Therapies for hepatocellular carcinoma: overview, clinical indications, and comparative outcome evaluation. Part two: noncurative intention

Dysregulation of TNF-induced protein 3 and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein β in alveolar macrophages: Implications for systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease

OBJECTIVES

This study investigates the role of TNF-induced protein 3 (TNFAIP3) and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein β (C/EBPβ) in alveolar macrophages (AMs) of patients with systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD) and their influence on pulmonary fibrosis.

METHODS

Transfection of HEK293T cells and AMs with plasmids carrying TNFAIP3 and C/EBPβ was performed, followed by co-culturing AMs with pulmonary fibroblasts. Immunoblotting analysis was then utilized to assess the expression of TNFAIP3, C/EBPβ, and collagen type 1 (Col1). Quantitative PCR analysis was conducted to quantify the mRNA levels of C/EBPβ, IL-10, and TGF-β1. STRING database analysis, and immunoprecipitation assays were employed to investigate the interactions between TNFAIP3 and C/EBPβ.

RESULTS

TNFAIP3 expression was significantly reduced in SSc-ILD AMs, correlating with increased Col1 production in fibroblasts. Overexpression of TNFAIP3 inhibited this pro-fibrotic activity. Conversely, C/EBPβ expression was elevated in SSc-ILD AMs, and its reduction through TNFAIP3 restoration decreased pro-fibrotic cytokines IL-10 and TGFβ1 levels. Protein-protein interaction studies confirmed the regulatory relationship between TNFAIP3 and C/EBPβ.

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlights the important role of TNFAIP3 in regulating pulmonary fibrosis in SSc-ILD by modulating C/EBPβ expression in AMs. These findings suggest that targeting TNFAIP3 could be a potential therapeutic strategy for managing SSc-ILD patients.

Local and Regional Therapies for Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Future Combinations

Simple Summary

Percutaneous interventional radiological techniques offer many alternatives for treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) using local anesthesia and sedation. These methods aim to destroy the malignant tumors locally without affecting the non-malignant liver. In this way, complications are kept low and patient recovery is quick. Indications depend on tumor size, type and stage, as well as patient’s condition, liver function and co-morbidities. In recent years, a lot of research has been made in combining such approaches with immune therapy, but there is still much work to be done. This manuscript tries to analyze where we stand today and explain, using a comprehensive algorithm, the treatment options for each different clinical condition.

Abstract

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) can be treated by local and regional methods of percutaneous interventional radiological techniques. Indications depend on tumor size, type and stage, as well as patient’s condition, liver function and co-morbidities. According to international classification systems such as Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) classification, very early, early or intermediate staged tumors can be treated either with ablative methods or with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), depending on tumor characteristics. The combination of both allows for individualized forms of treatment with the ultimate goal of improving response and survival. In recent years, a lot of research has been carried out in combining locoregional approaches with immune therapy. Although recent developments in systemic treatment, especially immunotherapy, seem quite promising and have expanded possible combined treatment options, there is still not enough evidence in their favor. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive up-to-date overview of all these techniques, explaining indications, contraindications, technical problems, outcomes, results and complications. Moreover, combinations of percutaneous treatment with each other or with immunotherapy and future options will be discussed. Use of all those methods as down-staging or bridging solutions until surgery or transplantation are taken into consideration will also be reviewed. Conclusion: Local and regional therapies remain a mainstay of curative and palliative treatment of patients with HCC. Currently, evidence on potential combination of the local and regional treatment options with each other as well as with other treatment modalities is growing and has the potential to further individualize HCC therapy. To identify the most suitable treatment option out of these new various options, a repeated interdisciplinary discussion of each case by the tumor board is of utmost importance.

Inter-observer agreement using the LI-RADS version 2018 CT treatment response algorithm in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma treated with conventional transarterial chemoembolization

Aim

To determine inter-reader agreement in categorization of imaging features using the Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) treatment response (LR-TR) algorithm in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with conventional transarterial chemoembolization (cTACE).

Methods

Two radiologists used the LR-TR algorithm to assess 112 computed tomography (CT) examinations of 102 patients treated with cTACE. The inter-observer agreement in categorization of LR-TR features was assessed using kappa (κ) statistics.

Results

There was substantial inter-observer agreement between the two reviewers using the LR-TR algorithm (κ = 0.70; 95% CI 0.58–0.81). The two reviewers categorized tumors as non-viable in 37 (33.0%) and 39 (34.8%) of 112 examinations, viable in 58 (51.8%) and 62 (55.4%) examinations, and equivocal in 18 (16.1%) and 11 (9.8%) examinations, respectively. There was almost perfect inter-observer agreement for the LR-TR non-viable category (κ = 0.80; 95% CI 0.68–0.92), substantial agreement for the viable category (κ = 0.78 95% CI 0.67–0.90), and fair agreement for the equivocal category (κ = 0.25; 95% CI 0.02–0.49).

Conclusion

The LR-TR algorithm conveys high degrees of inter-observer agreement for the assessment of CT imaging features in the viable and non-viable categories. Further refinement of indeterminate features may be necessary to improve the correct categorization of equivocal lesions.

Graphic abstract