title: Changes of cytokines in cirrhosis patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma treated by intra-arterial chemotherapy.
abstract: 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.
authors: Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Toho University Medical Center, Omori Hospital, 6-11-1, Omorinishi, Ota-ku, Tokyo, 143-8541, Japan. hidenari@aol.com
authors: Hidenari
authors: H
authors: Nagai
authors: Daisuke
authors: D
authors: Miyaki
authors: Teppei
authors: T
authors: Matsui
authors: Masahiro
authors: M
authors: Kanayama
authors: Katsuya
authors: K
authors: Higami
authors: Kouichi
authors: K
authors: Momiyama
authors: Takashi
authors: T
authors: Ikehara
authors: Manabu
authors: M
authors: Watanabe
authors: Yasukiyo
authors: Y
authors: Sumino
authors: Kazumasa
authors: K
authors: Miki
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein; D047990:TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 1; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D000637:Transaminases