reviews the current developments and significant trends in the treatment of hepatocarcinoma (HCC). Prevention programs should be based on large vaccination campaigns and the use of immunologic or biologic molecules to delay the onset of HCC in already cirrhotic patients. Surgery remains the therapy of choice in patients with a small and limited number of tumor nodules. To date, no preoperative treatment has been proven useful. Adjuvant treatments involving systemic chemotherapy, intra-arterial infusion, or chemoembolization failed to improve survival, whereas immune therapy, retinoids, radiolabeled isotopes, and antiangiogenic agents seem promising. Such local treatments as percutaneous ethanol injection, cryotherapy, and radiofrequency are proposed for patients with limited hepatic function and should be combined with other treatment modalities to optimize their efficacy and limit their toxicity. Regional therapy should take a selective, subsegmental approach at intervals depending on tumor response and possibly combined with other treatment modalities. Systemic therapy with cytotoxic agents remains disappointing. Hormonal therapy with tamoxifen or antiandrogens has shown no efficacy and might even be detrimental. Further progress may be expected from targeted therapy.

Regulation of the hypoxic tumor environment in hepatocellular carcinoma using RNA interference

“…Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most common cancer in the world [1]. HCC is the second most lethal cancer [1].…”

“…HCC is the second most lethal cancer [1]. About 80–90% of cirrhotic liver disease due to chronic viral hepatitis B (HBV) or C (HCV) develops into HCC [1].…”

Silibinin Efficacy against Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma

“…In HepG2 cells, however, there is no integration of hepatitis B viral genome and the p53 gene is intact. It is interesting in this regard that among other etiologic factors, hepatitis B viral infection ranks first in Asia and Africa, accounting for f80% in the causation of HCC (39). Retinoblastoma (pRb), the phosphorylation status of which regulates the restriction point in late G 1 and decides whether the cell has to divide or not, is intact in both the cell lines at genetic level and carries a defect in transcription in Hep3B cells, causing a lack of both mRNA and protein expression (37).…”

Microwave ablation with a triaxial antenna: results in ex vivo bovine liver

“…However, a majority of patients are not eligible for surgery due to a high number of tumors, difficult location of tumors, or associated comorbidities [1]- [4]. This has led to the development of minimally invasive alternatives for the treatment of liver tumors, notably focal tumor ablation.…”