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International Journal of Molecular... Aug 2023Members of the tripartite motif (TRIM)-containing protein family have been found to be involved in the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). TRIM14 exerts a...
Members of the tripartite motif (TRIM)-containing protein family have been found to be involved in the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). TRIM14 exerts a promotive impact on several cancers. This study aimed to explore the function and mechanism of TRIM14 in HCC. TRIM14 expression in HCC tissues and HCC cell lines was detected. The overexpression or knockdown model of TRIM14 was established in HCC cell lines. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, flow cytometry, Transwell assay, RT-PCR, Western blot, and immunofluorescence were performed to verify the influence of TRIM14 on cell proliferation, sensitivity to chemotherapy drugs, apoptosis, migration, invasion, and autophagy. A xenograft tumor model was used to confirm the impact of TRIM14 on tumor cell growth. As shown by the data, TRIM14 level was notably higher in the tumor tissues of HCC patients than in the adjacent tissues. The overall survival rate of patients with a high TRIM14 expression was relatively lower than that of patients with a low TRIM14 expression. TRIM14 upregulation enhanced the proliferation, autophagy, migration, and invasion of HCC cells and chemoresistant HCC cells and decreased apoptosis. TRIM14 knockdown contributed to the opposite effects. In in vivo experiments, TRIM14 upregulation bolstered tumor growth. Western blot analysis revealed that TRIM14 upregulation boosted signal transducer and activator of transcription3 (STAT3) and hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1α) expression, and TRIM14 knockdown suppressed their expression. Moreover, repressing STAT3 and HIF-1α could mitigate the tumor-promoting role of TRIM14 in HCC cells. Overall, TRIM14 facilitated malignant HCC development and induced chemoresistance in HCC cells by activating the STAT3/HIF-1α axis.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit; Liver Neoplasms; Cell Line; Disease Models, Animal; Tripartite Motif Proteins; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; STAT3 Transcription Factor
PubMed: 37628777
DOI: 10.3390/ijms241612589 -
Surgical Oncology Clinics of North... Jan 2024Liver transplantation continues to be the optimal treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Given the limited organ supply, patient selection for liver transplant... (Review)
Review
Liver transplantation continues to be the optimal treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Given the limited organ supply, patient selection for liver transplant must carefully balance tumor progression with risk of recurrence posttransplant. There are several pretransplant selection criteria that incorporate biomarkers as well as imaging modality to risk-stratify patients as we continue to look for the optimal transplant cutoff for patients with HCC, which should be transplant-center specific, and account for organ availability and dynamic response to locoregional therapy.
Topics: Humans; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Liver Neoplasms; Liver Transplantation; Neoplasm Staging; Chemoembolization, Therapeutic
PubMed: 37945139
DOI: 10.1016/j.soc.2023.06.011 -
Nature Medicine Mar 2024
Topics: Humans; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Liver Neoplasms; Immunotherapy
PubMed: 38409592
DOI: 10.1038/s41591-024-02828-8 -
Apoptosis : An International Journal on... Jun 2024Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common cause of cancer-associated death worldwide. The mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPR) not only maintains mitochondrial...
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common cause of cancer-associated death worldwide. The mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPR) not only maintains mitochondrial integrity but also regulates cancer progression and drug resistance. However, no study has used the UPR to construct a prognostic signature for HCC. This work aimed to establish a novel signature for predicting patient prognosis, immune cell infiltration, immunotherapy, and chemotherapy response based on UPR-related genes (MRGs). Transcriptional profiles and clinical information were obtained from the TCGA and ICGC databases. Cox regression and LASSO regression analyses were applied to select prognostic genes and develop a risk model. The TIMER algorithm was used to investigate immunocytic infiltration in the high- and low-risk subgroups. Here, two distinct clusters were identified with different prognoses, immune cell infiltration statuses, drug sensitivities, and response to immunotherapy. A risk score consisting of seven MRGs (HSPD1, LONP1, SSBP1, MRPS5, YME1L1, HDAC1 and HDAC2) was developed to accurately and independently predict the prognosis of HCC patients. Additionally, the expression of core MRGs was confirmed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining, single-cell RNA sequencing, and spatial transcriptome analyses. Notably, the expression of prognostic MRGs was significantly correlated with sorafenib sensitivity in HCC and markedly downregulated in sorafenib-treated HepG2 and Huh7 cells. Furthermore, the knockdown of LONP1 decreased the proliferation, invasion, and migration of HepG2 cells, suggesting that upregulated LONP1 expression contributed to the malignant behaviors of HCC cells. To our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the consensus clustering algorithm, prognostic potential, immune microenvironment infiltration and drug sensitivity based on the expression of MRGs in HCC. In summary, the UPR-related classification and prognostic signature could assist in determining the prognosis and personalized therapy of HCC patients from the perspectives of predictive, preventative and personalized medicine.
Topics: Humans; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Liver Neoplasms; Unfolded Protein Response; Prognosis; Sorafenib; Immunotherapy; Mitochondria; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; Male; Biomarkers, Tumor; Antineoplastic Agents; Female; Cell Line, Tumor
PubMed: 38493408
DOI: 10.1007/s10495-024-01945-6 -
BMC Pediatrics Aug 2023Hepatocellular adenomas (HCAs) are rare benign tumors of the liver that occur predominantly in women taking oral contraceptives. In children, HCAs comprise < 5% of... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Hepatocellular adenomas (HCAs) are rare benign tumors of the liver that occur predominantly in women taking oral contraceptives. In children, HCAs comprise < 5% of hepatic tumors. We report a case of HCAs in a 7-year-old girl with estrogen and glucose imbalance.
CASE PRESENTATION
A 7-year-old girl was presented to our hospital with bilateral breast enlargement for 2 months, polydipsia, polyuria, polyphagia, hyperglycemia, and significant weight gain. Computed tomography (CT) showed a 7.2 cm×6.9 cm×5.3 cm round-shaped mass in the left inner lobe of the liver, ovarian ultrasound showed multiple follicles in the ovaries bilaterally, and cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed an enlarged superior pituitary. Hematological and biochemical results were as follows: fasting glucose was 19.7 mmol/L, estradiol was 122.9 pmol/L, follicle-stimulating hormone 10.81 IU/L, luteinizing hormone 10.99 IU/L, insulin-like growth factor 1,513 ng/mL, glutamine aminotransferase 86 U/L, and alkaline phosphatase 362 U/L. Thyroid functions, methemoglobin, fetal protein, carcinoembryonic antigen, and chorionic gonadotropin were normal. The patient had a complete surgical resection of the liver tumor, and the postoperative histopathological diagnosis was HCAs. After the surgery, insulin was injected and the glucose levels were stable. During the 36-month follow-up period, neither tumor recurrence nor significant abnormalities were detected using color Doppler ultrasound of the liver. The child's precocious puberty is currently under control.
CONCLUSIONS
HCAs are particularly rare in children with liver tumors, and risk factors for the development of HCAs in children include sex hormone imbalance, obesity, Fanconi anemia (FA), glycogen storage diseases (GSDs) type I, III, and IV, galactosemia, immunodeficiency, congenital portosystemic shunts (CPSS), cardiac hepatopathy status-post Fontan procedure, Hurler syndrome, familial adenomatous polyposis, germline HNF1A mutations, and maturity-onset diabetes of the young type 3. Most HCAs are detected during a physical examination without clinical symptoms, and some patients may present with symptoms such as abdominal pain, abdominal distension, and abdominal masse. Serum liver function tests can show increased alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and γ- glutamyl transferase (GT), whereas α-Fetoprofein (AFP) levels are normal. The definitive diagnosis relies mainly on histopathological examination. Because HCAs can rupture and bleed and become malignant. Early surgical treatment is recommended after detection.
Topics: Child; Humans; Female; Adenoma, Liver Cell; Alkaline Phosphatase; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Liver Neoplasms
PubMed: 37620840
DOI: 10.1186/s12887-023-04209-5 -
The Surgical Clinics of North America Feb 2024Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of primary liver cancer, which was the third most common cause of cancer death worldwide in 2020. Transplantation... (Review)
Review
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of primary liver cancer, which was the third most common cause of cancer death worldwide in 2020. Transplantation remains the preferred treatment for cure in otherwise unresectable HCC. There are several areas of active research that have led to expansion of eligibility criteria for transplantation including local-regional therapy for downstaging patients presenting outside of the Milan criteria and identification of tumor biomarkers aiding in the early diagnosis, determining prognosis and likelihood of recurrence after transplantation for HCC. New neoadjuvant therapies and post-transplant immunosuppression regimens may also result in expansion of transplant eligibility criteria for HCC.
Topics: Humans; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Liver Transplantation; Liver Neoplasms; Neoplasm Staging; Prognosis
PubMed: 37953032
DOI: 10.1016/j.suc.2023.08.006 -
Molecular Cancer Apr 2024Sorafenib is a major nonsurgical option for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); however, its clinical efficacy is largely undermined by the...
BACKGROUND AND AIMS
Sorafenib is a major nonsurgical option for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); however, its clinical efficacy is largely undermined by the acquisition of resistance. The aim of this study was to identify the key lncRNA involved in the regulation of the sorafenib response in HCC.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) single-guide RNA (sgRNA) synergistic activation mediator (SAM)-pooled lncRNA library was applied to screen for the key lncRNA regulated by sorafenib treatment. The role of the identified lncRNA in mediating the sorafenib response in HCC was examined in vitro and in vivo. The underlying mechanism was delineated by proteomic analysis. The clinical significance of the expression of the identified lncRNA was evaluated by multiplex immunostaining on a human HCC microtissue array.
RESULTS
CRISPR/Cas9 lncRNA library screening revealed that Linc01056 was among the most downregulated lncRNAs in sorafenib-resistant HCC cells. Knockdown of Linc01056 reduced the sensitivity of HCC cells to sorafenib, suppressing apoptosis in vitro and promoting tumour growth in mice in vivo. Proteomic analysis revealed that Linc01056 knockdown in sorafenib-treated HCC cells induced genes related to fatty acid oxidation (FAO) while repressing glycolysis-associated genes, leading to a metabolic switch favouring higher intracellular energy production. FAO inhibition in HCC cells with Linc01056 knockdown significantly restored sensitivity to sorafenib. Mechanistically, we determined that PPARα is the critical molecule governing the metabolic switch upon Linc01056 knockdown in HCC cells and indeed, PPARα inhibition restored the sorafenib response in HCC cells in vitro and HCC tumours in vivo. Clinically, Linc01056 expression predicted optimal overall and progression-free survival outcomes in HCC patients and predicted a better sorafenib response. Linc01056 expression indicated a low FAO level in HCC.
CONCLUSION
Our study identified Linc01056 as a critical epigenetic regulator and potential therapeutic target in the regulation of the sorafenib response in HCC.
Topics: Humans; Mice; Animals; Sorafenib; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; RNA, Long Noncoding; Liver Neoplasms; RNA, Guide, CRISPR-Cas Systems; PPAR alpha; Proteomics; Cell Line, Tumor; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
PubMed: 38582885
DOI: 10.1186/s12943-024-01988-y -
Human Pathology Aug 2023Hepatocellular adenomas (HCAs) are benign liver neoplasms which most commonly present in women in their reproductive age. In men, they are rare and have a higher risk of...
Hepatocellular adenomas (HCAs) are benign liver neoplasms which most commonly present in women in their reproductive age. In men, they are rare and have a higher risk of malignant transformation to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Here we present our multicenter experience with HCA in men in the United States. A total of 27 HCA cases were included, with a mean age of presentation of 37 years (range, 9-69 years) and a mean size of 6.8 cm (range, 0.9-18.5 cm). Based on the 2019 World Health Organization classification, the most common subtype identified was inflammatory HCA (IHCA; 10 cases, 37.0%) followed by unclassified HCA (UHCA; 7 cases, 25.9%), HNF1A-inactivated HCA (H-HCA; 6 cases, 22.2%), β-catenin-activated IHCA (b-IHCA; 3 cases, 11.1%), and β-catenin-activated HCA (b-HCA; 1 case, 3.7%). Six additional cases diagnosed as hepatocellular neoplasm of uncertain malignant potential (HUMP) were also included in the study. These cases presented in a mean age of 46 years (range, 17-64 years) and a size of 10.8 cm (range, 4.2-16.5 cm). We evaluated the significance of androgen receptor (AR) expression by immunohistochemistry (IHC); of the 16 cases with materials available, 8 were considered positive using the Allred score system (2 IHCA, 2 H-HCA, 1 UHCA, and 3 HUMP). Of the total cases, 12 were diagnosed on biopsies, for which follow-up information is available for 7, and none of them show evidence of malignant transformation. Of the 21 resection cases, a concomitant well-differentiated HCC within the same lesion was identified in 5 cases (23.8%), which were diagnosed as HCA (n = 4) or HUMP (n = 1). Overall, 15% of cases in our entire cohort of HCA and HUMP showed concomitant HCC, while none of the 7 biopsy cases showed any malignant transformation on follow-up (range, 22-160 months; mean, 61.8 months).
Topics: Male; Humans; Female; Child; Adolescent; Young Adult; Adult; Middle Aged; Aged; Adenoma, Liver Cell; Liver Neoplasms; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; beta Catenin; Biopsy; Precancerous Conditions
PubMed: 37245629
DOI: 10.1016/j.humpath.2023.05.010 -
The British Journal of Surgery Mar 2024Histopathological and molecular features have been proposed to hold prognostic information, but few have been validated. The aim of this retrospective study was to...
BACKGROUND
Histopathological and molecular features have been proposed to hold prognostic information, but few have been validated. The aim of this retrospective study was to validate the Genetic And Morphological Evaluation ('GAME') score and assess the impact of histological characteristics on the prognosis in patients with colorectal liver metastases.
METHODS
Data were collected from 176 patients with metastatic colorectal cancer undergoing liver resection at Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau. Patients were classified into Genetic And Morphological Evaluation score groups and relapse-free survival and overall survival were calculated. Histopathological changes in colorectal liver metastases were documented and prognostic variables were selected to create a post-surgery score, called the Histopathological, Clinical, And Molecular ('HICAM') score.
RESULTS
Regarding the Genetic And Morphological Evaluation score, the high-risk group had a median relapse-free survival of 8.8 months, compared with 20.5 months for the low-risk group (P = 0.005), and the high-risk group had a median overall survival of 37.8 months, compared with 67.0 months for the low-risk group (P = 0.005). Histological examination of 144 liver samples showed that the desertic immune phenotype was associated with worse overall survival in the multivariable analysis (P = 0.020). The Histopathological, Clinical, And Molecular score variables were age at diagnosis, tumour burden score, carcinoembryonic antigen levels greater than or equal to 20 ng/ml, primary tumour resection, TNM stage at diagnosis, molecular status, histopathological growth patterns, and immune phenotypes of the liver. The high-risk group had a median relapse-free survival of 8.4 months, compared with 20.4 months for the low-risk group (P < 0.001), and a median overall survival of 30.4 months, compared with 105.0 months for the low-risk group (P < 0.001).
CONCLUSION
The Genetic And Morphological Evaluation score was validated as a preoperative prognostic tool to predict candidacy for liver resection. The Histopathological, Clinical, And Molecular score could be useful to assess adjuvant treatment after hepatic resection.
Topics: Humans; Retrospective Studies; Colorectal Neoplasms; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Prognosis; Liver Neoplasms; Hepatectomy
PubMed: 38488528
DOI: 10.1093/bjs/znae016 -
World Journal of Gastroenterology May 2024A significant number of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are usually diagnosed in advanced stages, that leads to inability to achieve cure. Palliative... (Review)
Review
A significant number of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are usually diagnosed in advanced stages, that leads to inability to achieve cure. Palliative options are focusing on downstaging a locally advanced disease. It is well-supported in the literature that patients with HCC who undergo successful conversion therapy followed by curative-intent surgery may achieve a significant survival benefit compared to those who receive chemotherapy alone or those who are successfully downstaged with conversion therapy but not treated with surgery. Hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy can be a potential downstaging strategy, since recent studies have demonstrated excellent outcomes in patients with colorectal liver metastatic disease as well as primary liver malignancies.
Topics: Humans; Liver Neoplasms; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Neoplasm Staging; Infusions, Intra-Arterial; Treatment Outcome; Hepatic Artery; Hepatectomy; Palliative Care
PubMed: 38855157
DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v30.i20.2731