Clinical Management of Liver Cancers

A special issue of Journal of Clinical Medicine (ISSN 2077-0383). This special issue belongs to the section "Gastroenterology & Hepatopancreatobiliary Medicine".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 July 2024 | Viewed by 1483

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK
Interests: hepatobiliary & pancreatic surgery; liver transplants; hepatocellular carcinoma; liver cancers
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
Haepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Unit, Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College, London, UK
Interests: tumors surgery; hepatobiliary surgery; liver and pancreatic cancer
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Liver carcinoma, characterized as a significant and prevalent malignancy, is a leading contributor to the global mortality burden. Its insidious nature is marked by an initial absence of discernible symptoms, often resulting in a delayed diagnosis when the disease has progressed to an advanced stage. This cancer typically originates from sustained hepatic damage, which acts as a catalyst for the transformation of normal hepatic cells into oncogenic entities.

The pathogenesis of liver carcinoma is multifaceted, with several risk factors playing a crucial role. Prominent among these are lifestyle-related choices such as excessive tobacco use and alcohol consumption. Additionally, viral etiologies, particularly infections caused by hepatitis B and C viruses, significantly enhance the risk of developing this malignancy. These factors collectively contribute to the induction of mutations within the cellular DNA, leading to a cascade of genetic disruptions.

The mutations caused by these risk factors are not trivial; they fundamentally alter the genomic landscape of the cells. These genetic aberrations critically interfere with the cellular regulatory networks that are responsible for maintaining normal cell behavior. Specifically, they disrupt the processes of cellular proliferation, apoptosis (programmed cell death), and differentiation. This disruption creates an environment conducive to uncontrolled cell growth and division, a hallmark of cancerous transformations, thereby driving the progression of hepatic carcinogenesis.

This upcoming Special Issue is poised to offer a comprehensive exploration of liver carcinoma, bridging the gap between basic scientific research and clinical practice. It aims to provide insights and updates that are relevant to a wide spectrum of readers, ranging from researchers in basic sciences, to practicing medical professionals specializing in hepatic oncology. While this Special Issue will primarily concentrate on specific topics within the field, it is designed to transcend these initial boundaries, potentially encompassing a broader range of subjects related to liver cancer, its etiology, progression, and treatment modalities. This approach underscores this Special Issue’s commitment to providing a holistic and in-depth understanding of liver carcinoma, contributing significantly to the ongoing discourse in this critical area of medical research and patient care.

You may choose our Joint Special Issue in Livers.

Dr. Jayant Kumar
Dr. Isabella Reccia
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • hepatocellular carcinoma
  • cholangiocarcinoma
  • mixed hepatocellular carcinoma–cholangiocarcinoma
  • combined hepatocellular carcinoma-cholangiocarcinoma
  • liver cancers

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

10 pages, 373 KiB  
Article
The Impact of Sequential Therapies after First-Line Systemic Therapies in Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma
by Shou-Wu Lee, Teng-Yu Lee, Sheng-Shun Yang, Yi-Jie Huang and Yen-Chun Peng
J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(9), 2612; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13092612 - 29 Apr 2024
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Abstract
Background: The therapeutic options for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have greatly expanded recently, and current first-line therapies include sorafenib, lenvatinib, and atezolizumab-bevacizumab. The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of sequential systemic treatments after progressing to the first-line agent in [...] Read more.
Background: The therapeutic options for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have greatly expanded recently, and current first-line therapies include sorafenib, lenvatinib, and atezolizumab-bevacizumab. The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of sequential systemic treatments after progressing to the first-line agent in patients with unresectable HCC. Methods: Data were collected from subjects with HCC, BCLC stage B or C, who received first-line sorafenib, lenvatinib, or atezolizumab-bevacizumab from September 2020 to December 2022. The patients who progressed after first-line therapy were evaluated according to individual clinical status in order to decide whether or not to accept sequential therapy. The clinical baseline characteristics and overall survival (OS) of enrolled patients were collected and further analyzed. Results: Among the 127 enrolled patients, percentage of sequential therapy was 67.9%, 21.6%, and 37.5% in those with tumor progression after first-line sorafenib, lenvatinib, or atezolizumab-bevacizumab, respectively. Acceptance of sequential therapy (HR 0.46, p = 0.041) and presentation of ALBI grade I (HR 0.36, p = 0.002) had a significantly positive impact on OS. Pre-treatment ALBI grade had a significant impact on the decision to accept sequential therapy in patients with progressed HCC. Conclusions: The patients who were able to undergo sequential therapy had a better survival outcome compared to those who received only one agent, and the pre-treatment ALBI level might be regarded as a cornerstone tool to assess survival outcomes in patients undergoing treatment for HCC. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Clinical Management of Liver Cancers)
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10 pages, 922 KiB  
Article
Impact of Coronavirus Disease 2019 on Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma Treated with Atezolizumab/Bevacizumab
by Yun Beom Sang, Chaeryoung Lee, Seul-Gi Kim, Boyoung Lee, Beodeul Kang, Chan Kim and Hong Jae Chon
J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(5), 1335; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13051335 - 27 Feb 2024
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Abstract
(1) Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has proven challenging to the management of patients with cancer, particularly those receiving systemic therapy. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with atezolizumab/bevacizumab. (2) [...] Read more.
(1) Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has proven challenging to the management of patients with cancer, particularly those receiving systemic therapy. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with atezolizumab/bevacizumab. (2) Methods: Patients with unresectable HCC who started atezolizumab/bevacizumab treatment between June 2020 and December 2021 at a tertiary cancer center in Korea were included (n = 241) and classified according to their COVID-19 status and severity. (3) Results: Thirty-five (14.5%) patients with unresectable HCC were diagnosed with COVID-19 during atezolizumab/bevacizumab treatment; 26 (74.2%) and nine (25.7%) in the low- and high-severity groups, respectively. The high-severity group showed higher neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratios and lactate dehydrogenase levels. Liver and kidney injuries were observed in 31.4% and 17.1% of total patients, respectively. Liver injury was more prominent in patients with pre-existing liver dysfunction at baseline, who were more prevalent in the high-severity group. Atezolizumab/bevacizumab treatment was delayed by a median of 0 (range, 0–21) day in the low-severity group and 12 (range, 0–35) days in the high-severity group. The high-severity group showed worse post-infection progression-free survival (1.1 vs. 4.8 months, p = 0.017) and overall survival (2.2 months vs. not reached, p = 0.004). (4) Conclusions: Patients with impaired liver function at baseline are more susceptible to high-severity COVID-19, which affects atezolizumab/bevacizumab treatment outcomes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Clinical Management of Liver Cancers)
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