International Hepatology Archives - Page 47 of 47

Dr. Oi-Lin Ng: Heterogeneity of Liver Cancer and its Biological Markers

By Lynn 2023.10.13

Liver cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death in China. In recent years, the application of targeted and immunotherapies has improved the survival of liver cancer patients. However, due to the high molecular heterogeneity of liver cancer, there is still a lack of biological markers for predicting clinical efficacy, and there is a significant difference in treatment responses among liver cancer patients. From July 6th to 8th, 2023, the 13th Asia-Pacific Primary Liver Cancer Experts Conference (APPLE 2023) was grandly held in Seoul, South Korea. At the conference, Dr. Irene Oi-Lin Ng from the University of Hong Kong, China, shared recent advancements in the study of liver cancer's molecular heterogeneity and its biological markers, offering new insights into the development of novel clinical treatment strategies and precise drug efficacy predictions for personalized precision diagnosis and treatment. Hepatology Digest had an in-depth interview with Dr. Ng at the APPLE conference.

APPLE 2023 | Lenvatinib, PD-1 inhibitors combined with radiotherapy safe and effective in treating hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombus

By Lynn 2023.10.13

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors in China. Most patients are diagnosed at intermediate or advanced stages. The formation of portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT) is a significant indicator of advanced HCC, with over half of late-stage HCC patients presenting with PVTT. Especially VP4 type (main portal vein), these patients usually have a poor prognosis. Most phase III clinical trials have excluded these patients. Lenvatinib is a new multi-targeted small molecule inhibitor now approved for advanced HCC. In Asian populations, Lenvatinib combined with a PD-1 inhibitor has shown good antitumor activity and safety. Radiotherapy has also brought about positive outcomes for HCC patients with PVTT. The 13th Asia-Pacific Primary Liver Cancer Expert Meeting (APPLE 2023) was held in Seoul, Korea, from July 6-8, 2023. At the conference, the team from the affiliated Beijing Tsinghua Chang Gung Hospital, Tsinghua University, China, reported on a clinical study (Abstract Number: PE-117), exploring the preliminary efficacy and safety of Lenvatinib combined with a PD-1 inhibitor and radiotherapy in HCC patients with main portal vein tumor thrombus. Hepatology Digest invited Dr. Guangxin Li to share insights on the study and its clinical prospects.

Dr. Linda Wong: Adjuvant Therapy Could Usher in a New Paradigm for Early-Stage Liver Cancer Treatment

By Lynn 2023.10.13

Early-stage liver cancer can be cured with radical surgery. However, tumor recurrence remains the primary challenge affecting patients' long-term survival. Currently, the five-year recurrence rate for early-stage liver cancer post-surgery is about 60%. Addressing this challenge and improving long-term survival for these patients is a pressing clinical issue. From July 6th to 8th, 2023, the 13th Asia-Pacific Primary Liver Cancer Expert Meeting (APPLE 2023) was held grandly in Seoul, South Korea. A special session on "Unmet Clinical Needs and Research Directions" was set up, inviting several internationally renowned liver cancer scholars for an in-depth discussion. During this, Dr. Linda Wong from the University of Hawaii shared her insights on the promising vision of adjuvant therapies, such as systemic therapy and TACE, for the cure of early-stage liver cancer.

APPLE2023 | Application of Arterial Therapy in Early Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Korean Experience

By Lynn 2023.10.13

With the advancement and innovation in surgical techniques, interventions, radiofrequency ablation, and other treatment methods, there are increasing treatments for early hepatocellular carcinoma. Curative treatments, including liver resection, liver transplantation, interventional treatment, ablative treatment, and radiotherapy, have all achieved satisfactory results. However, how to effectively and minimally invasively treat early hepatocellular carcinoma and manage it in the long term, while ensuring patients achieve long-term survival and improving their quality of life, has been widely discussed in recent years. From July 6-8, 2023, the 13th Asia-Pacific Primary Liver Cancer Expert Meeting (APPLE 2023) was held in Seoul, South Korea. A special session on the evolving management of early HCC was set up. Notably, Dr. Hyo-Cheol Kim from Seoul University, introduced the application of arterial therapy in early hepatocellular carcinoma and shared experiences from Korean hospitals.

Dr. Zhiren Chen: 3-year follow-up data from the START-FIT trial, showing an ORR of 67% for local advanced liver cancer patients

By Lynn 2023.10.13

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors in China. In recent years, with the continuous improvement of diagnosis and treatment, the misdiagnosis rate and mortality of early-stage HCC have greatly decreased. However, many patients are already at an advanced stage when liver cancer is detected, making curative treatment impossible. For these inoperable HCC (uHCC) patients, how to maximize the rescue of the patient's life remains a major challenge. The emergence of local treatments, targeted therapies, immunotherapies, and multidimensional combined treatments has promoted the transition of uHCC patients to earlier stages, enhancing their survival benefits.