Molecular classification of hepatoblastoma and prognostic value of the HB 16-gene signature

Characterisation of Aberrant Metabolic Pathways in Hepatoblastoma Using Liquid Chromatography and Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)

Hepatoblastoma (HB) is a rare childhood tumour with an evolving molecular landscape. We present the first comprehensive metabolomic analysis using untargeted and targeted liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) of paired tumour and non-tumour surgical samples in HB patients (n = 8 pairs). This study demonstrates that the metabolomic landscape of HB is distinct from that of non-tumour (NT) liver tissue, with 35 differentially abundant metabolites mapping onto pathways such as fatty acid transport, glycolysis, the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, branched-chain amino acid degradation and glutathione synthesis. Targeted metabolomics demonstrated reduced short-chain acylcarnitines and a relative accumulation of branched-chain amino acids. Medium- and long-chain acylcarnitines in HB were similar to those in NT. The metabolomic changes reported are consistent with previously reported transcriptomic data from tumour and non-tumour samples (49 out of 54 targets) as well as metabolomic data obtained using other techniques. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) from RNAseq data (n = 32 paired HB and NT samples) demonstrated a downregulation of the carnitine metabolome and immunohistochemistry showed a reduction in CPT1a (n = 15 pairs), which transports fatty acids into the mitochondria, suggesting a lack of utilisation of long-chain fatty acids in HB. Thus, our findings suggest a reduced metabolic flux in HB which is corroborated at the gene expression and protein levels. Further work could yield novel insights and new therapeutic targets.

Interaction between human leukocyte antigen (HLA-C) and killer cell Ig-like receptors (KIR2DL) inhibits the cytotoxicity of natural killer cells in patients with hepatoblastoma

BACKGROUND

Hepatoblastoma (HB) is the most common liver malignancy in childhood with poor prognosis and lack of effective therapeutic targets. Single-cell transcriptome sequencing technology has been widely used in the study of malignant tumors, which can understand the tumor microenvironment and tumor heterogeneity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Two children with HB and a healthy child were selected as the research subjects. Peripheral blood and tumor tissue were collected for single-cell transcriptome sequencing, and the sequencing data were compared and analyzed to describe the differences in the immune microenvironment between children with HB and normal children.

RESULTS

There were significant differences in the number and gene expression levels of natural killer cells (NK cells) between children with HB and normal children. More natural killer cells were seen in children with HB compared to normal control. KIR2DL were highly expressed in children with HB.

CONCLUSION

Single-cell transcriptome sequencing of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and tumor tissue from children with HB revealed that KIR2DL was significantly up-regulated in NK cells from children with HB. HLA-C molecules on the surface of tumor cells interact with inhibitory receptor KIR2DL on the surface of NK cells, inhibiting the cytotoxicity of NK cells, resulting in immune escape of tumors. Inhibitors of related immune checkpoints to block the interaction between HLA-C and KIR2DL and enhance the cytotoxicity of NK cells, which may be a new strategy for HB treatment.

Liver Tumors in Pediatric Patients

The most recent advance in the care of children diagnosed with hepatoblastoma and hepatocellular carcinoma is the Pediatric Hepatic International Tumor Trial, which opened to international enrollment in 2018. It is being conducted as a collaborative effort by the pediatric multicenter trial groups in North America, Europe, and the Far East. This international effort was catalyzed by a new unified global risk stratification system for hepatoblastoma, an international histopathologic consensus classification for pediatric liver tumors, and a revised 2017 collaborative update of the PRE-Treatment EXTent of disease radiographic based staging system.

Robot-assisted gallbladder-preserving hepatectomy for treating S5 hepatoblastoma in a child: A case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Hepatoblastoma (HB) is the most common hepatic malignant tumour in children, accounting for approximately 50%-60% of primary hepatic malignant tumours in children, mostly in children under 3 years old. In Western countries, the incidence of hepatoblastoma is approximately 1-2/100000. Da Vinci surgical system is fast becoming a key instrument in microinvasive surgery. The past decade has seen the rapid development of robot-assisted laparoscopy, which expends many fields including the liver surgery. This paper discusses the significance and feasibility of robot-assisted gallbladder-preserving hepatectomy for treating S5 hepatoblastoma in children. The aim of this essay is to compare the safety and effectiveness of robotic surgery with conventional laparoscopic surgery, and explore the meaning of preservation of the gallbladder by sharing this case.

CASE SUMMARY

A 3-year-old child with a liver mass in the 5th segment was treated using the Da Vinci surgical system, and the gallbladder was retained. The child was admitted to the hospital for 20 d for the discovery of the right hepatic lobe mass. Ultrasonography revealed a low echo mass, 46 mm × 26 mm × 58 mm in size, indicating hepatoblastoma in the right lobe, and enhanced computed tomography showed continuous enhancement of iso-low-density lesions with different sizes and nodules and unclear boundaries, without the dilation of the intrahepatic bile duct, no enlargement of the gallbladder, and uniform thickness of the wall. The diagnosis was "liver mass, hepatoblastoma". It was decided to perform S5 liver tumour resection. During surgery, the tumour and gallbladder were isolated first, and the gallbladder could be completely separated from the tumour surface without obvious infiltration; therefore, the gallbladder was preserved. The cutting line was marked with an electric hook. The hepatic duodenal ligament was blocked with a urethral catheter using the Pringle method, and the tumour and part of the normal liver tissue were completely resected with an ultrasound knife along the incision. The hepatic portal interdiction time was approximately 25 min. An abdominal drainage tube was inserted. The auxiliary hole was connected to the lens, and the specimen was removed. The patient's status was uneventful, and the operation time was 166 min. The robotic time was 115 min, and the bleeding amount was approximately 200 mL. In total, 300 mL of red blood cell suspension and 200 mL of plasma were injected. No serious complications occurred. Pathological findings confirmed fetal hepatoblastoma and R0 resection. A gallbladder contraction test was performed two weeks after surgery.

CONCLUSION

Robot-assisted S5 hepatectomy with gallbladder preservation is safe and feasible for specific patients.