Review
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Hira Hanif, Mukarram Jamat Ali, Ammu T. Susheela, Iman Waheed Khan, Maria Alejandra Luna-Cuadros, Muzammil Muhammad Khan, Daryl Tan-Yeung Lau
Summary: Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a tumor marker for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but its utility is limited. However, combining AFP with other novel biomarkers can improve its accuracy. Additionally, increased AFP levels may be associated with liver diseases and other non-hepatic disorders.
WORLD JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Dirk Andreas Ridder, Arndt Weinmann, Mario Schindeldecker, Lana Louisa Urbansky, Kristina Berndt, Tiemo Sven Gerber, Hauke Lang, Johannes Lotz, Karl J. Lackner, Wilfried Roth, Beate Katharina Straub
Summary: AFP is a commonly used biomarker for HCC, with its serum concentration moderately correlated to in situ expression. High AFP levels in serum and tissue are associated with poor prognosis, vascular invasion, higher tumor grade, and specific tumor subtype. Serum AFP concentration is a stronger prognostic predictor independent of tissue AFP immunostaining.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Andrew X. Zhu, Richard S. Finn, Yoon-Koo Kang, Chia-Jui Yen, Peter R. Galle, Josep M. Llovet, Eric Assenat, Giovanni Brandi, Kenta Motomura, Izumi Ohno, Bruno Daniele, Arndt Vogel, Tatsuya Yamashita, Chih-Hung Hsu, Guido Gerken, John Bilbruck, Yanzhi Hsu, Kun Liang, Ryan C. Widau, Chunxiao Wang, Paolo Abada, Masatoshi Kudo
Summary: Baseline AFP is an important prognostic factor and predictive biomarker for the survival benefit of ramucirumab, with AFP response showing a significant association with longer patient survival.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF CANCER
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Ruoyu Liu, Yi Li, Anqi Wu, Mingzhu Kong, Weijia Ding, Zeyang Hu, Lin Chen, Weihua Cai, Feng Wang
Summary: Plasma circular RNA hsa_circ_0005397 is upregulated in HCC patients and closely correlated with tumor size and TNM staging. Its combination with other biomarkers can improve diagnostic sensitivity for HCC, predict recurrence or metastasis, and is associated with shorter overall survival in HCC patients.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Meng-Yuan Yang, Fan Wu, Feng Fang, Hao Yang, Jing-Fan Zhang, Guo-Dong Chen, Lian-Yue Yang
Summary: EGFL7 is significantly elevated in patients with early HCC and shows higher sensitivity than AFP in diagnosing early HCC. It also has higher accuracy and sensitivity than AFP in distinguishing early HCC from patients with chronic liver disease.
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Pierluigi Toniutto, Elisa Fumolo, Ezio Fornasiere, Davide Bitetto
Summary: This review discusses the current data on pretransplant criteria for liver transplantation in HCC patients exceeding the Milan Criteria, based on tumor morphological and histological characteristics validated in clinical practice. It also evaluates the role of HCC biological markers and tumor response to downstaging procedures as new tools for selecting patients with a tumor burden outside of the Milan Criteria for liver transplantation.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Review
Oncology
Lucia Cerrito, Maria Elena Ainora, Carolina Mosoni, Raffaele Borriello, Antonio Gasbarrini, Maria Assunta Zocco
Summary: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignancy and a leading cause of tumor-related death. While imaging biomarkers are widely used in HCC diagnosis and treatment monitoring, molecular biomarkers have limited roles. However, molecular biomarkers may play an important role in prognosis estimation and treatment monitoring.
Article
Oncology
Jie Zhang, Shang Dong Qin, Yan Li, Fei Lu, Wen Feng Gong, Jian Hong Zhong, Liang Ma, Jing Fei Zhao, Guo Hua Zhan, Peng Zhan Li, Bin Song, Bang De Xiang
Summary: This study evaluated the predictive role of preoperative serum levels of AFP and CA19-9 on the prognosis of HCC patients after hepatectomy. The results showed that the combination of serum AFP and CA19-9 levels can serve as a useful prognostic marker for HCC patients after hepatectomy.
WORLD JOURNAL OF SURGICAL ONCOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Immunology
Defa Huang, Dingyu Rao, Qing Jin, Mi Lai, Jiali Zhang, Zhonghong Lai, Haibin Shen, Tianyu Zhong
Summary: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common liver cancer with a poor prognosis. CD147, a glycoprotein, plays a crucial role in HCC invasion, metastasis, and angiogenesis. This review discusses the molecular structure of CD147 and its potential as a diagnostic and therapeutic target for HCC.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Surgery
Wei-Feng Li, Yi-Hao Yen, Yueh-Wei Liu, Chih-Chi Wang, Chee-Chien Yong, Chih-Che Lin, Yu-Fan Cheng, Jing-Houng Wang, Sheng-Nan Lu
Summary: This study aimed to predict early recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma after liver resection by assessing preoperative image tumor characteristics and alpha-fetoprotein levels. The study identified AFP level, tumor size, vascular invasion, and multiple tumors as predictive factors for early recurrence. A simple diagnostic model was developed to successfully predict early recurrence.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SURGERY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Rathasapa Patarat, Shoji Riku, Pattapon Kunadirek, Natthaya Chuaypen, Pisit Tangkijvanich, Apiwat Mutirangura, Charoenchai Puttipanyalears
Summary: Early detection is crucial for improving survival rates and increasing curative probabilities of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this study, a potential marker for HCC screening was identified using gene expression analysis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), with FLNA and CLU combination showing promising results as novel markers for HCC. Further research on gene expression may lead to the identification of more potential markers and improved diagnosis methods.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Amy K. Kim, James P. Hamilton, Selena Y. Lin, Ting-Tsung Chang, Hie-Won Hann, Chi-Tan Hu, Yue Lou, Yih-Jyh Lin, Terence P. Gade, Grace Park, Harry Luu, Tai-Jung Lee, Jeremy Wang, Dion Chen, Michael G. Goggins, Surbhi Jain, Wei Song, Ying-Hsiu Su
Summary: The study found that urine circulating tumor DNA can be used as a potential screening test for hepatocellular carcinoma, especially in patients with low serum AFP levels, and it can improve the detection rate of early-stage HCC.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF CANCER
(2022)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Carolin Czauderna, Irene Schmidtmann, Sandra Koch, Lukas Pilz, Sophia Heinrich, Gerd Otto, Jens Mittler, Hauke Lang, Roman Kloeckner, Christoph Dueber, Martin F. Sprinzl, Marcus A. Worns, Peter R. Galle, Jens U. Marquardt, Arndt Weinmann
Summary: The study evaluated the prognostic impact of static and dynamic AFP variables on overall survival in hepatocellular carcinoma patients in a Western cohort. High static and dynamic AFP variables were associated with reduced survival rates, with AFP-slope being a slightly stronger predictor for overall survival in patients with more favourable prognosis.
UNITED EUROPEAN GASTROENTEROLOGY JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Long Liu, Qi Wang, Xiaohong Zhao, Yuxi Huang, Yuyi Feng, Yu Zhang, Zheping Fang, Shaowei Li
Summary: This study found that serum parameters can differentiate between non-hepatic disease, hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. A model based on clinical and serum parameters can serve as a marker for the diagnosis of AFP-negative HCC, providing an objective basis for the early diagnosis and individualized treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma patients.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Wencui Li, Lizhu Han, Bohan Xiao, Xubin Li, Zhaoxiang Ye
Summary: This study aimed to identify the independent risk factors for AFP-NHCC and construct an individual prediction nomogram of early recurrence. The researchers found several independent predictors for early recurrence of AFP-NHCC and developed an effective nomogram. This nomogram could assist physicians in making more accurate personalized treatment decisions for AFP-NHCC patients.
Review
Oncology
Yiming Li, Juan Tang, Jianli Jiang, Zhinan Chen
Summary: Immunotherapy has achieved significant success in treating cancer, but resistance to this treatment often occurs due to the complex metabolic networks in the tumor microenvironment. Metabolic checkpoints play a crucial role in regulating T cell development, differentiation, and function, as well as coordinating metabolic competition between tumor cells and infiltrating T cells. Thus, targeting metabolic checkpoints may enhance the efficacy of immunotherapy.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER
(2022)
Article
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
Hui Chen, Gang Nan, Ding Wei, Ren-You Zhai, Ming Huang, Wu-Wei Yang, Bao-Cai Xing, Xu Zhu, Hai-Feng Xu, Xiao-Dong Wang, Xiao-Yong Zhang, Bao-Rang Zhu, Peng Liu, Guang Cao, Song Gao, Chun-Yi Hao, Ren-Jie Yang, Jian-Hai Guo, Xin Zhang, Kun Gao, Kun Wang, Jian-Feng Wang, Zi-Yu Li, Lin-Zhong Zhu, Rong Ding, Jing Li, Ling Zhao, Yu-Jun Shao, Hai-Chun Liu, Jie-Lai Xia, Ling Wang, Ling-Min Kong, Zhi-Nan Chen, Huijie Bian
Summary: In the adjuvant treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma, the combination of TACE and I-131-MabThera showed superior antirecurrence efficacy, significantly improved 5-year survival rate of patients, and was well tolerated.
JOURNAL OF NUCLEAR MEDICINE
(2022)
Editorial Material
Cell Biology
Huijie Bian, Ye-Mao Liu, Zhi-Nan Chen
Summary: Two recent studies have found new strategies for ACC targeting in NASH therapy, successfully resolving the unwanted side effects of ACC inhibitors and bringing new hope to NASH treatment.
Article
Oncology
Qi Yuan, Jie Zhang, Yu Liu, Haiqiang Chen, Haiyang Liu, Jinyan Wang, Meng Niu, Lingling Hou, Zhenlong Wu, Zhinan Chen, Jinhua Zhang
Summary: MyD88 in myofibroblasts plays a critical role in promoting hepatocellular carcinoma by affecting aerobic glycolysis in cancer cells. MyD88 deficiency in myofibroblasts attenuates liver fibrosis and liver cancer tissue. Mechanistically, MyD88 signaling in myofibroblasts increases the secretion of CCL20, which promotes aerobic glycolysis in cancer cells. This process is dependent on the CCR6 receptor and ERK/PKM2 signaling.
JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Gang Nan, Shu-Hua Zhao, Ting Wang, Dong Chao, Ruo-Fei Tian, Wen-Jing Wang, Xin Fu, Peng Lin, Ting Guo, Bin Wang, Xiu-Xuan Sun, Xi Chen, Zhi-Nan Chen, Shi-Jie Wang, Hong-Yong Cui
Summary: This study investigates the role and mechanisms of CD147 in paclitaxel resistance. It demonstrates that CD147 protects cancer cells from paclitaxel-induced apoptosis and interacts with the C-terminal tail of RanBP1 to regulate microtubule stability and dynamics as well as response to paclitaxel treatment. Targeting CD147 may be a potential strategy for preventing paclitaxel resistance.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Cheng-Gong Liao, Xiao-Hua Liang, Yuan Ke, Li Yao, Man Liu, Ze-Kun Liu, Lin He, Yi-Xiao Guo, Huijie Bian, Zhi-Nan Chen, Ling-Min Kong
Summary: This study reveals that active demethylation of CD147 is involved in the metastasis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and targeted methylation of CD147 can inhibit the invasion and metastasis of NSCLC, providing a promising therapeutic target for NSCLC.
Article
Oncology
Xiao-Hong Chen, Ruo Chen, Ming-Yan Shi, Ruo-Fei Tian, Hai Zhang, Zhi-Qian Xin, Zhi-Nan Chen, Ke Wang
Summary: This study evaluated the significant role of CD147 in NSCLC through bioinformatics analysis and confirmed the efficacy and safety of CD147-CART cells in treating NSCLC through experiments.
TRANSLATIONAL ONCOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jiao Wu, Zhuan Feng, Liang Chen, Yong Li, Huijie Bian, Jiejie Geng, Zhao-Hui Zheng, Xianghui Fu, Zhuo Pei, Yifei Qin, Liu Yang, Yilin Zhao, Ke Wang, Ruo Chen, Qian He, Gang Nan, Xuejun Jiang, Zhi-Nan Chen, Ping Zhu
Summary: In this study, the authors use a mouse model of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and single-cell RNA sequencing to show that inducing ferroptosis and suppressing TNF signaling can reduce the number of fibroblasts in the synovium and improve experimental arthritis. They further identify two groups of fibroblasts with distinct susceptibility to ferroptosis and show that TNF signaling protects fibroblasts from ferroptosis through promoting cystine uptake and glutathione biosynthesis. Finally, the combination of low-dose ferroptosis inducer and TNF antagonist attenuates arthritis progression in the mouse model.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Ming Zheng, Yi-Ming Li, Zhen-Yu Liu, Xin Zhang, Yinghui Zhou, Jian-Li Jiang, Ping Zhu, Xiang-Min Yang, Juan Tang, Zhi-Nan Chen
Summary: Immunotherapy targeting tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes has shown promising potential as a treatment for various cancers, but its efficacy varies across different cancer types and patients. The distribution of TIL-T and TIL-B cells and their interactions with the tumor microenvironment play a crucial role in determining the clinical outcomes. Understanding the prognostic significance of these factors can have important implications for cancer immunotherapy.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Nai-Shan Zheng, Xiang-Yu Zhao, Ding Wei, Jin-Lin Miao, Ze-Kun Liu, Yu-Le Yong, Ren-Yu Zhang, Yi-Xiao Guo, Lin He, Bin Wang, Xiu-Xuan Sun, Hai-Jiao Yang, Tian-Jiao Zhang, Qian He, Xiao-Min Li, Hai Zhang, Rong Hou, Peng Lin, Ying-Ming Xu, Xiao-Jun Huang, Zhi-Nan Chen, Huijie Bian
Summary: CD147-CAR T cell therapy shows potent anti-tumor activity against T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) and potential safety towards normal cells and CD147-deficient cells.
Article
Immunology
Yun-Qi Zhou, Ke Wang, Xue-Yan Wang, Hong-Yong Cui, Yongxiang Zhao, Ping Zhu, Zhi-Nan Chen
Summary: This study reveals that SARS-CoV-2 enters host cells through CD147-mediated endocytosis, highlighting the potential of blocking this pathway as a preventive approach against SARS-CoV-2 infection.
EMERGING MICROBES & INFECTIONS
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Ze-Kun Liu, Ke-Fei Wu, Ren-Yu Zhang, Ling-Min Kong, Run-Ze Shang, Jian-Jun Lv, Can Li, Meng Lu, Yu-Le Yong, Cong Zhang, Nai-Shan Zheng, Yan-Hong Li, Zhi-Nan Chen, Huijie Bian, Ding Wei
Summary: In this study, a prognostic signature based on pyroptosis-related lncRNAs in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was constructed, showing significant predictive value for HCC patient prognosis and potential clinical guidance for individualized immunotherapy.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Hong-Yong Cui, Wei Wei, Mei-Rui Qian, Ruo-Fei Tian, Xin Fu, Hong-Wei Li, Gang Nan, Ting Yang, Peng Lin, Xi Chen, Yu-Meng Zhu, Bin Wang, Xiu-Xuan Sun, Jian-Hua Dou, Jian-Li Jiang, Ling Li, Shi-Jie Wang, Zhi-Nan Chen
Summary: This study identified PDAP1 as a key player in colorectal cancer (CRC) development. PDAP1 overexpression was associated with cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and metastasis in CRC. Inhibiting PDAP1 may be an effective strategy for treating CRC patients with PDAP1 overexpression.
CANCER COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ren-Yu Zhang, Ze-Kun Liu, Ding Wei, Yu-Le Yong, Peng Lin, Hao Li, Man Liu, Nai-Shan Zheng, Ke Liu, Cai-Xia Hu, Xiao-Zhen Yang, Zhi-Nan Chen, Huijie Bian
Summary: The study identified two novel somatic mutations of UBE2S in HCC, with potential deleterious effects, and found that wild-type UBE2S was significantly upregulated in HCC tissues, closely related to clinicopathological features. Functional assays demonstrated that UBE2S overexpression promoted proliferation and invasion of HCC cells, with interaction with TRIM28 facilitating cell cycle progression. Importantly, the small molecule cephalomannine was shown to inhibit UBE2S expression and attenuate HCC progression, suggesting a promising therapeutic strategy.
SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION AND TARGETED THERAPY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Yatong Chen, Jing Xu, Xiaodong Wu, Hui Yao, Zhou Yan, Ting Guo, Wenjing Wang, Peixiao Wang, Yu Li, Xiangmin Yang, Hao Li, Huijie Bian, Zhi-Nan Chen
Summary: Deletion of CD147 in T cells limits tumor growth in mouse melanoma and lung cancer. CD147 is upregulated in CD8(+) TILs and coexpressed with immune-checkpoint molecules, leading to increased antitumor responses and potential as a target for cancer immunotherapy.
CELLULAR & MOLECULAR IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)