Changes of cytokines in cirrhosis patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma treated by intra-arterial chemotherapy.
BACKGROUND
Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) induces cancer cell-specific apoptosis by binding to a TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand. Binding of the Fas ligand on cytotoxic T lymphocytes to the Fas receptor on hepatocytes is also known to induce apoptosis. The aim of this study was to clarify changes of cytokines in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) and advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (aHCC) receiving intra-arterial combination chemotherapy.


METHODS
Twenty-one adult Japanese LC patients with aHCC received intra-arterial combination chemotherapy. The serum levels of TNF-alpha, soluble TNF receptor-I (sTNFr-I), soluble Fas ligand (sFas L), and soluble Fas (sFas) were evaluated.


RESULTS
Thirteen of the 21 patients (group R) showed an objective response, while the other eight patients (group N) showed no response. The serum level of TNF-alpha was lower after chemotherapy than before chemotherapy in group N, but there was no difference of serum sTNFr-I levels between before and after chemotherapy and there were also no differences between the two groups. The serum sFas levels were higher after chemotherapy than before chemotherapy in group N, while there was no difference among groups.


CONCLUSIONS
These results indicate that a high serum TNF-alpha level and a low serum sFas level might be important for successful combined arterial chemotherapy in LC patients with aHCC.
Nagai
Hidenari
H
Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Toho University Medical Center, Omori Hospital, 6-11-1, Omorinishi, Ota-ku, Tokyo, 143-8541, Japan. hidenari@aol.com
Miyaki
Daisuke
D
Matsui
Teppei
T
Kanayama
Masahiro
M
Higami
Katsuya
K
Momiyama
Kouichi
K
Ikehara
Takashi
T
Watanabe
Manabu
M
Sumino
Yasukiyo
Y
Miki
Kazumasa
K
D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood*; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007261:Infusions, Intra-Arterial; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012995:Solubility; D047990:TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 1 / Q000097:blood; D000637:Transaminases / Q000097:blood; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood
D016207:Cytokines; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein; D047990:TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 1; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D000637:Transaminases