Liver Cancer News and Research

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Liver cancer is more common in older people. Over half of people newly diagnosed with liver cancer are age 65 and over. Liver cancer is more common in men than in women. Liver cancer rates are highest among Asians and Pacific Islanders, most likely because of higher prevalence of viral Hepatitis infection. Liver cancer rates are lower among whites than Blacks or Asians and Pacific Islanders. At this time, we do not know exactly what causes cancer of the liver. There are several different types of liver cancer. The most common type is associated with long-term excessive alcoholic beverage use, scarring of the liver (cirrhosis), and Hepatitis B virus or Hepatitis C virus infection. Long-term use of anabolic steroids can also increase the risk of getting liver cancer. Smoking is also believed to increase the risk of getting liver cancer.

Postoperative complications more likely to occur at low-volume institutions

The frequency of post-operative complications following surgery for liver cancer is associated with a hospital having a low volume of liver surgery. Investigators at The Cancer Institute of New Jersey (CINJ) are presenting that finding at the 63rd Annual Society of Surgical Oncology Symposium taking place this week in St. Louis. CINJ is a Center of Excellence of UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

6 Mar 2010

Study reports increased incidence of colorectal cancer in China

The incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) in China is lower than that in the west countries, but has increased in recent years and become a substantial cancer burden in China, particularly in the more developed areas.

6 Mar 2010

Closing small bowel stomas: Minimal delay optimal

It is generally recommended that a temporary stoma be closed within 9-12 wk after its construction. However, because some patients poorly tolerate the temporary stoma owing to extracellular dehydration, difficult pouch fitting, parenteral nutrition requirement in cases when the stoma is very proximal, and psychological or social impact, it might be advisable to opt for early closure.

6 Mar 2010

Hypertension: Regular nifedipine administration may lead to development of GERD

Nifedipine, a calcium-channel blocker, was shown to decrease lower esophageal sphincter pressure and increase esophageal acid exposure time, while atenolol, a b1 blocker, was shown to inhibit relaxation of the smooth muscle of the esophagus. However, the influence of these anti-hypertensive drugs on the segment of esophageal body contraction using high-resolution manometry was not fully investigated.

5 Mar 2010

Study explores prognostic biomarkers in patients with lymph node-negative colorectal cancer

Tumor budding at the invasive tumor front of colorectal cancer is recognized as an independent prognostic factor significantly related to both lymph node and distant metastasis.

5 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

Worm proteins may provide option in management of gastrointestinal inflammation in IBD patients

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) suffer from chronic inflammation of the gut leading to gastrointestinal motility alterations with symptoms such as abdominal pain, cramps and diarrhea that profoundly affect their quality of life. The lack of exposure to worm infections, as a result of improved living standards and medical conditions, might have contributed to the increased incidence of IBD in the Western world.

5 Mar 2010

Signaling mechanisms responsible for HGF-induced CCA invasiveness: More insight

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), a bile duct cancer, is one of the major cancers in Northeast Thailand. This cancer is difficult to diagnose and has high metastatic and mortality rates. Overexpression of Met, a hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) receptor, has frequently been found in CCA and is correlated with progression of this type of cancer.

5 Mar 2010

South West Liver Unit researchers receive grants for developing Hepatitis C vaccine

Researchers at the South West Liver Unit, based at Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust and supported by the Peninsula Medical School, are working to save more lives and improve the health of Hepatitis C sufferers around the world by developing a vaccine for the disease.

5 Mar 2010

Enanta Pharmaceuticals nominates EDP-239 lead development candidate from NS5A HCV inhibitor program

Enanta Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today the nomination of lead development candidate, EDP-239, from its NS5A hepatitis C virus (HCV) inhibitor program. EDP-239 has demonstrated picomolar potency against multiple genotypes of the virus and a preclinical pharmacokinetic profile amenable to once-a-day dosing.

3 Mar 2010

Abbott and Enanta advance treatment for Hepatitis C

Abbott and Enanta Pharmaceuticals announced today the advancement of their Hepatitis C (HCV) collaboration into Phase 2 clinical trials.

2 Mar 2010

Celsion to commence Phase II Study of ThermoDox and RFA for CRLM

Celsion Corporation today announced that it will initiate a Randomized Phase II Study of Lyso-Thermosensitive Liposomal Doxorubicin (ThermoDox®) and Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) for Colorectal Liver Metastases (CRLM). Dr. Steven K. Libutti, Professor and Vice Chairman, Department of Surgery and Director of the Montefiore-Einstein Center for Cancer Care and Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City, will serve as Principal Investigator for the study.

2 Mar 2010

Short-term dose of losartan-M6PHSA reduces liver inflammation and fibrosis: Study

A recent study found that rats with advanced fibrosis that were administered a short-term dose of losartan-M6PHSA had reduced liver inflammation and fibrosis. Those animals treated with oral losartan alone did not experience a similar reduction in disease activity. Results of this study appear in the March issue of Hepatology, a journal published by Wiley-Blackwell on behalf of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.

1 Mar 2010

Study shows ghrelin prevents acute liver damage, reduces oxidative stress and inflammation

Spanish researchers determined that rats treated with recombinant ghrelin displayed a reduction in liver fibrosis. Ghrelin, a stomach hormone, reduced the amount of fibrogenic cells by 25% in the treated rodents. Research further showed ghrelin prevented acute liver damage and reduced oxidative stress and inflammation in the animal models.

1 Mar 2010

Widely used biomarkers in early detection of liver cancer are not ideal: Study

Widely used biomarkers are not optimal in early detection of liver cancer, the third most common cause of cancer-related death worldwide, according to a new study published in this month's Gastroenterology.

26 Feb 2010

Combining DCP and AFP biomarkers may improve early detection of liver cancer

While biomarkers are needed to complement ultrasound in the early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC; liver cancer), neither des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin (DCP) nor the most widely used biomarker, alpha fetoprotein (AFP), is optimal, according to a new study in Gastroenterology, the official journal of the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Institute.

26 Feb 2010

Lack of knowledge and awareness impeding efforts to control HBV and HCV

A recent report by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) confirmed that 3.5 to 5.3 million people (1-2 % of the U.S. population) have chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections. Despite efforts by federal, state and local government agencies to control and prevent these diseases, they remain a serious public health concern. The major factor impeding efforts to control HBV and HCV is lack of knowledge and awareness among health care providers, social service professionals, members of the public, and policy-makers.

24 Feb 2010

Sorafenib drug therapy can reduce the size of primary kidney tumors before surgery

More than 57,000 Americans face a diagnosis of kidney cancer each year. Now patients with advanced disease may soon have another treatment option. Physicians who conducted a pilot study at UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center found that therapy before surgery with the drug sorafenib can reduce the size of large tumors and could be safely undertaken administered without adding significantly to the risks of surgery.

17 Feb 2010

Fourth-quarter and full-year 2009 results announced by Celsion

Celsion Corporation, a leading oncology drug development company, today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2009. Management also highlighted the progress made in clinical trials of ThermoDox®, Celsion's heat activated liposomal encapsulation of doxorubicin, including the Company's pivotal Phase III trial for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common form of primary liver cancer, and recurrent chest wall breast cancer.

17 Feb 2010

LCA announces new internet link with renowned lung cancer research center in Zhuhai, China

Lung Cancer Alliance (LCA) announced today a new internet link with a renown lung cancer research center at the 5th Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, in Zhuhai, China.

15 Feb 2010

Liver Cancer News and Research

Further Reading

Postoperative complications more likely to occur at low-volume institutions

Study reports increased incidence of colorectal cancer in China

Closing small bowel stomas: Minimal delay optimal

Hypertension: Regular nifedipine administration may lead to development of GERD

Study explores prognostic biomarkers in patients with lymph node-negative colorectal cancer

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

Worm proteins may provide option in management of gastrointestinal inflammation in IBD patients

Signaling mechanisms responsible for HGF-induced CCA invasiveness: More insight

South West Liver Unit researchers receive grants for developing Hepatitis C vaccine

Enanta Pharmaceuticals nominates EDP-239 lead development candidate from NS5A HCV inhibitor program

Abbott and Enanta advance treatment for Hepatitis C

Celsion to commence Phase II Study of ThermoDox and RFA for CRLM

Short-term dose of losartan-M6PHSA reduces liver inflammation and fibrosis: Study

Study shows ghrelin prevents acute liver damage, reduces oxidative stress and inflammation

Widely used biomarkers in early detection of liver cancer are not ideal: Study

Combining DCP and AFP biomarkers may improve early detection of liver cancer

Lack of knowledge and awareness impeding efforts to control HBV and HCV

Sorafenib drug therapy can reduce the size of primary kidney tumors before surgery

Fourth-quarter and full-year 2009 results announced by Celsion

LCA announces new internet link with renowned lung cancer research center in Zhuhai, China

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

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