scholarly journals Alpha-fetoprotein: A molecular bootstrap for hepatocellular carcinoma

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 92-95
Author(s):  
Ashokachakkaravarthy Kandasamy ◽  
Biju Pottakkat
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Immune Responses ◽  
Immune Evasion ◽  
Fetal Liver ◽  
Tumor Biology ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Alpha Fetoprotein ◽  
Recurrence Rates ◽  
Differentiated Cells ◽  
Poorly Differentiated

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is well known for its aggressive nature and high recurrence rates. Alpha- fetoprotein (AFP) secreting tumors are more common in HCC. However, a few proportion of HCC do not produce AFP more than the basal level. AFP secreting tumors are more aggressive in nature since the ability of AFP to promote effective progression, growth, and metastasis of tumor. AFP also intervenes the immune system to evade the immune responses against cancer cells. AFP-producing tumors contain poorly differentiated cells similar to embryonic stem cells of liver mimicking rapid replication, proliferation, and AFP secretion by fetal liver. In this review, we highlight the crucial roles of AFP in immune evasion, aggressiveness, progression, and tumor biology of HCC.

scholarly journals Mitotic quiescence in hepatic cancer stem cells: An incognito mode

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kandasamy Ashokachakkaravarthy ◽  
Biju Pottakkat
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Stem Cells ◽  
Cancer Stem Cells ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Immune Evasion ◽  
Immune Surveillance ◽  
Cancer Recurrence ◽  
Tumor Formation ◽  
Proliferating Cells ◽  
Recurrence Rates

Hepatocellular carcinoma represents one of the most aggressive cancers with high recurrence rates. The high recurrence is a major problem in the management of this disease. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are often regarded as the basis of cancer recurrence. The anti-proliferative therapy kills the proliferating cells but induces mitotic quiescence in CSCs which remain as residual dormant CSCs. Later on, withdrawal of treatment reactivates the residual CSCs from dormancy to produce new cancer cells. The proliferation of these newly formed cancer cells initiates new tumor formation in the liver leading to tumor recurrence. HCC cells evade the immune surveillance via modulating the key immune cells by alpha feto-protein (AFP) secreted from CSCs or hepatic progenitor cells. This AFP mediated immune evasion assists in establishing new tumors by cancer cells in the liver. In this review, we will summarise the CSC mechanisms of recurrence, mitotic quiescence, dormancy and reactivation of CSCs, metastasis and immune evasion of hepatocellular carcinoma.

scholarly journals Current immunotherapeutic strategies in hepatocellular carcinoma: recent advances and future directions

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 805-814 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hwi Young Kim ◽  
Joong-Won Park
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Immune Responses ◽  
Cancer Vaccines ◽  
Immune Checkpoint Blockade ◽  
Recurrence Rates ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Optimal Outcomes ◽  
Recent Advances ◽  
Promising Target ◽  
Tumor Stages

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common and serious health problem with high mortality. Treatment for HCC remains largely unsatisfactory owing to its high recurrence rates and frequent accompanying cirrhosis. In addition, the unique immune environment of the liver promotes tolerance, which, in conjunction with immune evasion by the disease, makes HCC a less promising target for conventional immunotherapy. However, recent advances in the immunotherapy have led to novel approaches to overcome these obstacles by manipulating and enhancing tumor-specific immune responses against HCC by using various modalities, such as cancer vaccines and immune checkpoint blockade. These treatments have shown both safety and promising outcomes in patients with HCC of various etiologies and tumor stages. Furthermore, combined strategies have been assessed to achieve optimal outcomes, by using immunotherapies with or without conventional treatments. This review briefly covers the background, recent advances, current issues, and future perspectives on immunotherapy in the field of HCC treatment.

Characterization of the Nonendocrine Cell Populations in Human Embryonic Stem Cell–Derived (hESC) Islet-Like Clusters Posttransplantation

2021 ◽  
pp. 019262332110363
Author(s):  
Nikolai K. Jensen ◽  
Camilla Ingvorsen ◽  
Dorthe R. Petersen ◽  
Maria J. Pereira ◽  
Tess T. H. Lu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Immunodeficient Mice ◽  
Differentiated Cells ◽  
Process Characterization ◽  
Poorly Differentiated ◽  
Teratoma Formation

Islet-like clusters derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESC) hold the potential to cure type 1 diabetes mellitus. Differentiation protocols of islet-like clusters lead to the generation of minor fractions of nonendocrine cells, which are mainly from endodermal and mesodermal lineages, and the risk of implanting these is unclear. In the present study, the histogenesis and the tumorigenicity of nonendocrine cells were investigated in vivo. Immunodeficient mice were implanted under the kidney capsule with islet-like clusters which were derived from differentiation of cells batches with either an intermediate or poor cell purity and followed for 8 or 26 weeks. Using immunohistochemistry and other techniques, it was found that the intermediate differentiated cell implants had limited numbers of small duct-like cysts and nonpancreatic tissue resembling gastrointestinal and retinal pigmented epithelium. In contrast, highly proliferative cystic teratomas were found at a high incidence at the implant site after 8 weeks, only in the animals implanted with the poorly differentiated cells. These findings indicate that the risk for teratoma formation and the amount of nonpancreatic tissue can be minimized by careful in-process characterization of the cells and thus highlights the importance of high purity at transplantation and a thorough ex-vivo characterization during cell product development.

Fetal Immune Responses Post In Utero Transplantation of Embryonic Stem Cells, Bone Marrow and Fetal Liver Hematopoietic Stem Cells.

Blood ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 110 (11) ◽  
pp. 4058-4058
Author(s):  
Elena Nedelcu ◽  
Mohamed Moustafa ◽  
Anand Srivastava ◽  
Jody Donahue ◽  
Ewa Carrier
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Immune Responses ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem Cells ◽  
Cytokine Production ◽  
Fetal Liver ◽  
Es Cells ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
In Utero ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
In Utero Transplantation

Abstract Introduction: We have previously shown that in utero transplanted ES cells survive and integrate into the fetus development and have established a murine model for the study of the in vivo differentiation of ES cells. The goal of this study was to monitor the fetal immune responses post in utero transplantation of ES cells, bone marrow (BM) and fetal liver (FL) hematopoietic stem cells. Materials and Methods: Murine (MHC)-mismatched ES cells genetically engineered to express yellow fluorescent protein (YFP-ES cells) were cultured on mitomycin-treated feeder layers for four days prior to in utero transplantation (IUT) in medium containing leukemia inhibitory factor. A cell dose of 5x104 YFP-ES cells ((H-2kb) was injected intraperitoneally in the fetuses of Balb/c (H-2Kd) pregnant mice at E12- E14. BM and FL hematopoietic stem cells (H-2kb) were transplanted in utero at a dosage of 1×109 cells/kg fetal body weight into E12-E14 BALB/c fetuses (H- 2Kd). Fetal immune responses were monitored by in vitro mixed lymphocyte reaction and cytotoxicity assays performed with self (Balb/c), allogeneic ES cells, BM or FL hematopoietic cells, and 3rd party (C3H cells). Cytokine levels (IL-2, IFN-gamma, IL-4 and IL-10) were determined in the cell culture supernatants from cytotoxicity assays. Liver tissue sections were prepared from in utero transplanted fetuses and examined for the presence of lymphocytic infiltration. Results: In utero transplantation of YFP-ES-cells did not induce tolerance in the fetuses and was associated with increased cytokine production compared with BM and FL groups. Microscopic examination of liver sections of ES cell transplanted group revealed the presence of marked inflammatory infiltrate. Conclusions: Embryonic stem cells transplanted in utero induce fetal immune responses and increased cytokine production associated with (MHC) upregulation.

Sorafenib and hepatocellular carcinoma: is alpha-fetoprotein a biomarker predictive of tumor biology and primary resistance?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca Negri ◽  
Letizia Gnetti ◽  
Giuseppe Pedrazzi ◽  
Enrico Maria Silini ◽  
Camillo Porta
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Overall Survival ◽  
Tumor Biology ◽  
Progression Free Survival ◽  
Alpha Fetoprotein ◽  
Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Primary Resistance ◽  
Free Survival ◽  
Vegf Signaling

Background: Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is the only biomarker with proven prognostic value in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. Preliminary data indicate crosstalk between AFP and VEGF signaling. Methods: The authors looked at 69 patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma who were previously tested for VEGFR2 expression, had available baseline AFP serum concentrations and were treated with sorafenib within clinical trials. Results: Shorter progression-free survival and overall survival were associated with increased AFP level and elevated VEGFR2 staining. At multivariate analysis of AFP level was the only independent prognostic factor for progression-free survival and overall survival. Conclusion: The authors' study confirms the adverse prognostic role of elevated baseline AFP and also suggests a possible role of AFP in primary resistance to sorafenib therapy.

Motility of leukemic lymphocytes

1990 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 368-369
Author(s):  
Manoj Raje ◽  
Karvita B. Ahluwalia
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Data ◽  
Laser Doppler Velocimetry ◽  
Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽  
Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽  
Cellular Space ◽  
Differentiated Cells ◽  
Poorly Differentiated ◽  
Solid Tissues ◽  
Well Differentiated ◽  
Reduced Mobility

In Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia motility of lymphocytes is associated with dissemination of malignancy and establishment of metastatic foci. Normal and leukemic lymphocytes in circulation reach solid tissues where due to in adequate perfusion some cells get trapped among tissue spaces. Although normal lymphocytes reenter into circulation leukemic lymphocytes are thought to remain entrapped owing to reduced mobility and form secondary metastasis. Cell surface, transmembrane interactions, cytoskeleton and level of cell differentiation are implicated in lymphocyte mobility. An attempt has been made to correlate ultrastructural information with quantitative data obtained by Laser Doppler Velocimetry (LDV). TEM of normal & leukemic lymphocytes revealed heterogeneity in cell populations ranging from well differentiated (Fig. 1) to poorly differentiated cells (Fig. 2). Unlike other cells, surface extensions in differentiated lymphocytes appear to originate by extrusion of large vesicles in to extra cellular space (Fig. 3). This results in persistent unevenness on lymphocyte surface which occurs due to a phenomenon different from that producing surface extensions in other cells.

scholarly journals A prognostic nomogram based on LASSO Cox regression in patients with alpha-fetoprotein-negative hepatocellular carcinoma following non-surgical therapy

BMC Cancer ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dongdong Zhou ◽  
Xiaoli Liu ◽  
Xinhui Wang ◽  
Fengna Yan ◽  
Peng Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Surgical Therapy ◽  
Calibration Curve ◽  
Cox Regression ◽  
Validation Cohort ◽  
Risk Group ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
High Risk Group ◽  
Alpha Fetoprotein ◽  
Clinicopathologic Characteristics

Abstract Background Alpha-fetoprotein-negative hepatocellular carcinoma (AFP-NHCC) (< 8.78 ng/mL) have special clinicopathologic characteristics and prognosis. The aim of this study was to apply a new method to establish and validate a new model for predicting the prognosis of patients with AFP-NHCC. Methods A total of 410 AFP-negative patients with clinical diagnosed with HCC following non-surgical therapy as a primary cohort; 148 patients with AFP-NHCC following non-surgical therapy as an independent validation cohort. In primary cohort, independent factors for overall survival (OS) by LASSO Cox regression were all contained into the nomogram1; by Forward Stepwise Cox regression were all contained into the nomogram2. Nomograms performance and discriminative power were assessed with concordance index (C-index) values, area under curve (AUC), Calibration curve and decision curve analyses (DCA). The results were validated in the validation cohort. Results The C-index of nomogram1was 0.708 (95%CI: 0.673–0.743), which was superior to nomogram2 (0.706) and traditional modes (0.606–0.629). The AUC of nomogram1 was 0.736 (95%CI: 0.690–0.778). In the validation cohort, the nomogram1 still gave good discrimination (C-index: 0.752, 95%CI: 0.691–0.813; AUC: 0.784, 95%CI: 0.709–0.847). The calibration curve for probability of OS showed good homogeneity between prediction by nomogram1 and actual observation. DCA demonstrated that nomogram1 was clinically useful. Moreover, patients were divided into three distinct risk groups for OS by the nomogram1: low-risk group, middle-risk group and high-risk group, respectively. Conclusions Novel nomogram based on LASSO Cox regression presents more accurate and useful prognostic prediction for patients with AFP-NHCC following non-surgical therapy. This model could help patients with AFP-NHCC following non-surgical therapy facilitate a personalized prognostic evaluation.

scholarly journals Expression of Cancer Testis Antigens in Tumor-Adjacent Normal Liver Is Associated with Post-Resection Recurrence of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 2499
Author(s):  
Lisanne Noordam ◽  
Zhouhong Ge ◽  
Hadiye Özturk ◽  
Michail Doukas ◽  
Shanta Mancham ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Normal Liver ◽  
Occult Metastasis ◽  
Recurrence Rates ◽  
Curative Intent ◽  
Cancer Testis Antigens ◽  
Negative Prognostic Factor ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Hcc Recurrence ◽  
Cancer Testis

High recurrence rates after resection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with curative intent impair clinical outcomes of HCC. Cancer/testis antigens (CTAs) are suitable targets for cancer immunotherapy if selectively expressed in tumor cells. The aims were to identify CTAs that are frequently and selectively expressed in HCC-tumors, and to investigate whether CTAs could serve as biomarkers for occult metastasis. Tumor and paired tumor-free liver (TFL) tissues of HCC-patients and healthy tissues were assessed for mRNA expression of 49 CTAs by RT-qPCR and protein expression of five CTAs by immunohistochemistry. Twelve CTA-mRNAs were expressed in ≥10% of HCC-tumors and not in healthy tissues except testis. In tumors, mRNA and protein of ≥ 1 CTA was expressed in 78% and 71% of HCC-patients, respectively. In TFL, CTA mRNA and protein was found in 45% and 30% of HCC-patients, respectively. Interestingly, CTA-expression in TFL was an independent negative prognostic factor for post-resection HCC-recurrence and survival. We established a panel of 12 testis-restricted CTAs expressed in tumors of most HCC-patients. The increased risk of HCC-recurrence in patients with CTA expression in TFL, suggests that CTA-expressing (pre-)malignant cells may be a source of HCC-recurrence, reflecting the relevance of targeting these to prevent HCC-recurrence.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document