Combination of TACE and Sorafenib Improves Outcomes in BCLC Stages B/C of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Single Centre Experience

ABSTRACT Background & Aim. Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) or sorafenib is recommended for hepatocellular carcinoma BCLC stages B and C respectively. We studied the role of combination of TACE and sorafenib in BCLC stages B/C. Material and methods. We undertook an observational study on a cohort of cirrhotics with HCC from August 2010 through October 2014. Patients in BCLC stages B/C who had received TACE and/or sorafenib were included. mRECIST criteria were used to assess tumor response. The primary end point was overall survival. Results. Out of 124 patients, 47.6% were in BCLC-B and 52.4% in BCLCC. Baseline characteristics were comparable. The predominant etiology was cryptogenic (37.2% and 38.5%, p = NS). 49.1% in BCLC-B and 56.9% in BCLC-C had received TACE+sorafenib. In BCLC-B, the overall survival improved from 9 months (95% CI 6.3-11.7) using TACE only to 16 months (95% CI 12.9-19.1) using TACE+sorafenib (p < 0.05). In BCLC-C, addition of TACE to sorafenib improved the overall survival from 4 months (95%CI 3-5) to 9 months (95%CI 6.8-11.2) (p < 0.0001). As per mRECIST criteria, patients on TACE+sorafenib had reduced progressive disease (37.8% vs. 83.3%), improved partial response (43.2% vs. 3.3%) and one had complete response compared to those on sorafenib alone (p < 0.0001) in BCLC-C but not in BCLC-B group. Hand foot syndrome was noted in 27.7% patients on sorafenib and post TACE syndrome in 80.2% patients, but both were reversible. No major adverse events were noted. Conclusion. TACE+sorafenib was more effective than TACE or sorafenib alone in HCC BCLC stages B or C with a significant survival benefit and improved tumour regression especially in BCLC-C patients.

Recent Trends in the Diagnosis and Management of Biliary Atresia in Developing Countries.

Need and purpose of review: Biliary atresia is a progressive obstructive cholangiopathy and is fatal if left untreated within 2 years of life. Delay in referral is because of difficulties in differentiating it from physiologic jaundice and identifying an abnormal stool color. This paper presents an overview on the diagnosis and discusses the current strategies in the management of this disease in developing countries. Methods: Articles were retrieved from the PubMed database using the terms ‘biliary atresia’, ‘Kasai portoenterostomy’ and ‘pediatric liver transplantation’. Contents of the article are also based on personal experience of the authors. Conclusion: A national screening program using stool color cards as part of standard care in the neonatal period will greatly improve early detection of biliary atresia. Outcomes will improve if it is diagnosed at the earliest after birth, the child is referred to an experienced pediatric hepatobiliary unit for evaluation, and undergoes an early Kasai procedure. If an early Kasai portoenterostomy is performed, nearly half of all children survive into adolescence, and about one-third are likely to have a long-term, symptom-free life with normal liver biochemistry. Sequential treatment combining Kasai as first line and liver transplantation as second line results in 90% survival for children with biliary atresia.

Morphological and functional outcome after pancreatic necrosectomy and lesser sac lavage for necrotizing pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND: Immediate outcomes after pancreatic necrosectomy have improved in recent years. This study reviews our short-term to medium-term experience of structural and functional changes in the pancreas after necrosectomy. METHODS: Ten patients (8 males, median age 35 years), discharged after pancreatic necrosectomy for acute necrotizing pancreatitis between 1996 and 1998 were reviewed after a median period of 22 months. Clinical evidence of pancreatic dysfunction was documented at follow-up interview. Patients underwent computed tomography of the abdomen, endoscopic retrograde pancreatography, oral glucose tolerance test, fecal fat estimation and fasting serum C-peptide estimation (CPE). RESULTS: No patient had repeat episodes of pancreatitis during the follow-up period. Three patients developed de-novo diabetes after discharge. No patient had symptoms of steatorrhea. Five patients showed severe changes on CECT. ERCP showed marked changes in six patients, the commonest being an abrupt cut-off of the main pancreatic duct. Glucose tolerance was abnormal in three patients and impaired in two patients while fecal fat excretion was abnormal in 8 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Severe acute pancreatitis and necrosectomy are associated with significant structural and functional changes on medium-term follow-up.