Journal of Liver Cancer

Myeong Jun Song

11 Articles

High-level Expression of Interleukin-17 and C-reactive Protein Predicts Tumor Progression in Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma Treated by Transarterial Chemoembolization: Myeong Jun Song, Sung Won Lee, Eun-Jee Oh, Bohyun Jang, Jeong Won Jang, Si Hyun Bae, Jong Young Choi, Seung Kew Yoon; J Liver Cancer. 2016;16(2):108-117. Published online September 30, 2016; DOI: https://doi.org/10.17998/jlc.16.2.108

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Abstract PDF: Background/Aim
s: Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is the standard locoregional treatment in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Angiogenesis and inflammation play important roles in tumor growth in HCC. In this study, we evaluated the associations between the levels of growth factors and inflammatory markers and clinical prognosis in patients with unresectable HCC treated with TACE.
Methods
The clinical outcomes of 58 HCC patients treated with TACE at the Catholic Medical Centers from January, 2012 to February 2015 were evaluated. Baseline levels of the growth factors vascular endothelial growth factor, fibroblast growth factor, platelet-derived growth factor, and hepatocyte growth factor and the inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-17 and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were compared with the treatment outcomes. The primary endpoint was time to progression (TTP); the secondary endpoint was overall survival (OS).
Results
During the 20.8 months of follow-up, TTP was significantly delayed in patients with low levels of hs-CRP (≤0.15) and IL-17 (≤0.94) and a maximal tumor diameter ≤5 cm (P =0.010, P =0.015, and 0.048, respectively). Patients with HCC with low hs-CRP and IL-17 levels had a longer survival than that of those with high hs-CRP levels and IL-17 (35.1 vs. 22.5 months, P =0.000; 41 vs. 21.8 months, P =0.000, respectively). However, any baseline growth factors were not significantly correlated with TTP and OS.
Conclusions
Elevated IL-17 and hs-CRP may be predictive of a poor outcome in patients with HCC treated with TACE. A better understanding of this relationship will require further investigation of the immune mechanisms underlying tumor progression.

Comparative Study between Metronomic Chemotherapy and Transarterial Chemoembolization in Patients with Child-Pugh Class B Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Hyun Yang, Myeong Jun Song, Hee Chul Nam, Hae Lim Lee, Sung Won Lee, Do Seon Song, Jeong Won Jang, Si Hyun Bae, Jong Yong Choi, Seung Kew Yoon; J Liver Cancer. 2015;15(2):92-99. Published online September 30, 2015; DOI: https://doi.org/10.17998/jlc.15.2.92

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Abstract PDF

Background/Aim
s: Metronomic (MET) chemotherapy is a treatment characterized by frequent infusion of low doses of chemotherapeutic agent without extended break. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of MET chemotherapy compared with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) in patients with child B class advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
Methods
Seventy-three patients with child B class advanced HCC were analyzed between April, 2007 and August, 2013 according to two treatment groups: (i) MET chemotherapy group (n=43, Epirubicin 35 mg/body surface area [BSA] every 4 weeks, and cisplatin 15 mg/BSA and 5-fluorouracil 50 mg/BSA weekly for 3 weeks) via an implantable port system with 1 week break. (ii) TACE group (n=30, Adriamycin 20-50 mg) every 4 weeks. Primary endpoint was overall survival (OS).
Results
The median survival times in the MET and TACE groups were 4.5 months and 3.1 months, respectively. The overall survival rate showed significantly better in the MET treatment group than in the TACE group (P=0.039). When the factors affecting patient OS were analyzed, MET chemotherapy (P=0.038, hazard ratio {HR} 0.538 [95% confidence interval {CI} 0.299-0.967]) was independently associated with OS. Larger maximal tumor size, extrahepatic metastasis and advanced stage also were significant factors for OS (P=0.009, HR 1.064 [95% CI 1.014-16.064]; P=0.014, HR 2.120 [95% CI 1.164-3.861]; P=0.019, HR 2.046 [95% CI 1.125-3.720], respectively).
Conclusions
MET chemotherapy showed survival benefit than TACE in patients with child class B advanced HCC. Therefore, MET chemotherapy may be considered as a treatment option for advanced HCC with poor liver function. (J Liver Cancer 2015;15:92-99)

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A comparative study of sorafenib and metronomic chemotherapy for Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer-stage C hepatocellular carcinoma with poor liver function
Hyun Yang, Hyun Young Woo, Soon Kyu Lee, Ji Won Han, Bohyun Jang, Hee Chul Nam, Hae Lim Lee, Sung Won Lee, Do Seon Song, Myeong Jun Song, Jung Suk Oh, Ho Jong Chun, Jeong Won Jang, Angelo Lozada, Si Hyun Bae, Jong Young Choi, Seung Kew Yoon
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology.2017; 23(2): 128. CrossRef

Transarterial Chemoembolization with Drug-Eluting Beads for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Myeong Jun Song; Journal of the Korean Liver Cancer Study Group. 2012;12(2):88-92. Published online September 30, 2012

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Abstract PDF: Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) has been widely used as a standard treatment for HCC patients who are not suitable candidates for curative treatments and as a bridge to liver transplantation. The rationale for TACE is that the intra-arterial chemotherapy using lipiodol and chemotherapeutic agents, followed by selective vascular embolization, will result in a strong cytotoxic effect combined with ischemia (conventional TACE). Recently, drug-eluting beads (DC Bead®) for the transcatheter treatment of HCC have been developed to deliver higher doses of chemotherapeutic agent and to prolong contact time with the tumor. DC Bead® has the ability to actively sequester doxorubicin hydrochloride from solution and release it in a controlled and sustained fashion. Treatment with DC Bead® has been shown to substantially diminish the amount of chemotherapeutic agent that reaches the systemic circulation compared with conventional, lipiodol-based regimens, significantly reducing drug-related adverse events. In this article, we describe the treatment efficacy and safety of TACE with the drug-eluting bead for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma and discuss future therapeutic possibilities.

A Case of Combination Therapy Using Radioembolization and Transarterial Chemoembolization with Drug-eluting Beads in Bilobar Hepatocellular Carcinomas: Hee Yeon Kim, Chung-Hwa Park, Do Seon Song, Myeong Jun Song, Jong Young Choi, Seung Kew Yoon, Si Hyun Bae, Ho Jung Chun; Journal of the Korean Liver Cancer Study Group. 2012;12(2):128-132. Published online September 30, 2012

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Abstract PDF: Bilobar multifocal hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) can be treated with transarterial radioembolization in a sequential lobar, or whole liver manner. However, radioembolization could result in a risk of radiation-induced liver toxicity in patients with reduced functional reserve. Here we describe a case with bilobar HCCs successfully treated with a combination therapy using radioembolization and transarterial chemoembolization with drug-eluting beads without significant side effects. A 72-year-old female with liver cirrhosis was diagnosed of hepatocellular carcinoma with bilobar involvement. The main mass in the left lobe was treated with radioembolization while the other lesion in the right lobe was treated with transarterial chemoembolization using drug-eluting beads, and the patient was tolerable. A combination of radioembolization and selective transarterial chemoem- bolization may be considered for an alternative option in patients with bilobar multifocal HCCs with decreased liver function.

A Case of Hepatocellular Carcinoma which Showed Response to Transarterial Chemoembolization with DC Bead® in the Patient who Showed No Response to Conventional Transarterial Chemoembolization: Do Seon Song, Hee Yeon Kim, Myeong Jun Song, Si Hyun Bae, Jong Young Choi, Seung Kew Yoon, Ho Jong Chun; Journal of the Korean Liver Cancer Study Group. 2012;12(2):133-136. Published online September 30, 2012

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Abstract PDF: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most important cause of cancer death in South Korea. Approximately two thirds of the HCC patients are diagnosed in the unresectable stage. Conventional transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) showed survival benefit in the unresectable HCC patients, but it had some limitations, such as low response rate and systemic toxicity. Drug eluting bead has been reported low systemic toxicity and higher tumor necrosis rate. We report a case which showed response to TACE with DC bead in patient that showed no response to conventional TACE.

A Case of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in a 10 Year Old Child Treated with Yttrium Radioembolization and Transarterial Chemoembolization: Sung Won Lee, Hee Yeon Kim, Do Seon Song, Chung-Hwa Park, Myeong Jun Song, Jong Young Choi, Seung Kew Yoon, Jung Suk Oh, Ho Jong Chun, Si Hyun Bae; Journal of the Korean Liver Cancer Study Group. 2012;12(2):137-140. Published online September 30, 2012

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Abstract PDF: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in childhood is rare but is the second most common malignant liver neoplasm after hepatoblastoma in children. Surgical resectability is the foundation of curative therapy but only one third of newly diagnosed HCCs are resectable, and unresectable HCC remains largely unresponsive to systemic chemotherapy. In all reported series of HCC in children, therapeutic results are poor with overall survival less than 30%. Systemic chemotherapy is only partially effective but if preoperative downstaging can be achieved, it would result in a higher survival rate. There are scarce data regarding local ablative treatments such as transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and therefore survival benefits are still unclear. TACE may be considered as a therapeutic alternative in cases of unresectable tumors after systemic chemotherapy or in unresectable, non-metastatic HCCs. The use of orthotopic liver transplantation in childhood HCC remains controversial. Radioembolization is a mode of treatment that aims to selectively target radiation to all liver tumors using yttrium-90 microspheres while limiting the dose to normal liver parenchyma. It may be considered as another treatment option in childhood HCC with the purpose of preoperative downstaging but further studies are required to determine the treatment benefits and safety of radioembolization treatment.

A Case of Progressive Superior Mesenteric Vein Thrombosis after Percutaneous Transhepatic Obliteration in Infiltrative Hepatocellular Carcinomaswith Portal Vein Thrombosis: Hee Yeon Kim, Chung-Hwa Park, Sung won Lee, Do Seon Song, Myeong Jun Song, Jong Young Choi, Seung Kew Yoon, Si Hyun Bae, Jung Suk Oh, Ho Jong Chun; Journal of the Korean Liver Cancer Study Group. 2012;12(2):146-150. Published online September 30, 2012

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Abstract PDF: Percutaneous transhepatic obliteration of gastroesophageal varices is one of the effective emergency procedure when endoscopic therapy is not indicated or has been failed. One of the major complications of this procedure is portal thrombosis. A 53-year-old male with hepatitis B virus infection was diagnosed of infiltrative hepatocellular carcinoma with right portal vein thrombosis. On the next day after being hospitalization, the patient developed variceal bleeding. With medical management, endoscopic therapy was initially attempted, however, it ended in failure. Emergency percutaneous transhepatic obliteration of bleeding gastroesophageal varices was considered as a next option. Bleeding from gastroesophageal varices was stopped after percutaneous obliateration, however, portal thrombosis was extended to splenic vein or superior mesenteric veins.

Hepatic Artery Infusion Chemotherapy for Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Myeong Jun Song, Si Hyun Bae; Journal of the Korean Liver Cancer Study Group. 2012;12(1):5-9. Published online February 28, 2012

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Abstract PDF: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide. Surgery, percutaneous ablation and liver transplantation are the only curative treatment modality for HCC. However, a majority of patients have unresectable disease at diagnosis. Despite radical treatment, high risk of tumor recurrence is the most common problem. Therefore, there is a need for effective treatment options for patients with advanced or recurrent HCC. For patients with advanced stage of HCC according to the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer staging system, the multikinase inhibitor sorafenib is the current standard of care. However, hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) have been applied to advanced stage HCC with a view to improve the therapeutic indexes in Asia. HAIC provides direct drug delivery into tumor bed and a greater first‐pass effect; also systemic side effects can be potentially minimized. However, the sample size of researches on HAIC was small and large randomized trials are still lacking. In this article, we describe the treatment efficacy of HAIC for advanced stage HCC and discuss future therapeutic possibilities.

A Case of Liver Transplantation after Combination of Sorafenib and Hepatic Arterial Infusion Chemotherapy in the Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patient with Portal Vein Thrombosis: Do Seon Song, Myeong Jun Song, Si Hyun Bae, Jong Young Choi, Seung Kew Yoon, Ho Jong Chun, Dong Goo Kim; Journal of the Korean Liver Cancer Study Group. 2012;12(1):62-66. Published online February 28, 2012

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Abstract PDF: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third most common malignancy in Korea where chronic hepatitis B virus is prevalent. More than 60-70% of HCC cases are diagnosed at an advanced stage that are not eligible for curative therapy such as surgical resection, liver transplantation, radiofrequency ablation, and percutaneous ethanol injection. According to Barcellona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) staging and treatment, standard treatment of advanced HCC is sorafenib. And there are some reports that hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) could be a beneficial therapeutic option for patients with advanced HCC. We report a case of advanced HCC with portal vein thrombosis that received liver transplantation after combination treatment of HAIC and sorafenib.

Conus Medullaris Syndrome after Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization in Patient with Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Sun Hong Yoo, Si Hyun Bae, Pil Soo Sung, Hee Yeon Kim, Do Seon Song, Myeong Jun Song, Jong Young Choi, Seung Kew Yoon, Ho Jong Chun; Journal of the Korean Liver Cancer Study Group. 2011;11(2):185-189. Published online September 30, 2011

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Abstract PDF: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fourth most common cancer in Korea and a common cause of cancer death. Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) is used as palliative therapy for patients with inoperable HCC. TACE is an effective treatments for inoperable HCC, but variable complications due to using embolic agents can occur after TACE. Complications due to embolic agents include pulmonary lipiodol embolism, splenic infarction, cerebral lipiodol infarction, and spinal cord injury. This is a rare case of spinal cord injury after a sixth TACE via right T9 intercostal artery.

Hepatocellular Carcinoma Diagnosed with Metastatic Lesion of the Cervical Spine: Chung-Hwa Park, Myeong Jun Song, Hee Yeon Kim, Si Hyun Bae, Seung Kew Yoon, Jong Young Choi; Journal of the Korean Liver Cancer Study Group. 2010;10(1):61-63. Published online June 30, 2010

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Abstract PDF: Bone metastases in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are usually treated with non-operative procedures such as radiotherapy, hormonal therapy, bisphosphonates, or sometimes with surgical procedures. Here we describe a case with 3rd cervical spine metastasis of HCC. A 62-year-old female with liver cirrhosis presented with neck pain. After evaluation, the patient was diagnosed of hepatocellular carcinoma with cervical spine metastasis. The metastatic lesion was treated with tomotherapy while the primary lesion in the liver was treated with transarterial chemoembolization using drug-eluting beads, and the patient is tolerable waiting for the next treatment.