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Urine tests could improve diagnosis of liver cancer

New data from two clinical trials presented today at the International Liver Congress- 2013 demonstrate substantial improvements in the detection of both hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma (CC) using diagnostic urine tests.

26 Apr 2013

Shorter surveillance intervals detect HCC earlier

Hepatocellular carcinoma surveillance in at-risk patients at intervals of less than 6 months picks up smaller tumors compared with longer intervals, show two recently published studies.

28 Jan 2013

Recurrence risk can be identified before hepatectomy

Patients who are likely to experience disease recurrence after undergoing hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma can be identified by factors that are available preoperatively, indicate the results of a Hong Kong study.

31 Oct 2012

Estrogen may mediate low incidence of HCC in women

Study findings suggest that estrogen may have a suppressive effect on hepatocellular carcinoma, potentially explaining its lower incidence in women.

18 Jul 2012

Exelixis reports positive interim data from cabozantinib phase 2 trial on HCC

Exelixis, Inc. today reported positive updated interim data from the cohort of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients participating in the ongoing phase 2 randomized discontinuation trial (RDT) of cabozantinib.

4 Jun 2012

Positive preliminary data from Exelixis' cabozantinib phase 2 trial on HCC

Exelixis, Inc. today reported positive preliminary data from the cohort of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients participating in the ongoing phase 2 randomized discontinuation trial (RDT) of cabozantinib.

20 Jan 2012

Two studies uncover limitations in screening for hepatocellular carcinoma

Two studies available in the December issue of Hepatology, a journal of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, have uncovered limitations in screening for primary liver cancer, also known as hepatocellular carcinoma.

2 Dec 2011

Combination therapy improves outcomes for liver cancer patients: Study

A combination of an oral drug, called sorafenib, and a method for injecting microbeads of chemotherapy directly into tumors has been proven safe for liver cancer patients and may improve outcomes for those who have these fast-growing, deadly tumors whose numbers are on the rise in the U.S.

1 Oct 2011

Saffron promotes apoptosis and inhibits growth of cancerous cells

New research suggests that saffron provides a significant chemopreventive effect against liver cancer in animal models. When saffron was administered to rats with diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced liver cancer an inhibition of cell proliferation and stimulation of apoptosis was observed. Full findings appear in the September issue of Hepatology, a journal published by Wiley Blackwell on behalf of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.

22 Aug 2011

Wako receives FDA 510(k) clearance for uTASWako i30 with AFP-L3 and DCP assays

Wako Diagnostics, a division of Wako Chemicals USA, has received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market the uTASWako i30 instrument with alpha-fetoprotein L3 (AFP-L3) and des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin (DCP) in vitro diagnostic (IVD) tests in the USA.

2 Mar 2011

Survival following transplant surgery for liver cancer not impacted by HIV-positive status

French researchers determined that infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) impaired results of transplant surgery for liver cancer, with more HIV infected patients dropping off the transplantation wait list. The team found that overall survival and recurrence-free survival was not impacted following liver transplantation in patients with controlled HIV disease.

25 Jan 2011

Liver cancer in cirrhotic patients effectively treated with radiofrequency ablation

Researchers from Italy determined that radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a safe and effective therapy for managing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in cirrhotic patients. The high repeatability of RFA is advantageous in controlling recurrences of cancerous tumors in the liver. Results of this 10-year retrospective study are available in the January 2011 issue of Hepatology, a journal published by Wiley-Blackwell on behalf of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD).

16 Dec 2010

RFA highly valuable therapy for controlling cancerous nodules

16 Dec 2010

Female mice that lack fucose mutarotase gene exhibit male-like sexual behavior

The mammalian fucose mutarotase enzyme is known to be involved in incorporating the sugar fucose into protein. Female mice that lack the fucose mutarotase (FucM) gene refuse to let males mount them, and will attempt copulation with other female mice. Researchers writing in BioMed Central's open access journal BMC Genetics created the FucM mouse mutants in order to investigate the role of this enzyme in vivo.

9 Jul 2010

AASLD recommends surveillance in patients with cirrhosis who are at high risk of developing HCC

A study conducted by researchers at the Baylor College of Medicine found that fewer than 20% of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma preceded by cirrhosis were monitored for the development of cancer. Full findings of this study are published in the July issue of Hepatology, a journal of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases .

10 Jun 2010

GTC Biotherapeutics reports lower total net loss of $7.7M for first-quarter 2010

GTC Biotherapeutics, Inc. today reported its financial results for the first fiscal quarter ended April 4, 2010. The total net loss for the first quarter was $7.7 million, or $0.26 per share, compared to $10.4 million, or $0.99 per share, for the first quarter of 2009.

12 May 2010

Study shows promising basis for development of effective liver-cancer screening test

Liver cancer is the fifth most common cancer in the world and one of the deadliest cancers since it is rarely diagnosed until late in its development.

12 Apr 2010

Liver cancer: Treatment with intra-arterial yttrium-90 microspheres promising

An interventional radiology treatment-the use of intra-arterial yttrium-90 microspheres for liver cancer (also known as hepatocellular carcinoma)-shows promise in prolonging life for many patients with this devastating condition, according to researchers at the Society of Interventional Radiology's 35th Annual Scientific Meeting in Tampa, Fla.

17 Mar 2010

GTC Biotherapeutics reports total net loss of $1.7M for fourth-quarter 2009

GTC Biotherapeutics, Inc. today reported its financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended January 3, 2010. The total net loss for the fourth quarter was $1.7 million, or $0.09 per share, compared with $6.2 million, or $0.60 per share, for the fourth quarter of 2008. The total net loss for 2009 was $27.9 million, or $2.18 per share, compared to $22.7 million, or $2.31 per share, for 2008.

12 Mar 2010

Liver transplantation specialists form guidelines for allocation of organs for patients with HCC

Liver transplantation specialists recently convened to address U.S. guidelines for allocation of organs for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC, liver cancer). Representatives from more than 130 U.S. transplant centers were invited to the conference and participants included 180 leaders in liver transplantation (LT) from the 50 most active centers.

5 Mar 2010