Down‐regulation of connective tissue growth factor by inhibition of transforming growth factor β blocks the tumor–stroma cross‐talk and tumor progression in hepatocellular carcinoma

Antonio Mazzocca, Emilia Fransvea, Francesco Dituri, Luigi Lupo, Salvatore Antonaci, Gianluigi Giannelli – 25 January 2010 – Tumor–stroma interactions in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are of key importance to tumor progression. In this study, we show that HCC invasive cells produce high levels of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and generate tumors with a high stromal component in a xenograft model. A transforming growth factor β (TGF‐β) receptor inhibitor, LY2109761, inhibited the synthesis and release of CTGF, as well as reducing the stromal component of the tumors.

Efficacy and safety of peginterferon alfa‐2a (40KD) plus ribavirin in hepatitis C patients with advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis

Savino Bruno, Mitchell L. Shiffman, Stuart K. Roberts, Edward J. Gane, Diethelm Messinger, Stephanos J. Hadziyannis, Patrick Marcellin – 25 January 2010 – The objective of this study is to determine the efficacy and safety of peginterferon alfa‐2a (40KD)/ribavirin in patients with advanced fibrosis. Data from 341 genotype 1/4 patients (99 with bridging fibrosis/cirrhosis) treated for 48 weeks and 1547 genotype 2/3 patients (380 with bridging fibrosis/cirrhosis) treated for 16 or 24 weeks enrolled in three randomized international studies were analyzed.

Integrated approach for the identification of human hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α target genes using protein binding microarrays

Eugene Bolotin, Hailing Liao, Tuong Chi Ta, Chuhu Yang, Wendy Hwang‐Verslues, Jane R. Evans, Tao Jiang, Frances M. Sladek – 25 January 2010 – Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 alpha (HNF4α), a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily, is essential for liver function and is linked to several diseases including diabetes, hemophilia, atherosclerosis, and hepatitis. Although many DNA response elements and target genes have been identified for HNF4α, the complete repertoire of binding sites and target genes in the human genome is unknown.

Hydrodynamics‐based transfection of plasmid encoding receptor activator for nuclear factor kappa B–Fc protects against hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury in mice

Jian Shi, Wenyu Shao, Dongchang Yang, Liang Zhao, Lei Deng, Xuehao Wang, Beicheng Sun – 25 January 2010 – Hepatic ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is very important in transplant surgery.

Increased model for end‐stage liver disease score at the time of liver transplant results in prolonged hospitalization and overall intensive care unit costs

Matthew R. Foxton, Mohammad A. B. Al‐Freah, Andrew J. Portal, Elizabeth Sizer, William Bernal, Georg Auzinger, Mohamed Rela, Julia A. Wendon, Nigel D. Heaton, John G. O'Grady, Michael A. Heneghan – 25 January 2010 – Organ allocation based on Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease (MELD) resulted in decreased waiting list mortality in the United States. However, reports suggest an increase in resource utilization as a consequence of this. The aim of this study is to assess the correlation of MELD at transplant with post–liver transplant (LT) intensive care unit (ICU) costs.

Prognostic value of Ishak fibrosis stage: Findings from the hepatitis C antiviral long‐term treatment against cirrhosis trial

James E. Everhart, Elizabeth C. Wright, Zachary D. Goodman, Jules L. Dienstag, John C. Hoefs, David E. Kleiner, Marc G. Ghany, A. Scott Mills, S. Russell Nash, Sugantha Govindarajan, Thomas E. Rogers, Joel K. Greenson, Elizabeth M. Brunt, Herbert L. Bonkovsky, Chihiro Morishima, Heather J. Litman, HALT‐C Trial Group – 25 January 2010 – Studies of the prognostic value of Ishak fibrosis stage are lacking.

Subscribe to