Possible Treatment for Unresponsive Hepatitis C
16 February 2006
The U.S. is witnessing an increase in hepatitis C infection similar to the increase observed in Japan 50 years ago. Hepatitis C-associated hepatocellular cancer is increasing in incidence, while cancers related to alcohol and hepatitis B are remaining constant. There will be an expected 3-fold increase in hepatitis C-associated liver cancer over the next 20 years.
For full article, click here.
New Compound May Protect Against Liver Cancer
15 February 2006
Scientists have identified a new compound called CDDO-Im that protects against the development of liver cancer in laboratory animals. Experiments, led by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, show CDDO-Im to be effective at doses 100 times lower than other compounds known to prevent cancer in people. Because of its makeup, the researchers believe CDDO-Im could be particularly effective in preventing cancers with a strong link to inflammation, such as liver, colon, prostate and gastric cancers. It could also play a role in preventing diseases such as neurodegeneration, asthma and emphysema. The findings are featured in the February 15, 2006, issue of the journal Cancer Research.
For full article, click here.
Checking the Blood of High-Risk Groups for Liver Cancer
25 January 2006
Using sophisticated blood protein spectrum measurements analysed by computer artificial neural networks, the team was able to define and detect changes characteristic of early liver cancer.
Lead researcher Professor Philip Johnson said: "We've shown that the right combination of technology and computer analysis can 'break the code' of liver cancer and distinguish people with early liver cancer from those without the disease. Our method was more accurate than the existing liver cancer blood test.
Professor John Toy, medical director of Cancer Research UK commented,
"Professor Johnson and his colleagues have made a promising start in developing a potential new test for primary liver cancer. More work is needed to prove that patterns of protein levels associated with liver cancer can be used as a reliable test for monitoring high-risk groups."
For full article, click here.
Laparoscopic Liver Resection
23 January 2006
Doctor Jay Redan is one of a growing number of doctors performing laparoscopic surgery on organs like the liver - it's faster and easier on patients. "The big difference is they're going to have much less pain, faster recovery. In terms of cancer procedures, someone can start their cancer treatment sooner, and hopefully even have a better long-term outcome."
These tools allow surgeons to make a much smaller incision, and the magnified images make dissection safer and more precise.
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Hepatitis B Serum Levels and HCC
09 January 2006
In order to evaluate the relationship between the amount of viral DNA in a patient’s serum and the probability of developing HCC, researchers in Taiwan conducted a study among 3653 patients who were positive for hepatitis B virus and negative for hepatitis C virus.
During an average of 11 years of follow-up, researchers identified 164 new cases of HCC among study subjects. Patients with higher levels of hepatitis B virus DNA levels were more likely to develop HCC.
• Among patients with the lowest viral DNA levels, 1.3% of subjects developed HCC.
• Among patients with the highest viral DNA levels, 15% developed HCC.
The relationship between viral DNA level and risk of HCC persisted after accounting for sex, age, smoking, alcohol consumption, HBeAg (a marker of hepatitis B virus replication), and serum level of alanine aminotransferase (elevated levels suggest liver damage). In fact, the relationship between viral DNA level and risk of liver cancer was particularly strong for patients who were negative for HBeAg and had normal serum levels of alanine aminotransferase.
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Aflatoxin Recall
04 January 2006
Diamond Pet Food has recently issued a recall of many of their products due to aflatoxin contamination. Aflatoxin is a poisonous substance that can grow on grains. It is produced by fungi and is a major cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (primary liver cancer). Other risk factors for hepatocellular carcinov ma include hepatitis B and C.
For more information about the recalled products and the states affected visit: http://www.diamondpetrecall.com.
Treatment Gives New Hope for HCC
02 January 2006
Dr. Lawrence and fellow researchers are the only physicians in the world who offer a special form of chemo and radiation that may help patients live longer. Instead of going through the entire body, chemotherapy is injected into the arm and travels right into the liver artery at up to 400-times the normal dose.
Targeted beams of radiation hit the tumor in the patient's liver. Before giving radiation, he uses a mathematical formula to divide the liver into 2,000 parts. Targeted beams hit the tumor from different angles at the highest safe dose.
"This is like one, plus one equals three," Lawrence said. "You get more than the simple sum of the two treatments, because they work together."
Those on the combination treatment live an average of one and a half years longer than expected.
For full article, click here.
