#ILCA2023 Archives - MediaMedic

Dr. Myron Schwartz: The Development and Prospects of Multidisciplinary Comprehensive Treatment of Liver Cancer

By Mourabit Halima 2024.02.01

Primary liver cancer is one of the common malignant tumors worldwide. With the development of modern biomedical technology, clinical surgical techniques, and minimally invasive treatment techniques, the surgical treatment level of liver cancer has made significant progress. At the recently concluded global academic event in the field of liver cancer - the 17th Annual Meeting of the International Liver Cancer Association (ILCA), Dr. Myron Schwartz of Mount Sinai Hospital, the U.S., delivered a keynote report on the progress made in liver cancer surgical treatment in recent years. Hepatology Digest specially invited Dr. Schwartz for an in-depth interview on the evolution of future liver cancer clinical treatment strategies and the opportunities and challenges that liver cancer surgery will face.

Dr. Masatoshi Kudo: “T+A” Shows Significant Clinical Benefits in Intermediate-Stage HCC Patients Unsuitable for TACE Treatment

By Mourabit Halima 2024.02.01

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a prevalent malignant tumor posing a significant threat to human health with considerable heterogeneity. Specifically, intermediate-stage HCC spans a range from liver function reserve ChHepatology Digest-Pugh A grade (5 points) to B grade (9 points), tumor sizes from 5 cm to >10 cm, and the number of nodules from 4 to >10. There is an urgent need for refined clinical treatments. Significant advancements in systemic treatments have recently improved the survival of advanced-stage HCC patients. Systemic treatments for intermediate-stage HCC have become a major focal point in the field. At the recently concluded 17th International Liver Cancer Association (ILCA) Annual Meeting, Dr. Masatoshi Kudo from Kindai University, Japan, presented an oral report on a clinical study (REPLACEMENT study, Abstract No. O-15) of atezolizumab combined with bevacizumab (referred to as “T+A”) for patients with intermediate-stage HCC unsuitable for TACE treatment. We had the privilege to interview Dr. Kudo for insights into this research and its findings.

ILCA 2023 | Exploration of Immunotherapy as Neoadjuvant Treatment in Reducing Postoperative Recurrence of HCC

By Mourabit Halima 2024.02.01

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have been widely used in the clinical treatment of patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), significantly improving their survival. While early-stage HCC can be cured with hepatectomy, up to 70% of patients may experience tumor recurrence within two years post-surgery. Therefore, the feasibility of perioperative ICI use to effectively inhibit tumor recurrence and further improve the postoperative survival rate of HCC patients is a subject that needs further exploration. From September 7th-9th, 2023, the global academic feast in the field of liver cancer—the 17th International Liver Cancer Association (ILCA) annual meeting was held grandly in Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands. Dr. Antonio D'Alessio from Imperial College London presented the PRIME-HCC study, a clinical trial of ICIs as a neoadjuvant treatment in unresectable HCC patients (Abstract number: O-13). This attracted wide attention from attendees, and Dr. Antonio D'Alessio was awarded the "Young Investigator" medal by the ILCA conference. Here's a comprehensive report.

ILCA 2023 | Liver Frailty Index as an Independent Predictor of Mortality in Advanced HCC Patients Undergoing Systemic Treatment

By Mourabit Halima 2024.02.01

Systemic treatment can extend the overall survival of patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, results vary among individuals, and the predictive factors for survival rates in advanced HCC patients are still unclear. Previous studies have shown that the patient's frailty index is related to adverse outcomes in liver cirrhosis and liver transplant recipients. It has also been confirmed to predict the results of systemic treatment in cancer patients. From September 7-9, 2023, the 17th Annual Meeting of the International Liver Cancer Association (ILCA) was grandly held in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. At this ILCA 2023 meeting, Dr. Karen W.D. Prince from the Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney, Australia, delivered an oral report on a multicenter prospective observational study (Abstract No.: O-08), which analyzed the factors related to the mortality rate of advanced HCC patients undergoing systemic treatment. The results show that the Liver Frailty Index (LFI) can serve as an independent predictor of mortality in late-stage HCC patients undergoing systemic treatment. This journal provides a comprehensive report.

ILCA 2023 | VETC Evaluation Predicts Clinical Benefit of Anti-Angiogenic Treatment in Advanced HCC Patients

By Mourabit Halima 2024.02.01

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly malignant tumor, and one of its main characteristics is its rich vascular supply. Therefore, anti-angiogenic drugs have become one of the most important choices in the systematic treatment of HCC. In recent years, as research on HCC has deepened, researchers have discovered a unique vascular pattern in HCC tissue. Identified through CD34 immunohistochemical staining, this pattern differs from the classical capillary pattern. In this new pattern, blood vessels encapsulate the tumor in clusters and are termed "Vessels Encapsulating Tumor Clusters" (VETC). Increasing research suggests that the presence of VETC is associated with poor prognosis in HCC patients. From September 7-9, 2023, the 17th International Liver Cancer Association (ILCA) Annual Meeting (ILCA 2023) was grandly held in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. At this conference, Dr. Camilla De Carlo from the Human Research Hospital IRCCS in Rosano, Italy, presented a study (Abstract No: P-15) that found that pathological tissue section evaluation of VETC could predict the clinical benefit of anti-angiogenic treatment in patients with advanced HCC. This research provides guidance for the systematic treatment of patients with advanced HCC and was honored with the ILCA 2023 Excellent Poster Award.

Dr. Nathalie Ganne-Carrié: Exploration and Clinical Practice of Biomarkers for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

By Mourabit Halima 2024.02.01

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most common malignant tumor worldwide. Although the prognosis for HCC patients is generally poor, if diagnosed early, the 5-year survival rate can exceed 70%. Currently, the diagnosis of HCC without pathological evidence mainly relies on analyzing serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels and radiological diagnosis. Therefore, exploring early diagnostic biomarkers for HCC is of great clinical significance. In recent years, with advancements in genomics and proteomics, and the rapid development of biomarker detection technologies, numerous new biomarkers have been identified, promising to improve early diagnosis of HCC. At the recently concluded 17th annual meeting of the International Liver Cancer Association (ILCA), Dr. Nathalie Ganne-Carrié from the University Hospital of Paris Seine-Saint-Denis gave a special report on the progress of early diagnostic biomarkers for HCC. We invited Dr. Nathalie Ganne-Carrié for an in-depth interview. Here's a summary for our readers.

ILCA 2023 | Dynamic Changes in Circulating Tumor DNA Assist in Guiding and Evaluating Clinical Treatment of Liver Cancer

By Mourabit Halima 2024.02.01

Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) refers to free tumor DNA fragments located in peripheral circulation. These free nucleic acids not only provide a comprehensive view of tumor genetics but also indirectly reflect tumor progression, heterogeneity, and invasive ability. They represent a promising non-invasive biomarker in cancer treatment. Dr. Claudia Campani from the University of Paris delivered an oral presentation at the 17th International Liver Cancer Association Annual Meeting (ILCA 2023) (Abstract No.: O-04). The study aimed to assess the dynamic changes in ctDNA levels in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients across different tumor stages and during anti-cancer treatments. The findings highlighted the significant clinical relevance of monitoring ctDNA levels for HCC patients. Dr. Claudia Campani was honored with the "Young Investigator" award by the ILCA conference.

ILCA 2023 | Liquid Biopsy Technology Based on Methylated SEPT9 Has the Potential to Establish a New Early Diagnosis System for Liver Cancer

By Mourabit Halima 2024.02.01

Liver cancer is one of the malignant tumors with a high incidence and mortality rate in China. Most patients are clinically diagnosed late, with a high rate of postoperative recurrence and metastasis, which has become a significant factor affecting patient prognosis. There is an urgent need for technology that can effectively detect early liver cancer, monitor treatment effects in real-time, and prevent metastasis. Liquid biopsy technology has attracted attention in recent years as a new detection method. It is non-invasive, sensitive, and dynamic, showing promise in early tumor diagnosis, personalized medication guidance, and treatment monitoring. At the 17th International Liver Cancer Association Annual Meeting (ILCA 2023), Dr. Issei Saeki from School of Medicine of Yamaguchi University,Japan, reported a study (Abstract number: O-11) that assessed the clinical application value of liquid biopsy technology based on the methylated SEPT9 test for early diagnosis of non-viral hepatitis-related hepatocellular carcinoma (N-HCC).

ILCA 2023 | Dynamic Changes in Circulating Tumor DNA Assist in Guiding and Evaluating Clinical Treatment of Liver Cancer

By Mourabit Halima 2024.01.31

Dr. Tim Greten: Looking forward to Immunotherapy 4.0 era of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

By Mourabit Halima 2024.01.31

Primary hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the most common malignant tumors in China, ranking second in the mortality rate of malignant tumors in the country. In recent years, significant progress has been made in HCC immunotherapy, bringing new hope to countless HCC patients. The evolution of HCC immunotherapy has gone through the era of PD-1/PD-L1 monotherapy 1.0, combined molecular targeted drug application 2.0, and further combined local treatment 3.0. With ongoing clinical research, the effectiveness of HCC immunotherapy has greatly improved. So, what will the era of HCC immunotherapy 4.0 look like? What challenges will we face next? At the recently concluded 17th International Liver Cancer Association (ILCA) Annual Meeting, Hepatology Digest had the honor of conducting an in-depth interview with Dr. Tim Greten from the National Institutes of Health and the National Cancer Institute's Cancer Research Center.