Pathogenesis of hepatitis B-associated intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma / 临床肝胆病杂志

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma （ICC） is a type of primary liver cancer that accounts for about 10%‍ — ‍15% of the total cases， and its incidence and mortality rates tend to increase significantly around the world， especially in Asian countries. At present， radical liver resection is the only possible cure for ICC， but with a fairly high postoperative recurrence rate and a poorer prognosis than hepatocellular carcinoma. Therefore， it is urgently needed to further investigate the mechanisms of the development and progression of ICC and search for more effective treatment methods. Some epidemiological data suggest that chronic hepatitis B virus infection is one of the most important predisposing factors for ICC， yet little is known about its oncogenic effects. This article summarizes the epidemiological evidence that links the two diseases and briefly elaborates on the mechanisms of the development and progression of HBV-associated ICC， so as to help to gain a better understanding of the role of HBV in the development and progression of ICC.

Recommendations from Annals of Surgical Oncology： Clinical guidelines for extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and gallbladder carcinoma / 临床肝胆病杂志

Biliary tract carcinoma （BTC） is a type of gastrointestinal tumor with a low incidence rate and a strong invasive ability， mainly including intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma （ICC）， extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma （ECC）， and gallbladder carcinoma （GC）， often accompanied by local progression or distant metastasis. Surgery is often the preferred treatment method for patients with local resectable tumor； however， there is still a high risk of recurrence after radical surgery. Therefore， multiple treatment modalities are often required for BTC patients， including surgical resection， systemic treatment （such as targeted therapy， chemotherapy， and immunotherapy）， and/or a combination of local treatment methods. With the development of the field of BTC， it is critical for surgical oncologists to understand and master the latest surgical strategies and the best patient selection and management systems. In view of the complexity of treatment and the continuous development of diagnosis and treatment techniques， Annals of Surgical Oncology， an authoritative American journal of cancer surgery， recently published the practical diagnosis and treatment guidelines for hepatobiliary tumors， including hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC）， ICC， ECC， and GC， aiming to provide more evidence-based evidence for the clinical management and decision-making of patients with hepatobiliary tumors. Due to the limitations of length and different emphases， this article mainly introduces the recommendations for the evaluation points and clinical treatment of ECC and GC in the guidelines， so as to provide a reference for clinical practice.

Role of exosomes in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma / 临床肝胆病杂志

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma （ICC） is a special type of liver cancer with atypical clinical symptoms in the early stage， and most patients are already in the advanced stage at the time of initial diagnosis. Due to a lack of effective molecular markers and treatment options， ICC patients tend to have an extremely low five-year survival rate. Exosomes are vesicles secreted by cells that contain proteins， RNA， and lipids， and they are important carriers of intercellular communication. Recent studies have shown that exosomes play a crucial role in the development and progression of ICC， and this article reviews the role and mechanism of exosomes in the diagnosis and treatment of ICC and looks into the future treatment prospect and potential clinical application of exosomes.

Comportamiento clínico-epidemiológico de los tumores periampulares malignos diagnosticados en Gastroenterología

Introducción: Los tumores malignos ubicados en la región periampular pueden ser: ampular, biliar, pancreático o duodenal, y constituyen un problema de salud por su alta mortalidad. En su etiopatogenia se involucran múltiples factores de riesgo, cuyo comportamiento clínico y epidemiológico se desconoce en la población matancera. Objetivo: Determinar el comportamiento clínico y epidemiológico de los tumores periampulares malignos. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo, prospectivo en 34 pacientes con diagnóstico de tumores periampulares malignos, atendidos en el Servicio de Gastroenterología del Hospital Universitario Clínico Quirúrgico Comandante Faustino Pérez Hernández, de Matanzas, de enero a diciembre de 2021. Se estudiaron variables como: grupos de edad, sexo, factores de riesgo y antecedentes patológicos personales, tiempo de evolución de los síntomas y localización del tumor. Los resultados fueron recogidos en una planilla de recolección de datos. Resultados: Predominó el sexo masculino y el grupo de 50 a 69 años. Los factores de riesgo más frecuentes fueron el consumo de café, tabaquismo y diabetes mellitus. El íctero fue el síntoma más frecuente. La mayoría de los pacientes iniciaron los síntomas de 1 a 3 meses antes del diagnóstico. El cáncer de páncreas fue el más frecuente. Conclusiones: Los tumores periampulares predominaron en la población mayor de 50 años. Los hábitos tóxicos fueron los factores de riesgo más frecuentes. El cáncer de páncreas tuvo mayor incidencia. El comportamiento clínico estuvo relacionado con la localización de la lesión, el tiempo de evolución de los síntomas, y los factores de riesgo que predominaron.

Introduction: Malignant tumors located in the periampullary region can be ampullary, biliary, pancreatic or duodenal and are a health problem due to their high mortality. Their etio-pathogenesis involves many risk factors, whose clinic and epidemiological behavior is unknown by the population of Matanzas. Objective: To determine the clinical-epidemiological behavior of malignant periampullary tumors. Materials and methods: A descriptive, prospective study was conducted in 34 patients with diagnosis of malignant periampullary tumors, treated in the Gastroenterology Service of the Clinical-Surgery University Hospital Comandante Faustino Perez Hernandez, of Matanzas, from January to December 2021. Variables such as age group, sex, risk factors and personal pathological history, time of evolution of symptoms and tumor location were studied. The results were collected in a data collection form. Results: Male sex and the 50-69 years age group predominated. The most frequent risk factors were coffee consumption, smoking and diabetes mellitus. Jaundice was the most frequent symptom. Most of the patients started symptoms one to three months before the diagnosis. Pancreatic cancer was the most frequent. Conclusions: Periampullary tumors predominated in the population older than 50 years. Toxic habits were the most common risk factors. Pancreatic cancer had a higher incidence. Clinical behavior was related to the location of the lesion, the time of evolution of the symptoms, and the risk factors that predominated.

Modelos pré-clínicos de câncer hepático / Preclinical models of liver câncer

ABSTRACT Background: This manuscript provides an overview of liver carcinogenesis in murine models of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). Objective: A review through MEDLINE and EMBASE was performed to assess articles until August 2022. Methods: Search was conducted of the entire electronic databases and the keywords used was HCC, CCA, carcinogenesis, animal models and liver. Articles exclusion was based on the lack of close relation to the subject. Carcinogenesis models of HCC include HCC induced by senescence in transgenic animals, HCC diet-induced, HCC induced by chemotoxicagents, xenograft, oncogenes, and HCC in transgenic animals inoculated with B and C virus. The models of CCA include the use of dimethylnitrosamine (DMN), diethylnitrosamine (DEN), thioacetamide (TAA), and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). CCA murine models may also be induced by: CCA cells, genetic manipulation, Smad4, PTEN and p53 knockout, xenograft, and DEN-left median bile duct ligation. Results: In this review, we described different murine models of carcinogenesis that reproduce the key points for HCC and CCA genesis allowing a better understanding of its genetic, physiopathological, and environmental abnormalities. Conclusion: Each model has its advantages, disadvantages, similarities, and differences with the corresponding human disease and should be chosen according to the specificity of the study. Ultimately, those models can also be used for testing new anticancer therapeutic approaches.

RESUMO Contexto: Este manuscrito fornece uma visão geral da carcinogênese hepática em modelos murinos de carcinoma hepatocelular (CHC) e colangiocarcinoma (CCA). Objetivo: Realizar uma revisão de artigos científicos até agosto de 2022 utilizando as bases de dados MEDLINE e EMBASE. Métodos: A busca foi realizada em todas as bases de dados eletrônicas e as palavras-chave usadas foram CHC, CCA, carcinogenesis, modelos animais e fígado. A exclusão dos artigos baseou-se na falta de estreita relação com o assunto. Os modelos de carcinogênese do CHC incluíram: CHC induzido por senescência em animais transgênicos, CHC induzido por dieta, CHC induzido por agentes quimiotóxicos, xenoenxerto, oncogenes e CHC em animais transgênicos inoculados com vírus B e C. Os modelos de CCA incluíram: o uso de dimetilnitrosamina (DMN), dietilnitrosamina (DEN), tioacetamida (TAA) e tetracloreto de carbono (CCl4). Os modelos murinos de CCA induzidos por incluir: células de CCA, manipulação genética, animais nocaute para Smad4, PTEN e p53, xenoenxerto e ligadura do ducto biliar mediano esquerdo. Resultados: Nesta revisão, descrevemos diferentes modelos murinos de carcinogênese que reproduzem os pontos-chave para a gênese do CHC e do CCA, permitindo uma melhor compreensão de suas anormalidades genéticas, fisiopatológicas e ambientais. Conclusão: Cada modelo tem suas vantagens, desvantagens, semelhanças e diferenças com a doença humana correspondente e deve ser escolhido de acordo com a especificidade do estudo. Em última análise, esses modelos também podem ser utilizados para testar novas abordagens terapêuticas anticancerígenas.

Proliferações biliares intra-hepáticas: histopatologia e potenciais marcadores imuno-histoquímicos / Intrahepatic biliary proliferations: histopathology and potential immunohistochemical markers

ABSTRACT Intrahepatic biliary proliferations represent a spectrum from reactive (ductular reaction, some with atypical architecture), hamartomatous (von Meyenburg complex), benign (bile duct adenoma) and precursor/borderline entities (biliary intraepithelial neoplasia, intraductal papillary neoplasm of the bile duct) to fully malignant (cholangiocarcinoma) neoplasms. Clinical pictures and even imaging patterns may be similar, requiring refined studies aiming at histopathological and immunohistochemistry for more precise diagnosis, essential for correct patient management. This article discusses updated concepts and definitions of most relevant entities aiming more specifically at the differential diagnosis in practice, focusing on morphology and immunohistochemistry, with a discussion of potential markers to help distinguishing between benign and malignant lesions.

RESUMO As proliferações biliares intra-hepáticas representam um espectro que abrange desde entidades reativas (reação ductular, algumas com arquitetura atípica), hamartomatosas (complexo de von Meyenburg), benignas (adenoma de ductos biliares) e precursoras/limítrofes (neoplasia intraepitelial biliar, neoplasia papilar intraductal de ducto biliar) até neoplasias totalmente malignas (colangiocarcinoma). Os quadros clínicos e até mesmo os padrões de imagem podem ser semelhantes, exigindo estudos refinados visando critério histológicos e imuno-histoquímicos para diagnósticos mais precisos, essenciais para o correto manejo do paciente. Este artigo discute conceitos atualizados e definições das entidades mais relevantes visando mais especificamente ao diagnóstico diferencial na prática, com foco na morfologia e imuno-histoquímica, com discussão de potenciais marcadores para ajudar na distinção entre lesões benignas e malignas.

Carcinoma de vías biliares intrahepáticas: análisis de defunciones según sexo, grupo etario y regiones en Chile entre 2017-2021 / Intrahepatic bile duct carcinoma: analysis of deaths according to sex, age group, and regions in Chile between 2017-2021

Introducción: el colangiocarcinoma intrahepático es un cáncer agresivo de células epiteliales de los conductos biliares intrahepáticos y su desarrollo se asocia a inflamación crónica del árbol biliar. En Chile, su epidemiología es limitada y el presente estudio tiene por objetivo describir su tasa de mortalidad. Métodos: se realizó un estudio descriptivo observacional transversal y ecológico de las defunciones por carcinoma de vías biliares en Chile durante 2017 y 2021 según sexo, grupo etario y región de residencia. Resultados: la tasa de mortalidad nacional de personas mayores a 20 años durante el periodo estudiado fue de 1,56 por cada 100.000 habitantes. La tasa de mortalidad más alta del sexo masculino se observó en 2020, siendo de 2,61. La mayor mortalidad se encontró en personas mayores a 80 años en el sexo masculino con una tasa de 24,38. A nivel regional, en Magallanes se observó la mayor tasa de mortalidad con 5,66, mientras que Tarapacá presentó la menor tasa con un valor de 0,96. Finalmente, el índice de Swaroop fue igual o mayor al 92% en todas las regiones del país. Conclusión: la mayor mortalidad por colangiocarcinoma intrahepático se presenta en personas de edad avanzada y de sexo masculino. Interesantemente la mayor mortalidad por esta causa se concentra en la zona sur de Chile. Dada la magnitud del problema que representa esta enfermedad en la salud pública nacional es que futuros estudios son necesarios para establecer medidas de prevención y/o tratamiento de esta enfermedad.

Introduction: intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma is an aggressive cancer of epithelial cells of the intrahepatic bile ducts, and its deve-lopment is associated with chronic inflammation of the biliary tree. In Chile, its epidemiology is limited, and the present study aims to describe its mortality rate. Methods: a descriptive, cross-sectional, observational, and ecological study of deaths from bile duct carcinoma in Chile between 2017 and 2021 was performed according to sex, age group, and region of residence. Results: the national mortality rate of people over 20 years old during the study period was 1.56 per 100,000 inhabitants. The highest mortality rate for the male sex was observed in 2020, with a value of 2.61. In turn, the highest mortality rate was found in people over 80 years old in the male sex, with a rate value of 24.38. On a regional level, Magallanes had the highest mortality rate, with a rate value of 5.66, while Tarapacá had the lowest rate, with a value of 0.96. Finally, Swaroop's index was equal to or greater than 92% in all regions of the country. Conclusion: the highest mortality from intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma occurs in older people and males. Interestingly, the highest mortality from this cause is concentrated in the southern zone of Chile. Given the magnitude of the problem that this disease represents for national public health, future studies are necessary to establish both prevention measures and treatments

Manejo de los tumores periampulares malignos en pacientes evaluados en consulta multidisciplinaria

Introducción: Los tumores malignos ubicados en la región periampular pueden ser: ampular (carcinoma ampular), biliar (colangiocarcinoma), pancreático (tumores de la cabeza del páncreas) o duodenal (cáncer de la segunda porción duodenal), y constituyen un problema de salud por su alta mortalidad, y un motivo frecuente de consulta multidisciplinaria por oncología digestiva. Objetivo: Describir los procederes diagnósticos y resultados histopatológicos asociados al manejo de tumores periampulares en pacientes atendidos en consulta multidisciplinaria. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo y prospectivo en 34 pacientes con diagnóstico de estas neoplasias, en el Hospital Universitario Clínico Quirúrgico Comandante Faustino Pérez Hernández. La fecha comprende de enero a diciembre del año 2021. Se estudiaron variables como: grupos de edad, sexo, resultados imagenológicos, endoscópicos e histológicos, vía para la realización de la biopsia y tratamiento definitivo. Los resultados fueron recogidos en una planilla de recolección de datos. Resultados: Predominaron el sexo masculino y el grupo de 50 a 69 años. La tomografía axial computarizada abdominal mostró mayor sensibilidad en el diagnóstico respecto al ultrasonido. La colangiopancreatografía endoscópica retrograda fue el método diagnóstico y terapéutico más utilizado, seguido del tratamiento quirúrgico paliativo. Conclusiones: El manejo de los tumores, al igual que su tratamiento definitivo, estuvo relacionado con su localización. Como todos no pudieron ser estadificados, fue necesario el estudio histológico.

Introduction: Malignant tumors located in the periampullary region may be: ampullary (ampullary carcinoma), biliary (chollangiocarcinoma), pancreatic (tumors of the pancreas head) or duodenal (cancer of the second duodenal portion). They constitute a health problem due to their high mortality and a reason of frequent multidisciplinary consultation by digestive oncology. Objective: To describe the diagnostic procedures and the histopathological results associated to the management of periampullary tumors in patients treated in multidisciplinary consultations. Materials and methods: A descriptive and prospective study was conducted in 34 patients diagnosed with these neoplasms at the Clinical-Surgical University Hospital Comandante Faustino Perez. The date ranges from January to December 2021. Variables such as age groups, sex, imaging, endoscopic and histological results, pathway for biopsy and definitive treatment were studied. The results were collected in a data collection form. Results: Male sex and the age group from 50 to 69 years predominated. Abdominal computed axial tomography showed higher sensitivity in the diagnosis than ultrasound. Retrograde endoscopic cholangiopancreatography was the most widely used diagnostic and therapeutic method, followed by palliative surgical treatment Conclusions: The management of the tumors, as well as their definitive treatment, was related to their location. Since all of them could not be staged, histological study was necessary.

A Case Report of Primary Hepatic Tuberculosis

This case report presents an incidental finding of primary tuberculosis in the liver of a 54-year-old female patient who had a history of multiple hospital admissions due to abdominal pain, jaundice, persistent fever, nausea with vomiting, weight loss, and asthenia. The evaluation involved considering differential diagnoses of cholangiocarcinoma, Caroli's disease, hepatocellular carcinoma, and hepatic tuberculosis based on the patient's history, imaging studies, and laboratory tests. The aim of this report is to provide healthcare professionals with a new diagnostic perspective when encountering patients with this ambiguous presentation, even in regions with low epidemiological incidence. Hepatic tuberculosis should be included in the differential diagnosis of patients with focal intrahepatic lesions or liver abscesses who have a history of recurrent hospitalizations and evidence on imaging studies.

Se trata de un hallazgo incidental de tuberculosis primaria en el hígado en una paciente femenina de 54 años con historia de múltiples ingresos por síntomas de dolor abdominal, ictericia, fiebre persistente, náuseas acompañadas de vómitos de contenido gástrico, pérdida de peso y astenia. A la evaluación se consideraron los diagnósticos diferenciales de colangiocarcinoma, enfermedad de Caroli, carcinoma hepatocelular y tuberculosis hepática, basados en anamnesis, estudios de imágenes y pruebas de gabinete. Este reporte de caso brinda una nueva perspectiva diagnóstica para el personal de salud que reciba pacientes con esta presentación ambigua, aun en el contexto de baja incidencia epidemiológica. La tuberculosis hepática debe ser considerada en el diagnóstico diferencial de pacientes con lesiones focales a nivel intrahepático o abscesos hepáticos con hospitalizaciones recurrentes y evidencia de imágenes.

Tratamiento quirúrgico del colangiocarcinoma extrahepático / Surgical Treatment of Extrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma

Introducción: El colangiocarcinoma constituye la neoplasia de la vía biliar más frecuente, la cual es responsable de una alta morbimortalidad. Objetivo: Determinar la morbilidad y la mortalidad por colangiocarcinoma extrahepático en el Servicio de Cirugía del Hospital Universitario Manuel Ascunce Domenech. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo, prospectivo y observacional de pacientes que ingresaron en el Servicio de Cirugía General con diagnóstico de colangiocarcinoma extrahepático entre septiembre de 2018 y enero del 2022. El universo estuvo conformado por 21 pacientes que cumplieron con los criterios de inclusión. Se utilizaron métodos estadísticos descriptivos y cálculos con valores porcentuales. Resultados: La mayor incidencia de los pacientes fueron del sexo masculino y blancos, con el 71,4 por ciento y el 85,7 por ciento respectivamente. Predominó el adenocarcinoma como variedad histológica con un 85,7 por ciento, así como el colangiocarcinoma proximal y la variante esclerosante de su clasificación. El 71,4 por ciento de los pacientes egresaron vivos y con una cirugía con finalidad curativa. Conclusiones: La mayoría de los pacientes fueron masculinos, de color blanco y de procedencia rural. Los hallazgos más frecuentes fueron la localización proximal y la variante esclerosante. A más de la mitad de los pacientes se les realizó procedimiento de Hess y Whipple con finalidad curativa. La fuga biliar, el adenocarcinoma como tipo histológico y el estado al egreso vivo prevaleció en todos los pacientes(AU)

Introduction: Cholangiocarcinoma is the most frequent biliary tract neoplasm responsible for high morbidity and mortality. Objective: To determine morbidity and mortality due to extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma in the surgery service of Hospital Universitario Manuel Ascunce Domenech. Methods: A descriptive, prospective and observational study was carried out with patients admitted to the general surgery service with a diagnosis of extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma between September 2018 and January 2022. The study universe consisted of 21 patients who met the inclusion criteria. Descriptive statistical methods and calculations with percentage values were used. Results: The highest incidence of patients were male and white-skinned, accounting for 71.4 percent and 85.7 percent, respectively. Adenocarcinoma predominated as histological variety, representing 85.7 percent, together with proximal cholangiocarcinoma and the sclerosing variant of its classification. 71.4 percent of the patients were discharged alive and after curative surgery. Conclusions: Most of the patients were male, white-skinned and from rural origin. The most frequent findings were a proximal location and the sclerosing variant. Over half the patients underwent Hess and Whipple procedure with curative purpose. Biliary leakage, adenocarcinoma as histologic type, and the condition of alive at discharge prevailed in all patients(AU)

Superexpressão do receptor de Inositol 1,4, 5-trifosfato isoforma 3 (ITPR3) em colangiocarcinoma e sua correlação com a proteína dependente de cálcio S100A4 / Inositol 1,4, 5-triphosphate receptor isoform 3 (ITPR3) overexpression in cholangiocarcinoma and its correlation with calcium-dependent protein S100A4

O colangiocarcinoma (CCA) é a segunda neoplasia mais maligna do fígado que surge na árvore biliar. O CCA está associado com mau prognóstico e os principais fatores envolvidos em sua patogênese não são bem compreendidos. Os receptores tirosina quinases (RTKs), como o receptor do fator de crescimento epidérmico (EGFR), podem mediar as vias de sinalização de cálcio intracelular (Ca 2+ ), via inositol 1,4,5-trifosfato (InsP3). Eles ativam os receptores 1,4,5-trifosfato (ITPRs) e regulam o crescimento tumoral. ITPR isoforma 3 é o principal canal de liberação intracelular de Ca 2+ em colangiócitos. Os efeitos do Ca 2+ intracelular, por sua vez são mediados por proteínas de ligação de cálcio, como calmodulina e proteína A4 de ligação de cálcio S100 (S100A4). No entanto, o significado clínico patológico e biológico de EGFR, ITPR3 e S100A4 no CCA permanece obscuro. Assim, o presente trabalho investiga a imuno exprepressão dessas três proteínas em 59 pacientes diagnosticados com CCA, submetidos a tratamento cirúrgico curativo e correlaciona os dados com características clínico-patológicas e sobrevida. A alta expressão de ITPR3 foi correlacionada com os níveis de CA 19-9, estágio TNM e metástases em linfonodos (N). Além disso, a expressão de ITPR3 foi aumentada em CCA distal em comparação com ductos biliares de controle e CCAs intra-hepáticos e peri-hilares. Os escores clínicos ITPR3 e S100A4 foram significativamente correlacionados. Em resumo, a super expressão de ITPR3 pode contribuir para a progressão da CCA e pode representar um potencial alvo terapêutico. Palavras-chave: ITPRs; ITPR3; S100A4; Colangiocarcinoma; Fígado; Câncer

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is the second most malignant neoplasm in the liver that arises from the biliary tree. CCA is associated with a poor prognosis, and the key players involved in its pathogenesis are still not well understood. Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), such as epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), can mediate intracellular calcium (Ca2+) signaling pathways via inositol 1,4,5trisphosphate (InsP3), activating inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (ITPRs) and regulating tumor growth. ITPR isoform 3 (ITPR3) is the main intracellular Ca2+ release channel in cholangiocytes. The effects of intracellular Ca2+ are mediated by calciumbinding proteins such as Calmodulin and S100 calcium-binding protein A4 (S100A4). However, the clinicopathological and biological significance of EGFR, ITPR3 and S100A4 in CCA remains unclear. Thus, the present work investigates the immunoexpression of these three proteins in 59 CCAs from patients who underwent curative surgical treatment and correlates the data with clinicopathological features and survival. High ITPR3 expression was correlated with CA 19-9 levels, TNM stage and lymph node metastasis (N). Furthermore, ITPR3 expression was increased in distal CCA compared to control bile ducts and intrahepatic and perihilar CCAs. In summary, ITPR3 overexpression could contribute to CCA progression and it may represent a potential therapeutic target.

Effect of Photodynamic Therapy for Malignant Obstruction of Biliary Tract / 肿瘤防治研究

Objective To investigate the safety and efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) for malignant obstruction of the biliary tract. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of patients with malignant biliary obstruction treated by PDT in our medical center. On the basis of different treatment plans, the patients were categorized into the photodynamic only group and the combined treatment group, in which additional interventional operations, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy were arranged. The alterations in liver function, duration of biliary patency, and postoperative complications that occurred within one month were closely monitored in both groups. Results A total number of 19 patients were enrolled in this study. The technical success rate of PDT was 100%. The deterioration of liver function was not observed in any patients within one month after PDT. Within a maximum of 17.7 months follow-up, the patency rates of the biliary tract were 100.0%, 89.5%, 72%, and 64% at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after the procedure, respectively. The mean biliary patency time was 6.9±0.8 months (95%CI: 5.2-8.7 months). Specifically, the biliary patency times for Bismuth type Ⅲ and Ⅳ were 7.5±1.1 and 6.1±1.3 months, respectively. The biliary patency time was around 3.3±0.7 months in the photodynamic only group and 7.9±0.9 months in the combined treatment group (P=0.017). Conclusion PDT for Bismuth Ⅲ-Ⅳ malignant biliary obstruction is safe and effective. Moreover, the period of biliary patency is greatly extended when PDT is combined with systemic therapy.

Current Situation of Postoperative Adjuvant Chemoradiotherapy for Extrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma / 肿瘤防治研究

In recent years, the incidence of extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ECC) has been increasing annually. As a result of frequently invading adjacent structures, such as hepatic artery, hepatic vein, and portal vein, and low radical resection rate, the prognosis is poor. Even if radical resection is completed early, the 5-year survival rate is still less than 30%. At present, whether postoperative adjuvant therapy can improve the prognosis of ECC remains a research hotspot and a controversial point. This article will combine the latest research results to discuss the plan and status of postoperative adjuvant therapy after ECC, as well as analyze the effect of postoperative adjuvant therapy on ECC.

Research progress of FAPI PET/CT in the diagnosis of malignant liver tumors / 中华肝脏病杂志

Malignant liver tumors have a high incidence and mortality rate. Therefore, it is of great significance to promptly learn about tumor advancement status through relevant examinations for patients' follow-up, diagnosis, and therapy as well as the improvement of the five-year survival rate. The primary lesions and intrahepatic metastases of malignant liver tumors have been better demonstrated in the clinical study with the use of various isotope-labeled fibroblast activating protein inhibitors because of their low uptake in liver tissues and high tumor/background ratio, which provides a new method for early diagnosis, precise staging, and radionuclide therapy. In light of this context, a review of the research progress of fibroblast-activating protein inhibitors for the diagnosis of liver malignant tumors is presented.

Construction of a prediction model for postoperative prognosis in patients with resectable cholangiocarcinoma based on SIRT2 expression / 浙江大学学报·医学版

OBJECTIVES@#To develop a prediction model for postoperative prognosis in patients with cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) based on the expression of silence information regulator 2 (SIRT2).@*METHODS@#The differential expression of SIRT2 between CCA and normal tissues was analyzed using TCGA and GEO databases. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was used to explore potential mechanisms of SIRT2 in CCA. The expression of SIRT2 protein in CCA tissues and normal tissues (including 44 pairs of specimens) was also detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining in 89 resectable CCA patients who underwent surgical treatment in The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College between January 2016 and December 2021. The relationship between SIRT2 expression and clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of CCA patients was analyzed. A survival prediction model for patients with resectable CCA was constructed with COX regression results, the calibration curve and the time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) were used to evaluate the performance of the constructed model, and the predictive power between this model and the AJCC/TNM staging system (8th Edition) was compared.@*RESULTS@#SIRT2 mRNA was overexpressed in CCA tissues as shown in TCGA and GEO databases. IHC staining showed that SIRT2 protein expression in CCA tissues was significantly higher than that in adjacent non-tumor tissues. GSEA results showed that elevated SIRT2 expression may be involved in multiple metabolism-related signaling pathway, such as fatty acid metabolism, oxidative phosphorylation, amino acid metabolism, etc. SIRT2 expression level was related to serum triglycerides level, tumor size and lymph node metastasis (all P<0.05). The survival analysis results showed that the patients with higher SIRT2 expression had a significant lower overall survival (OS) than patients with lower SIRT2 expression (P<0.05). Univariate COX regression analysis suggested that pathological differentiation, clinical stage, postoperative treatment and SIRT2 expression level were associated with the prognosis of CCA patients (all P<0.05). Multivariate regression analysis confirmed that clinical stage and SIRT2 expression level were independent predictors of OS in postoperative CCA patients (both P<0.05). A nomogram based on SIRT2 for prediction of survival in postoperative CCA patients was constructed. The C-index of the model was 0.675, and the area under the time-dependent ROC curve (AUC) for predicting survival in the first, second, and third years was 0.879, 0.778, and 0.953, respectively, which were superior to those of AJCC/TNM staging system (8th Edition).@*CONCLUSIONS@#SIRT2 is highly expressed in CCA tissues, which is associated with poor prognosis in patients with resectable CCA. The nomogram developed based on SIRT2 may have better predictive power than the AJCC/TNM staging system (8th Edition) in prediction of survival of postoperative CCA patients.

Efficacy and safety of stereotactic body radiation therapy in treatment of patients with unresectable cholangiocarcinoma / 临床肝胆病杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the survival and adverse reactions of patients with unresectable cholangiocarcinoma after stereotactic body radiation therapy （SBRT）. MethodsA total of 27 patients with unresectable solitary cholangiocarcinoma without metastasis who underwent SBRT in The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital from February 2012 to July 2020 were enrolled. The prescribed dose to planning target volume was 42-60 Gy in 5-8 fractions， with 5-11 Gy/fraction. Among these patients， five patients were also treated with chemotherapy and transcatheter arterial chemoembolization. The 6-， 12-， 18-， and 24-month overall survival （OS） rates， progression-free survival （PFS） rates， and local control （LC） rates were used as the assessment indices for treatment outcome； Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events v.4.03 was used to evaluate adverse reactions； the Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate OS， PFS， and LC rates. ResultsThe median follow-up time was 17 months. For all 27 patients， the 6-， 12-， 18-， and 24-month OS rates were 100%， 88%， 57.5%， and 47.9%， respectively； the 6-， 12-， 18-， and 24-month PFS rates were 74.1%， 58.6%， 47.9%， and 35.9%， respectively； the 6-， 12-， 18-， and 24-month LC rates were 96.3%， 91.9%， 84.8%， and 76.4%， respectively. No grade 3 or above toxic reactions were observed. Five patients were diagnosed with radiation-induced liver injury， but there was no death due to radiation-induced liver injury. ConclusionSBRT is safe and effective in the treatment of unresectable cholangiocarcinoma， with relatively high survival rate， PFS rate， and LC rate and low toxicity， and therefore， SBRT can be used as an alternative treatment method for patients with cholangiocarcinoma who are not candidates for surgery.

Effect and Mechanism of Osthole on Proliferation and Apoptosis in Human Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma HuCCT1 Cells / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect and mechanism of osthole on the proliferation and apoptosis in human intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma HuCCT1 cells. MethodThe effect of 10， 20， 40， 80， and 120 μmol·L-1 osthole on the proliferation of HuCCT1 cells was detected by the cell counting kit-8 （CCK-8）. A blank group， and low-， medium-， and high-dose osthole groups （16， 32， and 64 μmol·L-1） were set up. The effect of osthole on cell clone formation rate was detected by colony formation assay. The effect of osthole on cell cycle and apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. The effect of osthole on cell apoptotic morphology was detected by Hoechst 33342 fluorescent staining. The effect of osthole on cell cycle protein cyclin B1， proliferating cell nuclear antigen （PCNA）， cysteine-aspartic acid protease （Caspase）-9， Caspase-3， cleaved Caspase-9， cleaved Caspase-3， cleaved poly（ADP-ribose） polymerase （cleaved PARP）， B-cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2）， phosphorylated protein kinase B （p-Akt）， phosphorylated mammalian target of rapamycin （p-mTOR）， and phosphorylated ribosomal protein S6 （p-RPS6） was detected by Western blot. ResultThe cell viability in the osthole group（40，80，120 μmol·L-1） decreased （P<0.05，P<0.01）， with the half maximal inhibitory concentration （IC50） of 63.8 μmol·L-1 as compared with that in the blank group. Compared with the blank group， the osthole groups（32，64 μmol·L-1）showed reduced clone formation rate （P<0.01）， increased number of cells in the G2 phase （P<0.05，P<0.01）， decreased number of cells， increased pyknosis and fragmentation， increased apoptosis rate （P<0.05，P<0.01）， down-regulated expression of cyclin B1， PCNA， Bcl-2， Caspase-3， Caspase-9， p-Akt， p-mTOR， and p-RPS6 （P<0.05，P<0.01）， and up-regulated expression of cleaved Caspase-3， cleaved Caspase-9， and cleaved PARP （P<0.05，P<0.01）. ConclusionOsthole can inhibit the proliferation and promote the apoptosis of HuCCT1 cells， and its mechanism may be related to the Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.

Efficacy and safety of 125I intraluminal irradiation combined with lenvatinib in treatment of progressive extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma / 临床肝胆病杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy and safety of 125I intraluminal irradiation combined with lenvatinib in the treatment of progressive extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed for 25 patients with progressive extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma who attended Department of Interventional Radiology， The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University， from January 2018 to November 2021， and according to the treatment modality， they were divided into combination group with 13 patients （125I intraluminal irradiation combined with lenvatinib） and control group （125I intraluminal irradiation alone）. The two groups were compared in terms of technical success rates， changes in liver function， stent patency， survival time， and incidence rates of adverse events. The independent－samples t test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups， and the Wilcoxon rank－sum test was used for comparison of continuous data with skewed distribution between two groups； the Fisher’s exact test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups. The Kaplan－Meier method and the log－rank test were used to evaluate survival time and stent patency. ResultsAll patients had successful implantation of biliary stents and 125I particles， with a technical success rate of 100%. After 1 month of treatment， both groups had significant improvements in the serum levels of total bilirubin， direct bilirubin， alanine aminotransferase， and aspartate aminotransferase （all P<0.05）. There were significant differences between the control group and the combination group in the duration of stent patency （7.0 months vs 9.5 months， P=0.022） and median survival time （11.5 months vs 15.6 months， P=0.008）. There were no intolerable adverse events in the combination group during treatment. ConclusionCompared with 125I intraluminal irradiation alone， 125I intraluminal irradiation combined with lenvatinib has better efficacy and is a safe and effective treatment regimen for progressive extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

Progress in liver transplantation for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma / 器官移植

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is a primary malignant tumor of the liver, secondary to hepatocellular carcinoma, and its incidence tends to elevate worldwide. Hepatectomy is the optimal surgical regimen for ICC patients. ICC is considered as a contraindication for liver transplantation due to high tumor recurrence rate and poor survival outcome. At present, multiple significant progresses have been made in liver transplantation for ICC. For strictly-selected ICC patients, liver transplantation or liver transplantation after neoadjuvant therapy has achieved encouraging survival outcomes. Meantime, with the improvement of prognostic risk stratification of liver transplantation for ICC, the inclusion criteria of ICC candidates undergoing liver transplantation will be further optimized. In addition, the advancement of modern multi-mode comprehensive treatment of ICC will further guide the selection of neoadjuvant therapy before liver transplantation for ICC. The application of immune checkpoint inhibitors in ICC before liver transplantation is also an important research direction in the future. In this article, clinical prognosis of liver transplantation for ICC, prognostic risk factors and inclusion criteria of ICC candidates undergoing liver transplantation, and the ongoing trials and existing challenges were summarized, aiming to provide reference for liver transplantation for ICC and improve the quality of life for ICC patients.

The efficacy of the combination of radiofrequency ablation and endoscopic metal stent in the treatment of 44 patients with unresectable cholangiocarcinoma / 中华消化杂志

Objective:To explore the efficacy of the combination of radiofrequency ablation(RFA) and endoscopic metal stent in the treatment of patients with unresectable cholangiocarcinoma.Methods:From January 3, 2012 to June 30, 2019, at the Department of Endoscopic of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, the clinical data of 44 patients with unresectable cholangiocarcinoma who were treated by the combination of RFA and endoscopic metal stent were retrospectively collected, which included age, gender, location of cholangiocarcinoma(hilar cholangiocarcinoma and distal cholangiocarcinoma), etc. Postoperative evaluation was conducted based on the follow-up, including clinical success rate, postoperative complication rate, time of stent patency and overall survival time (OS). The Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test were used to analyze the difference of OS between patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma and distal cholangiocarcinoma. Mann-Whitney U test was used for statistical analysis. Results:The age of the 44 patients with cholangiocarcinoma was (70.3±11.6) years old, with 20 males (45.5%). There were 22 patients (50.0%) with hilar cholangiocarcinoma and 22 patients (50.0%) with distal cholangiocarcinoma. The clinical success rate of 44 patients was 93.2%(41/44). A total of 5 patients(11.4%) had postoperative complications, which were all improved by appropriate treatment. The median time of follow-up of the 44 patient was 9.2 months(ranged from 3.1 to 57.6 months), the median time of stent patency was 7.0 months (ranged from 5.8 to 8.2 months). Thirty-two patients (72.7%) died during the follow-up, and the median OS was 10.9 months(ranged from 9.0 to 12.8 months). The median OS of patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma was 7.8 months(ranged from 4.6 to 11.0 months) and that of patients with distal cholangiocarcinoma was 12.5 months(ranged from 5.7 to 19.4 months), and there was no statistically significant difference( P>0.05). Conclusion:RFA combined with endoscopic metal stent is safe and effective in the treatment of patients with unresectable cholangiocarcinoma.