Efficacy Analysis of “T+A” Therapy in Different Treatment Populations of HCC

2024.01.08
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of primary liver cancer. Most patients are unable to undergo surgical resection at the time of diagnosis, making systemic therapy an important treatment approach for this group. The combination immunotherapy of Atezolizumab plus Bevacizumab (“T+A”) has become the new first-line standard treatment for unresectable HCC patients due to its significant improvement in overall survival (OS) compared to sorafenib. However, its effectiveness in different populations, including HCC patients with different etiologies, Child-Pugh B grade HCC, and intermediate-stage HCC beyond the up-to-seven criteria, remains unclear. The journal "Hepatology Digest" has reviewed recent studies on this topic for the benefit of readers.
Progress and considerations in the research of malnutrition in patients with cirrhosis

Progress and considerations in the research of malnutrition in patients with cirrhosis

2024.01.08
Malnutrition, a subacute or chronic nutritional condition, arises from insufficient (or excessive) food intake and/or inflammation, leading to compromised body composition and reduced bodily functions, adversely affecting clinical outcomes and prognosis. Given the liver's central role in metabolizing glucose, proteins, and fats, patients with ongoing liver damage, especially cirrhosis, commonly suffer from malnutrition. Studies indicate that 40% to 90% of hospitalized patients with liver disease experience malnutrition. It is an independent predictor of mortality in cirrhosis patients and is closely linked to complications like ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, infections, and recent findings also suggest connections with reduced quality of life, sleep disorders, micronutrient deficiencies, and frailty.
The clinical insights gained from T-cell receptor sequencing in revealing the immune characteristics of liver cancer staging

The clinical insights gained from T-cell receptor sequencing in revealing the immune characteristics of liver cancer staging

2024.01.08
T lymphocytes play a crucial role in human adaptive immunity by recognizing antigens major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules through specific T-cell receptors (TCRs) on their surface. 95% of T cells have TCRs composed of α and β peptide chains connected by disulfide bonds, forming an α/β heterodimer. Each chain consists of constant and variable domains. TCR diversity arises from the rearrangement of the variable (V), diversity (D), and joining (J) gene segments of the peptide chains, along with random nucleotide additions or deletions.
APASL 2023 | Prof. Rao Huiying: Eliminating HCV, Key Issues That Still Need Attention

APASL 2023 | Prof. Rao Huiying: Eliminating HCV, Key Issues That Still Need Attention

2024.01.07
Chronic HCV infection is a global public health issue. With the widespread use of direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs), chronic hepatitis C (CHC) has become a curable disease. However, after successful HCV clearance and achieving sustained virological response (SVR), do CHC patients still face risks of liver-related events? Currently, there is a significant gap in reaching the World Health Organization's goal of eliminating viral hepatitis as a major public health threat by 2030. How can we achieve near-elimination of HCV? At the 32nd annual meeting of the Asia-Pacific Association for the Study of the Liver (APASL), Professor Rao Huiying from Peking University People's Hospital, China, was invited as our special correspondent to bring four significant research findings in this field to our readers, providing insightful interpretations and summaries.
APASL 2023 | Prof. George Lau: Seeking the “Cure” for Liver Disease – A Hepatologist’s Thirty-Year Journey of Exploration

APASL 2023 | Prof. George Lau: Seeking the “Cure” for Liver Disease – A Hepatologist’s Thirty-Year Journey of Exploration

2024.01.07
The 32nd annual meeting of the Asia-Pacific Association for the Study of the Liver (APASL) was held at the Taipei International Convention Center in Taiwan, China, from February 15 to 19, 2023. During the conference, the APASL Executive Committee awarded four prestigious honors, including the third APASL Highest Honor Award, the Okuda-Omata Outstanding Achievement Award, to Professor George Lau. Professor Lau, Chairman of the Universal Benevolence Medical Group in Hong Kong, China, and Co-Director of the Liver Disease and Transplant Center at the Fifth Medical Center of the PLA General Hospital in Beijing, in collaboration with the Universal Benevolence Medical Group, was recognized for his distinguished achievements. In his acceptance speech, Professor Lau delivered an inspiring message, encouraging his peers in hepatology to continue their relentless pursuit of curing liver diseases. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Professor Lau and are pleased to share a translated version of his speech for our readers' encouragement and inspiration.
APASL 2023 | Prof. Jia Jidong: Latest Advances in Primary Biliary Cholangitis

APASL 2023 | Prof. Jia Jidong: Latest Advances in Primary Biliary Cholangitis

2024.01.06
Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC) is a chronic cholestatic liver disease mediated by autoimmunity, with its pathogenesis not yet fully understood. Traditionally, PBC was thought to predominantly affect Western populations, but in recent decades, there has been an increasing number of reported cases and published literature in the Asia-Pacific region, escalating the disease burden. In response, the Asia-Pacific Association for the Study of the Liver (APASL) released clinical guidelines for PBC last year to better guide clinical practice. Recently, at the 32nd APASL Annual Conference, Professor Jia Jidong from the Capital Medical University Affiliated Beijing Friendship Hospital, China, delivered an insightful academic lecture titled "Latest Advances in Primary Biliary Cholangitis".