Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
6.8
3.9
Journals
Biomedicines
Special Issues
New Insights into the Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma
share announcement

New Insights into the Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

A special issue of Biomedicines (ISSN 2227-9059). This special issue belongs to the section "Cancer Biology and Oncology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2025) | Viewed by 10479

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Evangelos Koustas

E-Mail
Guest Editor
Oncology Department, General Hospital Evangelismos, Ipsilantou 45-47, 106 76 Athens, Greece
Interests: oncology; medicine; cancer biology; autophagy; molecular science
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a primary liver cancer that is highly prevalent worldwide. The management of HCC requires a multidisciplinary approach, with therapy options including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and targeted therapy. The choice of therapy depends on several factors, including the stage and extent of the disease, the patient's underlying liver function, and the presence of comorbidities. In recent years, there have been significant advances in the treatment of HCC, with the development of new systemic therapies and targeted molecular therapies. Researchers are exploring different types of immunotherapy for HCC, including checkpoint inhibitors and adoptive cell transfer therapy. Early studies have shown promise for these treatments, with some patients experiencing significant tumor shrinkage and improved overall survival rates. However, there is still a need for better therapies that can improve the outcomes of HCC patients.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Evangelos Koustas
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Biomedicines is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • checkpoint inhibitors
  • combinatorial treatments
  • hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)
  • immunotherapy
  • liver cancer
  • therapy
  • targeted therapy

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (7 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

18 pages, 5017 KiB  
Article
A CECT-Based Radiomics Nomogram Predicts the Overall Survival of Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma After Surgical Resection
by Peng Zhang, Yue Shi, Maoting Zhou, Qi Mao, Yunyun Tao, Lin Yang and Xiaoming Zhang
Biomedicines 2025, 13(5), 1237; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines13051237 - 19 May 2025
Viewed by 458
Abstract
Objective: The primary objective of this study was to develop and validate a predictive nomogram that integrates radiomic features derived from contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) images with clinical variables to predict overall survival (OS) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after surgical [...] Read more.
Objective: The primary objective of this study was to develop and validate a predictive nomogram that integrates radiomic features derived from contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) images with clinical variables to predict overall survival (OS) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after surgical resection. Methods: This retrospective study analyzed the preoperative enhanced CT images and clinical data of 202 patients with HCC who underwent surgical resection at the Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College (Institution 1) from June 2017 to June 2021 and at Nanchong Central Hospital (Institution 2) from June 2020 to June 2022. Among these patients, 162 patients from Institution 1 were randomly divided into a training cohort (112 patients) and an internal validation cohort (50 patients) at a 7:3 ratio, whereas 40 patients from Institution 2 were assigned as an independent external validation cohort. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were performed to identify clinical risk factors associated with OS after HCC resection. Using 3D-Slicer software, tumor lesions were manually delineated slice by slice on preoperative non-contrast-enhanced (NCE) CT, arterial phase (AP), and portal venous phase (PVP) images to generate volumetric regions of interest (VOIs). Radiomic features were subsequently extracted from these VOIs. LASSO Cox regression analysis was employed for dimensionality reduction and feature selection, culminating in the construction of a radiomic signature (Radscore). Cox proportional hazards regression models, including a clinical model, a radiomic model, and a radiomic–clinical model, were subsequently developed for OS prediction. The predictive performance of these models was assessed via the concordance index (C-index) and time–ROC curves. The optimal performance model was further visualized as a nomogram, and its predictive accuracy was evaluated via calibration curves and decision curve analysis (DCA). Finally, the risk factors in the optimal performance model were interpreted via Shapley additive explanations (SHAP). Results: Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses revealed that BCLC stage, the albumin–bilirubin index (ALBI), and the NLR–PLR score were independent predictors of OS after HCC resection. Among these three models, the radiomic–clinical model exhibited the highest predictive performance, with C-indices of 0.789, 0.726, and 0.764 in the training, internal and external validation cohorts, respectively. Furthermore, the time–ROC curves for the radiomic–clinical model showed 1-year and 3-year AUCs of 0.837 and 0.845 in the training cohort, 0.801 and 0.880 in the internal validation cohort, and 0.773 and 0.840 in the external validation cohort. Calibration curves and DCA demonstrated the model’s excellent calibration and clinical applicability. Conclusions: The nomogram combining CECT radiomic features and clinical variables provides an accurate prediction of OS after HCC resection. This model is beneficial for clinicians in developing individualized treatment strategies for patients with HCC. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights into the Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 1382 KiB  
Article
Early Alpha-Fetoprotein Response Predicts Sustained Tumor Response Following Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors Combined with Targeted Therapy in Liver Cancer
by Jiahe Tian, Shida Pan, Yilin Wang, Yingying Yu, Siyu Wang, Yingjuan Shen, Luo Yang, Xiaomeng Liu, Qin Qiu, Junqing Luan, Fusheng Wang and Fanping Meng
Biomedicines 2024, 12(12), 2769; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines12122769 - 5 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1024
Abstract
Background: Although immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have revolutionized liver cancer treatment, some patients experience early tumor progression after therapy, missing the window for other potential treatments, such as neoadjuvant therapy. Therefore, identifying the predictive factors for early progression is critical for timely therapeutic [...] Read more.
Background: Although immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have revolutionized liver cancer treatment, some patients experience early tumor progression after therapy, missing the window for other potential treatments, such as neoadjuvant therapy. Therefore, identifying the predictive factors for early progression is critical for timely therapeutic adjustment and the optimization of patient outcomes. Methods: This retrospective study enrolled patients with liver cancer who received their first ICI combined with targeted therapy at the Fifth Medical Center of the PLA General Hospital between June 2022 and December 2023. Early tumor progression was defined as tumor progression within 6 months of therapy initiation. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent risk factors for early tumor progression, and overall survival (OS) curves were generated using the Kaplan–Meier method. Results: A total of 159 patients were enrolled. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that patients with an early alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) response had a significantly reduced risk of early tumor progression (OR = 0.34, 95% CI: 0.13–0.84, p = 0.019), suggesting that an early AFP response is a protective factor against early progression. The area under curve (AUC) for the predictive model was 0.73 (95% CI: 0.63–0.83, p < 0.001). Stratified survival analysis showed that the median overall survival (mOS) in the early AFP response group was significantly longer than that in the poor response group (17.3 months vs. 6.1 months, HR = 2.11, 95% CI: 1.19–2.74, p = 0.009). Conclusions: Early AFP response is not only an effective biomarker for identifying high-risk patients prone to early tumor progression but is also significantly associated with long-term survival in liver cancer patients treated with ICI combined with targeted therapy. This finding will enable clinicians to make timely therapeutic adjustments and optimize treatment outcomes, thereby improving both progression-free survival and overall survival. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights into the Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 3332 KiB  
Article
Immune-Targeted Therapy with or without Transarterial Chemoembolization (TACE) for Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Portal Vein Tumor Thrombosis (PVTT): A Multicenter Retrospective Study
by Ran You, Yuan Cheng, Lingfeng Diao, Chendong Wang, Bin Leng, Zeyu Yu, Qingyu Xu and Guowen Yin
Biomedicines 2024, 12(9), 2124; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines12092124 - 19 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1488
Abstract
Purpose: In the present study, we aimed to assess the effectiveness and safety of immune-targeted therapy (IT) with or without transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT). Patients and methods: This was a multicenter retrospective study [...] Read more.
Purpose: In the present study, we aimed to assess the effectiveness and safety of immune-targeted therapy (IT) with or without transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT). Patients and methods: This was a multicenter retrospective study that included 265 HCC patients with PVTT (IT + TACE: 82, IT: 183). Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS), as well as tumor responses and adverse events, were evaluated. Results: Patients in the IT + TACE group experienced significantly longer overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) periods, compared with those in the IT group (OS 19.0 vs. 13.0 months, p < 0.001; PFS 12.0 vs. 7.3 months, p < 0.001). Multivariable analysis confirmed IT + TACE as an independent predictor for improved OS and PFS. Subgroup analysis demonstrated the benefits of IT + TACE in patients with rich PVTT blood supply. Preoperative imaging and DSA offered predictive value. Conclusions: TACE combined with IT provides a safe and effective treatment option for advanced-HCC patients with PVTT, particularly those with abundant PVTT blood supply. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights into the Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

25 pages, 6831 KiB  
Article
Photodynamic Therapy Using a Rose-Bengal Photosensitizer for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Treatment: Proposition for a Novel Green LED-Based Device for In Vitro Investigation
by Anthony Lefebvre, Smail Marhfor, Gregory Baert, Pascal Deleporte, Guillaume Paul Grolez, Marie Boileau, Olivier Morales, Séverine Vignoud, Nadira Delhem, Laurent Mortier and Anne-Sophie Dewalle
Biomedicines 2024, 12(9), 2120; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines12092120 - 18 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1700
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide. Despite new treatments, the HCC rate remains important, making it necessary to develop novel therapeutic strategies. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) using a Rose-Bengal (RB) photosensitizer (RB-PDT) could be a promising approach for liver [...] Read more.
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide. Despite new treatments, the HCC rate remains important, making it necessary to develop novel therapeutic strategies. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) using a Rose-Bengal (RB) photosensitizer (RB-PDT) could be a promising approach for liver tumor treatment. However, the lack of standardization in preclinical research and the diversity of illumination parameters used make comparison difficult across studies. This work presents and characterizes a novel illumination device based on one green light-emitting diode (CELL-LED-550/3) dedicated to an in vitro RB-PDT. The device was demonstrated to deliver a low average irradiance of 0.62 mW/cm2 over the 96 wells of a multi-well plate. Thermal characterization showed that illumination does not cause cell heating and can be performed inside an incubator, allowing a more rigorous assessment of cell viability after PDT. An in vitro cytotoxic study of the RB-PDT on an HCC cell line (HepG2) demonstrated that RB-PDT induces a significant decrease in cell viability: almost all the cells died after a light dose irradiation of 0.3 J/cm2 using 75 µM of RB (<10% of viability). In conclusion, the RB-PDT could be a therapeutic option to treat unresectable liver lesions and subclinical disease remaining in the post-resection tumor surgical margin. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights into the Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

15 pages, 618 KiB  
Review
New Insights into the Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma
by Chengbo Li, Bingjiu Lu and Baocheng Deng
Biomedicines 2025, 13(5), 1244; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines13051244 - 20 May 2025
Viewed by 650
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma remains one of the leading contributors to global cancer mortality, frequently stemming from chronic liver conditions, such as viral hepatitis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and alcohol-induced cirrhosis. While antiviral treatments have made significant strides, the rising prevalence of hepatocellular carcinoma linked [...] Read more.
Hepatocellular carcinoma remains one of the leading contributors to global cancer mortality, frequently stemming from chronic liver conditions, such as viral hepatitis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and alcohol-induced cirrhosis. While antiviral treatments have made significant strides, the rising prevalence of hepatocellular carcinoma linked to non-infectious causes underscores the pressing demand for more effective diagnostic tools and therapeutic interventions. Advances in imaging and liquid biopsy technologies have facilitated early detection and diagnosis, and treatment strategies are diversifying to include immune checkpoint inhibitors, tyrosine kinase inhibitors, and interventional therapies. Translational therapies for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma have improved surgical opportunities and patient survival. Artificial intelligence has played a transformative role in the diagnosis and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma, in terms of image analysis, histopathologic classification, drug development, and targeted therapy. The future of hepatocellular carcinoma treatment lies in precision oncology and the collaboration of multidisciplinary teams, as well as in early detection. The ultimate goal is to keep patients alive longer and reduce the global burden of this complex malignancy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights into the Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

30 pages, 919 KiB  
Review
Examining the Efficacy and Safety of Combined Locoregional Therapy and Immunotherapy in Treating Hepatocellular Carcinoma
by Nojan Bajestani, Gavin Wu, Ahmed Hussein and Mina S. Makary
Biomedicines 2024, 12(7), 1432; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines12071432 - 27 Jun 2024
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2225
Abstract
More than 800,000 people worldwide are diagnosed with HCC (hepatocellular carcinoma) each year, with approximately 700,000 deaths alone occurring in that same year. Treatment of HCC presents complex therapeutic challenges, particularly in intermediate and advanced stages. LRTs such as transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and [...] Read more.
More than 800,000 people worldwide are diagnosed with HCC (hepatocellular carcinoma) each year, with approximately 700,000 deaths alone occurring in that same year. Treatment of HCC presents complex therapeutic challenges, particularly in intermediate and advanced stages. LRTs such as transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and ablations have been the mainstay treatment for early to intermediate-stage HCC, and systemic therapies are used to treat intermediate-late-stage HCC. However, novel literature describing combining LRT with systemic therapies has shown promising results. This review explores recent advances in both liver-directed techniques for hepatocellular carcinoma, including bland transarterial embolization, chemoembolization, radioembolization, and ablative therapies in conjunction as well as with systemic therapies, with a focus on combination therapies, patient selection, procedural technique, periprocedural management, and outcomes. Our findings suggest that LRT combined with systemic therapies is a viable strategy for improving progression-free survival and time to progression for patients with intermediate-to-late-stage HCC. However, further investigation is required to refine treatment protocols and define patient cohorts that would benefit the most. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights into the Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 2629 KiB  
Review
Navigating Complex Challenges: Preoperative Assessment and Surgical Strategies for Liver Resection in Patients with Fibrosis or Cirrhosis
by Jennifer A. Kalil, Marc Deschenes, Hugo Perrier, Oran Zlotnik and Peter Metrakos
Biomedicines 2024, 12(6), 1264; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines12061264 - 6 Jun 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2033
Abstract
This review explores the intricacies of evaluating cirrhotic patients for liver resection while exploring how to extend surgical intervention to those typically excluded by the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) criteria guidelines by focusing on the need for robust preoperative assessment and innovative [...] Read more.
This review explores the intricacies of evaluating cirrhotic patients for liver resection while exploring how to extend surgical intervention to those typically excluded by the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) criteria guidelines by focusing on the need for robust preoperative assessment and innovative surgical strategies. Cirrhosis presents unique challenges and complicates liver resection due to the altered physiology of the liver, portal hypertension, and liver decompensation. The primary objective of this review is to discuss the current approaches in assessing the suitability of cirrhotic patients for liver resection and aims to identify which patients outside of the BCLC criteria can safely undergo liver resection by highlighting emerging strategies that can improve surgical safety and outcomes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights into the Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-7
Back to TopTop