‘World’s first’ treatment said to reverse stage-four liver cancer

Summary

Researchers at the University of Hong Kong have developed a 'reduce and remove' strategy that has successfully reversed stage four liver cancer in some patients. The innovative treatment combines regional chemotherapy, stereotactic beam radiotherapy, and immunotherapy, resulting in a 40% complete response rate and enabling surgery in an additional 12% of cases. A recent groundbreaking case involved shrinking an 18 cm tumor to 1.2 cm, leading to a liver transplant and long-term survival prospects for the patient.

Takeaways

• 🔬 Liver cancer is the third deadliest form of cancer worldwide.
• 🌟 Researchers at the University of Hong Kong have developed a 'reduce and remove' strategy to treat stage four liver cancer.
• 💡 The treatment combines regional chemotherapy, stereotactic beam radiotherapy, and immunotherapy.
• 📉 The strategy has achieved a 40% complete response rate in imaging studies, with an additional 12% of patients having their tumors shrink enough for surgery.
• 🏥 A groundbreaking case involved an 18 cm tumor that invaded major blood vessels, which was reduced to 1.2 cm after treatment, allowing for liver transplantation.
• 🔍 The standard treatment for liver cancer is surgery, but only about a third of patients are eligible due to the severity of their condition.
• 🆕 The 'reduce and remove' strategy has increased the surgery eligibility rate from the traditional 10% to up to 70% response rate, with half of those having a complete response.
• 📊 Stage four liver cancer typically has a 6 months to 1 year survival rate of about 30-40%.
• ⏳ The patient in the case study has been cancer-free for almost four months since the operation.
• 🌱 The treatment was first tried in 2017 and a Phase 2 clinical trial was conducted from 2019 to 2021, showing promising results even during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• 📈 It's estimated that 400 to 600 liver cancer patients in Hong Kong could benefit from this treatment strategy annually.

Q & A

What is the significance of the 'reduce and remove' strategy in treating liver cancer?

The 'reduce and remove' strategy is groundbreaking as it combines three different forms of treatment to reverse stage four liver cancer, potentially shrinking it to stage one. This multimodality treatment approach includes regional chemotherapy (The TACE), stereotactic beam radiotherapy (SBRT), and immunotherapy, leading to a higher response rate and the possibility of surgical removal of the tumor.

How does the multimodality treatment strategy work in the 'reduce and remove' approach?

The multimodality treatment strategy in the 'reduce and remove' approach involves a combination of regional chemotherapy (TACE), highly concentrated radiation (SBRT), and immunotherapy. This combination aims to kill off tumor cells and, in some cases, reduce the tumor size to a point where it can be surgically removed.

What was the condition of the patient in the latest groundbreaking case?

The patient in the latest case had an 18 cm tumor that replaced the entire left liver and invaded blood vessels, including the left and right portal veins and the main trunk, indicating a T4 stage four liver cancer. His liver function was also quite bad, making standard treatment options limited.

What was the impact of the 'reduce and remove' strategy on the patient's tumor size?

The 'reduce and remove' strategy led to a dramatic reduction in the patient's tumor size. The tumor, initially 18 cm, was reduced to 1.2 cm after the treatment, making it possible to consider liver transplantation.

What is the typical treatment for liver cancer, and how does the 'reduce and remove' strategy differ?

The standard treatment for liver cancer often involves surgery to remove the tumors, which provides the best outcome. However, only about a third of patients are eligible for surgery. The 'reduce and remove' strategy aims to increase the number of patients who can undergo surgery by combining different treatments to reduce tumor size and improve liver function.

What is the survival rate for stage four liver cancer patients who do not undergo surgery?

For stage four liver cancer patients who do not undergo surgery, the 5-year survival rate is approximately 30%. The 'reduce and remove' strategy aims to improve these odds by making surgery a viable option for more patients.

What is the typical mortality rate for stage four liver cancer?

The typical mortality rate for stage four liver cancer is quite high, with a survival time of 6 months to one year and a survival probability in the region of 30 to 40%.

How long has the patient in the latest case been cancer-free after the treatment?

The patient in the latest case has been cancer-free for almost four months since the operation, which was performed in August.

How many new cases of liver cancer are diagnosed each year in Hong Kong?

In Hong Kong, there are over 1,700 new cases of liver cancer diagnosed each year, making it the fifth most common and the third most deadly type of cancer.

What is the potential reach of the 'reduce and remove' strategy in terms of helping liver cancer patients in Hong Kong?

Considering the number of patients diagnosed with liver cancer each year in Hong Kong, it is estimated that about 400 to 600 patients could benefit from the 'reduce and remove' treatment strategy annually.

How does the 'reduce and remove' strategy fit into the current treatment landscape for liver cancer?

The 'reduce and remove' strategy offers a new approach by combining different treatments to increase the response rate and the possibility of surgical intervention. It is particularly beneficial for the two-thirds of patients who are not candidates for surgery under standard treatment protocols.