Clinical Edge Journal Scan

Key clinical point: Pretransplant cytoreductive therapy is not associated with improved outcomes in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) who have undergone allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT).

Major finding: Five-year overall survival after diagnosis was 73.6% (95% confidence interval [CI], 70.3%-76.9%), 43.4% (95% CI, 39.2%-47.6%), and 46.9% (95% CI, 44.7%-49.1%) in the upfront transplantation (upfront), induction chemotherapy (CT), and hypomethylating agents alone (HMA) groups, respectively (P = .033). Treatment-related mortality was 13.0% (95% CI, 11.4%-15.1%), 32.4% (95% CI, 30.1%-35.3%), and 28.4% (95% CI, 26.2%-30.3%) in the 3 groups, respectively (P = .028).

Study details: A total of 157 MDS patients were categorized into 3 groups based on the pretransplantation therapy: upfront (n=54), CT (n=66), and HMA (n=37). In addition, 124 patients underwent allo-HSCT.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, Research and Development Program in Key Areas of Guangdong Province, Science and Technology Program of Guangzhou, and Clinical Research Start-up Project of Southern Medical University. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Chen Y et al. Int J Cancer. 2021 Apr 25. doi: 10.1002/ijc.33608.

Key clinical point: Pretransplant cytoreductive therapy is not associated with improved outcomes in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) who have undergone allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT).

Major finding: Five-year overall survival after diagnosis was 73.6% (95% confidence interval [CI], 70.3%-76.9%), 43.4% (95% CI, 39.2%-47.6%), and 46.9% (95% CI, 44.7%-49.1%) in the upfront transplantation (upfront), induction chemotherapy (CT), and hypomethylating agents alone (HMA) groups, respectively (P = .033). Treatment-related mortality was 13.0% (95% CI, 11.4%-15.1%), 32.4% (95% CI, 30.1%-35.3%), and 28.4% (95% CI, 26.2%-30.3%) in the 3 groups, respectively (P = .028).

Study details: A total of 157 MDS patients were categorized into 3 groups based on the pretransplantation therapy: upfront (n=54), CT (n=66), and HMA (n=37). In addition, 124 patients underwent allo-HSCT.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, Research and Development Program in Key Areas of Guangdong Province, Science and Technology Program of Guangzhou, and Clinical Research Start-up Project of Southern Medical University. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Chen Y et al. Int J Cancer. 2021 Apr 25. doi: 10.1002/ijc.33608.

Key clinical point: Pretransplant cytoreductive therapy is not associated with improved outcomes in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) who have undergone allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT).

Major finding: Five-year overall survival after diagnosis was 73.6% (95% confidence interval [CI], 70.3%-76.9%), 43.4% (95% CI, 39.2%-47.6%), and 46.9% (95% CI, 44.7%-49.1%) in the upfront transplantation (upfront), induction chemotherapy (CT), and hypomethylating agents alone (HMA) groups, respectively (P = .033). Treatment-related mortality was 13.0% (95% CI, 11.4%-15.1%), 32.4% (95% CI, 30.1%-35.3%), and 28.4% (95% CI, 26.2%-30.3%) in the 3 groups, respectively (P = .028).

Study details: A total of 157 MDS patients were categorized into 3 groups based on the pretransplantation therapy: upfront (n=54), CT (n=66), and HMA (n=37). In addition, 124 patients underwent allo-HSCT.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, Research and Development Program in Key Areas of Guangdong Province, Science and Technology Program of Guangzhou, and Clinical Research Start-up Project of Southern Medical University. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Chen Y et al. Int J Cancer. 2021 Apr 25. doi: 10.1002/ijc.33608.

Key clinical point: In patients with very high-risk TP53-mutated myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), addition of eprenetapopt to azacitidine (AZA) was safe and led to better clinical outcomes than AZA alone.

Major finding: The overall response rate in MDS patients was 62% including 47% complete remission. The median duration of response in MDS patients was 10.4 months. At a median follow-up of 9.7 months, the median overall survival in MDS patients was 12.1 months. Eprenetapopt plus AZA was generally well tolerated.

Study details: Phase 2 study of eprenetapopt plus AZA vs. AZA alone in 34 very high-risk TP53-mutated MDS patients.

Disclosures: The study was supported by Groupe Francophone des Myelodysplasies. The authors reported relationships with various pharmaceutical companies.

Source: Cluzeau T et al. J Clin Oncol. 2021 Feb 18. doi: 10.1200/JCO.20.02342.

Key clinical point: In patients with very high-risk TP53-mutated myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), addition of eprenetapopt to azacitidine (AZA) was safe and led to better clinical outcomes than AZA alone.

Major finding: The overall response rate in MDS patients was 62% including 47% complete remission. The median duration of response in MDS patients was 10.4 months. At a median follow-up of 9.7 months, the median overall survival in MDS patients was 12.1 months. Eprenetapopt plus AZA was generally well tolerated.

Study details: Phase 2 study of eprenetapopt plus AZA vs. AZA alone in 34 very high-risk TP53-mutated MDS patients.

Disclosures: The study was supported by Groupe Francophone des Myelodysplasies. The authors reported relationships with various pharmaceutical companies.

Source: Cluzeau T et al. J Clin Oncol. 2021 Feb 18. doi: 10.1200/JCO.20.02342.

Key clinical point: In patients with very high-risk TP53-mutated myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), addition of eprenetapopt to azacitidine (AZA) was safe and led to better clinical outcomes than AZA alone.

Major finding: The overall response rate in MDS patients was 62% including 47% complete remission. The median duration of response in MDS patients was 10.4 months. At a median follow-up of 9.7 months, the median overall survival in MDS patients was 12.1 months. Eprenetapopt plus AZA was generally well tolerated.

Study details: Phase 2 study of eprenetapopt plus AZA vs. AZA alone in 34 very high-risk TP53-mutated MDS patients.

Disclosures: The study was supported by Groupe Francophone des Myelodysplasies. The authors reported relationships with various pharmaceutical companies.

Source: Cluzeau T et al. J Clin Oncol. 2021 Feb 18. doi: 10.1200/JCO.20.02342.

Allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) remains the only potential curable option for patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). While MDS mainly occurs in older patients, MDS does occur in younger patients and prior studies have suggested better overall survival (OS) for younger patients undergoing allogeneic SCT.  Shimomura et al (BMT 2021) analyzed the outcome of 645 patients aged 16-39 years old who received allogeneic SCT in Japan. In this multicenter retrospective analysis, 3 year OS was 71%. In the cohort, 37% of patients had either intermediate-2 or high risk by IPSS, 41% had active disease prior to SCT, and 10% had secondary MDS.  In a multivariate analysis, active disease status, poor cytogenetic risk, and transplant other than from related donor were associated with poor 3 year OS. Cumulative 3 year relapse was 11% and 3 year non-relapse mortality was 19%, which is lower than those of older patients with MDS which ranges from 30-40%. Limitations from this analysis are lack of genetic mutation data, as well as lack of incorporation of prior MDS directed therapy with outcome analysis, however this analysis from a large retrospective cohort provides valuable information regarding outcome in young patients with MDS.

Use of melphalan in multiple myeloma is associated with increased risk of developing MDS and acute myeloid leukemia (AML).  Jonsdottir et al (European Journal of Hematology) reported results of a large population-based study using the Swedish cancer registry to determine relationship of exposure to melphalan treatment for multiple myeloma and development of subsequent MDS and AML. Out of 26,627 patients with multiple myeloma in the Swedish cancer registry, 0.5% (124) patients developed subsequent MDS or AML. The median time from multiple myeloma diagnosis to MDS or AML diagnosis was 3.8 years. There was about threefold higher cumulative exposure to melphalan among those who developed MDS or AML compared to those who did not develop MDS or AML (OR=2.8, 95% CI 1.7-5.2, P < 0.001). There was no difference among the groups in exposure and dosing of radiation therapy, cumulative dose of cyclophosphamide, or doxorubicine. This large population-based study confirms the association between melphalan therapy and development of MDS/AML.

Febrile neutropenia is a common complication for neutropenic patients undergoing therapy. Patients who develop febrile neutropenia are treated with empiric broad-spectrum antibiotics, however there is conflicting recommended duration of antimicrobial treatment in absence of evidence of bacterial infection. The Infectious Disease Society of America recommends antibiotic treatment until marrow recovery, while the European Conference of Infections in Leukemia guidelines suggest consideration of discontinuation after 72 hours if the patient is hemodynamically stable and afebrile for 48 hours. Schauwvlieghe et al (EClinical Medicine 2021) compared the outcome of MDS and AML patients with febrile neutropenia during induction chemotherapy receiving a shortened 3 day empiric antibiotic therapy in absence of documented infection to those receiving antibiotics until neutrophil recovery in a retrospective comparative cohort study in two hospitals in the HOVON network. The shorted antibiotic group received a median of 9 days of antibiotics, compared to 19 days. The primary endpoint was the rate of serious medical complications; there was no statistical difference between the two groups (12.5% for shortened antibiotics vs 8.9% for prolonged antibiotics, P = 0.17).  There was no difference in serious medical complications when adjusting for age, AML risk, non-pulmonary HCT-CI score, and year of admission. There was also no significant difference in infection-related 30-day mortality among the two groups. This study suggests that for patients who develop febrile neutropenia while receiving induction chemotherapy, it may be safe to consider stopping antibiotics after 3 days in absence of infection. A prospective trial should be considered to further evaluate the safety of shortened antibiotic course.

Allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) remains the only potential curable option for patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). While MDS mainly occurs in older patients, MDS does occur in younger patients and prior studies have suggested better overall survival (OS) for younger patients undergoing allogeneic SCT.  Shimomura et al (BMT 2021) analyzed the outcome of 645 patients aged 16-39 years old who received allogeneic SCT in Japan. In this multicenter retrospective analysis, 3 year OS was 71%. In the cohort, 37% of patients had either intermediate-2 or high risk by IPSS, 41% had active disease prior to SCT, and 10% had secondary MDS.  In a multivariate analysis, active disease status, poor cytogenetic risk, and transplant other than from related donor were associated with poor 3 year OS. Cumulative 3 year relapse was 11% and 3 year non-relapse mortality was 19%, which is lower than those of older patients with MDS which ranges from 30-40%. Limitations from this analysis are lack of genetic mutation data, as well as lack of incorporation of prior MDS directed therapy with outcome analysis, however this analysis from a large retrospective cohort provides valuable information regarding outcome in young patients with MDS.

Use of melphalan in multiple myeloma is associated with increased risk of developing MDS and acute myeloid leukemia (AML).  Jonsdottir et al (European Journal of Hematology) reported results of a large population-based study using the Swedish cancer registry to determine relationship of exposure to melphalan treatment for multiple myeloma and development of subsequent MDS and AML. Out of 26,627 patients with multiple myeloma in the Swedish cancer registry, 0.5% (124) patients developed subsequent MDS or AML. The median time from multiple myeloma diagnosis to MDS or AML diagnosis was 3.8 years. There was about threefold higher cumulative exposure to melphalan among those who developed MDS or AML compared to those who did not develop MDS or AML (OR=2.8, 95% CI 1.7-5.2, P < 0.001). There was no difference among the groups in exposure and dosing of radiation therapy, cumulative dose of cyclophosphamide, or doxorubicine. This large population-based study confirms the association between melphalan therapy and development of MDS/AML.

Febrile neutropenia is a common complication for neutropenic patients undergoing therapy. Patients who develop febrile neutropenia are treated with empiric broad-spectrum antibiotics, however there is conflicting recommended duration of antimicrobial treatment in absence of evidence of bacterial infection. The Infectious Disease Society of America recommends antibiotic treatment until marrow recovery, while the European Conference of Infections in Leukemia guidelines suggest consideration of discontinuation after 72 hours if the patient is hemodynamically stable and afebrile for 48 hours. Schauwvlieghe et al (EClinical Medicine 2021) compared the outcome of MDS and AML patients with febrile neutropenia during induction chemotherapy receiving a shortened 3 day empiric antibiotic therapy in absence of documented infection to those receiving antibiotics until neutrophil recovery in a retrospective comparative cohort study in two hospitals in the HOVON network. The shorted antibiotic group received a median of 9 days of antibiotics, compared to 19 days. The primary endpoint was the rate of serious medical complications; there was no statistical difference between the two groups (12.5% for shortened antibiotics vs 8.9% for prolonged antibiotics, P = 0.17).  There was no difference in serious medical complications when adjusting for age, AML risk, non-pulmonary HCT-CI score, and year of admission. There was also no significant difference in infection-related 30-day mortality among the two groups. This study suggests that for patients who develop febrile neutropenia while receiving induction chemotherapy, it may be safe to consider stopping antibiotics after 3 days in absence of infection. A prospective trial should be considered to further evaluate the safety of shortened antibiotic course.

Allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) remains the only potential curable option for patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). While MDS mainly occurs in older patients, MDS does occur in younger patients and prior studies have suggested better overall survival (OS) for younger patients undergoing allogeneic SCT.  Shimomura et al (BMT 2021) analyzed the outcome of 645 patients aged 16-39 years old who received allogeneic SCT in Japan. In this multicenter retrospective analysis, 3 year OS was 71%. In the cohort, 37% of patients had either intermediate-2 or high risk by IPSS, 41% had active disease prior to SCT, and 10% had secondary MDS.  In a multivariate analysis, active disease status, poor cytogenetic risk, and transplant other than from related donor were associated with poor 3 year OS. Cumulative 3 year relapse was 11% and 3 year non-relapse mortality was 19%, which is lower than those of older patients with MDS which ranges from 30-40%. Limitations from this analysis are lack of genetic mutation data, as well as lack of incorporation of prior MDS directed therapy with outcome analysis, however this analysis from a large retrospective cohort provides valuable information regarding outcome in young patients with MDS.

Use of melphalan in multiple myeloma is associated with increased risk of developing MDS and acute myeloid leukemia (AML).  Jonsdottir et al (European Journal of Hematology) reported results of a large population-based study using the Swedish cancer registry to determine relationship of exposure to melphalan treatment for multiple myeloma and development of subsequent MDS and AML. Out of 26,627 patients with multiple myeloma in the Swedish cancer registry, 0.5% (124) patients developed subsequent MDS or AML. The median time from multiple myeloma diagnosis to MDS or AML diagnosis was 3.8 years. There was about threefold higher cumulative exposure to melphalan among those who developed MDS or AML compared to those who did not develop MDS or AML (OR=2.8, 95% CI 1.7-5.2, P < 0.001). There was no difference among the groups in exposure and dosing of radiation therapy, cumulative dose of cyclophosphamide, or doxorubicine. This large population-based study confirms the association between melphalan therapy and development of MDS/AML.

Febrile neutropenia is a common complication for neutropenic patients undergoing therapy. Patients who develop febrile neutropenia are treated with empiric broad-spectrum antibiotics, however there is conflicting recommended duration of antimicrobial treatment in absence of evidence of bacterial infection. The Infectious Disease Society of America recommends antibiotic treatment until marrow recovery, while the European Conference of Infections in Leukemia guidelines suggest consideration of discontinuation after 72 hours if the patient is hemodynamically stable and afebrile for 48 hours. Schauwvlieghe et al (EClinical Medicine 2021) compared the outcome of MDS and AML patients with febrile neutropenia during induction chemotherapy receiving a shortened 3 day empiric antibiotic therapy in absence of documented infection to those receiving antibiotics until neutrophil recovery in a retrospective comparative cohort study in two hospitals in the HOVON network. The shorted antibiotic group received a median of 9 days of antibiotics, compared to 19 days. The primary endpoint was the rate of serious medical complications; there was no statistical difference between the two groups (12.5% for shortened antibiotics vs 8.9% for prolonged antibiotics, P = 0.17).  There was no difference in serious medical complications when adjusting for age, AML risk, non-pulmonary HCT-CI score, and year of admission. There was also no significant difference in infection-related 30-day mortality among the two groups. This study suggests that for patients who develop febrile neutropenia while receiving induction chemotherapy, it may be safe to consider stopping antibiotics after 3 days in absence of infection. A prospective trial should be considered to further evaluate the safety of shortened antibiotic course.

Key clinical point: Hepatocellular carcinoma patients with intermediate or advanced disease experienced significantly improved outcomes when treated with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) plus sorafenib vs. TACE only.

Major finding: Patients treated with TACE plus sorafenib showed a significant increase in average progression-free survival and overall survival compared to those treated with TACE only (21 months vs. 12 months and 32 months vs. 21 months, respectively).

Study details: The data come from a retrospective review of 85 adults with intermediate or advanced HCC who were treated with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) alone or with sorafenib.

Disclosures: The study received no outside funding. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.  

Source: Zou X et al. Cancer Manag Res. 2021 May 18. doi: 10.2147/CMAR.S304591. 

Key clinical point: Hepatocellular carcinoma patients with intermediate or advanced disease experienced significantly improved outcomes when treated with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) plus sorafenib vs. TACE only.

Major finding: Patients treated with TACE plus sorafenib showed a significant increase in average progression-free survival and overall survival compared to those treated with TACE only (21 months vs. 12 months and 32 months vs. 21 months, respectively).

Study details: The data come from a retrospective review of 85 adults with intermediate or advanced HCC who were treated with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) alone or with sorafenib.

Disclosures: The study received no outside funding. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.  

Source: Zou X et al. Cancer Manag Res. 2021 May 18. doi: 10.2147/CMAR.S304591. 

Key clinical point: Hepatocellular carcinoma patients with intermediate or advanced disease experienced significantly improved outcomes when treated with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) plus sorafenib vs. TACE only.

Major finding: Patients treated with TACE plus sorafenib showed a significant increase in average progression-free survival and overall survival compared to those treated with TACE only (21 months vs. 12 months and 32 months vs. 21 months, respectively).

Study details: The data come from a retrospective review of 85 adults with intermediate or advanced HCC who were treated with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) alone or with sorafenib.

Disclosures: The study received no outside funding. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.  

Source: Zou X et al. Cancer Manag Res. 2021 May 18. doi: 10.2147/CMAR.S304591. 

Key clinical point: Preoperative model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score, post hepatectomy liver failure score (PHLF), and HCC recurrence were independent predictors of survival for HCC patients with cirrhosis who underwent curative liver resection.

Major finding: The preoperative MELD score and grades A, B, or C of the post hepatectomy liver failure score (PHLF) were significant independent predictors for survival in HCC patients with cirrhosis who underwent curative liver resection, with hazard ratios of 1.37 (MELD), 2.33 (grade A), 3.15 (grade B), 373.41 (grade C). HCC recurrence also was a significant independent predictor of survival (HA 11.67).

Study details: The data come from a review of 120 adults with HCC with cirrhosis who underwent curative resection.

Disclosures: The study received no outside funding. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.  

Source: Elshaarawy O et al. World J Gastrointest Oncol. 2021 May 15. doi: 10.4251/wjgo.v13.i5.424.

Key clinical point: Preoperative model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score, post hepatectomy liver failure score (PHLF), and HCC recurrence were independent predictors of survival for HCC patients with cirrhosis who underwent curative liver resection.

Major finding: The preoperative MELD score and grades A, B, or C of the post hepatectomy liver failure score (PHLF) were significant independent predictors for survival in HCC patients with cirrhosis who underwent curative liver resection, with hazard ratios of 1.37 (MELD), 2.33 (grade A), 3.15 (grade B), 373.41 (grade C). HCC recurrence also was a significant independent predictor of survival (HA 11.67).

Study details: The data come from a review of 120 adults with HCC with cirrhosis who underwent curative resection.

Disclosures: The study received no outside funding. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.  

Source: Elshaarawy O et al. World J Gastrointest Oncol. 2021 May 15. doi: 10.4251/wjgo.v13.i5.424.

Key clinical point: Preoperative model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score, post hepatectomy liver failure score (PHLF), and HCC recurrence were independent predictors of survival for HCC patients with cirrhosis who underwent curative liver resection.

Major finding: The preoperative MELD score and grades A, B, or C of the post hepatectomy liver failure score (PHLF) were significant independent predictors for survival in HCC patients with cirrhosis who underwent curative liver resection, with hazard ratios of 1.37 (MELD), 2.33 (grade A), 3.15 (grade B), 373.41 (grade C). HCC recurrence also was a significant independent predictor of survival (HA 11.67).

Study details: The data come from a review of 120 adults with HCC with cirrhosis who underwent curative resection.

Disclosures: The study received no outside funding. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.  

Source: Elshaarawy O et al. World J Gastrointest Oncol. 2021 May 15. doi: 10.4251/wjgo.v13.i5.424.

Key clinical point: Hepatocellular carcinoma patients with lung or bone metastasis have a significantly worse prognosis than patients without these metastases.  

Major finding: In a multivariate analysis, independent predictors of poor overall survival and cancer-specific survival in HCC patients included age 52 years and older, male sex, low degree of tumor differentiation, N1 stage, lack of primary surgery or chemoradiotherapy, tumor size greater than 6 cm, and multiple organ metastasis.

Study details: The data come from a retrospective review of 3,126 adults with distant metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma from 2010 to 2015; patients were grouped based on metastatic sites.

Disclosures: The study was funded by the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.  

Source: Zhan H et al. Front Oncol. 2021 May 10. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2021.652768.

Key clinical point: Hepatocellular carcinoma patients with lung or bone metastasis have a significantly worse prognosis than patients without these metastases.  

Major finding: In a multivariate analysis, independent predictors of poor overall survival and cancer-specific survival in HCC patients included age 52 years and older, male sex, low degree of tumor differentiation, N1 stage, lack of primary surgery or chemoradiotherapy, tumor size greater than 6 cm, and multiple organ metastasis.

Study details: The data come from a retrospective review of 3,126 adults with distant metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma from 2010 to 2015; patients were grouped based on metastatic sites.

Disclosures: The study was funded by the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.  

Source: Zhan H et al. Front Oncol. 2021 May 10. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2021.652768.

Key clinical point: Hepatocellular carcinoma patients with lung or bone metastasis have a significantly worse prognosis than patients without these metastases.  

Major finding: In a multivariate analysis, independent predictors of poor overall survival and cancer-specific survival in HCC patients included age 52 years and older, male sex, low degree of tumor differentiation, N1 stage, lack of primary surgery or chemoradiotherapy, tumor size greater than 6 cm, and multiple organ metastasis.

Study details: The data come from a retrospective review of 3,126 adults with distant metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma from 2010 to 2015; patients were grouped based on metastatic sites.

Disclosures: The study was funded by the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.  

Source: Zhan H et al. Front Oncol. 2021 May 10. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2021.652768.

Key clinical point: Arterial input function and quality were similar for HCC patients who received either gadoxetate disodium or gadobenate dimeglumine during the first 3 minutes after contrast injection during DCE-MRI. 

Major finding: Measures of arterial input function quality, modelled, and model-free perfusion parameters were not significantly different for patients who received either gadoxetate disodium or gadobenate dimeglumine during the first 3 minutes after contrast injection during DCE-MRI; P values ranged from 0.054-0.932. However, patients in the gadoxetate disodium group showed significantly lower liver parenchymal flow and later liver enhancement (P < 0.001).

Study details: The data come from a prospective study of 66 adults with 83 hepatocellular carcinomas who underwent dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Disclosures: The study was supported in part by the National Institutes of Health. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.  

Source: Stocker D et al. Eur Radiol. 2021 May 27. doi: 10.1007/s00330-021-08068-5.

Key clinical point: Arterial input function and quality were similar for HCC patients who received either gadoxetate disodium or gadobenate dimeglumine during the first 3 minutes after contrast injection during DCE-MRI. 

Major finding: Measures of arterial input function quality, modelled, and model-free perfusion parameters were not significantly different for patients who received either gadoxetate disodium or gadobenate dimeglumine during the first 3 minutes after contrast injection during DCE-MRI; P values ranged from 0.054-0.932. However, patients in the gadoxetate disodium group showed significantly lower liver parenchymal flow and later liver enhancement (P < 0.001).

Study details: The data come from a prospective study of 66 adults with 83 hepatocellular carcinomas who underwent dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Disclosures: The study was supported in part by the National Institutes of Health. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.  

Source: Stocker D et al. Eur Radiol. 2021 May 27. doi: 10.1007/s00330-021-08068-5.

Key clinical point: Arterial input function and quality were similar for HCC patients who received either gadoxetate disodium or gadobenate dimeglumine during the first 3 minutes after contrast injection during DCE-MRI. 

Major finding: Measures of arterial input function quality, modelled, and model-free perfusion parameters were not significantly different for patients who received either gadoxetate disodium or gadobenate dimeglumine during the first 3 minutes after contrast injection during DCE-MRI; P values ranged from 0.054-0.932. However, patients in the gadoxetate disodium group showed significantly lower liver parenchymal flow and later liver enhancement (P < 0.001).

Study details: The data come from a prospective study of 66 adults with 83 hepatocellular carcinomas who underwent dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Disclosures: The study was supported in part by the National Institutes of Health. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.  

Source: Stocker D et al. Eur Radiol. 2021 May 27. doi: 10.1007/s00330-021-08068-5.

Key clinical point: No difference in overall survival occurred between HCC patients treated with Lipiodol

Major finding: The average overall tumor reduction was 21.45%; 19.95% in the Lipiodol-only group and 22.95% in the combination group (P = 0.653). However, patients in the combination group showed significant improvement in various degrees of tumor response compared to the Lipiodol-only group (P = 0.010).

Study details: The data come from a prospective, randomized trial of 44 men and 17 women, aged 44-85 years, with hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent transarterial chemoembolization (cTACE) using Lipiodol only or with additional use of degradable starch microspheres (DSM).

Disclosures: The study was supported by PharmaCept GmbH, Berlin, Germany. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.  

Source: Vogl TJ et al. Hepatol Int. 2021 May 27. doi: 10.1007/s12072-021-10193-8.

Key clinical point: No difference in overall survival occurred between HCC patients treated with Lipiodol

Major finding: The average overall tumor reduction was 21.45%; 19.95% in the Lipiodol-only group and 22.95% in the combination group (P = 0.653). However, patients in the combination group showed significant improvement in various degrees of tumor response compared to the Lipiodol-only group (P = 0.010).

Study details: The data come from a prospective, randomized trial of 44 men and 17 women, aged 44-85 years, with hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent transarterial chemoembolization (cTACE) using Lipiodol only or with additional use of degradable starch microspheres (DSM).

Disclosures: The study was supported by PharmaCept GmbH, Berlin, Germany. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.  

Source: Vogl TJ et al. Hepatol Int. 2021 May 27. doi: 10.1007/s12072-021-10193-8.

Key clinical point: No difference in overall survival occurred between HCC patients treated with Lipiodol

Major finding: The average overall tumor reduction was 21.45%; 19.95% in the Lipiodol-only group and 22.95% in the combination group (P = 0.653). However, patients in the combination group showed significant improvement in various degrees of tumor response compared to the Lipiodol-only group (P = 0.010).

Study details: The data come from a prospective, randomized trial of 44 men and 17 women, aged 44-85 years, with hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent transarterial chemoembolization (cTACE) using Lipiodol only or with additional use of degradable starch microspheres (DSM).

Disclosures: The study was supported by PharmaCept GmbH, Berlin, Germany. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.  

Source: Vogl TJ et al. Hepatol Int. 2021 May 27. doi: 10.1007/s12072-021-10193-8.

Key clinical point: Specific predictors for postoperative 90-day mortality for hepatocellular carcinoma patients after hepatic resection include Child-Pugh score, intraoperative blood loss, post-hepatectomy liver failure (PHLF), and peak serum bilirubin.

Major finding: The overall postoperative 90-day mortality rate for HCC patients after hepatic resection was 5.3%. Significant predictors of mortality Child-Pugh score (p < 0.001), intraoperative blood loss (P = 0.013), the 50-50 criteria for PHLF (P < 0.001) on postoperative day 5, and peak serum bilirubin >119 µmol/L (P = 0.007) on postoperative day 3. 

Study details: The data come from a retrospective study of 244 adults with HCC who underwent elective hepatic resection between January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2017. 

Disclosures: The study received no outside funding. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.  

Source: Lei GY et al. Visc Med. 2020 Oct 27. doi: 10.1159/000510811.

Key clinical point: Specific predictors for postoperative 90-day mortality for hepatocellular carcinoma patients after hepatic resection include Child-Pugh score, intraoperative blood loss, post-hepatectomy liver failure (PHLF), and peak serum bilirubin.

Major finding: The overall postoperative 90-day mortality rate for HCC patients after hepatic resection was 5.3%. Significant predictors of mortality Child-Pugh score (p < 0.001), intraoperative blood loss (P = 0.013), the 50-50 criteria for PHLF (P < 0.001) on postoperative day 5, and peak serum bilirubin >119 µmol/L (P = 0.007) on postoperative day 3. 

Study details: The data come from a retrospective study of 244 adults with HCC who underwent elective hepatic resection between January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2017. 

Disclosures: The study received no outside funding. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.  

Source: Lei GY et al. Visc Med. 2020 Oct 27. doi: 10.1159/000510811.

Key clinical point: Specific predictors for postoperative 90-day mortality for hepatocellular carcinoma patients after hepatic resection include Child-Pugh score, intraoperative blood loss, post-hepatectomy liver failure (PHLF), and peak serum bilirubin.

Major finding: The overall postoperative 90-day mortality rate for HCC patients after hepatic resection was 5.3%. Significant predictors of mortality Child-Pugh score (p < 0.001), intraoperative blood loss (P = 0.013), the 50-50 criteria for PHLF (P < 0.001) on postoperative day 5, and peak serum bilirubin >119 µmol/L (P = 0.007) on postoperative day 3. 

Study details: The data come from a retrospective study of 244 adults with HCC who underwent elective hepatic resection between January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2017. 

Disclosures: The study received no outside funding. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.  

Source: Lei GY et al. Visc Med. 2020 Oct 27. doi: 10.1159/000510811.

Key clinical point: The DEPDC1B gene restrained growth of tumors associated with HCC progression both in vitro and in vivo.

Major finding: Knockdown of DEPDC1B inhibited the progression of HCC by inhibiting cell proliferation, migration, and colony formation, also by promoting cell apoptosis in vitro.

Study details: The data come from an in vitro and in vivo analysis of DEPDC1B using immunohistochemical staining to detect expression in tumor tissues and normal tissues, and a  xenograft model was used to show the functions of DEPC1B on tumor growth in vivo.

Disclosures: The study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 81602100) and Natural Science Foundation of Shanghai. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.  

Source: Dang X-W et al. Aging. 2021 May 25. doi: 10.18632/aging.203016.

Key clinical point: The DEPDC1B gene restrained growth of tumors associated with HCC progression both in vitro and in vivo.

Major finding: Knockdown of DEPDC1B inhibited the progression of HCC by inhibiting cell proliferation, migration, and colony formation, also by promoting cell apoptosis in vitro.

Study details: The data come from an in vitro and in vivo analysis of DEPDC1B using immunohistochemical staining to detect expression in tumor tissues and normal tissues, and a  xenograft model was used to show the functions of DEPC1B on tumor growth in vivo.

Disclosures: The study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 81602100) and Natural Science Foundation of Shanghai. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.  

Source: Dang X-W et al. Aging. 2021 May 25. doi: 10.18632/aging.203016.

Key clinical point: The DEPDC1B gene restrained growth of tumors associated with HCC progression both in vitro and in vivo.

Major finding: Knockdown of DEPDC1B inhibited the progression of HCC by inhibiting cell proliferation, migration, and colony formation, also by promoting cell apoptosis in vitro.

Study details: The data come from an in vitro and in vivo analysis of DEPDC1B using immunohistochemical staining to detect expression in tumor tissues and normal tissues, and a  xenograft model was used to show the functions of DEPC1B on tumor growth in vivo.

Disclosures: The study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 81602100) and Natural Science Foundation of Shanghai. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.  

Source: Dang X-W et al. Aging. 2021 May 25. doi: 10.18632/aging.203016.