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Atezolizumab plus bevacizumab and lenvatinib are the key drugs in the current systemic chemotherapeutic regimen for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Studies have reported the potential effectiveness of lenvatinib introduction after an atezolizumab plus bevacizumab treatment; however, the therapeutic effectiveness of a lenvatinib rechallenge after an atezolizumab plus bevacizumab treatment remains unclear.Thirteen consecutive patients who were rechallenged with lenvatinib after clinical failure following treatments with lenvatinib and atezolizumab plus bevacizumab were included. A comparative study was conducted on the duration and treatment efficacy of the first and second lenvatinib treatments and on the pre- and post-treatment liver function.The median ratios of the 1-month post-treatment alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels to the pretreatment AFP levels were 0.750 and 0.667 for the first and second lenvatinib treatments, respectively, without significant difference (p=0.9327). Meanwhile, the median ratios of the 1-month post-treatment albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) scores to the pretreatment ALBI scores were 1.063 and 0.827 for the first and second lenvatinib treatments, respectively, with significant difference (p=0.015). The median duration of the second lenvatinib treatment was significantly shorter than that of the first lenvatinib treatment [2.8 months (range=0.9-4.7 months) vs. 8.7 months (range=3.1-29.7 months)].Lenvatinib re-administration after atezolizumab plus bevacizumab treatment can act as a double-edged sword, as it exerts an anti-tumor effect while being associated with potential liver function deterioration. However, this treatment sequence can be useful, and requires careful monitoring of the transitions in the liver function and the patient's performance status.

Background/aim Few studies have established a definite conclusion regarding the limitation of surgical treatment for patients with Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage B and C hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Patients and methods A retrospective analysis was performed on 717 consecutive patients who underwent initial hepatectomy for HCC. Results Reductive hepatectomy was performed in 103 patients, with a median survival time (MST) of 18.0 months. Total bilirubin and albumin levels were identified as independent prognostic factors. The predictive score of these factors ranged from 0 to 2. Subsequent local treatment was performed in 91.0, 75.0, and 25.0% of patients who scored 0, 1, and 2, respectively. The MST for patients with a score of 0, 1, and 2 was 20.1, 14.8, and 2.7 months, respectively, with a significant difference. Conclusion Patients with BCLC stage B and C could be properly treated with reductive hepatectomy and subsequent local treatments.

Background/aim We aimed to investigate the dosimetric effects of a spacer placed between the pancreas and surrounding gastrointestinal structures in intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) planning to provide more effective radiation therapy for locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC). Patients and methods Treatment planning was performed for six patients with LAPC based on computed tomography images without spacers and with 5-mm or 10-mm spacers virtually inserted under the supervision of a hepatobiliary pancreatic surgeon. The prescription dose was 63 Gy in 28 fractions. Results With the exception of one case of pancreatic head cancer, planning target volume receiving ≥95% of the prescribed dose (PTV V95) was achieved by 90% or more by inserting a spacer, and by 95% or more in all 3 cases of pancreatic body and tail cancer by inserting a 10-mm spacer. Conclusion IMRT with appropriate spacer placement may help provide high-dose treatment for LAPC and improve associated patient outcomes.

Background/aim While there is increasing evidence supporting the role of several first- and second-line treatment regimens for advanced hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC), the clinical relevance of rechallenge treatment with previously administered drugs, however, remains to be explored. Patients and methods Five consecutive patients with advanced HCC who received lenvatinib rechallenge treatment after ramucirumab were assessed. Results All patients were clinically diagnosed with failure after ramucirumab treatment, and the frequencies of ramucirumab administration before lenvatinib re-administration ranged from 3 to 11. The alfa-fetoprotein level in four of five patients decreased 1 month after the lenvatinib rechallenge. Radiological findings via the modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors showed stable diseases in four patients and a partial response in one. Conclusion Rechallenge treatment with lenvatinib after ramucirumab can be effective, and may be a treatment option for HCC in cases wherein the disease progressed after an initial response to lenvatinib treatment.

Background/aim Hepatic venous isolation and extracorporeal charcoal hemoperfusion (HVI-CHP) can reduce systemic exposure to hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) chemotherapy. The pre-existing HVI-CHP system has limited effectiveness against high-dose cisplatin; therefore, we designed a new system and evaluated its efficacy in a canine model. Materials and methods Cisplatin was administered via HAI under HVI-CHP. HVI-CHP was performed using one charcoal column in group I and two charcoal columns in group II; it was not performed in group III. The plasma cisplatin levels in the systemic circulation and at the column inlet and outlet, and the column extraction rate of were analyzed. Results The column extraction rates of free and total cisplatin in group II were significantly higher than those in group I. The systemic concentration of free cisplatin was significantly lower in group II than in groups I and III after HAI. No significant differences were observed in cisplatin concentrations in the liver tissue among all groups. Conclusion A novel HVI-CHP system for HAI of cisplatin was successfully developed.

AIM To evaluate the clinical significance of lateral pelvic lymph node (LLN) size in predicting pathological metastasis and prognosis in rectal cancer treated with preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) followed by surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS Fifty-two patients with rectal cancer who underwent curative surgery after preoperative CRT were included. Fifteen patients underwent total mesorectal excision (TME) alone, while 37 patients underwent TME with LLN dissection for clinical LLN metastasis. RESULTS Pathological metastasis was identified in seven (2.6%) out of 270 resected LLNs in six (16.2%) out of 37 patients. The cut-off value of the short-axis diameter was 7.0 mm before and 6.0 mm after CRT. The 5-year recurrence-free survival rate was significantly higher in patients with LLNs

Intraductal papillary neoplasm of the bile duct (IPNB) is a novel and increasingly-occurring disease. Its characteristics remain uncertain because of the lack of an in vitro culture system. We established and characterized a novel cell line from a human IPNB.We obtained tumor tissue from a surgical specimen from a patient with IPNB. Cells were primary co-cultured with mouse stromal cells in serum-free medium. Tumor characteristics were compared among the primary IPNB, established cell line, and xenograft.We successfully established an IPNB cell line. We temporary termed this cell line Kobe Bile Duct Cancer (KBDC)-11. Xenograft formed a tumor which had ductal structures and mucus production as the primary tumor did. Overexpression of p53, MUC staining pattern, and CD133 expression were common among the primary IPNB, KBDC-11, and the xenograft.This novel cell line established from IPNB exhibited the same features as IPNB and might contribute to studies of IPNB and its process of malignant transformation.

(18)F-Labeled fluorodeoxyglucose positron-emission tomography (FDG-PET), a rapidly evolving functional imaging modality, has recently been shown to be useful in the diagnosis and staging of various malignant tumors due to focal uptake of FDG-labeled glucose in malignant cell populations. However, the role of FDG-PET in the diagnosis and staging of biliary tract cancer is still controversial and has not yet been fully evaluated. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical importance of FDG-PET in the preoperative evaluation of biliary tract cancer and retrospectively clarify the characteristics of false-negative and false-positive cases. We retrospectively analyzed data for 73 consecutive patients diagnosed with cancer of the biliary tract and were admitted to the Department of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery at Kobe University Hospital for treatment, from January 2007 to August 2009. Since the sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value (PPV) of FDG-PET in the diagnosis of bile duct carcinoma are usually relatively high, FDG-PET is considered to be a useful tool in diagnosing biliary tract cancer. FDG-PET also seems to be useful in clinical decision-making, regarding treatment strategy, including surgery. Our results showed that FDG-PET is highly sensitive in delineating the primary focus of biliary cancer and is a useful tool in preoperative examination. A disadvantage of FDG-PET is its inability to indicate small metastases and false-positive findings of inflamed gallbladder and bile duct lesions.